A DIALOGUE IN HADES
" MARQUIS DE SADE? Pray pardon my intrusion Among the Shades. I seek an interview To dissipate the prevalent confusion
Between the Third Reich autocrats and you."
" I thank you, scribe. I, too, have been uneasy Lest Teutons should be putting me to shame. Satan and my disciples are not queasy, But they insist that I should clear my name."
" Then, my Lord Marquis, tell me how you measure The March of Progress, how the vice that stamps Your name upon the link 'twixt pain and pleasure Is now the rage in concentration-camps? "
"Your question, Sir, does Progress little credit. I own no lien with any German lout. Heydrich you called the thing? I never bred it. My votaries down here are much put out."
"Pardon, my Lord, but hedonistic labours Like yours must leave their trace on world-affairs. Your château and the Brown House pass for neighbours. Men call the Gestapo your lineal heirs."
" This insult is my punishment. In dumb rage I hear that Huns have vulgarised my crime.
Such goings on give all good Sadists umbrage . . " I will not trespass on your Lordship's time."
"Mail non. I lived with gentlemen and ladies. Hell's rather mixed, and—yes, I'm rather vain—
From what you say, when Heydrich comes to Hades I shall appear a gentleman again."
VANSITTART.
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