20 NOVEMBER 1959, Page 31

Knight Baffled

Through the sullen round of dark, Hiding behind a wall and blind, I recall my masterwork This white paper of my mind Possesses now : as watermark.

I had no more skill than other men. Greed gave my hand a turn. Greed made my eyesight keen. This insidious counter-turn Is not the thing 1 had foreseen.

Need had cleft me to the bone. All a cat's gentleness I used

To make what should make me again.

The craftsman—hunter—was abused. Being made, it proved its own.

JOHN HOLLOWAY