24 NOVEMBER 1939, Page 20

TWO PARALLELS

Sia,—(r) (a) "Qualls artifex pereo! " Suetonius, Nero, c. 49 (b) "He was by nature an artist . . . . and as an artist he would end his days." Hitler (about himself) to the British Ambassador.

(2) (a) Shelley, Hellas (536).

" Fear not the Russian: The tiger leagues not with the stag at bay Against the hunter. Cunning, base and cruel, He crouches, watching till the spoil be won And must be paid for his reserve in blood."

(b)