. . . And An Answer

Sir,—Apparently. Mr. Belford, several things "just beat" you. Of course a "tendency to recite" is a bad fault. Just because the medium of the play is poetry, it does not follow that it should be recited as such. I'm glad that you mentioned T. E. Eliot because I can refer you to a short essay of his called "Poetry and Drama" in which he points out that poetry in a play is but a means to an end. It must justify itself according to the law of dramatic relevance, and not merely be good poetry shaped into dramatic form. If it only gives the audience the pleasure of listening to fine poet then it is superfluous.

—D.B.S.