THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

[August 1954]

Lines found in Tiki’s basket & indubitably her composition.  Thus the talent inherited by Crispin.¹

What nonsense to say
At this time of day
That the Reverend Mudge
Wrote nothing but fudge.
Just remember that Bach
Left a similar mark
on successors who said
That his work was quite dead:
That Concerto & suites
were mere antique Heats,
and Cantatas & Passions
Belonged to past fashions.
That explains why Unc Ralph
thought the chap was unsafe
And so for a lark
Took to re-working Bach,
filled in the continuo
which he thought far too thin, you know.
Now, with Mudge – to his credit –
There’s no need to edit!

1. In response to the lines written, as if by VW, in VWL2963.