13 AUGUST 1948, Page 11

SKETCH FOR TOLEDO-EL GRECO

Red and grey Toledo leaping Out of harder rock, and high Stone and burning tower flinging Granite birds against the sky.

Water, rack and iron maiden Whip is willing, flesh is weak From the island to the question Unforgiving came the Greek.

Hands that sweated colour making Pattern of the Agony, Peter sleeping, Judas waking To a first Gethsemane.

In the temple, arm upraising Whip that splits the face apart And the single unrelenting Eye that jumps inside the heart. LOUIS LAWLER.