27 JULY 1944, Page 9

SELF-CONSCIOUS

As if a hind, tired by long pursuit And the sustained torture of Each surmounting trial, ever-perplexing, Turned by some cool brook and faced The hounds, its features showing Not the long suffering of the ever-tortured Mind but a smile Announcing knowledge of the conscious state of men, Afflicted much by fate, And more by self, yet gleefully Aware that fate deals sentient horrors with Impartial hand on hounds and hunted ; suffering, yet Amustd that others suffer so.

At which the single-hearted hounds Were struck with fear, halted, And their bellow to a whimper changed, They saw a horror unknown yet sometimes Glimpsed, self-sentient sentience, Conscience's self.

J. N.