7 SEPTEMBER 1945, Page 11

UNDER SENTENCE

THERE is a wildness still in England that will not feed

In cages ; it shrinks away from touch of the trainer's hand ; Easy to kill, not easy to keep. It will not breed In a zoo for the public pleasure. It will not be planned.

Do not blame us too much if we, being woodland folk, Cannot swell the rejoicing at this new world you make ; We, hedge-hogged as Johnson, we unused to the yoke As Landor, surly as Cobbett (that badger), birdlike as Blake.

A new scent troubles the air—friendly to you perhaps—

But we with animal wisdom understand that smell. To all our kind its message is guns, ferrets, traps, And a Ministry gAsing the little holes in which we dwell.

C. S. LEWIS.