Note 48 — III The ‘Clerks’—The Great Betrayal

I think it novel that a poet should give rise to a demonstration so essentially practical as the address of the Naval League of Venice to d’Annunzio after the publication of La Nave. ‘On the day when your genius radiates with new splendour over the ancient ruler of “our sea”, over Venice, to-day disarmed against Pola, the Naval League of Venice thanks you with emotion, hoping that the third Italy may at last arm the prow and set sail towards the world.’ (Translator’s Note.—I have rendered the French version as quoted; its meaning or lack of meaning is no doubt inherent in the genius of the original, which I have not before me.)