Poem of the week – Juliet by Hilaire Belloc

Every week the Reaction team intends to present a poem for the delectation of its subscribers. There are no thematic or stylistic guidelines to the poems chosen. Variety is the only editorial consideration. We hope you enjoy this new feature.

Poet, politician, historian, critic, soldier and sailor, Hilaire Belloc was born in France to a French father and English mother. Aggressive and eccentric, he often courted controversy with his zealous commitment to the Catholic faith and his vituperative criticisms of his illustrious contemporaries. His contentious views on politics, religion and race made him many enemies and perhaps diminished his inherent appeal. Famed for his cautionary rhymes for children, he is less well known for his romantic verses like our selection this week. Wit is best expressed with brevity and in the four lines comprising the poem below, the reader will be able to appreciate the humour, clarity and sincerity that its author applied to his other works. We hope you enjoy this brief read as much as we did.

Juliet by Hilaire Belloc

How did the party go in Portman Square?

I cannot tell you: Juliet was not there.

And how did Lady Gaster’s party go?

Juliet was next to me and I do not know.