ABSTRACT

The Don Leon poems are in direct line with Colman's literary work. The general similarity in outlook, prepossession and characterizing technical tricks is in itself close enough to establish a case for his authorship. Colman is fond, like the author of the notes to Don Leon, of classical quotations, especially in his autobiography, Random Records; and his stage experience would have equipped him for the oriental descriptions. Colman is interested in the sexual associations of flogging. Colman had been criticized for treating the clergy lightly, and in return he emphasizes their failings. All Colman's light poetry, except for The Rodiad, was collected and published in a single volume by Chatto & Windus in 1898. Ashbee does not appear to have taken into account Colman's almost certain authorship of Don Leon. Colman is maliciously once again committing the very offence of double-meanings about which he is defending himself against the reviewers.