ABSTRACT
It was Verlaine who introduced the notion, destined to become famous, of the 'accursed poets', by assembling under this title some articles on misunderstood and unfortunate poets among whom was the 'poor Lelian' in person, and also Rimbaud, 'self-accurst'. Verlaine speaks of 'the doctors and students, rather sceptical and con-ceited': the patients 'do not seem to be overjoyed by the departure of the Sisters'; the students are 'vulgar poseurs, inhuman, absolutely insolent'. Lastly, while wishing to be just and grateful where gratitude is due, he cannot refrain from fulminating against the atrocious idea of the modern hospital for the modern poet, who can only find it black as death and the tomb is black as the absence of charity. One is surprised to find these two men of genius, so different at every point, agreeing in the condemnation of eloquence.
