Page:Men of Letters, Scott, 1916.djvu/188

162 162 MR. GRANVILLE BARKER AND AN ALIBI shadowed by one memory — the recollection of that half-finished play and of three strong-limbed Granville Barkers — Granville Barker the Manager, Granville Barker the Producer, and Granville Barker the Reper- tory Propagandist — forcibly holding the author away from it. I admit, indeed, that their efforts may have done him good in the past, that it was probably they, and especially the self-sacrificing Propagandist, who compelled him to " give up his carefully created soul out of his keeping " in order that they might return it improved. But, all the same, I feel the time has now come for him to possess that soul in peace again. We may or may not need a Repertory Theatre. But I am certain we badly need Barker's release. x^Lud so I turn propagandist myself, take sides with one of the simulacra, and insist that the soundest thing we drama-lovers can do is to get this Repertory Theatre on its feet without delay. But after that, Mr. Barker, no more Haroun-al- Raschiding. These doublings — and treblings — must cease. We have conquered your kingdom ; that means, you must rule it. Criticism fights only for others' liberty ; she pursues to set free. More certain than ever that the Word is your business, she begs you literally to accept your parole. The Bookman, 1914.