The Henson Journals

[98]

Wednesday, August 10th, 1921.

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"Calling Socrates to an argument is calling cavalry into an open plain."

^[Greek verse]^ (p. 155. Loeb, ed.)

This would appear to be the Greek equivalent of the slang expression, "asking for trouble", or the more respectable phrase "riding for a fall". I came across it as I read Plato's dialogue 'Theoetetus' in bed. This dialogue is full of good things, though the main argument draws to no conclusion.

I worked at the Preface all the morning and wrote a good deal which will probably go to the w.p.b.!

After lunch we all motored to Cleeve Abbey, which the local guide–book calls, not perhaps excessively, 'the ecclesiastical gem of the district'. It was a house of Cistercian monks founded in 1188, & dedicated to 'Our Blessed Lady of the Cliff[']. Hooper, one of the Marian martyrs, was one of the 17 brethren who were resident at the dissolution. Over the 13th century Gate house is the inscription 'Porta patens esto. Nulli clauderis honesto' [Gates be open. To nothing honest be obstructive]. The church has been totally ruined, but much of the conventual building has survived. The Refectory (early XVIth century) is a beautiful building, with a roof of Spanish chestnut very richly carved. The whole place gave forth a rare impression of religious repose. We had tea in the open, and then returned to Minehead. Then I wrote to Carissima, and packed up my books and papers for departure tomorrow.

I think the weather has definitely broken.

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