Monday, December 05, 2005, 15:10

reading the eminent biography of lord alfred douglas
lord alfred douglas

by douglas murray about the life of oscar wilde´s lover bosie, i came upon an anecdote mentioned, which left me thinking: on the eve of oscar´s verdict, and while the authorities delayed his arrest in order to give him a last chance to flee the country and taking the last train to dover, there was an exodus of gay members of high society for the continent: some lords and their friends left the country ON THE SAME BOAT, fearing prosecution by the state for being what they were.
what a moment in history! just imagine, the last ship to calais filled with gay refugees, destined to more tolerant shores! what scenes will have happened on these planks! did they know each other? did they know what expected them? could they take enough provisions with them on such short notice? and who, if anyone at all, informed them of the necessity to leave? did they talk to each other? have, greatest idea, sex on board? and who, most interesting question of all, were they? is there a list of them in existence – what a great theme for a narration! i will set myself on this project at once. off to calais!