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<title type="main">The Collected Letters of Robert Southey. Part 1: 1791-1797 </title>
<title type="subordinate">A Romantic Circles Electronic Edition</title>
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<name>Southey, Robert, 1774-1843</name>
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<editor>Lynda Pratt</editor>
<sponsor>Romantic Circles</sponsor>
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<resp>General Editor, </resp>
<name>Neil Fraistat</name>
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<resp>General Editor, </resp>
<name>Steven E. Jones</name>
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<respStmt>
<resp>General Editor, </resp>
<name>Carl Stahmer</name>
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<name>Laura Mandell</name>
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<date>2009-03-15</date>
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<idno type="nines">rce59</idno>
<idno type="edition">letterEEd.26.59</idno>
<publisher>Romantic Circles, http://www.rc.umd.edu, University of Maryland</publisher>
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<date when="2009-02-20">March 15, 2009</date>
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<sourceDesc>
<p>Bodleian Library, MS Eng Lett
                        b. 4.  Not previously published.</p>
<p>These letters were edited with the assistance of Carol Bolton, Tim Fulford and Ian Packer</p>
<p>For permission to publish the text of MSS in their possession, the editor wishes to thank the Beinecke Rare
											Books and Manuscript Library, Yale University; Berg Collection of English and American Literature, The New
											York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations; the Bodleian Library Oxford University; the
											British Library; Boston Public Library; the Syndics of Cambridge University Library; the Syndics of the
											Fitzwilliam Museum Cambridge; Haverford College, Connecticut; the Historical Society of Pennsylvania; the
											Hornby Library, Liverpool Libraries and Information Services; the Houghton Library, Harvard University;
											the John Rylands Library, Manchester; the Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas; Luton
											Museum (Bedfordshire County Council); Massachusetts Historical Society; McGill University Library; the
											National Library of Scotland; the Newberry Library, Chicago; the New York Public Library (Pforzheimer
											Collections); the Pierpont Morgan Library, New York; the Public Record Offices of Bedford, Suffolk (Bury
											St Edmunds) and Northumberland, the Master and Fellows of Trinity College, Cambridge; the Society of
											Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne; the Trustees of the William Salt Library, Stafford, the Wisbech and
											Fenland Museum; the University of Virginia Library.</p>
<p>A research grant from the British Academy made much of the archival work possible, as did support from the
											English Department of Nottingham Trent University.</p>
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<div n="59" type="letter">
<head>59. Robert Southey and <ref target="people.html#BedfordGrosvenorCharles">Grosvenor Charles Bedford</ref> to <ref target="people.html#LightfootNicholas">Nicholas Lightfoot</ref>, <date when="1793-09-27">27–30 September 1793</date>
<note place="foot" resp="editors" type="headnote">Address: Nicholas
                        Lightfoot/ Moreton/ near/ Exeter/ Devonshire./ Single<lb/>
                            Postmark: OC/ 2/ 93<lb/>Watermark:
                            [Illegible]<lb/>MS: Bodleian Library, MS Eng Lett
                        b. 4<lb/>Unpublished.</note>
</head>
<opener>
<dateline rend="left">
<address>
<placeName>
<ref target="places.html#Brixton">Brixton Causeway.</ref>
</placeName>
</address>
<date when="1793-09-27">Saturday. Sept. 27. 1793</date>
</dateline>
</opener>
<p rend="indent5"> ————</p>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">Dear <ref target="people.html#LightfootNicholas">Lightfoot</ref> before me my pen &amp; ink lay</l>
<l rend="indent2">In all I’m prepard but in what I’ve to say,</l>
<l rend="indent2">But now the beginning before me is done</l>
<l rend="indent2">The ready remainder will merrily run —</l>
<l rend="indent2">Like a huge heavy windmill not easy to raise</l>
<l rend="indent2">When once set a going most rapidly plays —</l>
<l rend="indent2">Or more like myself sitting snug in my room</l>
<l rend="indent2">Wrapt up in the mantle of dull college gloom</l>
<l rend="indent2">Now list to the lay of the bold Grecian lyre</l>
<l rend="indent2">Then eat toasted cheese &amp; heap coals on the fire</l>
<l rend="indent2">Loll along on the sofa or fill the great chair</l>
<l rend="indent2">Whilst you vainly persuade me to walk for the air —</l>
<l rend="indent2">But if your good eloquence move me — why then</l>
<l rend="indent2">The Devil himself cannot stop me again</l>
<l rend="indent2">Over hills dales &amp; vallies as swift as the wind</l>
<l rend="indent2">I run &amp; leave College &amp; Folly behind</l>
<l rend="indent2">Free &amp; wild as the breezes that wave my colts mane</l>
<l rend="indent2">Or like Moscow the mastiff let loose from his chain.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">No more mathematical figures I plan</l>
<l rend="indent2">Which leave you more puzzled than when you began</l>
<l rend="indent2">Nor talk of Lactantius<note n="1" place="foot" resp="editors">Lucius Caelius Firmianus Lactantius (c. 240–320), early Christian
                            rhetorician and philosopher. Latin tutor to Crispus, son of the Emperor
                            Diocletian (245–313; reigned 284–305).</note> Pomatum<note n="2" place="foot" resp="editors">A dressing for hair made from perfumed
                            oil.</note> &amp; Pot</l>
<l rend="indent2">Belteshazzar<note n="3" place="foot" resp="editors">Belshazzar, King of Babylon 545–539 BC; see <title level="m">Daniel</title> 5.</note> — Knife — Ortho dogs — Mushroom what
                        not</l>
<l rend="indent2">Since our Prose was run mad in that whimsical letter</l>
<l rend="indent2">Let us try if our verse can succeed any better</l>
<l rend="indent2">And as smooth run the verse in soft well measurd time</l>
<l rend="indent2">If you cannot find reason you’re sure to find rhyme.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">Regularity <ref target="people.html#LightfootNicholas">Lightfoot’s</ref> the soul of inditing</l>
<l rend="indent2">And with all Regularity I will be writing</l>
<l rend="indent2">So behold the whole stock of this long letters’ riches</l>
<l rend="indent2">The wasps nest — the midnight alarm &amp; the breeches
                        —</l>
<l rend="indent2">Behold my dear <ref target="people.html#LightfootNicholas">Lightfoot</ref> the wasps nest imprimis</l>
<l rend="indent2">To describe which more gravely most certainly time is —</l>
<l rend="indent2">At Bristol by night the mail coach I me fixt on</l>
<l rend="indent2">I arrivd in the morn snug &amp; safely at <ref target="places.html#Brixton">Brixton</ref>
</l>
<l rend="indent2">Twas just half past 7 or a few minutes more</l>
<l rend="indent2">Up I went &amp; heard <ref target="people.html#BedfordGrosvenorCharles">Bedford</ref> most merrily
                        snore</l>
<l rend="indent2">So I set up a hallo — for you know I such can</l>
<l rend="indent2">And wak’d him from out of his dream of a Dutchman</l>
<l rend="indent2">A more senseless vision can never be had</l>
<l rend="indent2">For he really dreamt of a Dutchman run mad!</l>
<l rend="indent2">On a subject like this I no longer will keep</l>
<l rend="indent2">Nor dream oer his dream till I lull you to sleep —</l>
<l rend="indent2">After breakfast — my not-able shoes I put on</l>
<l rend="indent2">And away for a walk to Carshalton am gone</l>
<l rend="indent2">Where young <ref target="people.html#BedfordGrosvenorCharles">Bedford</ref> declard I a river should find</l>
<l rend="indent2">Fit to bathe as the Isis so late left behind.</l>
<l rend="indent2">I believd him — nor ever supposd like an ass</l>
<l rend="indent2">That young <ref target="people.html#BedfordGrosvenorCharles">Bedford</ref> saw thro a magnifying glass.</l>
<l rend="indent2">So I walkd seven miles out &amp; about me I look</l>
<l rend="indent2">And discover three inches in depth a foul brook</l>
<l rend="indent2">Cabbage leaves — broken eggs floating merrily down</l>
<l rend="indent2">Cats &amp; dogs — the Pactolus<note n="4" place="foot" resp="editors">A river, now in Turkey. It was said to contain golden
                            sand, produced when King Midas divested himself of his golden touch by
                            washing his hands in its water.</note> of Carshalton town.</l>
<l rend="indent2">Nor felt I inclind in the streetway to strip</l>
<l rend="indent2">To lay down on my face flat &amp; so take a dip —</l>
<l rend="indent2">We repaird to an alehouse there sat at our ease</l>
<l rend="indent2">Drank a bottle of cyder &amp; eat bread &amp; cheese
                        —</l>
<l rend="indent2">Nescia mens hominis fate sortisque futuræ!<note n="5" place="foot" resp="editors">Virgil (70–19 BC), <title level="m">Aeneid</title>, Book 10, line 501. The Latin translates as ‘O mind
                            of man, knowing not fate or coming doom’.</note>
</l>
<l rend="indent2">Most true wrote the Mantuan bard<note n="6" place="foot" resp="editors"> Virgil, who was born near Mantua.</note> I assure ye</l>
<l rend="indent2">I laugh — talk — cut my crust &amp; my carving knife grasp
                        — just</l>
<l rend="indent2">As if the world had no such thing as a wasps nest.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">Off we set — slow &amp; gently as homeward we walk</l>
<l rend="indent2">Now merrily laugh &amp; now soberly talk —</l>
<l rend="indent2">When all of a sudden I felt such a twitch work</l>
<l rend="indent2">As if Nicholas Senior had heated his pitch fork</l>
<l rend="indent2">Then thrust in my legs this infernal hot lance</l>
<l rend="indent2">On purpose to see me cut capers &amp; dance —</l>
<l rend="indent2">As I jumpd roard &amp; ran &amp; cryd louder &amp;
                        bolder</l>
<l rend="indent2">I felt such another curst twitch in my shoulder</l>
<l rend="indent2">Saw the wasps by ten thousands about me appear</l>
<l rend="indent2">And crusht one preparing to sting my left ear.</l>
<l rend="indent2">I ran like a tyger — I caperd like Vestris<note n="7" place="foot" resp="editors">Marie-Jean-Augustin Vestris (1760–1842), a
                            dancer, famous for his interpretation of the gavotte.</note>
</l>
<l rend="indent2">At last a small house my asylum of rest is</l>
<l rend="indent2">Were I murderd what wasps were shut in with the door</l>
<l rend="indent2">And told my sad story &amp; left off to roar.</l>
<l rend="indent2">My poor legs they smarted — yet as I advancd</l>
<l rend="indent2">I could not help laughing to think how I’d danced.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> Of this wasps nest enough — for one day shall the lyre</l>
<l rend="indent2">Tell how we destroyd a whole nation by fire</l>
<l rend="indent2">Their citadel stormd with each hot kind of evil</l>
<l rend="indent2">Smoakd roasted &amp; fireworkd the wasps to the devil.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">Secundo — the midnight alarm — my dear <ref target="people.html#LightfootNicholas">Lightfoot</ref>
</l>
<l rend="indent2">God grant you may never partake such a night-bout —</l>
<l rend="indent2">Or if ever you should God grant I may be there</l>
<l rend="indent2">To see how you’ll shiver &amp; sweat — wink &amp;
                        stare —</l>
<l rend="indent2">At half past ten o clock I repaird to my bed</l>
<l rend="indent2">Snug &amp; warm on my elbow I pillowd my head</l>
<l rend="indent2">Forgot all the toils I encounterd before</l>
<l rend="indent2">And laid down with composure to sleep &amp; to snore</l>
<l rend="indent2">But here as the subject is graver you know</l>
<l rend="indent2">Let us alter our verse to the measures of woe.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">Twas at the dark drear hour of night</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Twas Nights tremendous noon —</l>
<l rend="indent3">Still was the earth save where some dog</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Bayd at the dim seen moon.</l>
<lb/>
<l rend="indent3">Save where the leathern bat flits by</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Or shrieks the lonely owl</l>
<l rend="indent3">Or hoarse from distant yard was heard</l>
<l rend="indent4"> The angry watch dogs howl.</l>
<lb/>
<l rend="indent3">Save where the haggard witch appalls</l>
<l rend="indent4"> The listning ear of night</l>
<l rend="indent3">And circling round her mystic fire</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Invokes the hell born sprite.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">Save that — <ref target="people.html#LightfootNicholas">Lightfoot</ref> my labor Ill save if you please</l>
<l rend="indent2">I was so fast asleep that I heard none of these</l>
<l rend="indent2">And in one line the business is just as well done</l>
<l rend="indent2">The clock on the stairs had but lately struck one.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">Sleep in his downy fetters bound</l>
<l rend="indent4"> My Reason willing slave</l>
<l rend="indent3">Till burst by terrors which had broke</l>
<l rend="indent4"> The fetters of the grave.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">Along the passage soft I hear</l>
<l rend="indent4"> The passing footsteps go</l>
<l rend="indent3">As lightly with a cautious pace</l>
<l rend="indent4"> They traversd to &amp; fro.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">And thro the crannies of the door</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Appeard a glancing light</l>
<l rend="indent3">Anon twas still &amp; darkness reignd —</l>
<l rend="indent4"> I trembled with affright.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">Then low I heard a murmuring voice</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Unable to hear more</l>
<l rend="indent3">I start affrighted from my bed</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And <ref target="people.html#BedfordGrosvenorCharles">Grosvenor</ref> taps my door —</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">Southey arise — haste quit your bed</l>
<l rend="indent4"> For John has just now seen</l>
<l rend="indent3">Five men prepard to rob the house</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Upon the garden green.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">My night shirt half way down my legs</l>
<l rend="indent4"> In snowy folds hung loose</l>
<l rend="indent3">I slipt my dark brown breeches on</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And <ref target="people.html#Bedfordfamily">M<hi rend="sup">r</hi> Bedford</ref> shoes.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">Then my far famd great coat flung on</l>
<l rend="indent4"> So like a Russian bear —</l>
<l rend="indent3">My night cap helmd my head — my hand</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Displayd a broad swords glare.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">
<ref target="people.html#BedfordGrosvenorCharles">Grosvenor</ref> a dreadful halbert wields</l>
<l rend="indent4"> No hand a weapon lacks —</l>
<l rend="indent3">And <ref target="people.html#BedfordHoraceWalpole">Horace</ref> had to treat the men</l>
<l rend="indent4"> A pistol chargd with tacks</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">John loads again the gun in hast</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Then to the window ran</l>
<l rend="indent3">Takes aim &amp; fires — anon he cries</l>
<l rend="indent4"> “There there Ive hit the man.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">And now in battle rank we pass</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And now we march down stairs</l>
<l rend="indent3">And each in fearful hope looks round</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And each for fight prepares.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">Twas silent all. the men are gone</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Thus each well weening said </l>
<l rend="indent3">Upstairs we go pull off our cloaths</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And get again to bed.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">But Sleep my pillow had forsook</l>
<l rend="indent4"> I turn &amp; toss in vain</l>
<l rend="indent3">Again I hear the same alarm</l>
<l rend="indent4"> I hear the steps again.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">Once more equippd I quit my bed</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And to the window ran —</l>
<l rend="indent3">There as I lookd I thought I saw</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Upon the green a man.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">The poultry cackled as disturbd</l>
<l rend="indent4"> By midnight robbers hand —</l>
<l rend="indent3">Again I grasp the shining sword</l>
<l rend="indent4"> I rear the biting brand.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">And now we pull our nightcaps off</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And now we hide the light</l>
<l rend="indent3">And anxious from the window seek</l>
<l rend="indent4"> To see amid the night</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">There there (says John) behold the men —</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And one of them just said</l>
<l rend="indent3">I heard him — as he saw the light —</l>
<l rend="indent4"> God — d-n them not in bed.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">And there they are five men — now mind</l>
<l rend="indent4"> For Gods sake now take care —</l>
<l rend="indent3">And two Welch women standing by</l>
<l rend="indent4"> A singing I declare!</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">What (M<hi rend="sup">r</hi> Bedford says) can you</l>
<l rend="indent4"> See two Welch women John?</l>
<l rend="indent3">Yes — see them Sir &amp; hear them sing</l>
<l rend="indent4"> A terrible bad song.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">We listend now with all our ears</l>
<l rend="indent4"> To hear this song so bad —</l>
<l rend="indent3">And <ref target="people.html#LightfootNicholas">Lightfoot</ref> we at last found out</l>
<l rend="indent4"> John was a little mad.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">To bed we went — next morn we rise</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And laugh at what we’d dreaded</l>
<l rend="indent3">But John poor fellow lay upstairs</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Most sure enough light headed</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">For now he saw all Brunswicks troops<note n="8" place="foot" resp="editors">Charles William Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg
                            (1735–1806; reigned 1780–1806), commander of the forces that invaded
                            revolutionary France in 1792.</note>
</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Against the house advance</l>
<l rend="indent3">And now he heard the women sing</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And now he saw them dance.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">Now let us sing God save us all</l>
<l rend="indent4"> From such tremendous harms</l>
<l rend="indent3">And may we never more be wakd</l>
<l rend="indent4"> At night by such alarms.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">Now the midnight alarm my dear <ref target="people.html#LightfootNicholas">Lightfoot</ref> you’ve heard</l>
<l rend="indent2">Act the second is done &amp; now comes act the third</l>
<l rend="indent2">And this twelve-footed verse like the chorus comes in</l>
<l rend="indent2">To keep up some connection against I begin — </l>
<l rend="indent2">The Chorus — an excellent thought my dear friend</l>
<l rend="indent2">And you’ll learn something from it if you will attend —</l>
<l rend="indent2">Suppose then that I am a dozen old boys</l>
<l rend="indent2">Or so many young maids whom the Poet employs</l>
<l rend="indent2">To moralize gravely &amp; make a great noise.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">Οιμοι
                        οιμοι!</l>
<l rend="indent4">
                            Οτοττοτοι!<note n="9" place="foot" resp="editors">The Greek translates as ‘O me, o me,
                            lackaday’.</note>
</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">O mortals short sighted</l>
<l rend="indent4"> So subject to harms</l>
<l rend="indent3">How soon you’re affrighted</l>
<l rend="indent4"> At midnight alarms.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">Thro Nights dull silence burst the sound</l>
<l rend="indent3">Terror wavd her torch around —</l>
<l rend="indent4"> The black Erinnys<note n="10" place="foot" resp="editors">In
                            Greek mythology, the goddess of vengeance, one of the Furies.</note>
                        rose</l>
<l rend="indent3">Each viper hair points forth a venomd tongue —</l>
<l rend="indent3">Tremendous the dissonance rung —</l>
<l rend="indent4"> So by their giant foes</l>
<l rend="indent2">Affrayd when huge Briareus<note n="11" place="foot" resp="editors">In Greek mythology, one of the three Hecatonchires, the
                            offspring of Gaia and Uranus. During the war of the Titans, the
                            Hecatonchires sided with Zeus.</note> stormd the sky —</l>
<l rend="indent2">In many a lurking form the trembling Godheads fly.</l>
<l rend="indent3">One was an owl &amp; another an ass</l>
<l rend="indent3">One like a cow fell to tucking in grass.</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Till Reason came. Minerva<note n="12" place="foot" resp="editors">The Roman goddess of wisdom.</note> rose —</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Phœbus<note n="13" place="foot" resp="editors">Epithet of
                            Apollo, the sun god.</note> felld his giant foes</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">Οιμοι
                        οιμοι</l>
<l rend="indent4">
                        Οτοττοτοι!
                            <note n="14" place="foot" resp="editors">The Greek translates as ‘O me,
                            o me, lackaday’.</note>
</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent4"> But never shall pale fear —</l>
<l rend="indent4"> So scare the listening ear</l>
<l rend="indent4"> So make the palsied limbs afraid</l>
<l rend="indent3">If Pallas<note n="15" place="foot" resp="editors">Pallas
                            Athene, another name for Minerva the goddess of wisdom.</note> mighty
                        Goddess lend her aid.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent4"> Daughter of Jove<note n="16" place="foot" resp="editors">In
                            Greek mythology, the king of the gods.</note> to thee we raise</l>
<l rend="indent4"> The never dying song of praise.</l>
<l rend="indent3">Child of no mother born — thy influence lend</l>
<l rend="indent3">Come thou our Goddess &amp; our friend.</l>
<l rend="indent4"> List to our suppliant sound</l>
<l rend="indent3">Illume our darkend eye —</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Come from that mournful ground</l>
<l rend="indent3">Where Athens now one heap of ruins lies!</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Quit thou the dreary spot</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Where Freedom is forgot</l>
<l rend="indent2">Where stern Oppression firms his iron chains</l>
<l rend="indent2">And Folly fills the soul &amp; Superstition reigns.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">The chorus is finishd you see my good friend</l>
<l rend="indent2">And the tale of my breeches comes in at the end.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">Temples &amp; towers &amp; palaces decay</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Times mighty hand unsparing levels all</l>
<l rend="indent3">No relic now of mighty Carthage stands</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And my canary breeches are too small!</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">Whilome in Virtues proudest state upreard</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Minervas city<note n="17" place="foot" resp="editors">Athens.</note> reard its laurelld head</l>
<l rend="indent3">Now hurld in ruins by the hand of Time</l>
<l rend="indent4"> The broken battlements on earth are spread</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">Mid Tadmors waste<note n="18" place="foot" resp="editors">The
                            ruined ancient city of Tadmor (Palmyra), Syria.</note> exposd to many a
                        storm</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Wild as his desart home the Arab strays</l>
<l rend="indent3">And sees the mighty ruins towering bulk</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And lost in wonder casts the musing gaze.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l rend="indent3">Whatever mans vain hand uprears, decays —</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Time heeds nor beauty wisdom power or riches</l>
<l rend="indent3">Lays low the stately temple on the earth</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And makes me grow too big to fit my breeches.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">Oh I remember well my friend that hour</l>
<l rend="indent4"> When hot with expectation forcd to wait —</l>
<l rend="indent3">I deemd each passing man my breeches brought</l>
<l rend="indent4"> For much I dreaded they would come too late.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">For to a ball me Fate inforcd to go</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Fate whose strong power all mortal force surpasses</l>
<l rend="indent3">In the new rooms at Bath she made me sit</l>
<l rend="indent4"> An untam’d colt amid a herd of asses.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">Yes my canaries came &amp; I rejoicd</l>
<l rend="indent4"> For much I loved the friends with whom I went</l>
<l rend="indent3">And in my new canaries neat &amp; fine</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Tho’ at the ball a pleasant night I spent.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">But never did I put those breeches on</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Breeches &amp; waistcoat &amp; exult the same —</l>
<l rend="indent3">Since that rememberd Monday — till the hour</l>
<l rend="indent4"> When <ref target="people.html#BedfordGrosvenorCharles">Grosvenor Charles Bedfords</ref> birth day came —</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">Not quite two years had past — &amp; now with pain</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Scarce could I on the pretty breeches haul</l>
<l rend="indent3">Scarce could I button them around my waist</l>
<l rend="indent4"> For I was grown too big &amp; they too small!</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent4"> What a sad story there is!</l>
<l rend="indent4"> O my breeches my canaries!</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">Now <ref target="people.html#LightfootNicholas">Lightfoot</ref> my tragic adventures you’ve heard</l>
<l rend="indent2">You have seen all the acts, the first second &amp; third
                        —</l>
<l rend="indent2">And now I had thought — thought alas found unable</l>
<l rend="indent2">To shut my poor Pegasus up in the stable</l>
<l rend="indent2">After galloping walking &amp; trotting so fast</l>
<l rend="indent2">Now relapsd as you see to a canter at last —</l>
<l rend="indent2">Tis an excellent beast — tho most fiery most humble</l>
<l rend="indent2">Who never endangers my neck by a tumble —</l>
<l rend="indent2">Far better — believe me for truth I declare</l>
<l rend="indent2">Better mouthd better paced than my late mounted mare</l>
<l rend="indent2">A mare whom I rode for a very long way</l>
<l rend="indent2">Tho never to <ref target="places.html#SapeyW">Sapey</ref> as
                        you <ref target="people.html#LightfootNicholas">Lightfoot</ref> say —</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">News <ref target="people.html#LightfootNicholas">Lightfoot</ref> news news — news most mighty &amp; big</l>
<l rend="indent2">Mr Bedfords old sow is just ready to pig —</l>
<l rend="indent2">And as I was proceeding the Hereford way</l>
<l rend="indent2">He stopt &amp; desird that I thus much would say —</l>
<l rend="indent2">And so if you please we’ll lay by a while now</l>
<l rend="indent2">And just write a Pindaric to this famous sow.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">Poor Sow — full many a peril hast thou past —</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Een at thy natal hour</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Thou scapedst the Parsons power</l>
<l rend="indent2">When the tenth lot for Sunday meal was cast.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">Poor Sow — for <ref target="people.html#LightfootNicholas">Lightfoot</ref> Death scarce mist her</l>
<l rend="indent2">When Doctor Halfpenny<note n="19" place="foot" resp="editors">An unidentified person brought in by the Bedfords to treat their
                            animals.</note> gave a clyster</l>
<l rend="indent3">Oh she was very very very bad —</l>
<l rend="indent4"> So bad the case appeard</l>
<l rend="indent4"> That much we feard</l>
<l rend="indent3">No succour could be had</l>
<l rend="indent4"> No skill could save</l>
<l rend="indent3">Hapless Susina from the grave.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent4"> But now by hap came</l>
<l rend="indent3">The famous D<hi rend="sup">r</hi> Halfpenny from Clapham.</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Her pulse he felt —</l>
<l rend="indent4"> He shook his head</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And sighing said</l>
<l rend="indent3">For Pity the Physicians heart could melt.</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Alas alas</l>
<l rend="indent4"> All Pork is grass</l>
<l rend="indent3">(And here he heavd a sigh)</l>
<l rend="indent3">All sows are born to die</l>
<l rend="indent3">(Yes Sow the she —</l>
<l rend="indent3">And Southey me!)</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">The Doctor shook his unwiggd head</l>
<l rend="indent3">The Doctor sighd — the Doctor said —</l>
<l rend="indent3">Poor Sow — Death clasps with eager fist her —</l>
<l rend="indent3">I must administer a clyster —</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">Did you dear <ref target="people.html#LightfootNicholas">Lightfoot</ref> ever see</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Upon fair day</l>
<l rend="indent4"> A Scotchman on his bagpipes play</l>
<l rend="indent3">Tweedle dum &amp; tweedle dee?</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Just so Id have you know</l>
<l rend="indent2">The Doctor plac’d the bladder twixt his knees —</l>
<l rend="indent2">The Patient sow was held &amp; he began to squeeze.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent4"> Scard by the clyster</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Death releasd her</l>
<l rend="indent3">This <ref target="people.html#LightfootNicholas">Lightfoot</ref> was the sow</l>
<l rend="indent2">That in the straw is lying now.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">Hail noble progeny I hear</l>
<l rend="indent3">Your squeaking music in my ear —</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Most noble pigs for ever to be boasted!</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Hark — excellent sound</l>
<l rend="indent4"> The jack twirling round —</l>
<l rend="indent3">I see the young pig ready roasted</l>
<l rend="indent3">The Pruin sauce fills the dish up</l>
<l rend="indent3">Oh Pig fit for a Bishop.</l>
</lg>
<p rend="indent4"> ———</p>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">And now I’ve finishd this Pindaric ode</l>
<l rend="indent3">Once more I journey on my road.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l rend="indent3">With <ref target="people.html#HillHerbert">my Uncle</ref> I
                        went all the country across</l>
<l rend="indent3">To Hereford Gloster &amp; Kington &amp; Ross.</l>
<l rend="indent3">From Bristol alone I to join him set out</l>
<l rend="indent3">A journey — ah would I could say; ills without — </l>
<l rend="indent3">For once quite astray in the cross roads we ran</l>
<l rend="indent3">Once my breeches were wet as a sop in the pan.</l>
<l rend="indent3">At Ledbury I calld — most unfortunate call</l>
<l rend="indent2">For at home my dear friend I found no one at all</l>
<l rend="indent2">This perhaps <ref target="people.html#SewardEdmund">Seward</ref> mentioned &amp; this you mistook</l>
<l rend="indent2">When you thought that a journey to <ref target="places.html#SapeyW">Sapey</ref> I took.</l>
<l rend="indent2">To <ref target="places.html#SapeyW">Sapey</ref> my friend we
                        will journey together</l>
<l rend="indent2">When Easter comes next spite of wind or of weather</l>
<l rend="indent2">Or if lazy as usual you linger at home</l>
<l rend="indent2">Alone oer the high hills to <ref target="places.html#SapeyW">Sapey</ref> Ill roam.</l>
<l rend="indent2">What is toil when it meets with so joyous an end</l>
<l rend="indent2">What is labour that leads us to meet such a friend.</l>
<l rend="indent3">As for Oxford — dear <ref target="people.html#LightfootNicholas">Lightfoot</ref> I cannot
                        affirm</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Whether I shall or shall not reside the next term</l>
<l rend="indent2">To me it appears that most probably not</l>
<l rend="indent2">And if so — why your letter shall not be forgot.</l>
<l rend="indent2">Like a tempest torn ship on the billows of strife</l>
<l rend="indent3">My little weak bark skims the ocean of life —</l>
<l rend="indent3">Turns to each friendly haven with each friendly gale</l>
<l rend="indent3">And before every wind spreads the full bellying sail</l>
<l rend="indent3">And as Interest has placed no set market in view</l>
<l rend="indent3">Inclination will pilot the vessel to you.</l>
</lg>
<p rend="indent11"> Robert Southey.</p>
<p>[remainder of the letter in the hand of Grosvenor Charles Bedford]</p>
<p>
<ref target="people.html#LightfootNicholas">D<hi rend="sup">r</hi>
                        Lightfoot</ref>
</p>
<p rend="indent1"> Southey has but half told his tale, &amp; left me to finish
                    it so if you have patience you may read the sequel in the following
                    Pindaric.</p>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">Pindar says</l>
<l rend="indent3">Αριςογ
                        μεν
                            υδωρ.<note n="20" place="foot" resp="editors">The Greek translates as ‘best is water’, the
                            opening words of Pindar (522–443 BC), <title level="m">Olympian</title>
                            1, line 1.</note>
</l>
<l rend="indent4"> say I</l>
<l rend="indent3">
                        Αριςογ
                        μεν
                            κλυςωρ<note n="21" place="foot" resp="editors">The Greek represents Bedford’s
                            variation of the opening of Pindar’s <title level="m">Olympian</title>
                            1, line 1 (‘best is water’) and translates as ‘best is clyster [i.e. a
                            syringe for administering an enema]’.</note>
</l>
<l rend="indent3">With art unknown before</l>
<l rend="indent3">Susina was cured of the gripes</l>
<l rend="indent3">Descend oh muse &amp; say</l>
<l rend="indent3">How in a happy day</l>
<l rend="indent4"> The
                            Κλυςωρ<note n="22" place="foot" resp="editors">The Greek translates as
                            ‘clyster’.</note> heal’d her tripes</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">But not as when from Chaos brought</l>
<l rend="indent4"> This earthly ball arose</l>
<l rend="indent2">And sprung obedient quick from nought</l>
<l rend="indent2">As the 1<hi rend="sup">st</hi> Chapter in the book of Genesis
                        shows.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">When blew the loud blast in the air</l>
<l rend="indent4"> So shrill so full of woe</l>
<l rend="indent2">Unable such a noise to bear</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Down fell — Jericho<note n="23" place="foot" resp="editors">
<title level="m">Joshua</title> 6: 20.</note>
</l>
<l rend="indent2">(And so would I if such a clang</l>
<l rend="indent4"> In a Parenthesis</l>
<l rend="indent4"> I put you see this,</l>
<l rend="indent2">Through either of my ears had rang</l>
<l rend="indent4"> For I thank God have two</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And so I hope have you)</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">Not quite so quick the
                            κλυςωρ<note n="24" place="foot" resp="editors">The Greek translates as
                            ‘clyster’.</note> cured</l>
<l rend="indent4"> The pig who pain endured</l>
<l rend="indent2">For several times the Doctor strove</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Without success the ill to move</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Here might be seen</l>
<l rend="indent4"> D<hi rend="sup">r</hi> Halfpenny Green,</l>
<l rend="indent4"> (For either name</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Means just the same)</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And here the patient beast</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Who did not wish</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Of such a dish</l>
<l rend="indent4"> To give her tail a feast.</l>
<l rend="indent2">For though, if a sow has her belly well cramm’d.</l>
<l rend="indent2">She cares not if every young pig should be damn’d,</l>
<l rend="indent2">And her food she be ne’er seen to waste it,</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Yet <ref target="people.html#LightfootNicholas">Lightfoot</ref> you’ll find</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Amongst the pig kind</l>
<l rend="indent2">That they’ve great inclination to taste it.</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Which she could never do my friend</l>
<l rend="indent4"> If she was fed at the wrong end.</l>
<l rend="indent3">And sows have not the power of Goût</l>
<l rend="indent4"> All the way through</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Any more than you.</l>
<l rend="indent3">As once the Glutton prayed to have</l>
<l rend="indent3">Whose greedy stomach so did crave.</l>
<l rend="indent4"> That tho’ replete</l>
<l rend="indent4"> With savoury meat</l>
<l rend="indent3">His sumptuous supper done</l>
<l rend="indent3">His relish yet remain’d the power to eat was gone.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">When lowring low the tempests move</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And East &amp; West the shrill winds rove</l>
<l rend="indent4"> The smoking rain descends</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Flash the Lightening’s forky fangs</l>
<l rend="indent4"> The yellow harvest bends</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Then sullen hoarse the Clouds among</l>
<l rend="indent2">In interrupted peals the Thunder rolls along</l>
<l rend="indent2">And in the Echo lingering the faint vibration hangs.<note n="25" place="foot" resp="editors">Bedford adds note at bottom of fol.
                            2v: ‘Turn the 2<hi rend="sup">d</hi>. Page.’ Remainder of Bedford’s
                            postscript written on fol. 1r.</note>
</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">Then rushing from on high</l>
<l rend="indent2">Uniting sea with sky</l>
<l rend="indent2">Bursts forth the water spout</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Just like the snout</l>
<l rend="indent2">Of some huge elephant who sucks up</l>
<l rend="indent2">The waters far &amp; near &amp; drinks the lowly
                        brooks up</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">
<ref target="people.html#LightfootNicholas">Lightfoot</ref>
                        have you ever seen</l>
<l rend="indent4"> This spout so curious</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Foaming furious?</l>
<l rend="indent4"> No — you reply I ween.</l>
<l rend="indent2">But you must know what sort of Gent</l>
<l rend="indent4"> It is that’s meant</l>
<l rend="indent4"> If not — do look</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Into some book</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Of natural History</l>
<l rend="indent4">
<ref target="people.html#LightfootNicholas">Lightfoot</ref> indeed you</l>
<l rend="indent4"> May take the Cyclopaedia</l>
<l rend="indent2">Or Chambers’s Dictionary.<note n="26" place="foot" resp="editors">
<title level="m">Cyclopaedia, or, An Universal Dictionary
                                of Arts and Sciences</title>, founded by Ephraim Chambers
                            (1680?–1740; <title level="m">DNB</title>).</note>
</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">Just such a row</l>
<l rend="indent3">Made our old sow</l>
<l rend="indent2">For when the D<hi rend="sup">r</hi>. had done squirting</l>
<l rend="indent3">Susina’s bowel</l>
<l rend="indent3">Not liking Gruel</l>
<l rend="indent2">The joke resolved upon retorting</l>
<l rend="indent3">To finish his work</l>
<l rend="indent3">By way of a cork</l>
<l rend="indent3">He clapt his thumb</l>
<l rend="indent3">On the sows ————</l>
<l rend="indent2">And there for an hour he stood</l>
<l rend="indent3">Applying his force</l>
<l rend="indent3">To stop up the course</l>
<l rend="indent3">And the flux of the flood</l>
<l rend="indent3">But all would not do</l>
<l rend="indent3">For as soon as he stir’d</l>
<l rend="indent3">A dire rumbling was heard</l>
<l rend="indent3">In a minute or two</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Out flew</l>
<l rend="indent4"> What?</l>
<l rend="indent3">Why all that was pent up</l>
<l rend="indent3">And couped in her went up</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Piping hot.</l>
<l rend="indent3">This retort from the rear</l>
<l rend="indent3">Could the Doctor scarce bear</l>
<l rend="indent3">So sudden so fierce the attack</l>
<l rend="indent3">All over his cloaths</l>
<l rend="indent3">His eyes mouth &amp; nose:</l>
<l rend="indent3">He was thrown in the fright on his back.</l>
<l rend="indent3">So perfumed so sweet</l>
<l rend="indent3">He then went to meet</l>
<l rend="indent3">His sweet heart our maid </l>
<l rend="indent3">For this great son of Galen<note n="27" place="foot" resp="editors">Claudius Galen (c. 129–c. 216), Greek
                        physician.</note>
</l>
<l rend="indent3">Did not mind such a failing —</l>
<l rend="indent3">These things being common in trade</l>
<l rend="indent3">The next time however</l>
<l rend="indent3">More handy more clever</l>
<l rend="indent4"> His measures were taken</l>
<l rend="indent3">The work was soon done</l>
<l rend="indent3">And without any pun</l>
<l rend="indent4"> The sow sav’d her bacon.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">Now comes the last act</l>
<l rend="indent3">Of this marvellous fact</l>
<l rend="indent3">The Doctor was willing</l>
<l rend="indent4"> This bill should be paid</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And the charges he made</l>
<l rend="indent2">Good leech! amounted to thirty shilling.</l>
</lg>
<p rend="indent5"> ——————</p>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">There <ref target="people.html#LightfootNicholas">Lightfoot</ref> is a bellyfull</l>
<l rend="indent2">For you as well as the sow</l>
<l rend="indent2">God grant you patience &amp; good</l>
<l rend="indent2">Health prays yours</l>
</lg>
<closer>
<signed rend="indent11">
<ref target="people.html#BedfordGrosvenorCharles">G. C. Bedford.</ref>
</signed>
</closer>
<postscript>
<p>
<date when="1793-09-30">Sept. 30. 1793.</date>
</p>
</postscript>
</div>
</body>
</text>
</TEI>
