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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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<sponsor>Romantic Circles</sponsor>
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<idno type="edition">letterEEd.26.75</idno>
<publisher>Romantic Circles, http://www.rc.umd.edu, University of Maryland</publisher>
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<sourceDesc>
<p>Bodleian Library, MS Eng Lett. c. 453.  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
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											St Edmunds) and Northumberland, the Master and Fellows of Trinity College, Cambridge; the Society of
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<p>A research grant from the British Academy made much of the archival work possible, as did support from the
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<head>75. Robert Southey to <ref target="people.html#LightfootNicholas">Nicholas Lightfoot</ref>, 22 December 1793<note place="foot" resp="editors" type="headnote">Address: Nicholas Lightfoot/ Moreton/ near/ Exeter./ Single<lb/>Stamped: BRISTOL<lb/>Watermark: J. LARKING<lb/>Endorsement: 5<lb/>MS: Bodleian Library, MS Eng Lett. c. 453<lb/>Unpublished.</note>
</head>
<opener>
<dateline rend="left">
<address>
<placeName>Bristol.</placeName>
</address>
<date when="1793-12-22">Dec. 22<hi rend="sup">nd</hi>. 1793</date>
</dateline>
</opener>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">In various scenes &amp; ways six months are past</l>
<l rend="indent2">Since you &amp; I dear <ref target="people.html#LightfootNicholas">Lightfoot</ref> parted last.</l>
<l rend="indent2">Twas then in sultry Summers genial reign</l>
<l rend="indent2">When blazing Sirius scorchd the arid plain,</l>
<l rend="indent2">To Isis minstrelld banks we bade adieu</l>
<l rend="indent2">For Bristol I for plains Danmonian<note n="1" place="foot" resp="editors">Devon and Cornwall.</note> you</l>
<l rend="indent2">We left old Pompey<note n="2" place="foot" resp="editors">A building in the grounds of Balliol College, Oxford. It derived its name from the fact that it was opposite a college house known as ‘Caesar’.</note> tottering to its fall</l>
<l rend="indent2">And aged Cæsars stronger neighbouring wall<note n="3" place="foot" resp="editors">A house in the grounds of Balliol College, Oxford. It was named after Henry Adelmare Caesar (1564/5–1636; <title level="m">DNB</title>), who had lived there in the 1590s whilst studying for his D.D.</note>
</l>
<l rend="indent2">We fled from quadrangles &amp; duty prayer</l>
<l rend="indent2">To health &amp; exercise &amp; country air.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">Now Summer burns the arid earth no more</l>
<l rend="indent2">Now haly Autumns fruitful reign is oer</l>
<l rend="indent2">Stern Winter comes &amp; rarifies the air</l>
<l rend="indent2">And <ref target="places.html#BalliolOxford">Balliol</ref> aged matron calls us there.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">Tis said that Oxfords genius will inspire</l>
<l rend="indent2">With heaven taught strains the youthful minstrels &lt;lyre&gt;</l>
<l rend="indent2">That as the Bard shall wander oer that grove</l>
<l rend="indent2">Where musing Addison<note n="4" place="foot" resp="editors">Joseph Addison (1672–1719; <title level="m">DNB</title>), a fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford. The footpath around Magdalen deer-park is known as ‘Addison’s walk’.</note> was wont to rove</l>
<l rend="indent2">Or stroll where Isis rolls along the plains</l>
<l rend="indent2">Or Cherwells murmurs found in Wartons<note n="5" place="foot" resp="editors">Thomas Warton (1728–1790; <title level="m">DNB</title>), <title level="m">The Triumph of Isis, A Poem</title> ([1749]) and ‘The Complaint of Cherwell’ (1777).</note> strain</l>
<l rend="indent2">The local power shall give the kindling flame </l>
<l rend="indent2">And Inspiration point the path to Fame.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">Vain dreams are these as you &amp; I can tell</l>
<l rend="indent2">No meditation fills the students cell</l>
<l rend="indent2">Of Helicon<note n="6" place="foot" resp="editors">A mountain in Greece, reputed to be the home of the Muses.</note> the Genius scorns to taste</l>
<l rend="indent2">And lets the insipid waters run to waste</l>
<l rend="indent2">For Helicon has lost its power divine</l>
<l rend="indent2">And Oxford rather loves inspiring wine —</l>
<l rend="indent2">For Aganippes font<note n="7" place="foot" resp="editors">The fountain of the Muses, at the foot of Mount Helicon.</note> experience tells</l>
<l rend="indent2">They rather go to Godwin Joyce or Wells<note n="8" place="foot" resp="editors">Favourite haunts of Oxford students, probably the coffee-houses run by Mary Goodwin and Joyce and Hayes, and the liquor-merchants run by Edward Wells.</note> —</l>
<l rend="indent2">The virgin Muses too have had their day</l>
<l rend="indent2">So Oxford courts Sal Draper or Sue Gray.<note n="9" place="foot" resp="editors">Names (possibly generic) of Oxford prostitutes.</note>
</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">Where wizard power enthralld the sacred &lt;ground&gt;</l>
<l rend="indent2">The weird dames their cauldron circled round</l>
<l rend="indent2">As round &amp; round in mystic wise they go</l>
<l rend="indent2">Each various seed of magic ills they throw</l>
<l rend="indent2">Rites that appal all Hells affrighted ear</l>
<l rend="indent2">And even Demogorgon<note n="10" place="foot" resp="editors">A god whose very name was meant to terrify.</note> owns with fear.</l>
<l rend="indent2">Yet be the magic sisters might forgot</l>
<l rend="indent2">Since Science <ref target="people.html#LightfootNicholas">Lightfoot</ref> owns thy mystic Pot.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">Methinks I see thee now the closet shut</l>
<l rend="indent2">Down at thy mighty incantations set.</l>
<l rend="indent2">The gown of flannel wraps thy limbs around</l>
<l rend="indent2">Abominations Pot is on the ground.</l>
<l rend="indent2">Each dire ingredient flung each morning there</l>
<l rend="indent2">The dry old thumb preservd with curious care</l>
<l rend="indent2">The shavings — cucumber &amp; soap &amp; blood</l>
<l rend="indent2">And water of all sorts compose the flood.</l>
<l rend="indent2">Down on thy table lies the flute whose sound</l>
<l rend="indent2">Shall call the magic powers of Taste around</l>
<l rend="indent2">Till thy whole soul fulfilld with feard rage</l>
<l rend="indent2">Turns to the good Lactantius’<note n="11" 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> pious page</l>
<l rend="indent2">Or casts oer Hutcheson<note n="12" place="foot" resp="editors">Francis Hutcheson (1694–1746; <title level="m">DNB</title>), moral philosopher. His Latin works included <title level="m">Philosophiae Moralis Institutio Compendiaria, Ethices et Jurisprudentiae Naturalis Elementa Continens</title> (1742).</note> the moral eye</l>
<l rend="indent2">Or reads &amp; uses famous Calliepi.<note n="13" place="foot" resp="editors">This may be a reference to Calliope, the muse of epic poetry.</note>
</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">There as you sit in slippers loose alone</l>
<l rend="indent2">Falls full &amp; banging on the door the stone</l>
<l rend="indent2">Like hail they come — you need not look to see</l>
<l rend="indent2">Such folly only can proceed from me.</l>
<l rend="indent2">No modest lie is this tis plain &amp; true</l>
<l rend="indent2">For I must have my turn as well as you.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">No magic cauldron does your friend require</l>
<l rend="indent2">You stir the Pot &amp; S — --y stirs the fire —</l>
<l rend="indent2">If his dull Reason fails to understand</l>
<l rend="indent2">Up goes the restless poker in his hand</l>
<l rend="indent2">Or should his intellect more bright appear</l>
<l rend="indent2">Why tis but just the fire should burn as clear.</l>
<l rend="indent2">Then up I set the loud harmonious roar</l>
<l rend="indent2">Not bottle when hes drunk can bellow more</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">Sit down again to study at my ease</l>
<l rend="indent2">And eat some solid feet of toasted cheese</l>
<l rend="indent2">And then for exercise &amp; change of air —</l>
<l rend="indent2">I quit the sofa for the great armd chair.</l>
<l rend="indent2">At chapel too I sleep or talk each day</l>
<l rend="indent2">Laugh — read — in short do any thing but pray</l>
<l rend="indent2">For when Devotions fervor strongest glows</l>
<l rend="indent2">Comes the curst twang of <ref target="people.html#BarnesFrederick">Ginger</ref> kennel nose.</l>
<l rend="indent2">And then I feel a strange &amp; wicked whim</l>
<l rend="indent2">And hope the Cherubims dont sing like him</l>
<l rend="indent2">Then comes a laugh — so Satan is so strong</l>
<l rend="indent2">That I must sleep to save from doing wrong.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">Tis true that every day your friendly care</l>
<l rend="indent2">Would drag me out to catch a breath of air.</l>
<l rend="indent2">Perhaps at last I sally forth — but then</l>
<l rend="indent2">Old Nick himself cant get me back again.</l>
<l rend="indent2">Thus obstinately mulish &amp; perverse</l>
<l rend="indent2">I grow each day dear <ref target="people.html#LightfootNicholas">Lightfoot</ref> worse &amp; worse.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">For other task at home my time employs</l>
<l rend="indent2">I neither stir the fire or keep a noise</l>
<l rend="indent2">But quit my bed &amp; then take up my pen</l>
<l rend="indent2">Quit that at night &amp; go to bed again.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">But Term approaching bars my longer stay</l>
<l rend="indent2">Time Inclination call me hence away</l>
<l rend="indent2">With pleasure I once more my friends shall view</l>
<l rend="indent2">Our <ref target="people.html#SewardEdmund">Seward</ref>
<ref target="people.html#BurnettGeorge">Burnett</ref>
<ref target="people.html#CollinsCharles">Collins</ref> Pot &amp; you.</l>
<l rend="indent2">Already dinging donging on my ear</l>
<l rend="indent2">That most abominable bell I hear</l>
<l rend="indent2">Already <ref target="people.html#BarnesFrederick">Gingers</ref> snaffles service oer</l>
<l rend="indent2">You seem to pray &amp; I most truely snore.</l>
<l rend="indent2">Already you to play the flute begin</l>
<l rend="indent2">
<ref target="people.html#BurnettGeorge">Burnett</ref> to fiddle &amp; your friend to sing</l>
<l rend="indent2">Already will my Fancys eager eye </l>
<l rend="indent2">Look on to Summer &amp; the gooseberry pye</l>
<l rend="indent2">And ten o clock I seem to hate een now</l>
<l rend="indent2">That calls me up to lecture &amp; <ref target="people.html#HoweThomas">Tom Howe</ref>
</l>
<l rend="indent2">Tis true. for him a very due respect stirs</l>
<l rend="indent2">God bless my tutor — but Duce take his lectures</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">The name composes me so if you please</l>
<l rend="indent2">My good friend <ref target="people.html#WeeksShadrach">Shad</ref> Ill have my toasted cheese</l>
</lg>
<p rend="indent5">	——————</p>
<p>now in plain prose my dear Lightfoot I write to settle our journey to old <ref target="places.html#BalliolOxford">Ball Coll.</ref> come to Bristol <del rend="strikethrough">Tuesday</del> Wednesday. Thursday we will see all the seeables &amp; Friday off. I wish it were in my power to offer you a bed but you will take inclination for ability. we have much to be seen so come earlier if you can. but write &amp; let me know all the whens &amp;c.</p>
<p rend="indent1">	you see I must this term. <ref target="people.html#SewardEdmund">E Seward</ref> cannot be ordaind till Trinity he will spend the intermediate time with us at <ref target="places.html#BalliolOxford">Ball.</ref>
</p>
<p rend="indent1">	poor <ref target="people.html#BurnettGeorge">Burnett</ref> has been alone. they all got drunk in the Batchelor’s common room on the Gaudy except our friend who went to <ref target="people.html#LewisRichard">Lewis</ref>. they broke all his windows forced thro the wainscott &amp; flung all the chairs out of window. his absence was most fortunate as they brought a bottle of wine to pour down his throat by force. execrable blockheads twas well both for me &amp; for them that I was absent for had my passions been stirrd I should have used my leveller &amp; got beat. Phelpss<note n="14" place="foot" resp="editors">Thomas Spencer Phelps (d. 1856), a student at Balliol College, Oxford, BA 1797.</note> adventures that night will amuse you another time. now time presses. so believe me</p>
<closer>
<salute rend="indent3">most sincerely your</salute>
<signed rend="indent4">RS.</signed>
</closer>
<postscript>
<p>direct to <ref target="people.html#TylerElizabeth">Miss Tylers</ref>
</p>
<p rend="indent1">
<address>
<placeName>	Bristol.</placeName>
</address>
</p>
</postscript>
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