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<title type="main">The Collected Letters of Robert Southey. Part 2: 1798-1803 </title>
<title type="subordinate">A Romantic Circles Electronic Edition</title>
<author>
<name>Southey, Robert, 1774-1843</name>
</author>
<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>
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<name>Laura Mandell</name>
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<date>2011-08-15</date>
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<idno type="nines">rce381</idno>
<idno type="edition">letterEEd.26.372</idno>
<publisher>Romantic Circles, http://www.rc.umd.edu, University of Maryland</publisher>
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<date when="2011-08-15">August 15, 2011</date>
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<sourceDesc>
<p>National Library of Wales, MS
                        4819E.  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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<body>
<div n="372" type="letter">
<head>372. Robert Southey to <ref target="people.html#WynnCharlesWW">Charles Watkin
                        Williams Wynn</ref>, <date when="1798-01-16">16 January
                        1799</date>
<note place="foot" resp="editors" type="headnote">Address: To/ C W Williams Wynn Esqr/
                        Wynnstay/ Wrexham/ Denbighshire<lb/>Stamped:
                        BRISTOL<lb/>MS: National Library of Wales, MS
                        4819E<lb/>Unpublished.</note>
</head>
<epigraph>
<p rend="indent6"> _________</p>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> The Doctor whisperd to the Nurse</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And the Surgeon knew what he
                            said,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And he grew pale at the Doctors
                            tale</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And trembled in his sick bed.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> Now fetch me my brethren &amp; fetch
                            them with speed,</l>
<l rend="indent4"> The Surgeon affrighted said,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> The Parson my brother, the Undertaker
                            the other,</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Let them hasten or I shall be
                            dead.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> The Parson his brother, the
                            undertaker the other</l>
<l rend="indent4"> They hastily came complying,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And the Surgeons Prentices entered
                            the room</l>
<l rend="indent4"> When they heard that their master was
                            dying.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> The Surgeon swore as they enterd his
                            door</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Twas fearful his oaths to hear – </l>
<l rend="indent3"> Now send those Prentices to the
                            Devil,</l>
<l rend="indent4"> For God’s sake my <del rend="strikethrough">children</del>
                            &lt;brethren&gt; dear.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> He foamd at the mouth with the rage
                            he felt</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And he wrinkled his black eye
                            brow,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> That rascal Joe would be at me I
                            know!</l>
<l rend="indent4"> But zounds let him spare me now!</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> Then out they sent the Prentices,</l>
<l rend="indent4"> The fit it left him weak,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> He lookd at his brothers with ghastly
                            eyes,</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And faintly struggled to speak.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> All kinds of carcases I have cut
                            up</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And the judgement now must be,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> But Brothers I took care of you,</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Oh pray take care of me!</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> I have bottled babes unborn he
                            said</l>
<l rend="indent4"> The sextons have been my slaves – </l>
<l rend="indent3"> I have candles made of infant fat</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And flambeaus from rifled graves.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> And my prentices now will surely
                            come</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And carve me bone from bone,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And I who have rifled the dead mens
                            graves</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Shall never have rest in my own.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> Bury me in lead when I am dead</l>
<l rend="indent4"> My brethren I intreat,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And see the coffin weightd I beg</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Lest the Plumber should be a
                            cheat.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> And let it be sawdered closely
                            down</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Strong as strong can be I
                            implore,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And let it be put in a patent
                            coffin</l>
<l rend="indent4"> That I may rise no more.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> If they carry me off in the patent
                            coffin</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Their labour will be in vain,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> Let the Undertaker see it bought of
                            the maker</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Who lives by S<hi rend="sup">t</hi>
                            Martins lane</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> And bury me in my brothers
                            church,</l>
<l rend="indent4"> For that will safer be,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And I implore lock the church
                            door</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And pray take care of the key.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> And let three men in the vestry sit
                            up</l>
<l rend="indent4"> To save me if they can,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And give them five guineas if they
                            shoot</l>
<l rend="indent4"> A resurrection man.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> And let them watch me for three
                            weeks</l>
<l rend="indent4"> My wretched corpse to save,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> For then I think that I may stink</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Enough to rest in my grave.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> The surgeon laid him down in his
                            bed,</l>
<l rend="indent4"> His eyes grew deadly dim,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> Short came his breath &amp; the
                            struggle of death</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Distorted every limb.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> They put him in lead when he was
                            dead</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And shrouded up so neat</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And they the leaden coffin weigh</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Lest the Plumber shd be a cheat</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> And they had it sawderd <del rend="strikethrough">mor</del> closely down</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And examined it oer &amp; oer</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And they had it &lt;put&gt; in a
                            patent coffin</l>
<l rend="indent4"> That he might rise no more.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> For to carry him off in a patent
                            coffin</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Would they thought be but labour in
                            vain,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> So the Undertaker saw it bought of
                            the Maker</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Who lives by S<hi rend="sup">t</hi>
                            Martins lane</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> And they buried him in <del rend="strikethrough">the</del> his brothers
                            church</l>
<l rend="indent4"> That safer he might be,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And they lockd the door &amp; would
                            not trust</l>
<l rend="indent4"> The sexton with the key.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> And three men in the vestry sit
                            up</l>
<l rend="indent4"> To save him if they can,</l>
<l rend="indent3">
<del rend="strikethrough">And they shall have</del>
                            five guineas he shall have who shoots</l>
<l rend="indent4"> A resurrection man.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> The first night with their
                            blunderbusses</l>
<l rend="indent4"> They sat by the vestry fire,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> They had good cheer of porter &amp;
                            beer</l>
<l rend="indent4"> As much as they could desire.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> But when the sexton let them in</l>
<l rend="indent4"> As thro the church they went,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> He whispered &amp; offered them a
                            guinea</l>
<l rend="indent4"> That Mister Joseph sent.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> But conscience was tough, it was not
                            enough,</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And their <del rend="strikethrough">consciences</del> honesty never swerved,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And they bade him go with M<hi rend="sup">r</hi> Joe</l>
<l rend="indent4"> To the Devil as he deserved.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> So all night by the vestry fire</l>
<l rend="indent4"> They sat &amp; quaffd their ale,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And they did drink as you may
                            think</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And told full many a tale.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> The second night when the Sexton
                            came</l>
<l rend="indent4"> As thro the church they went,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> He whispered anew &amp; shewd them
                            two</l>
<l rend="indent4"> That Mister Joseph sent.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> The guineas were bright &amp;
                            attracted their sight</l>
<l rend="indent4"> They looked so heavy &amp; new,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And their fingers itchd as tho they
                            were bewitchd</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And they knew not what to do.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> But they wavered not long for
                            conscience was strong</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And they thought they might get
                            more,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And they refused the offer, but
                            not</l>
<l rend="indent4"> So rudely as before.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<p rend="indent1"> So all night &amp;c.</p>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> The third night when the sexton
                            came</l>
<l rend="indent4"> As thro the church they went</l>
<l rend="indent3"> He bade them see &amp; shewd them
                            three</l>
<l rend="indent4"> That M<hi rend="sup">r</hi> Joseph
                            sent.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> They lookd askance with eager
                            glance</l>
<l rend="indent4"> The guineas they <del rend="strikethrough">looked</del> shone
                            bright,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> For the Sexton on the yellow gold</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Let fall his lanthorn light.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> And he looked sly with his rogueish
                            eye</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And gave a well-timd wink – </l>
<l rend="indent3"> And they could not stand the sound in
                            his hand</l>
<l rend="indent4"> For he made the guineas chink.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> And conscience late that had such
                            weight</l>
<l rend="indent4"> In the trying moment fails</l>
<l rend="indent3"> For well they knew that it was
                            true</l>
<l rend="indent4"> A dead man told no tales.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> And they gave all their powder &amp;
                            ball</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And took the gold so bright</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And they drank their beer &amp; made
                            good cheer</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Till now it was midnight.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> Then tho the key of the church
                            door</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Was left with the Parson his
                            brother</l>
<l rend="indent3"> It opened at the Sextons touch – </l>
<l rend="indent4"> Because he had got another, – </l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> And in they go with that villain
                            Joe</l>
<l rend="indent4"> To fetch the body by night,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And all the church lookd dismally</l>
<l rend="indent4"> By his dark lanthorn light.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> They laid the pickaxe to the
                            stones</l>
<l rend="indent4"> &amp; they moved them soon
                            asunder,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> &amp; they shovelld away the hard
                            prest clay</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And came to the coffin under.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> And they burst the patent coffin
                            first</l>
<l rend="indent4"> &amp; they cut thro the lead,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> &amp; they laughd aloud when they saw
                            the shroud</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Because they had got at the dead.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> &amp; they allowd the sexton the
                            shroud</l>
<l rend="indent4"> &amp; they put the coffin back,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> &amp; nose &amp; knees they then did
                            squeee</l>
<l rend="indent4"> The surgeon in a sack.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> The watchmen as they past along</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Full four yards off could smell</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And curse bestowd upon the load</l>
<l rend="indent4"> So disagreabell.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> So they carried the sack
                            a-pick-a-back – </l>
<l rend="indent4"> And they carvd him bone from
                            bone,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> But what became of the Surgeons
                            soul</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Was never to mortal known.<note n="1" place="foot" resp="editors">Published as ‘The
                                Surgeon’s Warning’ in Southey’s
                                    <title>Poems</title>, 2 vols (Bristol,
                                1799), II, pp. [161]–173.</note>
</l>
</lg>
<p rend="indent4"> ________ </p>
</epigraph>
<p>There. thankye for the story. I wrote it in high glee – pray
                    be godfather. Shall it be a Ballad shewing how a surgeon had
                    served others &amp; how he was served himself? I mean to let
                    it follow the Old Woman,<note n="2" place="foot" resp="editors">Published as ‘A Ballad Shewing how an Old
                        Woman Rode Double and who Rode Before Her’ in Southey’s
                            <title>Poems</title>, 2 vols (Bristol, 1799), II,
                        pp. [143]–160.</note>
<del rend="strikethrough">&amp; hold back to xxxxx
                    her</del>. write at your earliest leisure &amp; show me
                    where to mend. I have read it aloud with great effect.</p>
<closer>
<salute rend="indent1"> God bless you,</salute>
<salute rend="indent2"> yours affectionately</salute>
<signed rend="indent3"> Robert Southey.</signed>
</closer>
<postscript>
<p>
<date when="1799-01-16">Jan<hi rend="sup">y</hi>. 16.
                            99</date>
</p>
</postscript>
</div>
</body>
</text>
</TEI>
