Shall these approach the muse? ah, no! she flies, For me, who, thus unask'd, have dared to tell There Clarke, still striving piteously "to please," Earth's chief dictatress, ocean's lovely queen. A would-be satirist, a hired buffoon, A monthly scribbler of some low lampoon, • Even from the tempting ore of Seaton's prize.-Thus corrected, in 1816, by Lord Byron. In former editions: "And even spurns the great Seatonian prize." Thus in the original manuscript: With odea by Smyth, and epic songs by Hoyle; The Games of Hoyle," well known to the votaries of whist, chess, &c. are not to be superseded by the vagaries of his poetical namesake, whose poem coraprised, as expressly stated in the advertisement, all the "plagues of Egypt." There Clarke, still striving, &c.-These eight lines were added in the Becond edition. Right enough; this was well deserved, and well laid on.-MS. note by Lord Byron. 1816. This person, who has lately betrayed the most rabid symptoms of coufirmed authorship, is writer of a poem denominated the "Art of Pleasing," as "lucus a non lucendo," containing little pleasantry and less poetry. He also acts as monthly stipendiary and collector of calumnies for the "Satirist." If this unfortunate young man would exchange the magazines for the mathematics, and endeavor to take a decent degree in his university, it might evenually prove more serviceable than his present salary. "Into Cambridgeshire the Emperor Probus transported a considerable tody of Vandala."-Gibbon's Decline and Fall, p. 83, vol. ii. There is no reason to doubt the truth of this assertion; the breed is still in high perfeo But Rome decay'd, and Athens strew'd the plain, Then, hapless Britain! be thy rulers blest, Yet once again adieu! ere this the sail That wafts me hence is shivering in the gale; But should I back return, no tempting press§§ • Unask'd; in the first edition unknown. ↑ Zeal for her honor, &c.—In the first edition, this couplet ran, Has bade me spurn the follies of her age." ↑ And urge thy bards to gain a name like thine.-With this verse the satira ended in the original edition. His grace is now gathered to his grandmothers, where he sleeps as sound as § A friend of mine being asked why his grace of Portland was likened to an old woman? replied, "he supposed it was because he was past bearing." These four lines were substituted for the following in the original man-ever; but even his sleep was better than his colleagues' waking. 1811. ascript: tion. Yet hold as when by Heaven's supreme behest, Afric's coast. Saw it, August, 1809.-MS. note by Lord Byron. 1816. †† Georgia. ‡‡ Mount Caucasus. Saw the distant ridge of, 1810, 1811.-MS. wote by ** So lost to Phabue, that, &c.-This couplet, thus altered in the fifth Lord Byron. 1816. edition, was originally printed, "So sunk in dullness, and so lost in shame, That Smyth and Hodgson scarce redeem thy fame." 11 This gentleman's name requires no praise; the man who in transla tion displays unquestionable genius may well be expected to excel in orig Inal composition, of which it is to be hoped we shall soon see a splendid specimen. Hewson Clarke, Esq., as it is written. "la" in the first edition. II The "Aboriginal Britons," an excellent poem, by Richards. * The breed is still in high perfection.-In the first edition, "There is no reason to doubt the truth of this assertion, as a large stock of the same breed to be found there at this day." $$ But should I back return, no tempting press These four lines were altered in the fifth edition. They originally stood, Shall drag my common-place took on the stage: And equal him whose work he sought to mar." I Lord Elgin would fain persuade us that all the figures, with and without noses, in his stone-shop, are the work of Phidias ! "Credat Jucleus!" • Lord Valencia (whose tremendous travels are forthcoming with due decorations, graphical, topographical, typographical) deposed, on Sir John Carr's unlucky suit, that Dubois's satire prevented his purchase of the "Stranger in Ireland."-Oh, fie, my lord? has your lordship no more feeling for a fellow-tourist? but " two of a trade," they say, &c. And make their grand saloons a general mart Thus far I've held my undisturb'd career, By Jeffrey's harmless pistol, Hallam's rage Rapid. Thus altered in the fifth edition. In all previous editions And, arm'd in proof, the gauntlet cast at once "classic." "Rapid," indeed! He topographized and typographized King Priam's To Scotch marauder, and to southern dunce. dominions in three days!-1 called him "classic" before I saw the Troad, Thus much I've dared; if my incondite lay but since have learned better than to tack his name with what don't belong to Hath wrong'd these righteous times, let others say: -Note to the fifth edition. Mr. Gell's Topography of Troy and Ithaca† cannot fail to ensure the approbation of every man possessed of classical taste, as well for the informa. tion Mr. Gell conveys to the mind of the reader, as for the ability and research the respective works display.-Note to all the early editions.. Since seeing the plain of Troy, my opinions are somewhat changed as to the above note. Gell's survey was hasty and superficial.—MS, note by Lord Byron. 1816. Din of Melbourne house.-Singular enough, and din enough, God knows,-MS. note by Lord Byron. 1816. This, let the world, which knows not how to spare, Thus much I've dared; if my incondite lay. The reading of the fifth edition: originally printed, "Thus much I've dared to do; how far my lay." †The greater part of this satire I most sincerely wish had never been written-not only on account of the injustice of much of the critical, and some of the personal part of it—but the tone and temper are such as I ca • Troy. Visited both in 1810 and 1811.-MS. note by Lord Byron. 1816. not approve.-Byron. July 14, 1816. thica. Passed first in 1809.-MS. note by Lord Byron. 1816. Diodata, Geneva, THE FOLLOWING ARGUMENT INTENDED FOR THE SATIRE WAS IN THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT, BUT NOT PUBLISHED. The poet considereth times past and their poesy-maketh a sudden transition to times present-is incensed against book-makers-revileth W. Scott for cupidity and ballad-mongering, with notable remarks on Master Southey-complaineth that Master Southey hath inflicted three poems epic and otherwise on the public-inveigheth against Wm. Wordsworth; but laudeth Mr. Coleridge and his elegy on a young ass-is disposed to vituperais Mr. Lewis-and greatly rebuketh Thomas Little (the late), and the Lord Strangford-recommendeth Mr. Haley to turn his attention to proseand exhorteth the Moravians to glorify Mr. Grahame-sympathizeth with the Rev. Bowles-and deploreth the melancholy fate of Montgomery -breaketh out into invective against the Edinburgh Reviewers-calleth them hard names, harpies, and the like-apostrophiseth Jeffrey and prophesieth-Episode of Jeffrey and Moore, their jeopardy and deliverance; portents on the morn of combat; the Tweed, Tolbooth, Frith or Forth severally shocked; descent of a goddess to save Jeffrey; incorporation of the bullets with his sinciput and occiput-Edinburgh Reviewers es masse -Lord Aberdeen, Herbert, Scat, Hallam, Pillans, Lambe, Sydney Smith, Brougham, &c.-The Lord Holland applauded for dinnere and translations.-The Drama; Skeffington, Hook, Reynolds, Kenney, Cherry, &c.-Sheridan, Colman, and Cumberland called upon to write-retum te poesy-scribblere of all sorts-Lord's sometimes rhyme; much better not-Hafiz, Rosa Matilda, and X. Y. Z.-Rogers, Campbell, Gifford, &* true poets-translators of the Greek Anthology-Crabbe-Darwin's style-Cambridge Seatonian Prize-Smyth-Hodgson-Oxford-Richards-Port loquitur conclusion. POSTSCRIPT.* I HAVE been informed, since the presnet edition | cartels; but, alas, "the age of chivalry is ove," went to press, that my trusty and well-beloved or, in the vulgar tongue, there is no spirit now-acousins, the Edinburgh Reviewers, are preparing a days. most vehement critique on my poor, gentle, unresisting Muse, whom they have already so bedevilled with their ungodly ribaldry: "Tantæne animis cœlestibus iræ !" There is a youth ycleped Hewson Clarke (Subaudi esquire), a sizer of Emmanuel College, and, I believe, a denizen of Berwick-upon-Tweed, whom I have introduced in these pages to much better company than he has been accustomed to meet; he is, not I suppose I must say of Jeffrey as Sir Andrew Ague-withstanding, a very sad dog, and for no reason cheek saith, "an' I had known he was so cunning that I can discover, except a personal quarrel with of fence, I had seen him damned ere I had fought a bear, kept by me at Cambridge to sit for a fellow him." What a pity it is that I shall be beyond the ship, and whom the jealousy of his Trinity contemBosphorus before the next number has passed the poraries prevented from success, has been abusing Tweed! But I yet hope to light my pipe with it in me, and what is worse, the defenceless innocent Persia. above mentioned, in "The Satirist" for one year My northern friends have accused me, with justice, and some months. I am utterly unconscious of of personality towards their great literary anthro- having given him any provocation; indeed, I am pophagus, Jeffrey; but what else was to be done with guiltless of having heard his name till coupled with. him and his dirty pack, who feed by "lying and "The Satirist." He has therefore no reason tu slandering," and slake their thirst by "evil speak-complain, and I dare say that, like Sir Fretful Pla ing?" I have adduced facts already well known, giary, he is rather pleased than otherwise. I have and of Jeffrey's mind I have stated my free opinion, now mentioned all who have done me the honor tu nor has he thence sustained any injury;-what notice me and mine, that is, my bear and my book scavenger was ever soiled by being pelted with except the editor of "The Satirist," who, it seems mud? It may be said that I quit England because is a gentleman-God wot! I wish he could impart a I have censured there "persons of honor and wit little of his gentility to his subordinate scribblers. about town," but I am coming back again, and I hear that Mr. Jerningham is about to take up the their vengeance will keep hot till my return. Those cudgels for his Mecenas, Lord Carlisle: I hop who know me can testify that my motives for not: he was one of the few, who, in the very short leaving England are very different from fears, intercourse I had with him, treated me with kind literary or personal: those who do not, may one ness when a boy, and whatever he may say or do day be convinced. Since the publication of this pour on, I will endure." I have rothing furthes thing, my name has not been concealed; I have to add, save a general note of thanksgiving to Deen mostly in London, ready to answer for my readers, purchasers, and publisners, and, in the transgressions, and in daily expectation of sundry words of Scott, I wish •Addad to the sound "To all and each a fait good nigh, HINTS FROM HORACE: BEING AN ALLUSION IN ENGLISH VERSE TO THE EPISTLE "AD PISONES, DE ARTE POETICA," AND INTENDED AS A SEQUEL TO "ENGLISH BARDS AND SCOTCH REVIEWERS." Athena, Capuchin Convent, March 12, 1811. WHO would not laugh, if Lawrence, hired to grace His costly canvass with each flatter'd face, Abused his art, till Nature, with a blush, Saw cits grow centaurs underneath his brush? Or, should some limner join, for show or sale, A maid of honor to a mermaid's tail? Or low Dugost (as once the world has seen) Degrade God's creatures in his graphic spleen? Not all that forced politeness, which defends Fools in their faults, could gag his grinning friends. Believe me, Moschus, like that picture seems The book which, sillier than a sick man's dreams, Displays a crowd of figures incomplete, Poetic nightmares, without head or feet. A labor'd, long exordium, sometimes tends Or in advent'rous numbers, neatly aims You sketch a tree, and so perhaps may shine- In fine, to whatsoever you aspire, Let it at least be simple and entire. Incœptis gravibus plerumque et magna professi Purpureus, late qui splendeat, unus et alter Assuitur pannus; cum lucus et ara Dianæ, Et properantis aquæ per amonos ambitus agros, Aut flumen Rhenum, aut pluvius describitur arcus. Sed nunc non erat his locus: et fortasse cupressum Scis simulare: quid hoc, si fractis enatat exspes Navibus, ære dato qui pingitur? amphora cæpit Institui: currente rotà cur urceus exit? Denique sit quod vis, simplex duntaxat et unum Maxima pars vatum, pater, et juvenes patre digni, Decipimur specie recti. Brevis esse laboro, Obscurus fio: sectantem levia, nervi Deficiunt animique: professus grandia, turget: Serpit humi tutus nimium timidusque procellæ Qui variare cupit rem prodigialiter unam, Delphinum sylvis appingit, fluctibus aprum. • "Where pure description held the place of senso."-Pope. The greater portion of the rhyming tribe I labor to be brief-become obscure; Fish in the woods, and boars beneath the waves! Unless your care's exact, your judgment nice Dear authors! suit your topics to your strength, Let judgment teach him wisely to combine In vitium ducit culpæ fuga, si caret arte. Sumite materiem vestris, qui scribitis, æquam Viribus; et versate diu quid ferre recusent, Quid valeant humeri. Cui lecta potenter erit res, Nec facundia deseret hunc, nec lucidus ordo. Ordinis hæc virtus erit et venus, aut ego fallor, Ut jam nunc dicat, jam nunc debentia dici Pleraque differat, et præsens in tempus omittat; Hoc amet, hoc spernat promissi carminis auctor. In verbis etiam tenuis caustusques serendis; Dixeris egregie, notum si callida verbum Reddiderit junctura novum. Si forte necesse est Indiciis monstrare recentibus abdita rerum, Fingere cinctutis non exaudita Cethegis Continget; dabiturque licentia sumpta pudenter, Et nova actaque nuper habebunt verba fidem, si • Mere common mortals were commonly content with one tailor and with ene bill, but the more particular gentlemen found it impossible to confide their lower garments to the makers of their body clothes. I speak of the beginning of 1809; what reform may have since taken place 1 neither know nor desire to know. New words find credit in these latter days, If neatly grafted on a Gallic phrase. What Chaucer, Spencer did, we scarce refuse To Dryden's or to Pope's maturer muse. If you can add a little, say why not, As well as William Pitt and Walter Scott? As forests shed their foliage by degrees, sustain The heavy ploughshare and the yellow grain, The immortal wars which gods and angels wage, Are they not shown in Milton's sacred page? His strain will teach what numbers best belong To themes celestial told in epic song. The slow, sad stanza will correctly paint Satiric rhyme first sprang from selfish spleen. Græco fonte cadant, parce detorta. Quid autem Ut silvæ foliis pronos mutantur in annos; Res gestæ regumque ducumque et tristia bella, • Old ballads, old plays, and old women's stories, are at present in as much request as old wine or new speeches. In fact this is the millenium of black letter: thanks to our Hebers, Webers, and Scorts ! ↑ Mac Flecknoe, the Dunciad, and all Swift's lampooning ballads, Whatever their others works may be, these originated in personal feelings. and angry retort on unworthy rivals; and though the ability of these antires Mr. Pitt was liberal in his additions to our parliamentary tongue, as may elevates the poetical, their poignancy detracts from the personal character of 30 seen in many publications, particularly the Edinburgh Review. the writers. |