37. Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 30 December 1792*

Sunday evening. 1/4 past seven. Dec 30. College Green. 1792.

On speed the hours — the expiring year flies fastSoon to increase the number of the past —The past — huge mass — which heaps each several dayStole from the future mass of years away — The well-pil’d fire, the bowl of festive joyThe social game each passing hour employTogether meet each long disseverd friendAnd Mirth & Pleasure mark the annual end.Such joys no more (my friend esteemd) are mineSuch joys to me are past nor I repine —Misfortune clouds oer Hopes enlivening sunBut tis the will of heaven. that will be done.Since then I drain not riots noisy glassNor sport away the live long hours that pass —Since bleeding Memory still her way will forceBrood oer a lifeless Fathers clay cold corseLet Contemplation come in solemn stateFor ah what Time more fit to contemplate!

But twelve months since (for Memory loves to dwellOn scenes so dear, on friend belovd so well)But twelve months since & this now sadning breastWas filld with bliss & social joy possestElate with Hope — in flattering Fancy high& fond & eager of applause was I.Each day our unborn plan I still pursuedEach night revolvd & dreamt & thought it goodWhilst gay Imaginations fingers spreadThe laurel chaplet for her offsprings headBut twelve months past I turn again & viewThe laurel chaplet changd for wreath of yeugh —For Fames applause behold the grins of Dodd& Vincents well pleasd eyes & well workd rod.

Exild from Westminster is Southey seenExpelld from school rejected by the Dean —& shall I strive the glorious truth to hideWhich Conscience owns & only owns with pride?True I attackd the beastly rod & trueHeld horrible Indecency to viewBut Satan feard Ithuriels¹ potent touchAnd Power as usual provd for Right too much —Power held the sevenfold shield to Dullness headI am expelld the Flagellant is deadChrist Church rejects as though the itch possestBut Baliol takes & Basil² is at rest.Nor I alone in this eventful yearOf wicked libels & sedition hearTo hope that Truth would shelter me how vainWhen Truth & Eloquence both faild for Paine!³

As in each public paper will appearThe great transactions of the amazing yearSuppose my friend that you & I should seeWhat deeds have chanced this year to you & me!The Flagellant was born as greedy LawAdvancd in hungry wise his threatning paw.Opprest by foes the hapless victim diedI was expelld — not Vincent satisfied.The Doctors life was publishd new & rareAnd he (proclaim it Fame) turnd up his hair —You to spy out an infamous AttorneyThro many a town & county took your journey —I took an oath or two at Oxford townAnd by the by got wet in going down.I lost whom once I hopd & thought a friend —But flattering hopes too often find an end.Why humble Bedford as we are yet weFrom Resolutions are not wholly freeWhat though <nor Birth> nor highly partial fatesHave givn us crowns or titles or estatesLow as are Dame Fortune (queer old Girl)Has given you & I full many a whirl.Give me o Fortune one more turn besideBut one spoke higher — I am satisfied.

Of the past year enough. past griefs farewellFor why of these should Rhyme or Reason tell?Or why should I misfortunes past deploreWhen wide Futurity expands before?Een whilst you read my friend these lines from meHas Time markd down the newborn ninety three.Whilst then the varying seasons in their sphereDiversify & mark the coming yearWhilst Freedom struggles in a happier landWhilst War & Slaughter wait on Pitts⁴ commandWhilst Pension-men proclaim each croud among“The right divine of Kings to govern wrong”⁵ Whilst pissing posts & corners all bespeakMerits of Justice Reeves⁶ & Doctor LeakeWith Bull Broth Powder Pill or what you pleaseLike to rid us of the French Disease. ⁷ Whilst Vincent is with loyal terror sick.And More⁸ is trembling for his bishoprick —The press grows hot — the widowd wifes sad criesOf power inhuman, pierce the listless skiesWhilst Justice dares the guilt of Kings to showAnd write apostate after Mirabeau!!! ⁹ Let me a while attempt to avoid them allWhilst Reason claims one lucid intervalAnd let these varying scenes as Fate will, endWhilst I breathe forth a wish for self & friend.May then each hour without annoy be spentPossest at least of that best gift ContentMay no Disease extend his sorrowing swayNor Death some friend some parent reave away& at the Installation you come down(To wish for both at once) to Oxford town.

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Parturiunt montes — nascetur ridiculus mus!¹⁰

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