57. Robert Southey to Miss Seward, 18 September 1793*

Brixton Causeway. Wednesday Sept. 18th. 1793

Dear Madam have you never seenA Lady’s lap dog on the green Run with her glove away?And toss his playful head in airAnd snarl & shake & bite & tear Quite angry in his play.

On top the hedge he drags his prizeAnd there the bristled hedge-hog lies — The lap dog stands at bayNow backward leaps now forward goes —And after he has prickd his nose Drops tail & runs away.

Dear Madam — now apply to meThis very proper simile. The ode you wish, the hog —Oft as I try to strike the strainI try & try & try in vain Altho no puppy-dog.

Not seldom will some glove-like toyThe vacant harmless hour employ The vacant hour may please —But sooth to say I deem unfitMy odd unfashioned rambling wit To strike at themes like these.

Let Historys eventful pageRecord to every future age A Cordès¹ honord name —Adown the rapid stream of timeThe heroines praise shall sail sublime And reach the port of Fame.

Meantime my little slender boatOn Times rough sea shall lightly float And glide the billows oerSpread out the wide-embosom’d sailSwift said along before the gail Then sink to rise no more.

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Your request my Dear Madam at once flattered & mortified me — fully sensible of the honor you did me in making it, I could not feel otherwise than mortified at my own incapability. do not however imagine that this proceeds from any dislike to Charlotte Cordè — to me she appears not inferiour to Brutus² & I firmly believe what she herself avowed that no one but a Republican could have accomplished so glorious a deed. a few centuries hence some Bard may celebrate her with safety — when Time has thrown his sacred viel over history & Fancy may pry into it unrestraind.

you see how I attempt to excuse myself — i[MS obscured] reality any recent event ties down Imagination too much — the Poet cannot ornament with safety.

be kind enough to accept of these excuses — & my best respect to Mrs Seward — Miss S & Mr Severne³ with many thanks for the favors I have receivd. you will [MS torn] good enough to make my acknowledgements to all friends who may enquire for me.

your much obliged humble servantRobert Southey.

I wrote to Edmund at Aberistwyth & fear the letter did not reach him as he has been so long silent.