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Bodleian Library, MS Eng. Lett. d. 47. ALS; 4p. . Previously published: John Wood Warter (ed.), Selections from the Letters of Robert Southey, 4 vols (London, 1856), III, pp. 189–190 [in part].
These letters were edited with the assistance of Ian Packer and Lynda Pratt
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I leave home on Monday next, bound for Llangedwin,th or
Friday the 28th. And I will let you know on which day to expect
me, as soon as that point can be settled.
My Vision of Judgement is not finished.th such are an event as the Kings
death,this such an occasion unless it were altogether different from all
other compositions that were to be expected.
If however my labour should be lost for the present (& if the
objection to its publication strikes any person to whom I shall show it, as it does
myself I shall certainly lay it aside), x it will not be thrown away. The
metrical experiment which I have long been desirous of making, has here been fairly
made, & with compleat success. I have proved that hexameters may as well be
written in English as in German; that they are in no respect dissuited to the genius
of our language; & that the measure is full, stately & sonorous, capable of
great variety, great sweetness & great strength. I shall certainly finish the
poem, that it may be ready for publication after such lapse of time as may remove the
objection to its appearance. xxxxx x
I am now filling up the paper upon the Churches,my <the> ways & means upon which I have to
count in London. And I take work of the same kind to occupy me at Streatham, that I may not be run short in the
summer.xx I must have
starved if I had done so, – & during seven long years I wrote reviews at seven
pounds per sheet royal, because Thalaba & Madoc were lying in the publishers
warehouse.x undertake another. That motive however is
likely to operate with increasing force as long as I live, & as I am likely
according to all probability to die in the harness, I have only to hope that my
strength may not fail me till the last.
Your godson, thank God, is well. I hope you mean to visit him this summer. We are all going on as could be wished at present.