so decidedly condemned as on his own confession, and may long find apologists and partisans until he gives up his own cause. I was not, therefore, inclined to afford matter for censure out of my own admissions; and, by good fortune, the novelty of the subject, and, if I may say so, some force and vivacity of description, were allowed to atone for many imperfections. Thus the second experiment on the public patience, generally the most perilous,―for the public are then most apt to judge with rigour, what in the first instance they had received, perhaps, with imprudent generosity, -was in my case decidedly successful. I had the good fortune to pass this ordeal favourably, and the return of sales before me makes the copies amount to thirty-six thousand printed between 1805 and 1825, besides a considerable sale since that period. I shall here pause upon the subject of "Marmion," and, in a few prefatory words to "The Lady of the Lake," the last poem of mine which obtained eminent success, I will continue the task which I have imposed on myself respecting the origin of my productions. ABBOTSFORD, April, 1830. Marmion Canto First. Introduction. TO WILLIAM STEWART ROSE, Esq. ASHESTIEL, Ettrick Forest. OVEMBER'S sky is chill and November's leaf is red and sear: Late, gazing down the steepy linn, That hems our little garden in, Low in its dark and narrow glen, You scarce the rivulet might ken, So thick the tangled green-wood grew, So feeble trill'd the streamlet through: B Now, murmuring hoarse, and frequent seen No longer Autumn's glowing red That bloom'd so rich on Needpath-fell ; The shepherd shifts his mantle's fold, A cowering glance they often cast, My imps, though hardy, bold and As best befits the mountain child, Yes, prattlers, yes. The daisy's flower B2 And while you frolic light as they, To mute and to material things The mind that thought for Britain's weal, The hand that grasp'd the victor steel? Even on the meanest flower that blows; Where glory weeps o'er NELSON'S shrine; Deep graved in every British heart, O never let those names depart ! |