Judgment In Literature Classic Reprint

Author : George Gordon Byron
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9781332209668
Total Pages : 32 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (96 download)

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Download or read book The Vision of Judgement (Classic Reprint) written by George Gordon Byron and published by . This book was released on 2015-08-05 with total page 32 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Excerpt from The Vision of Judgement It hath been wisely said, that "One fool makes many;" and it hath been poetically observed, "That fools rush in, where angels fear to tread !" If Mr. Southey had not rushed in where he had no business, and where he never was before, and never will be again, the following poem would not have been written. Is it not impossible that it may be as good as his own, seeing that it cannot, by any species of stupidity, natural or acquired, be worse. The gross flattery, the dull impudence, the renegado intolerance, and impious cant of the poem by the author of Wat Tyler, are something so stupendous, as to form the sublime of himself - containing the quintessence of his own attributes. So much for his poem - a word or two on his preface. (a) In this preface it has pleased the magnanimous Laureate to draw the picture of a supposed "Satanic School," the which he doth recommend to the notice of the legislature, thereby adding to his other laurels the ambition of those of an informer. If there exists any where, excepting in his imagination, such a school, is he not sufficiently armed against it by his own intense vanity? The truth is, that there are certain writers whom Mr. S. imagines, like Scrub, to have "talked of him; for they laughed consumedly." I think I know enough of most of the writers to whom he is supposed to allude, to assert, that they, in their individual capacities, have done more good in the charities of life to their fellow creatures in any one year, than Mr. Southey has done harm to himself by his absurdities in his whole life; and this is saying a great deal. But I have a few questions to ask. 1st. Is Mr. Southey the author of Wat Tyler? 2ndly. Was he not refused a remedy at law by the highest judge of his beloved England, because it was a blasphemous and seditious publication? (b) 3rdly. Was he not entitled by William Smith, in full parliament, "a rancorous renegado?" (c) 4thly. Is he not poet laureate, with his own lines on Martin the regicide, staring him in the face? (d) And, 5thly. Putting the four preceding items together, with what conscience dare he call the attention of the laws to the publications of others, be they what they may? I say nothing of the cowardice of such a proceeding; its meanness speaks for itself, but I wish to touch upon the motive, which is neither more nor less, than that Mr. S. has been laughed at a little in some recent publications, as he was of yore in the "Antijacobin" by his present patrons. Hence all this "skimble scamble stuff" about "Satanic" and so forth. However, it is worthy of him - "Qualis A B Incepto." If there is anything obnoxious to the political opinions of a portion of the public, in the following poem, they may thank Mr. Southey. He might have written hexameters, as he has written everything else, for aught that the writer cared, had they been upon another subject. But to attempt to canonize a monarch, who, whatever were his household virtues, was neither a successful nor a patriot king inasmuch, as several years of his reign passed in war with America and Irelaud, to say nothing of the aggression upon France, - like all other exaggeration, necessarily begets opposition. In whatever manner he may be spoken of in this new "Vision," his public career will not be more favourably transmitted by history. Of his private virtues (although a little expensive to the nation) there can be no doubt. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com