SENT TO MR SHARP (1809–10)

SENT TO MR. SHARP, AS AN APOLOGY FOR NOT DINING WITH HIM (1809–10)

⁽¹⁾

1808. Sent to Charles Sharp on 8 September 1808. See Letter 233. Undated in Remains,
where it was published for the first time.

I cannot with pleasure leave home,

Though wit, wine, and friendship invite,

For that grim-visaged fiend is just come,

Who withers my germs of delight.

With the insult

⁽¹⁾

insult] grin BL Add. MS 28268, f. 260 (Letter 233)

of conquest he rides,5

And demands from its peg my warm coat,

Deep-probing back, shoulders, and sides,

With a spur

⁽²⁾

spur] dart BL Add. MS 28268, f. 260 (Letter 233)

—like the name to your note.

The

⁽³⁾

The] Your BL Add. MS 28268, f. 260 (Letter 233)

blithe Caledonian for once,

Whose humour will keep you from sinking,10

Will miss by good fortune the dunce,

Who spends his dull moments in thinking,

Should Doeg transgress, show the door,

And let this fine rain cool his flame;

Or to have him like me, make him poor,15

And strike out the e from his name.

Notes

1. 1808. Sent to Charles Sharp on 8 September 1808. See Letter 233. Undated in Remains, where it was published for the first time. [back]

1.. insult] grin BL Add. MS 28268, f. 260 (Letter 233) [back]

2.. spur] dart BL Add. MS 28268, f. 260 (Letter 233) [back]

3.. The] Your BL Add. MS 28268, f. 260 (Letter 233) [back]

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