322. To Robert Southey Address: Mr Southey | Kingsdown Parade | Bristol Single MS. Lord Latymer. Pub. with omis. Letters, i. 331. Postmark: 28 February 1800. Stamped: Strand. It goes to my Heart, my dear Southey! to sit down & write to you, knowing that I can scarcely fill half a side -- the Postage lies on my Conscience -- I am translating Manuscript Plays of Schiller -they are Poems, full of long Speeches -- in very polish'd Blank Verse----. The Theatre! the Theatre! my dear Southey! -- it will never, never, never do --! -- If you go to Portugal, your History thereof will do---- / but for the present money Novels, or Translations --. I do not see, that a Book said by you in the Preface to have been written merely as a Book for young Persons could injure your reputation more than Milton's Accidence injured his -- I would do it -- because you can do it so easily----. It is not necessary that you should say much about French or German Literature -Do it so -- Poetry of savage Nations. -- Poetry of rudely civilized -Homer, & the Hebrew Poetry, &c -- Poetry of civilized Nations, under Republics & Politheism -- / State of Poetry under the Roman & Greek Empires -- revival of it in Italy -- in Spain -- & England -- then go steadily on with England to the end, except one Chapter about German Poetry to conclude with -- which I can write for you---- / In the Morning Post was a poem of fascinating Metre by Mary Robinson -- 'twas on Wednesday, Feb. 26. -- & entitled the Haunted -575- Beach. 1 I was so struck with it that I sent to her to desire that [it] might be preserved in the Anthology -- She was extremely flattered by the Idea of it's being there, as she idolizes you & your Doings. So if it be not too late, I pray you, let it be in -- if you should not have received that Day's paper, write immediately that I may transcribe it -- it falls off sadly to the last -- wants Tale -- & Interest; but the Images are new & very distinct -- that 'silvery carpet' is so just, that it is unfortunate it should seem so bad -- for it is really good -- but the Metre -- ay! that Woman has an Ear. 2 -- William Taylor, from whom I have received a couple of Letters full of thought & information says, what astounded me -- that Double Rhymes in our Language have always a ludicrous association -Mercy on the Man! Where are his Ears & Feelings? -- His taste cannot be quite right, from this observation -- but he is a famous Fellow, that is not to be denied.---- Sara is poorly still -- Hartley rampant, & Emperorizes with your pictures -- Harry is a fine Boy -- Hartley told a Gentleman 'me tinks, you are like Southey.' -- And he was not wholly unlike you -but the chick calling you simple -- Southey -- so pompously!---God love you & your Edith -- S. T. Coleridge Love to Davy---- Your Simile of the Cucumbers & Dung tickled me hugely.