[PUBLISHED 1818] ENDYMION: A POETIC ROMANCE. "THE STRETCHED METRE OF AN ANTIQUE SONG." INSCRIBED TO THE MEMORY OF THOMAS CHATTERTON. PREFACE. KNOWING Within myself the manner in which this Poem has been produced, it is not without a feeling of regret that I make it public. What manner I mean, will be quite clear to the reader, who must soon perceive great inexperience, immaturity, and every error denoting a feverish attempt, rather than a deed accomplished. The two first books, and indeed the two last, I feel sensible are not of such completion as to warrant their passing the press; nor should they if I thought a year's castigation would do them any good; it will not: the foundations are too sandy. It is just that this youngster should die away: a sad thought for me, if I had not some hope that while it is dwindling I may be plotting, and fitting myself for verses fit to live. This may be speaking too presumptuously, and may deserve a punishment: but no feeling man will be forward to inflict it: he will leave me alone, with the conviction that there is not a fiercer hell than the failure in a great object. This is not written with the least atom of purpose to forestall criticisms of course, but from the desire I have to conciliate men who are competent to look, and who do look with a zealous eye, to the honour of English literature. The imagination of a boy is healthy, and the mature imagination of a man is healthy; but there is a space of life between, in which the soul is in a ferment, the character undecided, the way of life uncertain, the ambition thick-sighted: thence proceeds mawkishness, and all the thousand bitters which those men I speak of must necessarily taste in going over the following pages. I hope I have not in too late a day touched the beautiful mythology of Greece, and dulled its brightness: for I wish to try once more, before I bid it farewell. TEIGNMOUTH, April 10, 1818. Pass into nothingness; but still will keep A bower quiet for us, and a sleep Inted Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing. 5 A flowery band to bind us to the earth, the moon, With the green world they live in; and clear rills ΙΟ 15 20 Nor do we merely feel these essences That, whether there be shine, or gloom o'ercast, Therefore, 't is with full happiness that I Bring home increase of milk. And, as the year 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 And now, at once adventuresome, I send There let its trumpet blow, and quickly dress Upon the sides of Latmos was outspread Into o'er-hanging boughs, and precious fruits. 60 65 70 That not one fleecy lamb which thus did sever From the white flock, but pass'd unworried 75 By angry wolf, or pard with prying head, Until it came to some unfooted plains Where fed the herds of Pan: ay great his gains Who thus one lamb did lose. Paths there were many, Winding through palmy fern, and rushes fenny, 80 And ivy banks; all leading pleasantly To a wide lawn, whence one could only see Stems thronging all around between the swell Edg'd round with dark tree tops? through which a dove 85 90 |