CONTENTS
Acknowledgments xxi
INTRODUCTION
xxiii
H o w TO R E A D E I G H T E E N T H - C E N T U R Y POETRY xxxix
PART O N E . P O E T I C K I N D S AND G E N R E S
Introduction
3
A. Social Verse
Introduction
Anne Finch, To a Lady who having desired me to compose somthing
Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, On the Death ofMrs. Bowes
Mary Barber, To a Lady, who Invited theAuthor into the Country
Mary Barber, An Epigram on the "Batik ofthe Books"
Laetitia Pilkington, An Invitation to a Gentleman
Elizabeth Carter, Written Extempore on the Sea-Shore
Mary Whateley Darwall, Impromptu
10
13
14
15
ij
vj
18
19
B.The Sonnet
Introduction
Jane Barker, On the Death ofmy Brother
Jane Barker, To My Young Lover
Mary Monck, Sonettojrom Monsignor Della Casa
Mary Monck, Sonettojrom Marini
Catherine Talbot, La Disperata
Anna Williams, A Sonnet: To a Lady oflndiscreet Virtue
Helen Maria Williams, Sonnet: To Twilight
Helen Maria Williams, Sonnet: To the Strawberry
Anna Seward, Sonnet LXJV: To Mr. Henry Gary
Anne Bannerman, Sonnet V: To the Owl
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British women poets of the long eighteenth century
2009
digitalisiert durch:
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Contents
Mary Robinson, Sonnet Introductoryfrom "Sappho and Phaon"
Mary Robinson, Sonnet XLIIL
Charlotte Smith, Sonnet I
Charlotte Smith, Sonnet II: Written at the Close ofSpring
Charlotte Smith, Sonnet III: To a Nightingale
Charlotte Smith, Sonnet TV: To the Moon
Charlotte Smith, Sonnet V: To the South Downs
Charlotte Smith, Sonnet VI: To Hope
Charlotte Smith, Sonnet VII: On the Departure ofthe Nightingale
Charlotte Smith, Sonnet VIII: To Sleep
Charlotte Smith, Sonnet VIII: To Spring
30
31
32
32
33
34
34
35
36
37
yj
C. Poems of Common Life
Introduction
Mary Barber, Writtenfor my Son
Sarah Dixon, The Slattern
Frances Seymour, Life at Richkings
Mary Jones, Epistle, from Fern-Hill
Anna Williams, Reflections On a Grave digging in Westminster Abbey
Elizabeth Hands, On seeing a MadHeifer run through the Village
Joanna Baillie, A Winter Day
Janet Little, On Halloween
Anna Laetitia Barbauld, Washing-Day
Mary Alcock, The Chimney-Sweeper's Complaint
Anne Bannerman, Sonnet I: The Watch-Man
Mary Robinson, Londons Summer Morning
Elizabeth Hamilton, MyAin Fire-Side
39
42
43
45
47
50
52
53
61
64
67
68
69
70
D.The Ode
Introduction
Mary Chudleigh, On the Vanities ofthis Life:A Pindarick Ode
Anne Finch, The Spleen: A Pindarique Ode
Elizabeth Thomas, On the Death ofthe Lady Chudleigh. An Ode
Elizabeth Carter, To Wisdom. A nocturnal Ode
Priscilla Poynton, First Poetical Composition ofthe Author's
Mary Savage, Ode to the Manes ofCowley
Ann Murry, Ode to the Moon
Harriet Falconar, On Ambition
Maria Falconar, Ode to Freedom
Jane West, Independence. Ode III
Anne Bannerman, Ode I. The Spirit ofthe Air
Anna Laetitia Barbauld, Life
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88
92
95
96
99
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101
ior
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109
Contents
ix
E.TheBaUad
Introduction
in
Anonymous, Disconsolate Judy's Lamentation
Laetitia Pilkington, The Happy Pair:A Bailad
Amelia Opie, The Warrior's Return
Susanna Blamire, The Nabob
Carolina Oliphant Nairne, AuldLangsyne
Carolina Oliphant Nairne, Jeanie Deans
Carolina Oliphant Nairne, The Pleughman
114
115
117
122
125
126
127
F. Satire
Introduction
Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, Epistle [to Lord Bathurst]
M a r y Barber, The Condusion ofa Letter to the Rev. Mr. C
Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, Tuesday: St. James's Cqffee-House
Charlotte Lennox, The Art ofCoquettry
A n n Thicknesse, A New Song
A n n Murry, City Splendor, A Town Edogue
M a r y Robinson, Lines on hearing it declared
M a r y Robinson, January, IJQJJ
Carolina Oliphant Nairne, When First I Got Married
Anna Laetitia Barbauld, West End Fair
129
132
134
137
141
144
147
153
155
156
158
G. The Hymn
Introduction
M a r y Chudleigh, TheElevation
Sarah Fyge Egerton, The Extacy
Octavia Walsh, The Goodness ofProvidence
Elizabeth Singer Rowe, Hymn I
Judith Madan, A Funeral Hymn
Anna Laetitia Barbauld, Hymn II
Susannah Harrison, Hymn XXXV: Behold he cometh
Helen Maria Williams, A Hymn
M a r y Whateley Darwall, Evening Hymn
Hannah More, A New Christmas Hymn
Helen Maria Williams, A Hymn, Written among the Alps
161
165
166
171
174
175
176
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179
180
183
H. The Fable
Introduction
Anne Finch, The Atheist and the Acorn
Hannah More, The Two Gardeners
187
189
190
x
Contents
Mary Leapor, The Fox and the Hen:A Fable
Hester Thrale Piozzi, The Three Warnings:A Tale
Helen Leigh, The Linnet; a Fable
Mary Alcock, The Hive ofBees: A Fable
Eliza Tuite, Song: The Tulip and the Rose
Mary Robinson, Mistress Gurions Cat
191
193
197
199
202
203
I. The Elegy
Introduction
Elizabeth Thomas, A Pastoral Elegy, on Henry late Duke of Norfolk
Mary Masters, Upon the Same: [To my Infant Niece]
Jane Brereton, On the Death ofa Lady
Elizabeth Tollet, Adieu my Friend
Clara Reeve, An Elegy. Written at Putney
Susanna Blamire, Written in a Churchyard
Helen Maria Williams, Elegy: Onfinding ayoung Thrush in the Street
Jane West, Elegy III. To Laura
Mary Whateley Darwall, Elegy on the Ruins ofKenilworth Castle
Anna Laetitia Barbauld, Epitaph on [Susannah BarbauldMarissal]
208
211
215
215
216
217
219
22r
223
225
228
J.The Verse Narrative
Introduction
Anne Finch, The Poor Man's Lamb
Catherine Rebecca Manners, Eugenio and Eliza
Mary Robinson, The Savage ofAveyron
Carolina Oliphant Nairne, 0 Stately Stood the Barons Ha'
229
23 2
237
244
249
K. Pastoral Poetry
Introduction
Elizabeth Singer Rowe, A Pastoral: Henry and Lucy
Elizabeth Singer Rowe, A Pastoral
Jane Brereton, The o"1 Ode ofthejd Book ofHorace: Imitated
Mary Leapor, Dämon and Strephon: A Pastoral Complaint
Esther Lewis Clark, A Song
Elizabeth Hands, Love and Friendship. A Pastoral
Jane West, Pastorall
252
254
255
260
261
263
264
267
L.The Verse Epistle
Introduction
Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, Constantinaple
Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, Epistlefrom Mrs. Y[onge]
271
274
277
Contents
xi
Judith Madan, Abelard to Eloisa
Anna Seward, Verses, Inviting Stella to Tea on the Public Fast-Day
280
285
P A R T T W O . P O E T R Y AS L I F E W R I T I N G
Introduction
291
A. Friendship Poems
Introduction
Katherine Philips, A retird Friendship, to Ardelia
Katherine Philips, UAmitie. To Mrs. MaryAwbrey
Katherine Philips, A Friend
Sarah Fyge Egerton, On Friendship
Anne Finch, Friendship between Ephelia andArdelia
Mary Chandler, On Friendship
Mehetabel Wright, To the Memory ofMrs Mary Whitelamb
Jane Brereton, On Mrs Sybil Egertoris Singing an Anthem
Charlotte Lennox, To a Lady Singing
Elizabeth Teft, On Friendship
Mary Leapor, Essay on Friendship
Mary Jones, To Miss Clayton
Mary Masters, I" shall keep your Correspondence as Misers do their Gold
Mary Masters, On Friendship
Elizabeth Carter, To [Miss Lynch]
Helen Maria Williams, Sonnet, To Mrs. Bates
Charlotte Smith, Sonnet XXVIII: To Friendship
Elizabeth Hands, An Epistle
Maria Frances Cecilia Cowper, To Miranda
Mary Whateley Darwall, Elegy, Addressed to Mrs. Hewan
301
304
305
306
309
310
311
313
314
315
316
317
321
323
323
324
326
326
327
328
330
B. Poems of Retirement and Retreat
Introduction
Sarah Fyge Egerton, The Retreat
Anne Finch, A Noctumal Reverie
Octavia Walsh, On Solitude
Sarah Dixon, Retirement
Charlotte Lennox, To Mira
Elizabeth Carter, To [Miss Talbot]
Mary Whateley Darwall, The Pleasures of Contemplation
Anna Williams, The Happy Solitude, or the Wished Retirement
Hester Mulso Chapone, To Solitude
332
336
337
339
341
341
344
345
349
350
xii
Contents
Elizabeth Hands, On Contemplative Ease
Maria Frances Cecilia Cowper, Apologyfor Retirement
Catherine Rebecca Manners, On Returning to Lehena
Anne Hunter, Ode to Conduit Vale, Blackheath
352
353
354
357
C. Love Poems
Introduction
359
GENERAL
Anne Finch, A Song
Elizabeth Teft, On Love
Martha Fowke Sansom, To My Souls Adoration
3&2
36z
363
CHILDREN
Jane Wiseman Holt, To Mr. Wren my Valentine Six Year Old
Maria Frances Cecilia Cowper, On Viewing her Sleeping Infant
Jane Cave Winscom, Written About a Month öfter the Birth ofMy Son
Charlotte Smith, Sonnet XCI: Reflections on Some Drawings ofPlants
365
366
368
370
SAME-SEX
Aphra Behn, 'Twas there, Isaw my Rival take
Aphra Behn, To thefair Clarinda
Jane Wiseman Holt, A Letter to a Lady
Elizabeth Carter, To [Miss Lynch]
Elizabeth Carter, To
Anna Seward, Sonnet IV To Honora Sneyd
Ann Yearsley, Song
Anna Seward, Elegy Written at the Sea-Side
371
371
372
373
375
377
378
379
CAUTIONARY
Aphra Behn, A thousand Martyrs I have made
Charlotte Lennox, A Song
Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, Epilogue to "Mary, Queen ofScots"
379
380
381
M A R R I E D LOVE
Katherine Philips, To my dearest Antenor
Anne Finch, An Invitation to Dafhis
Laetitia Pilkington, These Lines, dear Partner ofmy Life
Elizabeth Welwood Molesworth, Versesfrom a Lady at Bath
Anna Laetitia Barbauld, To Mr. Barbauld
382
384
386
388
389
D. Religious Poetry
Introduction
Anne KMigrew, Herodias Daughter
391
394
Contents
xiii
Anne Finch, OnAff[l]iction
Elizabeth Singer Rowe, Canticle II. viii, ix
Elizabeth Singer Rowe, SoliloquyXLI
Elizabeth Teft, To an Atheist
Mary Leapor, A Request to the Divine Being
Hester Mulso Chapone, Translation oftheforegoing Sonnet
Susannah Harrison, LXXXIII: Longingfor Public Worship
Jane Cave Winscom, Written Afew Hours before the Birth ofa Child
Ann Yearsley, Onjephthah's Vbw
Hannah More, Bishop Bonners Ghost
Maria Frances Cecilia Cowper, Where Has My Ambition LedMe?
Anna Laetitia Barbauld, A Summer Evenings Meditation
Hannah More, The Lady and the Pye; Or, Know Thyself
394
395
396
398
400
401
402
403
404
407
411
412
416
E. The Poetry of War
Introduction
Anne Killigrew, To My Lady Berkeley
Catharine Trotter Cockburn, On his Grace the Duke ofMarlborough
Elizabeth Boyd, A SacredHymn to the Victory
Esther Lewis Clark, On hearing ofthe defeat ofour Troops
Mary Masters, On the Peace
Ann Thomas, To Laura, on the French Fleet
Jane Cave Winscom, On the First General-Fast
Mary Whateley Darwall, Ode on the Peace
Ann Thomas, Henry and Lucy
Joanna Baillie, The Horse and His Rider
Eliza Tuite, Written at the Close ofthe Year ryp4
Eliza Tuite, Song. In the Year 1J04
Charlotte Smith, Sonnet LXXXIII. The Sea View
Anne Bannerman, Sonnet II. The Saldier
Anne Bannerman, Verses on an Illumination
Anna Seward, Elegy, Written asfrom a French Lady
419
424
426
428
431
435
436
438
440
442
444
445
448
449
449
450
455
F. Poems on the Public Sphere
Introduction
Katherine Philips, Upon the double Murther ofK. Charles I
Anne Killigrew, On the Birth-Day of Queen Katherine
Elizabeth Singer Rowe, Upon King Williams Passing the Boyn
Susanna Centlivre, Prologue [to "Love's Contrivance"]
Anne Finch, Upon an improbable undertaking
Mary Barber, The Widow Gordons Petition
Sarah Dixon, On the XXXth ofjanuary
459
466
467
468
469
471
472
474
xiv
Contents
Mary Jones, In Memory ofthe Rt. Hon. LordAubrey Beauclerk
Elizabeth Teft, On hearing the Duke ofCumberland had defeated the Rebeis
Elizabeth Teft, On the Times
Charlotte Smith, Sonnet XLVI: Written at Penshurst
Anna Laetitia Barbauld, Epistle to William Wilberforce
Jane Cave Winscom, Thoughts occasioned by the proceedings on
Bristol-Bridge
Mary R. Stockdale, Fidelle; or, the Negro Child
Mary Alcock, Instructions, Supposed to Be Written in Paris
Anna Laetitia Barbauld, Eighteen Hundred and Eleven
Carolina Oliphant Nairne, Charlie is My Darling
Carolina Oliphant Nairne, Gathering Song
Carolina Oliphant Nairne, Charlies Landing
Anna Laetitia Barbauld, On the Deserted Village
Amelia Opie, The Black Man's Lament; or, How to Make Sugar
475
480
482
484
485
489
493
494
495
508
509
510
511
511
G. Poems on Pain and Illness
Introduction
Catharine Trotter Cockburn, Verses sent to Mr. BevilHiggons
Anne Finch, An Hymn ofThanksgiving
Mary Chandler, On my Recovery
Mary Jones, After the Small Pox
Esther Lewis Clark, On Recoveryfrom the Small-Pox by Inoculation
Susanna Blamire, To-Morrow: Written During Sickness
Anne Bannerman, Ode III: To Pain
519
522
523
526
526
528
530
531
H. Poems on Nature
Introduction
Jane Barker, Sitting by a Rivulet
Elizabeth Carter, While Clear the Night
Hester Mulso Chapone, Written during a violent Storm at Midnight, 174g
Hannah More, Inscription: In a beautiful Retreat called Fairy Bower
Mary Savage, The Disaster
Jane West, Spring: An Ode
Ann Yearsley, To Miss Eliza Dawson
Charlotte Smith, Sonnet LXXVTL To the Insect ofthe Gossamer
Charlotte Smith, Ode to the missel thrush
Jane Brereton, On seeingMrs. Eliz. Owen
Ann Thomas, On Birds, Butterflies, a Deer, &c.
Helen Maria Williams, Sonnet, On reading the Poem upon
the Mountain-Daisy
534
539
541
543
544
546
549
552
553
554
555
556
«7
Contents
xv
Mary Whateley Darwall, Lines, Occasionedby Seeing a Beautiful Print
ofthe River Clyde
558
I. Poems on Ecology
Introduction
Katherine Philips, Upon the Graving ofher Name Upon a Tree
Aphra Behn, On a Juniper-Tree
Elizabeth Carter, To [Dr. Walwyn]
Anna Laetitia Barbauld, The Mouse's Petition
Anna Laetitia Barbauld, The Caterpillar
Jane Cave Winscom, A Poemfor Children: On Cruelty to the
Irrational Creation
Helen Maria Williams, The Linnet
Mary Whateley Darwall, To a Cricket
Anna Seward, Sonnet LXIII: To Colebrooke Dale
Anna Seward, Colebrook Dale
562
567
567
570
572
574
575
577
579
580
581
J. Poems on Seeking Personal Happiness
Introduction
Jane Barker, A Virgin Life
Sarah Fyge Egerton, The Emulation
Elizabeth Singer Rowe, To Chloe. An Epistle
Laetitia Pilkington, Verses wrote in a Library
Anna Williams, The Happy Life
Mary Savage, On the Tyranny of Gustom
Eliza Tuite, On Being Teazed to Go More into Company
Mary Alcock, On What the World Will Say
Frances Greville, Ode to Indifference
Mary Savage, A Transient Thought
Eliza Tuite, Answer to Mrs. Greville s "Ode to Indifference"
587
592
593
594
596
598
599
600
601
602
604
606
JL Poems on Marriage
Introduction
Mary Chudleigh, To the Ladies
Anne Finch, The Unequal Fetters
Elizabeth Thomas, The Monkey Dance
Mehetabel Wright, Mrs. Mehetabel Wright to her Husband
Mehetabel Wright, Wedlock A Satire
Elizabeth Teft, On the Marriage ofa Young Lady
Mary Jones, Matrimony
Mary Masters, Mayyou with Freedom still be blest
610
615
615
616
617
620
621
622
623
xvi
Contents
Priscilla Poynton, Advice to a gay Bachelor
Jane Cave Winscom, On the Marriage ofa Lady
Jane Cave Winscom, An Elegy on a Maiden Name
Anna Sawyer, Lines, Written on seeing my Husband's Picture
624
625
626
627
L. Poems on Motherhood
Introduction
Mehetabel Wright, To an Infant expiring the second day ofits Birth
Charlotte Brereton, To the Memory ofa Mother
Jane Cave Winscom, To My Dear Child
Elizabeth Hands, Ön theAuthor's Lying-In
Joanna Baillie, A Mother to Her Waking Infant
Maria Frances Cecilia Cowper, Verses in Memory oftheAuthor's Mother
Martha Rigby Haie, The Infant's Petition
Anne Hunter, To My Daughter
63°
634
635
636
639
640
642
643
645
M. Poems on the New Year, Birthdays, and Aging
Introduction
647
T H E N E W YEAR
Katherine Philips, On the 1. ofjanuary 165J
Susannah Harrison, New Year
Anne Hunter, To a Friend on New Year's Day
651
651
652
BIRTHDAYS
Jane Brereton, To Mrs Roberts on her Spinning
Mary Jones, Birth-day
Mary Jones, Birth-day. To the same
Esther Lewis Clark, A Birth-Day Soliloquy
Charlotte Smith, Thirty-eight
Eliza Tuite, Written on the Birthday ofmy Best Friend
653
654
655
655
659
661
AGE AND AGING
Anne Finch, An Epilogue to the Tragedy ofjane Shore
Sarah Dixon, The Looking-Glass
Mary Savage, On the Dijßculty ofGrowing Old
Janet Litde, Celia and Her Looking Glass
Maria Frances Cecilia Cowper, On Seeing a Certain Advertisement
Susanna Blamire, When the Sunbeams ofjoy
662
664
666
668
671
672
N. Poems on Death
Introduction
Katherine Philips, Orinda upon Utile Hectar Philips
674
678
Contents
xvii
Jane Barker, On the Death ofmy Dear Friend and Play-fellow
679
Anne Wharton, On the Storm between Gravesend andDiepe
680
Mary Chudleigh, On the Death ofmy dear Daughter Eliza Maria Chudleigh 681
Anne Finch, To Death
685
Elizabeth Tollet, Imitation ofHorace, Lib. II Odej
686
Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, In Answer to a Lady Who Advised
Retirement
688
Mary Barber, Occasion'd by seeing some Verses
689
Mary Chandler, My Own Epitaph
690
Mehetabel Wright, An Epitaph on Herself
691
Jane West, An Elegy: Occasioned by a great Mortality
691
P A R T T H R E E . W R I T I N G ON W R I T I N G
Introduction
697
A. Alternative Traditions
Introduction
710
Anne Wharton, To Mrs. A. Behn, on What She Writ ofthe Earl ofRochester 714
Delariviere Manley, To theAuthor of "Agnes de Castro"
715
Anne Finch, The Circuit ofAppollo
716
Elizabeth Thomas, To the Lady Chudleigh, the Anonymous Author of
the Ladys Defence
719
Elizabeth Thomas, To the Lady Chudleigh, On Printing Her Excellent Poems 722
Mary Whateley Darwall, Elegy on the Uses of Poetry
723
Anna Williams, An Ode
726
Helen Maria Williams, An Address to Poetry
728
Mary Robinson, Ainsi Va le Monde, A Poem
735
B. The Muses
Introduction
Sarah Fyge Egerton, Satyr against the Muses
Mary Masters, The Female Triumph
Sarah Dixon, To the Muse
Elizabeth Teft, Orinthia reprov'dby her Muse
Elizabeth Carter, From Miss [Wilbraham]
Anna Laetitia Barbauld, To Mrs. P[riestley]
Mary Savage, Address to the Muse, and Her Answer
Ann Murry, A Familiär Epistle to Miss Coker
Elizabeth Hands, Friendship. An Ode
Joanna Baillie, An Address to the Muses
748
753
755
75<>
759
7^>°
761
765
766
768
769
xviii
Contents
C.The Experience of Writing
Introduction
Jane Barker, Resolved never to Versifie more
Jane Barker, To my Friends against Poetry
Mary Barber, Apollos Edict
Laetitia Pilkington, Carte Blanche
Mary Leapor, An Epistle to a Lady
Anna Laetitia Barbauld, On a Ladys Writing
Anna Laetitia Barbauld, Verses written in an Alcove
775
777
77%
779
7%3
784
786
786
D.The Experience of Reception
Introduction
789
PLAGIARISM
Anne Killigrew, Upon the saying that my verses were made by another
793
Mary Masters, To a Gentleman who questioned my being the Author
795
Priscilla Poynton, The Author, one evening, in Company with some gentlemen 796
Jane Cave Winscom, A Poem, occasioned by a Ladys doubting
7^7
CRITICS
Aphra Behn, Epilogue to "Sir Patient Fancy"
Anne Finch, The Introduction
Anne Finch, The Critick and the Writer ofFahles
Susanna Centlivre, Prologue to "The Wonder:A Woman Keeps a Secret"
Mary Masters, Defence ofMyrtillo
Clara Reeve, To My Friend Mrs.
Mary Savage, On the Use
Abuse ofPoetry
798
800
802
805
806
807
812
RESISTANCE
Delariviere Manley, Prologue to "The Lost Lover"
813
Anne Finch, Mercury and the Elephant
814
Elizabeth Thomas, To Pulcheria
816
Mary Barber, To a Lady, who commanded me to send her an Account in Verse 816
Constantia Grierson, To Mrs. Mary Barber
821
Mary Jones, An Epistle to Lady Bowyer
823
Esther Lewis Clark, Slander delineated
828
Elizabeth Hands, A Poem, On the Supposition ofan Advertisement
appearing in a Morning Paper
833
Elizabeth Hands, A Poem, On the Supposition ofthe Book having been
published and read
835
Eliza Tuite, The Excuse
838
Contents
xix
E. The Determination to Write
Introduction
Anne Killigrew, An Epitaph on her Seif
Elizabeth Singer Rowe, To one that Perswades me to leave the Muses
Anne Finch, TheAppology
Elizabeth Thomas, On Sirj
S
Mary Leapor, The Question
Mary Whateley Darwall, The Power ofDestiny
Jane Cave Winscom, TheAuthor's Plea
Esther Lewis Clark, Woman's Frailty
841
844
844
847
847
850
851
854
856
F. The Nightingale in Poetry
Introduction
Anne Finch, To the Nightingale
Sarah Dixon, The Nightingal
Catherine Talbot, Sonnet: In the Manner ofPetrarch—
Mary Robinson, Ode to the Nightingale
Anne Bannerman, Ode V. To the Nightingale
857
860
861
861
862
864
Biographies ofthe Poets
Alternate Table of Contents: The Poets and Their Poems
867
893