To Catullus
To Catullus
Original Text
Poetical Works of Robert Bridges with The Testament of Beauty
but excluding the eight drama, 2nd edn. (London: Geoffrey Cumberlege,
Oxford University Press, 1953): 550.
2Truth 'tis, there is a filthy skunk amongst us,
3A rank musk-idiot, the filthiest skunk,
4Of no least sorry use on earth, but only
5Fit in fancy to justify the outlay
6Of your most horrible vocabulary.
7My Muse, all innocent as Eve in Eden,
8Would yet wear any skins of old pollution
9Rather than celebrate the name detested.
10Ev'n now might he rejoice at our attention,
11Guess'd he this little ode were aiming at him.
12O! were you but alive again, Catullus!
13For see, not one among the bards of our time
14With their flimsy tackle was out to strike him;
15Not those two pretty Laureates of England,
Notes
1] Catullus: Gaius Valerius Catullus (ca. 84-ca. 54 B.C.), Roman poet. Back to Line
16] Alfred Tennyson: English poet laureate, 1850-92. Alfred Austin: poet laureate, 1896-1913. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1926
Publication Notes
New Verse
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire
RPO Edition
2003
Rhyme