Autograph Manuscript (unsigned) by SOUTHEY, Robert (1774-1843)

The British poet laureate (named 1813), one of the famed "Lake poets," cranked out lengthy "serious" poems galore ("Thalaba," "Madoc," "Roderick," etc.), but it is for anthologized short pieces such as "After Blenheim" and "Stanzas Written in My Library" that he is remembered, as well as for his nonfiction and letters. Unsigned AM, 1p, 6" X 7½", n.p., n.d. Very good. Slight soiling. Partial transcript of a letter by one "J. Asgill," entirely in Southey's hand. Reads in part, "And while I am thus fighting with Death & Hell, it looks a little like foul play for Flesh and Blood to interpose themselves against me. But if any one hath spite enough to give me a jolt, thinking to falsify any faith, by taking away my life, I only desire them first to qualify themselves for my executioners by taking this short test in their own consciences: Whoever thinks that any thing herein contained is not fair dealing with God & Man, let him -- or her -- burn this book, and cast a stone at him that wrote it." A fascinating if cryptic item. Thus far we have not been able to identify the context of this interesting statement, but it certainly warrants further research. Comes with a handsome 5¼" X 7½" vintage steel engraved portrait of Southey.