Note 44 — POEMS 1809-1813.
Reading edition
{55} [The original of Dr. Busby's address, entitled "Monologue submitted to the Committee of Drury Lane Theatre," which was published in the Morning Chronicle, October 17, 1812, "will be found in the Genuine Rejected Addresses, as well as parodied in Rejected Addresses ('Architectural Atoms'). On October 14 young Busby forced his way on to the stage of Drury Lane, attempted to recite his father's address, and was taken into custody. On the next night, Dr. Busby, speaking from one of the boxes, obtained a hearing for his son, who could not, however, make his voice heard in the theatre.... To the failure of the younger Busby (himself a competitor and the author of an 'Unalogue'...) to make himself heard, Byron alludes in the stage direction, 'to be spoken in an inarticulate voice.'" (See Letters, 1898, ii. 176; and for Dr. Busby, see Poetical Works, 1898, i. 481, 485.) Busby's "Address" ran as follows:—
"When energising objects men pursue, What are the prodigies they cannot do? A magic edifice you here survey, Shot from the ruins of the other day! As Harlequin had smote the slumberous heap, And bade the rubbish to a fabric leap. Yet at that speed you'd never be amazed, Knew you the zeal with which the pile was raised; Nor even here your smiles would be represt, Knew you the rival flame that fires our breast, 10 Flame! fire and flame! sad heart-appalling sounds, Dread metaphors that ope our healing wounds— A sleeping pang awakes—and——But away With all reflections that would cloud the day That this triumphant, brilliant prospect brings, Where Hope reviving re-expands her wings; Where generous joy exults, where duteous ardour springs. If mighty things with small we may compare, This spirit drives Britannia's conquering car, Burns in her ranks and kindles every tar. Nelson displayed its power upon the main, And Wellington exhibits it in Spain; Another Marlborough points to Blenheim's story, And with its lustre, blends his kindred glory. 40 In Arms and Science long our Isle hath shone, And Shakespeare—wondrous Shakespeare—reared a throne For British Poesy—whose powers inspire The British pencil, and the British lyre— Her we invoke—her Sister Arts implore: Their smiles beseech whose charms yourselves adore, These if we win, the Graces too we gain— Their dear, beloved, inseparable train; Three who their witching arts from Cupid stole And three acknowledged sovereigns of the soul: 50 Harmonious throng! with nature blending art! Divine Sestetto! warbling to the heart For Poesy shall here sustain the upper part. Thus lifted gloriously we'll sweep along, Shine in our music, scenery and song; Shine in our farce, masque, opera and play, And prove old Drury has not had her day, Nay more—so stretch the wing the world shall cry, Old Drury never, never soared so high. 'But hold,' you'll say, 'this self-complacent boast; 60 Easy to reckon thus without your host.' True, true—that lowers at once our mounting pride; 'Tis yours alone our merit to decide; 'Tis ours to look to you, you hold the prize That bids our great, our best ambitions rise. A double blessing your rewards impart, Each good provide and elevate the heart. Our twofold feeling owns its twofold cause, Your bounty's comfort—rapture your applause; When in your fostering beam you bid us live, 70 You give the means of life, and gild the means you give."
Morning Chronicle, October 17, 1812.]