Hendecasyllabics
Hendecasyllabics - form Summary
Imitating Catullus' Metre
Tennyson playfully experiments with the classical hendecasyllabic metre borrowed from Catullus to demonstrate technical skill while addressing and disarming literary critics. The poem frames this metric exercise as precarious and dainty, asking reviewers for indulgence and gentle reception. Its tone mixes modest self-presentation with ironic confidence: the poet presents his short piece as a delicate art object and requests fair judgment for the metrical feat.
Read Complete AnalysesO you chorus of indolent reviewers, Irresponsible, indolent reviewers, Look, I come to the test, a tiny poem All composed in a metre of Catullus, All in quantity, careful of my motion, Like the skater on ice that hardly bears him, Lest I fall unawares before the people, Waking laughter in indolent reviewers. Should I flounder awhile without a tumble Thro' this metrification of Catullus, They should speak to me not without a welcome, All that chorus of indolent reviewers. Hard, hard, hard is it, only not to tumble, So fantastical is the dainty metre. Wherefore slight me not wholly, nor believe me Too presumptuous, indolent reviewers. O blatant Magazines, regard me rather— Since I blush to belaud myself a moment— As some rare little rose, a piece of inmost Horticultural art, or half coquette-like Maiden, not to be greeted unbenignly.
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