To Mr. Murray (Strahan, Tonson Lintot of the Times)
To Mr. Murray (Strahan, Tonson Lintot of the Times) - fact Summary
Addressed to His Publisher
Byron addresses his publisher John Murray in a short, mock-epigrammatic poem that both flatters and teasingly mocks Murray’s role as a commercial printer. He catalogues the miscellaneous books and periodicals that pass through Murray’s hands—from cookery and travel to reviews and nautical lists—suggesting the publisher prints everything for profit. The tone is playful, ironic, and aimed at the business of publishing rather than serious literary praise.
Read Complete AnalysesStrahan, Tonson Lintot of the times, Patron and publisher of rhymes, For thee the bard up Pindus climbs, My Murray. To thee, with hope and terror dumb, The unedged MS. authors come; Thou printest all – and sellest some– My Murray. Upon thy table’s baize so green The last new Quarterly is seen,– But where is thy new Magazine, My Murray? Along thy sprucest bookshelves shine The works thou deemest most divine- The ‘Art of Cookery,’ and mine, My Murray. Tours, Travels, Essays, too, I wist, And Sermons, to thy mill bring grist; And then thou hast the ‘Navy List,’ My Murray. And Heaven forbid I should conclude Without ‘the Board of Longitude,’ Although this narrow paper would, My Murray.
Venice, March 25, 1818.
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