[Barker, Mary, with William Wordsworth]

8vo, first and only edition, 23pp., inscribed in pencil on the verso of the title page "Jack Simmonds  | from | Roger Senhouse | 1.10.45", sewn as issued, string broken, very minor soiling and spotting

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

FIRST EDITION OF THIS PRIVATELY PRINTED POEM, AND ONE OF THE EARLIEST SEPARATE PIECES OF BYRONIANA. Chew (p.18) was aware of the poem from the copy in the British Library, which bears a manuscript attribution to "Miss Barker", whom he was unable to identify. The only recorded copies of this poem are in the British Library, the Bodleian, and Cambridge University Library.

Mary Barker met Robert Southey in Portugal in 1796, and by 1814 was living next door to him and his entourage at Greta Hall in the Lake District. In October 1814 she was staying at Rydal Mount with the Wordsworths. At this time Southey and Wordsworth were visited by the Scottish poet James Hogg, who showed them a letter from Byron in which the "Lakers" were dismissively characterised as "Pond Poets". Mary Barker was filled with indignation and drafted a poetic reply. IT IS CLEAR THAT THE FINAL REWORKED VERSION WAS LARGELY COMPOSED BY WORDSWORTH HIMSELF, as is evident from a letter the poet wrote to Sara Hutchinson in December of that year, and from another letter by Dorothy Wordsworth to Sara shortly afterwards.