Robert Southey, born in Bristol in 1774, was the son of a linen-draper there, and to the end of his life a man who produced the impression that he had been born in narrow circumstances, in a corner of the world with a narrow spiritual horizon. After studying a short time at Oxford, he, like the other poets of the Lake School, became infected by the spirit of the Revolution. In 1794 he wrote an extremely Jacobinical poem, _Wat Tyler_. About the same time he composed the following inscription for the room in which Martin, the regicide, had been confined:-- "For thirty years secluded from mankind Here Martin linger'd. Often have these walls Echo'd his footsteps, as with even tread He paced around his prison. Not to him Did Nature's fair varieties exist; He never saw the sun's delightful beams, Save when through yon high bars he pour'd a sad And broken splendour. Dost thou ask his crime? _He had rebell'd against the King, and sat_ _In judgment on him_; for his ardent mind Shaped goodliest plans of happiness on earth, And peace and liberty. Wild dreams! but such As Plato lov'd...." The following rather clever parody was inserted by Mr. Canning in the _Anti-Jacobin_:-- "INSCRIPTION FOR THE DOOR OF THE CELL IN NEWGATE, WHERE MRS. BROWNRIGG, THE 'PRENTICE-CIDE, WAS CONFINED, PREVIOUS TO HER EXECUTION. "For one long term, or ere her trial came, Here Brownrigg linger'd. Often have these cells Echo'd her blasphemies, as with shrill voice She scream'd for fresh geneva. Not to her Did the blithe fields of Tothill, or thy street, St. Giles, its fair varieties expand; Till at the last in slow-drawn cart she went To execution. Dost thou ask her crime? _She whipp'd two female 'prentices to death,_ _And hid them in the coal-hole._ For her mind Shaped strictest plans of discipline. Sage schemes! Such as Lycurgus taught...."