LOVER'S FIRST APPERANCE AS A SONG WRITER.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 75, 3 October 1874, Page 10

LOVER'S FIRST APPERANCE AS A SONG WRITER.

Tnia was at the memorable Moore banquet, given in 1818 The bard ot Erin, who was then acknowledged not only as the foremost of her songsters, but as one or the most devoted of her sons, was at the height -oi lus popularity , and at this gathering it was expected tbot all the lio-abhlitHw of the land would meet, Lord Charlemont being in the chair. AinemlotLovorhad been able to procure him a ticket for the occasion, and his delight was so extreme that it inspired the production oi a song, which he submitted to hie '-iond, and as it was wntteii to a popular tune, hoped he himself llllg ufc be Sowed to s ing! Iho subject was a happy one, the election of » Poet-Laureate for Olympus, -wrlm-h of Jcouwo, ,vns to be contested by all the leading bards oi England, and in which, Venus «md the Graces gSg pffi pers for their favourite, Moore at length was to win the day The song was bought to be a very good one, but in the face of the talent that would assemble-Shic , Maturin, O'Conncll, Lord Cloncurry Peter Burrows, and many others-tho friend thought that its delivery was scarcely permeable on the part of a youth who was only mst emerging into notice. J * By some strange oversight, however, nothing poetical or musical had been prepared in honour of the hero, and the evening wearing on this ommission became obvious, Lover's friend gave lsm a nudge (to quote from a pleasant sketch in the 'Dublin University Magazine 5 ), and added, < Master Sam wo must have your song aficr all I have just heard that your name has been sent up to the chairman ; you'll be called upon directly, so clear up your throat and don't be afraid." Shortly afterward, sure enough, Lover was requested by Lord Charlemont to contribute to the night's enjoyment, and, iWh temblv flumed by his position, yet inspired by his " first champagne," hesan* with as much voice as inght and anxiety had left him. The effort was mos successful 5 he was loudly applauded and encored, and his effusion had the value of drawing from its distinguished object an honorable and brilliant testimony to the bards he had been compared

«f n f I^t° r v f^tch referred to omits to say that at the close of the festmty Moore begged to bo introduced to the young songster oi the night, and in the most flattering terms acknowledged theSomphment that had been paid him, thus commencing a pleasant intimacy, that on one occasion only was interrupted, to the clSse of lifts. The writer adds, however, a tact that is scarcely of less interest, namely that Moore s mother, whose whole soul was bound up in her son's celebrity finding out on the following clay who was the author of the verses' thus occasioned another acquaintance, which was so friendly and Z!!X Yl'lo^Y I ' lo^, 01 Mrs Moore ' Lover ™s one of the honoured few who were desired to bear the pall. The song of this occasion was very probably suggested by the old poem oi the Duke of Buckingham, « The Election off poo^-Laureate » Iv hvT ™° C ™°- S °t **?$? ot tb ° be S»""-»g of th 'present century b> Leigh Hunt m his "Feast of the Poet!" Written most Itkely, overnight fitted as I have said to a most popular June W^h a good ringing kind of chorus, which half the company may haveToined «i, this convival effusion was well adapted to its purjose^ln , TiS ary point oi v-.ow, it merely argued riper efforts. I |ive a few of the versos-there are a dozen altogether-merely as a of their 7^ Ch AVaS ah "° ady to bubble, THE TOEI'S ELECTION. ' t . l , lcl llcla^l I cla^ J ? TC exclaimed, with a nod most profound, W hile the gods oi Olympus in state sat around : 1 have tully resolved, after weighty reflection lo soon set a-going a poet's election. A good thought — Jupiter, boy ! For though Momns we have to provide us a jest, let a poet we want, and we must have the besfc; So, as your satisfaction I wish to promote, Elect one yourselves— let each god have a vote." The first who applied for the honour was Scott, Who the first of Clio and Euterpe had "ot STft 11 nc 1 xt 11 1 V a T ( ] c a l<lftim » t0 whom Mars garo a vote, While from bold Ilohenlinden many lines lie eotild quote. Next claiming the place, Southey came into court And Somnus soon gave him his warmest support • Him quickly the double-faced Janus would scan And a plumper ha gave for his favourite man. But Mercury said he should now bring in sio-ht iVi 10 Wls ovci< y °"°' s P rido and delight— A\ lio Melpomene, Venus, Thalia could lure ; J-hey all knew who be meant, and so need he say— Moore? w! 1 "?! 1 °-^ C nccllimati t>« his presence they greet, Whilo Flora her best treasures lays at his feet • Apollo the laurel-wreath placed on his head, And the rainbow of Iris around it was shed. 33ut endless t'would bo to tell all the gods AA ho gave to the poefc their smiles and their nods • And he wh^ ( Vom Erin his heart ne'er could sever Was duly cio. Led Jove's poet forever. 'Life of Samuel Lover' (London, 1874).