Skip main navigation

Poems, [ca. 1725]-1771

  • "[Alcaic Ode]"

    • Archive Work ID: poems.lt04
    • Uniform Title: "[Alcaic Ode]" [e-text]
    • First Line: O Tu, severi relligio loci,
    • Language: Latin
    • First Published: 1775
    • References: Starr/Hendrickson (eds.), Complete Poems (1966), 151-152 (with English prose translation); Lonsdale (ed.), Poems (1969), 317-318 (with English prose translation)
    • Summary: Gray wrote this poem in the album of the monastery of the Grande Chartreuse on this second visit on 21 August 1741, during his journey from Turin to Lyon, when he was returning alone from the Grand Tour. First published, as "Ode", in Mason's Memoirs (1775), 117-118. MS translation into English by Thomas Wharton.

    1 Manuscript:

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0005 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: "Gray's Ode on visiting The Grand Chartreuse – written in The Album of the Fathers"
      • Date: [1807?]
      • Physical Description: 1 page, 167 mm x 103 mm; transcript in the hand of Joseph Hunter
      • Language: Latin
      • Location: Add. MS 24614, f. 11v, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), 79; Northup, Bibliography (1917), item 1997
      • Contents: Transcript, entitled "Gray's Ode on visiting The Grand Chartreuse – written in The Album of the Fathers", in the hand of Joseph Hunter, in a volume prefaced "Silva Poetica" (1807).


  • [The Alliance of Education and Government. A Fragment]

    2 Manuscripts:

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0010 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: [untitled]
      • Date: 19 August [1748]
      • Physical Description: 2 pages, 238 mm x 180 mm; autograph fair copy, partial [ll. 1-57] and revised
      • Language: English
      • Location: MS Egerton 2400 (Wharton MS), ff. 29v-30r, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), item GrT 7, 79; Toynbee/Whibley (eds.), Correspondence (1971), letter no. 146, vol. i, 308-312 (subscription required); Sutton (ed.), Location Register (1995), 414
      • Contents: Autograph fair copy, revised, of ll. 1-57, here untitled, followed by MS 0011, in a letter to Thomas Wharton, 19 August [1748]. Beneath the poem is written "I desire your Judgement upon so far, before I proceed any farther", and "Pray shew it to no one (as it is a Fragment) except it be St:r who has seen most of it already, I think".



  • "The Bard. A Pindaric Ode"

    7 Manuscripts:

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0014 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: Bard
      • Date: 21 August 1755
      • Physical Description: 1 page, 204 mm x 160 mm; autograph, partial [2 lines]
      • Language: English
      • Location: MS Egerton 2400 (Wharton MS), f. 73v, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), item GrT 10, 80; Toynbee/Whibley (eds.), Correspondence (1971), letter no. 205, vol. i, 433-434 (subscription required); Sutton (ed.), Location Register (1995), 414
      • Contents: Autograph proposal of a revision of ll. 17-18, here beginning, "With fury pale, & pale with woe," in a letter to Thomas Wharton, 21 August 1755.

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0016 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: [untitled]
      • Date: [beginning of June 1757]
      • Physical Description: 4 pages, 226 mm x 187 mm; autograph draft, partial [ll. 57-144]
      • Language: English
      • Location: MS Egerton 2400 (Wharton MS), ff. 75-76, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), item GrT 12, 80; Toynbee/Whibley (eds.), Correspondence (1971), letter no. 205A, vol. i, 434-437 (subscription required); Starr, "Gray's Craftsmanship" (1946), particularly pp. 424-429
      • Contents: Autograph draft, of ll. 57-144, here untitled, following a letter to Thomas Wharton, 21 August 1755, but according to Correspondence of Thomas Gray (1971), vol. i, 434 very probably written at the beginning of June 1757.

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0020 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: [untitled]
      • Date: [1?] February 1768
      • Physical Description: 2 pages, 324 mm x 200 mm; autograph, partial [notes only]
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 38511, f. 4, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), item GrT 16, 80
      • Contents: Autograph notes to the poem, untitled but numbered 6. and identified on f. 3r as "6. The Bard, a Pindaric Ode", beginning "Prefix the original advertisement, The following Ode is founded &c:", in MS instructions to Dodsley for the 1768 London edition, sent in a letter, [1?] February 1768.

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0013 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: "The Bard"
      • Date: [between 1845 and 1856]
      • Physical Description: 1 page, 180 mm x 115 mm; transcript of variant lines in the hand of John Mitford, partial [ll. 142, 128, 130]
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 32561, f. 182r, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), 80
      • Contents: Transcript of variant versions of ll. 142, 128, and 130, in the hand of John Mitford, in John Mitford, Note-Books, vol. III "Mitford. Extracts from Mr Grays Common-place books", f. 182r.

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0203 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: "Bard"
      • Date: [between 1845 and 1856]
      • Physical Description: 1 page, 180 mm x 110 mm; transcript of variant lines in the hand of John Mitford, partial [ll. 142, 128, 130] and crossed out
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 32562, f. 33r, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), 80
      • Contents: Transcript of variant versions of ll. 142, 128, and 130 (crossed out), in the hand of John Mitford, in John Mitford, Note-Books, vol. IV, f. 33r.




  • "The Candidate"

    1 Manuscript:

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0252 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: "By Mr Gray on Lord S's soliciting the High Stewardship of Cambridge"
      • Date: [undated]
      • Physical Description: 2 pages, c. 230 mm x 190 mm; transcript in an unidentified hand (32 lines)
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 11279, f. 15, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Nelson (ed.), Union First Line Index. Mar. 2010. Folger Shakespeare Library. 9 April 2010. <http://firstlines.folger.edu/detail.php?id=116159>
      • Contents: Transcript in an unidentified hand (32 lines), here beginning "When sly Jemmy Twitcher had snug'd up his face", in a quarto volume of miscellaneous pieces of poetry, entitled "Miscellaneous Poetry" and "presented by Rev. T. Crompton", written in the 18th and 19th centuries, to which the names of the respective authors are assigned.


  • De Principiis Cogitandi. Liber Primus. Ad Favonium.

    2 Manuscripts:

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0030 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: "De Principiis Cogitandi"
      • Date: [between 1845 and 1856]
      • Physical Description: 2 pages, 180 mm x 115 mm; transcript of variant readings in the hand of John Mitford, partial [18 lines]
      • Language: Latin
      • Location: Add. MS 32561, ff. 191r, 192r, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), 81
      • Contents: Transcript of variant readings (18 lines) in the hand of John Mitford, in John Mitford, Note-Books, vol. III "Mitford. Extracts from Mr Grays Common-place books", ff. 191r, 192r.

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0205 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: "De Principiis Cogitandi"
      • Date: [between 1845 and 1856]
      • Physical Description: 1 page, 180 mm x 110 mm; transcript of variant readings in the hand of John Mitford, partial [18 lines] and crossed out
      • Language: Latin
      • Location: Add. MS 32562, f. 86r, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), 81
      • Contents: Transcript of variant readings (18 lines, crossed out) in the hand of John Mitford, in John Mitford, Note-Books, vol. IV, f. 86r.


  • "The Descent of Odin"

    • Archive Work ID: poems.dooo
    • Uniform Title: "The Descent of Odin" [e-text]
    • First Line: Uprose the King of Men with speed,
    • Language: English
    • First Published: 1768
    • References: Starr/Hendrickson (eds.), Complete Poems (1966), 32-34; Lonsdale (ed.), Poems (1969), 220-228
    • Summary: Written at London in 1761, the paraphrase of the original Icelandic is based largely on a Latin translation from Bartholinus. First published in Poems (1768).

    2 Manuscripts:

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0036 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: "Ode (from the Norse-tongue) in Bartholinus, de causis contemnendae mortis. Hafniae. 1689. 4to"
      • Date: [1?] February 1768
      • Physical Description: 3 pages, 324 mm x 200 mm; autograph fair copy
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 38511, ff. 5v-6v, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), item GrT 28, 81; Sutton (ed.), Location Register (1995), 414; Nelson (ed.), Union First Line Index. Mar. 2010. Folger Shakespeare Library. 19 March 2010. <http://firstlines.folger.edu/detail.php?id=140501>
      • Contents: Autograph fair copy, here entitled "Ode (from the Norse-tongue) in Bartholinus, de causis contemnendae mortis. Hafniae. 1689. 4to", followed by the first line of the original poem "Upreis Odinn allda gautr &c:", including explanatory notes, used as printer's copy for Poems (1768), in MS instructions to Dodsley, sent in a letter, [1?] February 1768.



  • "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard"

    7 Manuscripts:

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0044 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: "Elegy, written in a Country-Churchyard"
      • Date: 18 December [1750]
      • Physical Description: 3 pages, 227 mm x 188 mm; autograph fair copy, faint
      • Language: English
      • Location: MS Egerton 2400 (Wharton MS), ff. 45-46r, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • Alternate Form: Facsimiles include McDermott, Penn and Gray (1930), 14-16 and Fukuhara, Bibliographical Study (1933), plate II
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), item GrT 33, 82; Toynbee/Whibley (eds.), Correspondence (1971), letter no. 156, vol. i, 334-340 (subscription required); Elegy (1976); Sutton (ed.), Location Register (1995), 414; Northup, Bibliography (1917), item 1996; Catalogue of a Sotheby's sale (27 February 1950), lot 239, facsimile in catalogue
      • Contents: Autograph fair copy, following a letter to Thomas Wharton, 18 December [1750].

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0046 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: [untitled]
      • Date: [1?] February 1768
      • Physical Description: 1 page, 324 mm x 200 mm; autograph, partial [notes only]
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 38511, f. 7r, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), item GrT 35, 82
      • Contents: Autograph notes to the poem, untitled but numbered 10. and identified on f. 3r as "10. Elegy, written in a country-churchyard" in MS instructions to Dodsley for the 1768 London edition, sent in a letter, [1?] February 1768. The notes were first published in the poem's version in Poems (1768).

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0041 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: "Stanzas Written in a Country Church Yard"
      • Date: [not later than 1794]
      • Physical Description: 5 pages, 315 mm x 196 mm; transcript in an unidentified hand
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 36270, ff. 77-79r, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), 82; Sutton (ed.), Location Register (1995), 414; Northup, Bibliography (1917), item 1997; Nelson (ed.), Union First Line Index. Mar. 2010. Folger Shakespeare Library. 19 March 2010. <http://firstlines.folger.edu/detail.php?id=138995>
      • Contents: Transcript in an unidentified hand, entitled "Stanzas Written in a Country Church Yard", in a volume entitled Hardwicke Papers, vol. DCCCCXXII.

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0212 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: [untitled]
      • Date: [after 1775]
      • Physical Description: 2 pages; transcript in an unidentified hand, partial [8 lines]
      • Language: English
      • Location: 11631.g.33(2), 10-11, Rare Books Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), 82
      • Contents: Transcript in an unidentified hand of 8 lines (one stanza after l. 100 and the "Redbreast stanza" after l. 116) with the former only in the "Eton MS", with notes, in a copy of the Elegy, 8th edition (London, 1753), 10-11, bound in a volume entitled Poetical Tracts.
      • Related Material: MS 0212 apparently transcribed from MS 0043.

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0210 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: [untitled]
      • Date: [between 1845 and 1856]
      • Physical Description: 2 pages, 180 mm x 115 mm; transcript of variant lines in the hand of John Mitford, partial
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 32561, ff. 180r, 181r, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), 82
      • Contents: Transcript of variants of several lines, headed "Various Readings in his Poems, from MSS.", in the hand of John Mitford, in John Mitford, Note-Books, vol. III "Mitford. Extracts from Mr Grays Common-place books", ff. 180r, 181r.
      • Related Material: MS 0210 apparently transcribed from MS 0043.


      • Archive MS ID: mss.0253 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: "Elegy Written in a Country Church-Yard"
      • Date: 1781/1782
      • Physical Description: 6 pages, c. 230 mm x 185 mm; transcript
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 48904, ff. 64-66, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Nelson (ed.), Union First Line Index. Mar. 2010. Folger Shakespeare Library. 9 April 2010. <http://firstlines.folger.edu/detail.php?id=138994>
      • Contents: Transcript of the poem in 32 numbered stanzas in the Strahan Papers, Vol. CVII (ff. 216), Miscellaneous correspondence and papers (1758-1821), ff. 64-66. The transcript follows the MS of John Young's A Criticism on the Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard (ff. 37-63), sent in a letter of Young's (ff. 35-36) to Lord Maitland, which contains instructions about its printing and publication. The transcript is followed by a note (f. 67): "The Author's Compliments to Mr. Strahan. has transcribed over the Elegy as he wishes it printed. Thinks it will stand best between the Advertisement & the Criticism. - The Title as alter'd by Mr Strahan was / A Criticism / on the Elegy / written in a Country Churchyard / being a Continuation / of Dr J---ns Criticism / on the Poems of Gray."


  • "[Epitaph on a Child]"

    • Archive Work ID: poems.epld
    • Uniform Title: "[Epitaph on a Child]" [e-text]
    • First Line: Here, freed from pain, secure from misery, lies
    • Language: English
    • First Published: 1884
    • References: Starr/Hendrickson (eds.), Complete Poems (1966), 104; Lonsdale (ed.), Poems (1969), 209-210
    • Summary: Written in mid-June 1758 at the request of Thomas Wharton to commemorate his eldest son Robin who died in April 1758. First published in Gosse (ed.), Works (1884), vol. I, 126, from the transcript made by Alexander Dyce.

    3 Manuscripts:

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0050 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: "Epitaph on a Child"
      • Date: [between 1845 and 1856]
      • Physical Description: 1 page, 180 mm x 115 mm; transcript in the hand of John Mitford
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 32561, f. 74r, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), item GrT 38, 82; Sutton (ed.), Location Register (1995), 414
      • Contents: Transcript in the hand of John Mitford, apparently from a Gray autograph and hence annotated "N.B. in Grays writing.", in John Mitford, Note-Books, vol. III "Mitford. Extracts from Mr Grays Common-place books", f. 74r.

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0051 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: "Epitaph on a Child"
      • Date: [between 1845 and 1856]
      • Physical Description: 1 page, 180 mm x 115 mm; transcript in the hand of John Mitford
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 32561, f. 182r, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), item GrT 39, 82
      • Contents: Transcript in the hand of John Mitford, here beginning "Here free from Pain...", in John Mitford, Note-Books, vol. III "Mitford. Extracts from Mr Grays Common-place books", f. 182r.

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0048 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: "Epitaph on a Child"
      • Date: [between 1845 and 1856]
      • Physical Description: 1 page, 180 mm x 110 mm; transcript in the hand of John Mitford, crossed out
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 32562, f. 28r, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), 82; Sutton (ed.), Location Register (1995), 414
      • Contents: Transcript in the hand of John Mitford, here beginning "Here free from Pain..." (crossed out), in John Mitford, Note-Books, vol. IV, f. 28r.


  • "[Epitaph on Sir William Williams]"

    • Archive Work ID: poems.epww
    • Uniform Title: "[Epitaph on Sir William Williams]" [e-text]
    • First Line: Here, foremost in the dangerous paths of fame,
    • Language: English
    • First Published: 1775
    • References: Starr/Hendrickson (eds.), Complete Poems (1966), 104-105; Lonsdale (ed.), Poems (1969), 238-240
    • Summary: Written between May and August 1761 at the request of one of the executors of Sir William Williams, a politician and soldier Gray briefly met early in October 1760, who died 27 April 1761 on an expedition against Belle Ile. First published, as "Epitaph II. On Sir William Williams", in Mason's Poems (1775), 62.

    2 Manuscripts:

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0061 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: "Epitaph on Sir W. Williams."
      • Date: [between 1845 and 1856]
      • Physical Description: 1 page, 180 mm x 115 mm; transcript in the hand of John Mitford, partial [ll. 1-2, 5-6]
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 32561, f. 181r, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), item GrT 47, 83; Sutton (ed.), Location Register (1995), 414
      • Contents: Transcript of ll. 1-2 and 5-6 in the hand of John Mitford, here entitled "Epitaph on Sir W. Williams." and annotated "Mr. Montague asked him to write the Epitaph on Sir W. Williams and he could not refuse. He did not know much of him...", in John Mitford, Note-Books, vol. III "Mitford. Extracts from Mr Grays Common-place books", f. 181r.

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0057 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: [untitled]
      • Date: [between 1845 and 1856]
      • Physical Description: 1 page, 180 mm x 110 mm; transcript in the hand of John Mitford, partial [ll. 5-6] and crossed out
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 32562, f. 32v, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), 83
      • Contents: Transcript of ll. 5-6 in the hand of John Mitford (crossed out), annotated "Mr. Montague asked him to write the Epitaph on Sir W. Williams, he could not refuse. He did not know much of him...", in John Mitford, Note-Books, vol. IV, f. 32v.


  • "The Fatal Sisters"

    • Archive Work ID: poems.fsio
    • Uniform Title: "The Fatal Sisters" [e-text]
    • First Line: Now the storm begins to lower,
    • Language: English
    • First Published: 1768
    • References: Starr/Hendrickson (eds.), Complete Poems (1966), 27-31; Lonsdale (ed.), Poems (1969), 210-220
    • Summary: Written at London not later than the beginning of May 1761, based largely on a Latin translation of the original poem preserved in the late 13th-century Njáls Saga, ch. 157. This untitled Old Norse poem is a prophetic account of the Battle of Clontarf, fought on Good Friday 1014. First published in Poems (1768).

    2 Manuscripts:

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0064 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: "Ode (from the Norse-tongue) in the Orcades of Thormodus Torfaeus. Hafniae. 1697. Fol: & also in Bartholinus"
      • Date: [1?] February 1768
      • Physical Description: 3 pages, 324 mm x 200 mm; autograph fair copy
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 38511, ff. 4v-5v, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), item GrT 50, 84; Sutton (ed.), Location Register (1995), 414; Nelson (ed.), Union First Line Index. Mar. 2010. Folger Shakespeare Library. 19 March 2010. <http://firstlines.folger.edu/detail.php?id=136436>
      • Contents: Autograph fair copy, numbered 7. and here entitled "Ode (from the Norse-tongue) in the Orcades of Thormodus Torfaeus. Hafniae. 1697. Fol: & also in Bartholinus", followed by the first line of the original poem "Vitt er orpit fyrir valfalli &c:", including "Advertisement", "Preface", and explanatory notes, used for printer's copy for Poems (1768), in MS instructions to Dodsley, sent in a letter, [1?] February 1768.

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0069 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: "The Song of the weird Sisters Translated from the Norwegian written about 1029."
      • Date: [1761?]
      • Physical Description: 3 pages, 229 mm x 186 mm; transcript in the hand of Thomas Wharton
      • Language: English
      • Location: MS Egerton 2400 (Wharton MS), ff. 228-229r, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), item GrT 55, 84
      • Contents: Transcript in the hand of Thomas Wharton, here entitled, "The Song of the weird Sisters Translated from the Norwegian written about 1029."


  • "[Gratia magna]"

    • Archive Work ID: poems.lt11
    • Uniform Title: "[Gratia magna]" [e-text]
    • First Line: Gratia magna tuae fraudi quod Pectore, Nice
    • Language: Latin
    • First Published: 1890
    • References: Starr/Hendrickson (eds.), Complete Poems (1966), 134-137 (with English prose translation); Lonsdale (ed.), Poems (1969), 303-306 (with English prose translation)
    • Summary: Written probably in 1737 or 1738 when Gray was corresponding and exchanging poetry with Richard West who was then at Christ Church, Oxford. First published, untitled, in Tovey (ed.), Gray and his Friends (1890), 296-298.

    1 Manuscript:

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0074 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: [untitled]
      • Date: [between 1845 and 1856]
      • Physical Description: 3 pages, 180 mm x 115 mm; transcript in the hand of John Mitford
      • Language: Latin
      • Location: Add. MS 32561, ff. 83-85, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), item GrT 60, 84
      • Contents: Transcript in the hand of John Mitford of an unfinished draft, untitled but headed "MS Poem", in John Mitford, Note-Books, vol. III "Mitford. Extracts from Mr Grays Common-place books", ff. 83-85.


  • "[Imitated] From Propertius. Lib: 2: Eleg: 1."

    • Archive Work ID: poems.imp2
    • Uniform Title: "[Imitated] From Propertius. Lib: 2: Eleg: 1." [e-text]
    • First Line: You ask why thus my loves I still rehearse,
    • Language: English
    • First Published: 1814
    • References: Starr/Hendrickson (eds.), Complete Poems (1966), 64-67; Lonsdale (ed.), Poems (1969), 44-47
    • Summary: Probably written in April of 1742 and sent in a letter to Richard West, [23 April 1742]. First published, except ll. 1-30, in Mathias (ed.), Works (1814), vol. II, 87-89, published in full in Gosse (ed.), Works (1884), vol. i, 153.

    1 Manuscript:

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0079 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: "To Mecaenas"
      • Date: [between 1845 and 1856]
      • Physical Description: 2 pages, 180 mm x 115 mm; transcript in the hand of John Mitford, partial [ll. 1-30]
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 32561, ff. 77-78, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), item GrT 65, 85
      • Contents: Transcript of ll. 1-30, here entitled "To Mecaenas", in the hand of John Mitford, headed "Propertii Eleg. 1. Lib. 2" and annotated "The first 30 Lines...are here supplied from Grays MS", in John Mitford, Note-Books, vol. III "Mitford. Extracts from Mr Grays Common-place books", ff. 77-78.


  • [Impromptus]

    • Archive Work ID: poems.impr
    • Uniform Title: [Impromptus] [e-text]
    • First Line: Here lies Mrs Keene the Bishop of Chester, [etc.]
    • Language: English
    • First Published: 1828 and 1884
    • References: Starr/Hendrickson (eds.), Complete Poems (1966), 81-82; Lonsdale (ed.), Poems (1969), 278-279
    • Summary: These epigrams, subsumed under the work title [Impromptus], were composed possibly at a single point in time between 1753 and 1770. First published in Gosse (ed.), Works (1884), vol. i, 140-141, except "One day the Bishop having offered...", first published in Joseph Cradock, Literary and Miscellaneous Memoirs (London, 1828), iv 224.

    5 Manuscripts:


  • "[Invitation to Mason]"

    • Archive Work ID: poems.inma
    • Uniform Title: "[Invitation to Mason]" [e-text]
    • First Line: Prim Hurd attends your call and Palgrave proud,
    • Language: English
    • First Published: 1853
    • References: Starr/Hendrickson (eds.), Complete Poems (1966), 82; Lonsdale (ed.), Poems (1969), 257-258
    • Summary: Written at Cambridge not later than 8 January 1768, when Gray sent it in a letter to William Mason. First published, untitled and beginning "Weddell attends your call...", in Mitford (ed.), Correspondence of Gray and Mason (1853), 412.

    3 Manuscripts:


  • "Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College"

    2 Manuscripts:

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0105 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: [untitled]
      • Date: [1?] February 1768
      • Physical Description: 1 page, 324 mm x 200 mm; autograph, partial [motto and notes only]
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 38511, f. 3r, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), item GrT 90, 88; Sutton (ed.), Location Register (1995), 414
      • Contents: Autograph of the motto and notes to the poem, untitled but numbered 3. and identified on f. 3r as "3. Ode, on a distant prospect of Eton-College", in MS instructions to Dodsley for the 1768 London edition, sent in a letter, [1?] February 1768. The notes were first published in the poem's version in Poems (1768).

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0255 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: "On a distant Prospect of Eton & the adjacent Country"
      • Date: [?]
      • Physical Description: 4 pages, c. 220 mm x 184 mm; transcript
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 51948, ff. 102-103, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Nelson (ed.), Union First Line Index. Mar. 2010. Folger Shakespeare Library. 9 April 2010. <http://firstlines.folger.edu/detail.php?id=141906>
      • Contents: Transcript of the poem in Vol. DCXXXI (a volume of unbound MSS of "Misc. prose and verse") of the Holland House Papers, the papers of the Fox and Fox-Strangways families, Barons Holland and Earls of Ilchester, of Holland House, Kensington.


  • "Ode on the Death of a Favourite Cat, Drowned in a Tub of Gold Fishes"

    1 Manuscript:

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0109 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: "On a favourite Cat, call'd Selima, that fell into a China Tub with Gold-Fishes in it & was drown'd."
      • Date: [17 March 1747]
      • Physical Description: 2 pages, 236 mm x 183 mm; autograph fair copy
      • Language: English
      • Location: MS Egerton 2400 (Wharton MS), ff. 19v-20r, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), item GrT 93, 88; Toynbee/Whibley (eds.), Correspondence (1971), letter no. 135, vol. i, 272-279 (subscription required); Sutton (ed.), Location Register (1995), 414
      • Contents: Autograph fair copy, here entitled "On a favourite Cat, call'd Selima, that fell into a China Tub with Gold-Fishes in it & was drown'd.", in a letter to Thomas Wharton, [17 March 1747].


  • "Ode on the Spring"

    • Archive Work ID: poems.oots
    • Uniform Title: "Ode on the Spring" [e-text]
    • First Line: Lo! where the rosy-bosomed Hours,
    • Language: English
    • First Published: 1748
    • References: Starr/Hendrickson (eds.), Complete Poems (1966), 3-4; Lonsdale (ed.), Poems (1969), 47-53
    • Summary: Written at Stoke Poges early in June 1742 and sent in a letter, [c. 3 June 1742], to Richard West who was then dead. The letter was returned unopened and does not survive. First published, anonymously, in Dodsley's Collection of Poems by Several Hands, 3 vols, vol. II. (London, 1748), 265-267, reprinted in 6 vols, vol. II. (London, 1758 and later edns.), 325-327.

    4 Manuscripts:

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0120 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: [untitled]
      • Date: [1?] February 1768
      • Physical Description: 1 page, 324 mm x 200 mm; autograph, partial [notes only]
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 38511, f. 3r, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), item GrT 101, 89; Sutton (ed.), Location Register (1995), 414
      • Contents: Autograph notes to the poem, untitled but numbered 1. and identified on f. 3r as "1. Ode. (Lo, where the rosy-bosom'd &c:)" in MS instructions to Dodsley for the 1768 London edition, sent in a letter, [1?] February 1768. The notes were first published in the poem's version in Poems (1768).

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0250 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: [untitled]
      • Date: [before 1860]
      • Physical Description: 4 pages, c. 190 mm x 115 mm; transcript (lines 1-7, 11-50) in the hand of George Hamilton-Gordon
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 43347, ff. 51-52, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Nelson (ed.), Union First Line Index. Mar. 2010. Folger Shakespeare Library. 9 April 2010. <http://firstlines.folger.edu/detail.php?id=107683>
      • Contents: Transcript (lines 1-7, 11-50) in the hand of George Gordon, afterwards (1818) Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen, K.G., K.T., Prime Minister (b. 1784, d. 1860) in his Aberdeen Papers, Vol. CCCIX (ff. 210) "Miscellaneous papers", section 2 "Miscellaneous English occasional verse, centring chiefly round George, 4th Earl of Aberdeen, and the circle of visitors he met at Bentley Priory, Stanmore, the home of his father-in-law, John James Hamilton, 1st Marquess of Abercorn, which became his own residence for many years", item q "Poem, beg. 'Lo! Where the rosy-bosom'd hours', ff. 51-52b".

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0115 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: "Lines"
      • Date: [between 1845 and 1856]
      • Physical Description: 1 page, 180 mm x 115 mm; transcript in the hand of John Mitford, partial [ll. 3-4]
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 32561, f. 181r, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), 88
      • Contents: Transcript of ll. 3-4, in the hand of John Mitford, possibly transcribed from one of the autograph MSS., in John Mitford, Note-Books, vol. III "Mitford. Extracts from Mr Grays Common-place books", f. 181r.

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0206 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: "Lines"
      • Date: [between 1845 and 1856]
      • Physical Description: 1 page, 180 mm x 110 mm; transcript in the hand of John Mitford, partial [ll. 3-4] and crossed out
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 32562, f. 29r, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), 88
      • Contents: Transcript of ll. 3-4, in the hand of John Mitford (crossed out), possibly transcribed from one of the autograph MSS., in John Mitford, Note-Books, vol. IV, f. 29r.


  • "Ode to Adversity"

    1 Manuscript:

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0124 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: [untitled]
      • Date: [1?] February 1768
      • Physical Description: 1 page, 324 mm x 200 mm; autograph, partial [motto only]
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 38511, f. 3r, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), item GrT 105, 89; Sutton (ed.), Location Register (1995), 414
      • Contents: Autograph motto for the poem, untitled but numbered 4. and identified on f. 3r as "4. Ode, to Adversity", in MS instructions to Dodsley for the 1768 London edition, sent in a letter, [1?] February 1768. The motto first appeared in the poem's version in Poems (1768).


  • "On L[or]d H[olland']s Seat near M[argat]e, K[en]t"

    • Archive Work ID: poems.oxst
    • Uniform Title: "On L[or]d H[olland']s Seat near M[argat]e, K[en]t" [e-text]
    • First Line: Old and abandoned by each venal friend,
    • Language: English
    • First Published: 1769
    • References: Starr/Hendrickson (eds.), Complete Poems (1966), 53; Lonsdale (ed.), Poems (1969), 259-264
    • Summary: Written while on a visit to William Robinson in Denton, Kent, in June 1768. First published, anonymously without Gray's consent, as "Inscription for the Villa of a decay'd Satesman [sic] on the Sea-Coast", in The New Foundling Hospital for Wit (London, 1769) iii. 34-35.

    4 Manuscripts:


      • Archive MS ID: mss.0131 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: "On seeing the Seat of a decayed Nobleman in Kent"
      • Date: 1 May 1777
      • Physical Description: 1 page, 325 mm x 220 mm; transcript, revised and annotated, in the hand of William Cole
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 5821, f. 55v, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), item GrT 109, 89; Sutton (ed.), Location Register (1995), 414; Northup, Bibliography (1917), item 1997; Nelson (ed.), Union First Line Index. Mar. 2010. Folger Shakespeare Library. 19 March 2010. <http://firstlines.folger.edu/detail.php?id=109944>
      • Contents: Transcript, revised and annotated, in the hand of William Cole, in a volume entitled Cambridgeshire Collections, Vol. XX, bequeathed by Rev. W. Cole. The transcript is here entitled "On seeing the Seat of a decayed Nobleman in Kent" and beginning "Old & abandon'd by its venal Friend", annotated "These Verses on Lord Holland, are said to have been composed by Mr. Gray: Dr Glynn dictated them to me at Milton May 1. 1777."

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0127 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: "On Lord Holland's seat at Kingsgate"
      • Date: [after 1804?]
      • Physical Description: 2 pages, 198 mm x 159 mm; transcript in an unidentified hand
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 39936, f. 141, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), 89; Sutton (ed.), Location Register (1995), 414
      • Contents: Transcript, entitled "On Lord Holland's seat at Kingsgate. By Mr. Gray" in an unidentified hand, in a volume entitled Twining Papers, vol. VIII "Miscellaneous".

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0207 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: [untitled]
      • Date: [after 1769]
      • Physical Description: 2 pages, 220 mm x 177 mm; transcript in an unidentified hand
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 61842, f. 55, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), 89; Sutton (ed.), Location Register (1995), 414; Nelson (ed.), Union First Line Index. Mar. 2010. Folger Shakespeare Library. 19 March 2010. <http://firstlines.folger.edu/detail.php?id=137055>
      • Contents: Transcript in an unidentified hand in the form of six numbered stanzas, untitled, but headed "The following Stanzas were written by Mr. Gray at Kingsgate in Kent, the Seat of Lord Holland", in a volume entitled Eighteenth Century Verse.


  • "[Paraphrase of Psalm LXXXIV]"

    • Archive Work ID: poems.lt22
    • Uniform Title: "[Paraphrase of Psalm LXXXIV]" [e-text]
    • First Line: Oh! Tecta, mentis dulcis amor meae!
    • Language: Latin
    • First Published: 1849 and 1890
    • References: Starr/Hendrickson (eds.), Complete Poems (1966), 112-114 (with English prose translation); Lonsdale (ed.), Poems (1969), 285-287 (with English prose translation)
    • Summary: Written probably as a school exercise at Eton between 1725 and 1734, possibly Gray's earliest complete composition. First published, ll. 1-20 only, in The Gentleman's Magazine N.S. 32 (October 1849), 343, published in full, as "Early Alcaics of Gray", in Tovey (ed.), Gray and his Friends (1890), 300-301.

    1 Manuscript:

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0134 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: [untitled]
      • Date: [between 1845 and 1856]
      • Physical Description: 2 pages, 180 mm x 115 mm; transcript in the hand of John Mitford
      • Language: Latin
      • Location: Add. MS 32561, ff. 67-68, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), item GrT 111, 90
      • Contents: Transcript in the hand of John Mitford, untitled, subscribed "The above is the 84th Psalm" and "[N.B. The above Ode is written in Mr Grays Hand: but evidently when young, the hand being unformed, & like a Schoolboys, tho' very plain & careful. The Leaf on which it is written, apparently torn from a Copy-book. Some of the Expressions resemble those in the Gr. Chartreuse Ode.]", in John Mitford, Note-Books, vol. III "Mitford. Extracts from Mr Grays Common-place books", ff. 67-68.


  • "[Parody on an Epitaph]"

    • Archive Work ID: poems.pare
    • Uniform Title: "[Parody on an Epitaph]" [e-text]
    • First Line: Now clean, now hideous, mellow now, now gruff,
    • Language: English
    • First Published: 1882
    • References: Starr/Hendrickson (eds.), Complete Poems (1966), 82; Lonsdale (ed.), Poems (1969), 256-257
    • Summary: Composed shortly after visiting the church at Appleby, c. 3 September 1767, while on a short tour of the Lake District with Thomas Wharton. First published, untitled, in Gosse, Gray (1882), 176.

    2 Manuscripts:

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0136 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: [untitled]
      • Date: [1767]
      • Physical Description: 1 page, 63 mm x 197 mm; autograph fair copy
      • Language: English
      • Location: MS Egerton 2400 (Wharton MS), f. 181r, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), item GrT 112, 90; Sutton (ed.), Location Register (1995), 414
      • Contents: Autograph fair copy, here untitled, on a slip of paper annotated in the hand of Thomas Wharton "Extempore Epitaph on Ann Countess of Dorset, Pembroke, and Montgomery, made by Mr. Gray on reading the Epitaph on her mothers tomb in the Church at Appleby composed by the Countess, in the same manner."

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0135 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: [untitled]
      • Date: [between 1845 and 1856]
      • Physical Description: 1 page, 162 mm x 101 mm; transcript in the hand of John Mitford, partial [2 lines]
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 32562, f. 1, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), 90
      • Contents: Transcript, untitled but headed "Grays MSS (in Masons collection)", of a 2-line version beginning "She swept, she hissd, grew mellow & lookd gruff", in the hand of John Mitford, in John Mitford, Note-Books, vol. IV, f. 1.


  • "The Progress of Poesy. A Pindaric Ode"

    2 Manuscripts:

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0139 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: "Ode, in the Greek Manner"
      • Date: 26 December 1754
      • Physical Description: 4 pages, 240 mm x 191 mm; autograph fair copy
      • Language: English
      • Location: MS Egerton 2400 (Wharton MS), ff. 67-68, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), item GrT 115, 90; Toynbee/Whibley (eds.), Correspondence (1971), letter no. 194, vol. i, 412-418 (subscription required); Starr, "Gray's Craftsmanship" (1946), particularly pp. 422-424
      • Contents: Autograph fair copy, here entitled "Ode, in the Greek Manner" and including the headings "Strophe", "Antistrophe", and "Epode", sent in and preceding a letter to Thomas Wharton, 26 December 1754.

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0142 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: [untitled]
      • Date: [1?] February 1768
      • Physical Description: 3 pages, 324 mm x 200 mm; autograph, partial [motto, advertisement, and notes only]
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 38511, ff. 3r-4r, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), item GrT 118, 90; Sutton (ed.), Location Register (1995), 414
      • Contents: Autograph of the motto, advertisement, and notes to the poem, untitled but numbered 5. and identified on f. 3r as "5. The progress of Poesy, a Pindaric Ode", in MS instructions to Dodsley for the 1768 London edition, sent in a letter, [1?] February 1768.


  • "Satire on the Heads of Houses; or, Never a Barrel the Better Herring"

    • Archive Work ID: poems.sahh
    • Uniform Title: "Satire on the Heads of Houses; or, Never a Barrel the Better Herring" [e-text]
    • First Line: O Cambridge, attend
    • Language: English
    • First Published: 1884
    • References: Starr/Hendrickson (eds.), Complete Poems (1966), 76-77; Lonsdale (ed.), Poems (1969), 280-282
    • Summary: According to Starr/Hendrickson, possibly written in the late 1740s or early 1750s when Gray's criticism of the University authorities was particularly severe. First published in Gosse (ed.), Works (1884), vol. I, 134-135, where the poem is dated "about 1765".

    2 Manuscripts:

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0146 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: "Lines on the Heads of Houses. Never a barrell better Herring"
      • Date: [between 1845 and 1856]
      • Physical Description: 2 pages, 180 mm x 115 mm; transcript in the hand of John Mitford
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 32561, ff. 186-187, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), item GrT 121, 91; Sutton (ed.), Location Register (1995), 414
      • Contents: Transcript in the hand of John Mitford, here entitled "Lines on the Heads of Houses. Never a barrell better Herring" and beginning "Oh! Cambridge attend", in John Mitford, Note-Books, vol. III "Mitford. Extracts from Mr Grays Common-place books", ff. 186-187.

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0144 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: "Lines on the Heads of Houses. Never barrell a better Herring"
      • Date: [between 1845 and 1856]
      • Physical Description: 2 pages, 180 mm x 110 mm; transcript in the hand of John Mitford
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 32562, ff. 30r, 31r, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), 91; Sutton (ed.), Location Register (1995), 414
      • Contents: Transcript, entitled "Lines on the Heads of Houses. Never barrell a better Herring", in the hand of John Mitford, in John Mitford, Note-Books, vol. IV, ff. 30r, 31r.


  • "Song II"

    • Archive Work ID: poems.sng2
    • Uniform Title: "Song II" [e-text]
    • First Line: Thyrsis, when we parted, swore
    • Language: English
    • First Published: 1791
    • References: Starr/Hendrickson (eds.), Complete Poems (1966), 99-100; Lonsdale (ed.), Poems (1969), 242-243
    • Summary: Written in October 1761 at the request of Gray's friend Henrietta Speed. First published in The European Magazine 19 (February 1791), 152.

    4 Manuscripts:

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0157 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: [untitled]
      • Date: [between 1845 and 1856]
      • Physical Description: 1 page, 180 mm x 115 mm; transcript in the hand of John Mitford
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 32561, f. 73, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), item GrT 130, 92; Sutton (ed.), Location Register (1995), 414
      • Contents: Transcript of MS 0154, untitled, in the hand of John Mitford, including variant readings, in John Mitford, Note-Books, vol. III "Mitford. Extracts from Mr Grays Common-place books", f. 73.

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0152 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: "Thyrsis"
      • Date: [between 1845 and 1856]
      • Physical Description: 1 page, 180 mm x 115 mm; transcript in the hand of John Mitford, partial [ll. 10, 12]
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 32561, f. 181r, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), 91
      • Contents: Transcript, here entitled "Thyrsis", of variants of ll. 10 and 12 in the hand of John Mitford, in John Mitford, Note-Books, vol. III "Mitford. Extracts from Mr Grays Common-place books", f. 181r.

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0208 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: "Thyrsis"
      • Date: [between 1845 and 1856]
      • Physical Description: 1 page, 180 mm x 110 mm; transcript in the hand of John Mitford, partial [ll. 10, 12] and crossed out
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 32562, f. 29r, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), 91
      • Contents: Transcript, here entitled "Thyrsis", of variants of ll. 10 and 12 in the hand of John Mitford (crossed out), in John Mitford, Note-Books, vol. IV, f. 29r.



  • "[Tophet]"

    • Archive Work ID: poems.tapr
    • Uniform Title: "[Tophet]" [e-text]
    • First Line: Such Tophet was; so looked the grinning fiend
    • Language: English
    • First Published: 1769 (pr. 1783)
    • References: Starr/Hendrickson (eds.), Complete Poems (1966), 75; Lonsdale (ed.), Poems (1969), 100-103
    • Summary: Written c. 1749 under a sketch of the Rev. Henry Etough drawn by William Mason. First published, ll. 1-2, 5-8, as On Mr. E---'s being ordained and beginning "Such Tophet was--so grum'd the bawling Fiend", in The London Magazine 52 (June 1783), 296. The text, ll. 1-2, 5-8, was also issued on an etching by Michael Tyson of the drawing of Tophet by Mason, 1769.

    2 Manuscripts:

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0165 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: [untitled]
      • Date: 1769
      • Physical Description: 1 page, c. 245 mm x 180 mm; transcript in the hand of Michael Tyson
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 5817, f. 191r, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), item GrT 138, 92; Sutton (ed.), Location Register (1995), 415
      • Contents: Copy of Tyson's etching with the text, annotated "Gray". Above the sketch is an annotation by William Cole "Mr. Etough of Therfeild in Hartfordshire, obiit 1757", and on verso "Given to me by Mr. Tyson in Nov: 1769. Wm. Cole". Bound in a volume entitled History of King's College Cambridge, vol. IV, XVI, bequeathed by Rev. W. Cole.

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0251 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: [untitled]
      • Date: [undated]
      • Physical Description: 1 page, c. 55 mm x 160 mm; transcript in an unidentified hand (6 lines)
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 11279, f. 17, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Nelson (ed.), Union First Line Index. Mar. 2010. Folger Shakespeare Library. 9 April 2010. <http://firstlines.folger.edu/detail.php?id=111908>
      • Contents: Transcript (6 lines) in an unidentified hand, here beginning "Such Tophet was, so grinned the bawling fiend" and attributed above "By Mr Gray", in a quarto volume of miscellaneous pieces of poetry, entitled "Miscellaneous Poetry" and "presented by Rev. T. Crompton", written in the 18th and 19th centuries, to which the names of the respective authors are assigned.


  • "[Translation from Dante, Inferno Canto xxxiii 1-78]"

    • Archive Work ID: poems.tdin
    • Uniform Title: "[Translation from Dante, Inferno Canto xxxiii 1-78]" [e-text]
    • First Line: From his dire food the grisly felon raised
    • Language: English
    • First Published: 1849 and 1884
    • References: Starr/Hendrickson (eds.), Complete Poems (1966), 61-63; Lonsdale (ed.), Poems (1969), 23-25
    • Summary: Written probably in 1737 or 1738 when Gray was translating other Italian verse by Tasso and Petrarch. First published, 15 lines only, in The Gentleman's Magazine N.S. 32 (October 1849), 343, published in full in Gosse (ed.), Works (1884), vol. I, 157-160, as "Dante. Canto 33, dell' Inferno".

    3 Manuscripts:

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0167 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: "Dante, Canto 33 dell' Inferno"
      • Date: [between 1845 and 1856]
      • Physical Description: 4 pages, 180 mm x 115 mm; transcript in the hand of John Mitford
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 32561, ff. 70-73, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), item GrT 139, 92-93
      • Contents: Transcript in the hand of John Mitford, introduced "DANTE. It is uncertain when Mr Gray translated the following Story from Dante; but most probably very early, and when he was making himself Master of the Italian language.", headed "Dante, Canto 33 dell' Inferno", and annotated "N.B. The above is not in Grays Writing, but in a clear large hand. perhaps Mr. Stonehewer's. (yes.)", in John Mitford, Note-Books, vol. III "Mitford. Extracts from Mr Grays Common-place books", ff. 70-73.

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0168 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: "Translation in blank verse of Dante's Ugolino c. xxxiii."
      • Date: [between 1845 and 1856]
      • Physical Description: 2 pages, 180 mm x 115 mm; transcript in the hand of John Mitford, partial [ll. 1-4, 82-84]
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 32561, ff. 182-183, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), item GrT 140, 93
      • Contents: Transcript of ll. 1-4 and 82-4 in the hand of John Mitford, here beginning "From his dire food the greisly father raisd", annotated "Mason says, Gray translated this when learning Italian" and "N.B. The MS is not in Gray's writing", in John Mitford, Note-Books, vol. III "Mitford. Extracts from Mr Grays Common-place books", ff. 182-183.

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0166 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: "Translation in Blank Verse of Dante's Ugolino c. xxxiii."
      • Date: [between 1845 and 1856]
      • Physical Description: 1 page, 180 mm x 110 mm; transcript in the hand of John Mitford, partial [ll. 1-4, 82-84] and crossed out
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 32562, f. 29, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), 92
      • Contents: Transcript of ll. 1-4 and 82-84 in the hand of John Mitford (crossed out), annotated "Mason says Gray translated this, when learning Italian", in John Mitford, Note-Books, vol. IV, f. 29.


  • "[Translation from Statius, Thebaid VI 646-88, 704-24]"

    • Archive Work ID: poems.tra6
    • Uniform Title: "[Translation from Statius, Thebaid VI 646-88, 704-24]" [e-text]
    • First Line: Then thus the king: 'Whoe'er the quoit can wield,
    • Language: English
    • First Published: 1853
    • References: Starr/Hendrickson (eds.), Complete Poems (1966), 54-55; Lonsdale (ed.), Poems (1969), 17-19
    • Summary: Written before the end of May 1736 when Gray was learning Italian, and sent in two letters, dated [8 May 1736] (ll. 646-88) and [before 24 May 1736] (ll. 704-24), to Richard West. Gray's translation of ll. 689-703 has not survived. Translation of ll. 646-88 (59 lines) first published, untitled, in Mitford (ed.), Correspondence of Gray and Mason (1853), letter I, 2-4, and of ll. 704-24 (27 lines) first published in Mason's Memoirs (1775), section I, 9-10.

    2 Manuscripts:

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0213 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: [untitled]
      • Date: [between 1845 and 1856]
      • Physical Description: 3 pages, 180 mm x 115 mm; transcript in the hand of John Mitford, partial [ll. 32-52, 1-31, 53-59]
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 32561, ff. 192r, 193r, 194r, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), item GrT 145, 93
      • Contents: Transcript, here untitled, of ll. 32-52, 1-31, 53-59, in the hand of John Mitford, in John Mitford, Note-Books, vol. III "Mitford. Extracts from Mr Grays Common-place books", ff. 192r, 193r, 194r.



  • "[Translation of Ode 'Away; let nought to love displeasing']"

    • Archive Work ID: poems.lt24
    • Uniform Title: "[Translation of Ode 'Away; let nought to love displeasing']" [e-text]
    • First Line: Vah, tenero quodcunque potest obsistere amori,
    • Language: Latin
    • First Published: 1890
    • References: Starr/Hendrickson (eds.), Complete Poems (1966), 115-117, 250-251 (with English prose translation and the original English version); Lonsdale (ed.), Poems (1969), 287-290 (with English prose translation and the original English version)
    • Summary: Written probably as a school exercise at Eton between 1725 and 1734. First published, untitled, in Tovey (ed.), Gray and his Friends (1890), 298-300.

    1 Manuscript:

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0176 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: [untitled]
      • Date: [between 1845 and 1856]
      • Physical Description: 2 pages, 180 mm x 115 mm; transcript in the hand of John Mitford
      • Language: Latin
      • Location: Add. MS 32561, ff. 86-87, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), item GrT 147, 93; Starr/Hendrickson (eds.), Complete Poems (1966), 250
      • Contents: Transcript in the hand of John Mitford, untitled, but identified "N.B. The above is a free Translation of Gilb. Coopers Ode / Away let Nought to Love displeasing / ..." and annotated "The following Poem is written with Ink by Mason over Gray's Pencil, which was very faint, in order apparently to preserve it." and "N.B. Grays writing perceptible below the Ink-letters", in John Mitford, Note-Books, vol. III "Mitford. Extracts from Mr Grays Common-place books", ff. 86-87.
      • Related Material: MS 0176 apparently transcribed from MS 0175.


  • "The Triumphs of Owen. A Fragment"

    1 Manuscript:

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0191 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: [untitled]
      • Date: [1?] February 1768
      • Physical Description: 2 pages, 324 mm x 200 mm; autograph fair copy
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 38511, ff. 6v-7r, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), item GrT 163, 95; Nelson (ed.), Union First Line Index. Mar. 2010. Folger Shakespeare Library. 19 March 2010. <http://firstlines.folger.edu/detail.php?id=137227>
      • Contents: Autograph fair copy, untitled but numbered 9. and identified on f. 3r as "9. The Triumphs of Owen, a fragment", headed "Prefix...Owen succeeded his Father Griffin in the principality of North-Wales, A:D: 1120. this battle was fought near forty years afterwards. (from Mr Evans's Specimens of the Welch poetry. Lond: 1764. 4to)", including an explanatory note of "The Dragon-Son", used as printer's copy for Poems (1768), in MS instructions to Dodsley, sent in a letter, [1?] February 1768.


  • "William Shakespeare to Mrs Anne, Regular Servant to the Revd Mr Precentor of York"

    2 Manuscripts:

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0197 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: "Verses from Wm Shakspeare to Mrs Anne Regular Servant to the Revd Mr Precentor of York"
      • Date: [between 1845 and 1856]
      • Physical Description: 1 page, 180 mm x 115 mm; transcript in the hand of John Mitford
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 32561, f. 185, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), item GrT 168, 96
      • Contents: Transcript, with stanza 5 following stanza 2, in the hand of John Mitford, here entitled "Verses from Wm Shakspeare to Mrs Anne Regular Servant to the Revd Mr Precentor of York" and annotated "Tell me, if you don't like this, and I'll send you a worse", in John Mitford, Note-Books, vol. III "Mitford. Extracts from Mr Grays Common-place books", f. 185.

      • Archive MS ID: mss.0194 (Source: EAD/XML)
      • Title: [untitled]
      • Date: [between 1845 and 1856]
      • Physical Description: 1 page, 180 mm x 110 mm; transcript in the hand of John Mitford, crossed out
      • Language: English
      • Location: Add. MS 32562, f. 31v, Manuscripts Collection, British Library, London, UK <http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/manuscr/>
      • References: Smith (ed.), Index (1989), 95
      • Contents: Transcript, with stanza 5 following stanza 2, here untitled and annotated "Tell me if you don't like this, & I will send you a worse", in the hand of John Mitford (crossed out), in John Mitford, Note-Books, vol. IV, f. 31v.


Contents

  • Collection: Poems, [ca. 1725]-1771
  • Location: British Library
  • Works: 30
  • Manuscripts: 73

Works