Ode to Tragedy (1761)
Long title:
Ode to Tragedy by a Gentleman of Scotland
Book description:
Authored by Boswell, it was printed and published (anonymously) by Alexander Donaldson and J. Reid, Edinburgh, in November, 1761. The poem consists of sixteen Spenserian stanzas, and was dedicated "To James BOSWELL, Esq." (i.e. by the author to the author).
The epistle dedicatory went as follows:
"The following ode which courts your acceptance is on a subject grave and solemn, and therefore may be considered by many people as not so well suited to your volatile disposition. But I, sir, who enjoy the pleasure of your intimate acquaintance, know that many of your hours of retirement are devoted to thought, and that you can as strongly relish the productions of a serious muse as the most brilliant sallies of sportive fancy.
(Source: Boswelliana, p. 19)
Ode to Tragedy by a Gentleman of Scotland can be ordered through AbeBooks as a print-on-demand copy of the original. (search for Ode to Tragedy)
