Punch,  37 (1859), 194.

The Laureate's Bust at Trinity (A Fragment of an Idyll)

Anon

Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Universities, Scientific Practitioners, Heroism


    Narrates the events surrounding the proposal to place a bust of Alfred Tennyson in the library of Trinity College, Cambridge. Notes that the master of the college, William Whewell, and college 'Seniors' had 'barred accèss' to the bust, which would enjoy 'high companionship,— / Chief, Newton, and the broad-browed Verulam, / And others only less than these in arts / Or science'. Whewell and 'the Dons', however, deeming such an honour to be 'only due to those / Upon whose greatness Death has set his seal', shut the doors to the bust 'Upon the living Poet'. Despite Whewell's 'stern and chill' looks, Tennyson attempts to justify his place next to Dryden and Byron, alluding to the fact that his 'fame is wide'. Whewell and the dons, however, stick by their plea that it is 'too soon' and remain unmoved.



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