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diff --git a/16549.txt b/16549.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ac2ebcc --- /dev/null +++ b/16549.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11186 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Life of Lord Byron, Vol. IV, by Thomas Moore + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Life of Lord Byron, Vol. IV + With His Letters and Journals + +Author: Thomas Moore + +Release Date: August 19, 2005 [EBook #16549] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE OF LORD BYRON, VOL. IV *** + + + + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Taavi Kalju and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + +LIFE + +OF + +LORD BYRON: + +WITH HIS LETTERS AND JOURNALS. + +BY THOMAS MOORE, ESQ. + +IN SIX VOLUMES.--VOL. IV. + +NEW EDITION. + + +LONDON: JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET. 1854. + + + + +CONTENTS OF VOL. IV + + +LETTERS AND JOURNALS OF LORD BYRON, WITH NOTICES OF HIS LIFE, from +April, 1817, to October, 1820. + + + + +NOTICES + +OF THE + +LIFE OF LORD BYRON. + + + + +LETTER 272. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Venice, April 9. 1817. + + "Your letters of the 18th and 20th are arrived. In my own I have + given you the rise, progress, decline, and fall, of my recent + malady. It is gone to the devil: I won't pay him so bad a + compliment as to say it came from him;--he is too much of a + gentleman. It was nothing but a slow fever, which quickened its + pace towards the end of its journey. I had been bored with it some + weeks--with nocturnal burnings and morning perspirations; but I am + quite well again, which I attribute to having had neither medicine + nor doctor thereof. + + "In a few days I set off for Rome: such is my purpose. I shall + change it very often before Monday next, but do you continue to + direct and address to _Venice_, as heretofore. If I go, letters + will be forwarded: I say '_if_,' because I never know what I shall + do till it is done; and as I mean most firmly to set out for Rome, + it is not unlikely I may find myself at St. Petersburg. + + "You tell me to 'take care of myself;'--faith, and I will. I won't + be posthumous yet, if I can help it. Notwithstanding, only think + what a 'Life and Adventures,' while I am in full scandal, would be + worth, together with the 'membra' of my writing-desk, the sixteen + beginnings of poems never to be finished! Do you think I would not + have shot myself last year, had I not luckily recollected that Mrs. + C * * and Lady N * *, and all the old women in England would have + been delighted;--besides the agreeable 'Lunacy,' of the 'Crowner's + Quest,' and the regrets of two or three or half a dozen? Be assured + that I _would live_ for two reasons, or more;--there are one or two + people whom I have to put out of the world, and as many into it, + before I can 'depart in peace;' if I do so before, I have not + fulfilled my mission. Besides, when I turn thirty, I will turn + devout; I feel a great vocation that way in Catholic churches, and + when I hear the organ. + + "So * * is writing again! Is there no Bedlam in Scotland? nor + thumb-screw? nor gag? nor hand-cuff? I went upon my knees to him + almost, some years ago, to prevent him from publishing a political + pamphlet, which would have given him a livelier idea of 'Habeas + Corpus' than the world will derive from his present production upon + that suspended subject, which will doubtless be followed by the + suspension of other of his Majesty's subjects. + + "I condole with Drury Lane and rejoice with * *,--that is, in a + modest way,--on the tragical end of the new tragedy. + + "You and Leigh Hunt have quarrelled then, it seems? I introduce him + and his poem to you, in the hope that (malgre politics) the union + would be beneficial to both, and the end is eternal enmity; and yet + I did this with the best intentions: I introduce * * *, and * * * + runs away with your money: my friend Hobhouse quarrels, too, with + the Quarterly: and (except the last) I am the innocent Istmhus + (damn the word! I can't spell it, though I have crossed that of + Corinth a dozen times) of these enmities. + + "I will tell you something about Chillon.--A Mr. _De Luc_, ninety + years old, a Swiss, had it read to him, and is pleased with it,--so + my sister writes. He said that he was _with Rousseau_ at _Chillon_, + and that the description is perfectly correct. But this is not all: + I recollected something of the name, and find the following passage + in 'The Confessions,' vol. iii. page 247. liv. viii.:-- + + "'De tous ces amusemens celui qui me plut davantage fut une + promenade autour du Lac, que je fis en bateau avec _De Luc_ pere, + sa bru, ses _deux fils_, et ma Therese. Nous mimes sept jours a + cette tournee par le plus beau temps du monde. J'en gardai le vif + souvenir des sites qui m'avoient frappe a l'autre extremite du Lac, + et dont je fis la description, quelques annees apres, dans la + Nouvelle Heloise' + + "This nonagenarian, De Luc, must be one of the 'deux fils.' He is + in England--infirm, but still in faculty. It is odd that he should + have lived so long, and not wanting in oddness that he should have + made this voyage with Jean Jacques, and afterwards, at such an + interval, read a poem by an Englishman (who had made precisely the + same circumnavigation) upon the same scenery. + + "As for 'Manfred,' it is of no use sending _proofs_; nothing of + that kind comes. I sent the whole at different times. The two first + Acts are the best; the third so so; but I was blown with the first + and second heats. You must call it 'a Poem,' for it is _no Drama_, + and I do not choose to have it called by so * * a name--a 'Poem in + dialogue,' or--Pantomime, if you will; any thing but a green-room + synonyme; and this is your motto-- + + "'There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, + Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.' + + "Yours ever, &c. + + "My love and thanks to Mr. Gifford." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 273. TO MR. MOORE. + + "Venice, April 11. 1817. + + "I shall continue to write to you while the fit is on me, by way of + penance upon you for your former complaints of long silence. I dare + say you would blush, if you could, for not answering. Next week I + set out for Rome. Having seen Constantinople, I should like to look + at t'other fellow. Besides, I want to see the Pope, and shall take + care to tell him that I vote for the Catholics and no Veto. + + "I sha'n't go to Naples. It is but the second best sea-view, and I + have seen the first and third, viz. Constantinople and Lisbon, (by + the way, the last is but a river-view; however, they reckon it + after Stamboul and Naples, and before Genoa,) and Vesuvius is + silent, and I have passed by AEtna. So I shall e'en return to Venice + in July; and if you write, I pray you to address to Venice, which + is my head, or rather my _heart_, quarters. + + "My late physician, Dr. Polidori, is here on his way to England, + with the present Lord G * * and the widow of the late earl. Dr. + Polidori has, just now, no more patients, because his patients are + no more. He had lately three, who are now all dead--one embalmed. + Horner and a child of Thomas Hope's are interred at Pisa and Rome. + Lord G * * died of an inflammation of the bowels: so they took them + out, and sent them (on account of their discrepancies), separately + from the carcass, to England. Conceive a man going one way, and his + intestines another, and his immortal soul a third!--was there ever + such a distribution? One certainly has a soul; but how it came to + allow itself to be enclosed in a body is more than I can imagine. I + only know if once mine gets out, I'll have a bit of a tussle before + I let it get in again to that or any other. + + "And so poor dear Mr. Maturin's second tragedy has been neglected + by the discerning public! * * will be d----d glad of this, and + d----d without being glad, if ever his own plays come upon 'any + stage.' + + "I wrote to Rogers the other day, with a message for you. I hope + that he flourishes. He is the Tithonus of poetry--immortal + already. You and I must wait for it. + + "I hear nothing--know nothing. You may easily suppose that the + English don't seek me, and I avoid them. To be sure, there are but + few or none here, save passengers. Florence and Naples are their + Margate and Ramsgate, and much the same sort of company too, by all + accounts, which hurts us among the Italians. + + "I want to hear of Lalla Rookh--are you out? Death and fiends! why + don't you tell me where you are, what you are, and how you are? I + shall go to Bologna by Ferrara, instead of Mantua: because I would + rather see the cell where they caged Tasso, and where he became mad + and * *, than his own MSS. at Modena, or the Mantuan birthplace of + that harmonious plagiary and miserable flatterer, whose cursed + hexameters were drilled into me at Harrow. I saw Verona and Vicenza + on my way here--Padua too. + + "I go alone,--but alone, because I mean to return here. I only want + to see Rome. I have not the least curiosity about Florence, though + I must see it for the sake of the Venus, &c. &c.; and I wish also + to see the Fall of Terni. I think to return to Venice by Ravenna + and Rimini, of both of which I mean to take notes for Leigh Hunt, + who will be glad to hear of the scenery of his Poem. There was a + devil of a review of him in the Quarterly, a year ago, which he + answered. All answers are imprudent: but, to be sure, poetical + flesh and blood must have the last word--that's certain. I + thought, and think, very highly of his Poem; but I warned him of + the row his favourite antique phraseology would bring him into. + + "You have taken a house at Hornsey: I had much rather you had taken + one in the Apennines. If you think of coming out for a summer, or + so, tell me, that I may be upon the hover for you. + + "Ever," &c. + + * * * * * + +LETTER 274. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Venice, April 14. 1817. + + "By the favour of Dr. Polidori, who is here on his way to England + with the present Lord G * *, (the late earl having gone to England + by another road, accompanied by his bowels in a separate coffer,) I + remit to you, to deliver to Mrs. Leigh, _two miniatures_; + previously you will have the goodness to desire Mr. Love (as a + peace-offering between him and me) to set them in plain gold, with + my arms complete, and 'Painted by Prepiani--Venice, 1817,' on the + back. I wish also that you would desire Holmes to make a copy of + _each_--that is, both--for myself, and that you will retain the + said copies till my return. One was done while I was very unwell; + the other in my health, which may account for their dissimilitude. + I trust that they will reach their destination in safety. + + "I recommend the Doctor to your good offices with your government + friends; and if you can be of any use to him in a literary point of + view, pray be so. + + "To-day, or rather yesterday, for it is past midnight, I have been + up to the battlements of the highest tower in Venice, and seen it + and its view, in all the glory of a clear Italian sky. I also went + over the Manfrini Palace, famous for its pictures. Amongst them, + there is a portrait of _Ariosto_ by _Titian_, surpassing all my + anticipation of the power of painting or human expression: it is + the poetry of portrait, and the portrait of poetry. There was also + one of some learned lady, centuries old, whose name I forget, but + whose features must always be remembered. I never saw greater + beauty, or sweetness, or wisdom:--it is the kind of face to go mad + for, because it cannot walk out of its frame. There is also a + famous dead Christ and live Apostles, for which Buonaparte offered + in vain five thousand louis; and of which, though it is a capo + d'opera of Titian, as I am no connoisseur, I say little, and + thought less, except of one figure in it. There are ten thousand + others, and some very fine Giorgiones amongst them, &c. &c. There + is an original Laura and Petrarch, very hideous both. Petrarch has + not only the dress, but the features and air of an old woman, and + Laura looks by no means like a young one, or a pretty one. What + struck me most in the general collection was the extreme + resemblance of the style of the female faces in the mass of + pictures, so many centuries or generations old, to those you see + and meet every day among the existing Italians. The queen of Cyprus + and Giorgione's wife, particularly the latter, are Venetians as it + were of yesterday; the same eyes and expression, and, to my mind, + there is none finer. + + "You must recollect, however, that I know nothing of painting; and + that I detest it, unless it reminds me of something I have seen, or + think it possible to see, for which reason I spit upon and abhor + all the Saints and subjects of one half the impostures I see in the + churches and palaces; and when in Flanders, I never was so + disgusted in my life, as with Rubens and his eternal wives and + infernal glare of colours, as they appeared to me; and in Spain I + did not think much of Murillo and Velasquez. Depend upon it, of all + the arts, it is the most artificial and unnatural, and that by + which the nonsense of mankind is most imposed upon. I never yet saw + the picture or the statue which came a league within my conception + or expectation; but I have seen many mountains, and seas, and + rivers, and views, and two or three women, who went as far beyond + it,--besides some horses; and a lion (at Veli Pacha's) in the + Morea; and a tiger at supper in Exeter Change. + + "When you write, continue to address to me at _Venice_. Where do + you suppose the books you sent to me are? At _Turin_! This comes of + '_the Foreign Office_' which is foreign enough, God knows, for any + good it can be of to me, or any one else, and be d----d to it, to + its last clerk and first charlatan, Castlereagh. + + "This makes my hundredth letter at least. + + "Yours," &c. + + * * * * * + +TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Venice, April 14. 1817. + + "The present proofs (of the whole) begin only at the 17th page; but + as I had corrected and sent back the first Act, it does not + signify. + + "The third Act is certainly d----d bad, and, like the Archbishop of + Grenada's homily (which savoured of the palsy), has the dregs of my + fever, during which it was written. It must on _no account_ be + published in its present state. I will try and reform it, or + rewrite it altogether; but the impulse is gone, and I have no + chance of making any thing out of it. I would not have it published + as it is on any account. The speech of Manfred to the Sun is the + only part of this act I thought good myself; the rest is certainly + as bad as bad can be, and I wonder what the devil possessed me. + + "I am very glad indeed that you sent me Mr. Gifford's opinion + without _deduction_. Do you suppose me such a booby as not to be + very much obliged to him? or that in fact I was not, and am not, + convinced and convicted in my conscience of this same overt act of + nonsense? + + "I shall try at it again: in the mean time, lay it upon the shelf + (the whole Drama, I mean): but pray correct your copies of the + first and second Acts from the original MS. + + "I am not coming to England; but going to Rome in a few days. I + return to Venice in _June_; so, pray, address all letters, &c. to + me _here_, as usual, that is, to _Venice_. Dr. Polidori this day + left this city with Lord G * * for England. He is charged with + some books to your care (from me), and two miniatures also to the + same address, _both_ for my sister. + + "Recollect not to publish, upon pain of I know not what, until I + have tried again at the third Act. I am not sure that I _shall_ + try, and still less that I shall succeed, if I do; but I am very + sure, that (as it is) it is unfit for publication or perusal; and + unless I can make it out to my own satisfaction, I won't have any + part published. + + "I write in haste, and after having lately written very often. + Yours," &c. + + * * * * * + +LETTER 276. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Foligno, April 26. 1817. + + "I wrote to you the other day from Florence, inclosing a MS. + entitled 'The Lament of Tasso.' It was written in consequence of my + having been lately at Ferrara. In the last section of this MS. _but + one_ (that is, the penultimate), I think that I have omitted a line + in the copy sent to you from Florence, viz. after the line-- + + "And woo compassion to a blighted name, + + insert, + + "Sealing the sentence which my foes proclaim. + + The _context_ will show you _the sense_, which is not clear in this + quotation. _Remember, I write this in the supposition that you have + received my Florentine packet._ + + "At Florence I remained but a day, having a hurry for Rome, to + which I am thus far advanced. However, I went to the two galleries, + from which one returns drunk with beauty. The Venus is more for + admiration than love; but there are sculpture and painting, which + for the first time at all gave me an idea of what people mean by + their _cant_, and what Mr. Braham calls 'entusimusy' (_i.e._ + enthusiasm) about those two most artificial of the arts. What + struck me most were, the mistress of Raphael, a portrait; the + mistress of Titian, a portrait; a Venus of Titian in the Medici + gallery--_the_ Venus; Canova's Venus also in the other gallery: + Titian's mistress is also in the other gallery (that is, in the + Pitti Palace gallery): the Parcae of Michael Angelo, a picture: and + the Antinous, the Alexander, and one or two not very decent groups + in marble; the Genius of Death, a sleeping figure, &c. &c. + + "I also went to the Medici chapel--fine frippery in great slabs of + various expensive stones, to commemorate fifty rotten and forgotten + carcasses. It is unfinished, and will remain so. + + "The church of 'Santa Croce' contains much illustrious nothing. The + tombs of Machiavelli, Michael Angelo, Galileo Galilei, and Alfieri, + make it the Westminster Abbey of Italy. I did not admire any of + these tombs--beyond their contents. That of Alfieri is heavy, and + all of them seem to me overloaded. What is necessary but a bust and + name? and perhaps a date? the last for the unchronological, of whom + I am one. But all your allegory and eulogy is infernal, and worse + than the long wigs of English numskulls upon Roman bodies in the + statuary of the reigns of Charles II., William, and Anne. + + "When you write, write to _Venice_, as usual; I mean to return + there in a fortnight. I shall not be in England for a long time. + This afternoon I met Lord and Lady Jersey, and saw them for some + time: all well; children grown and healthy; she very pretty, but + sunburnt; he very sick of travelling; bound for Paris. There are + not many English on the move, and those who are, mostly homewards. + I shall not return till business makes me, being much better where + I am in health, &c. &c. + + "For the sake of my personal comfort, I pray you send me + immediately _to Venice_--_mind, Venice_--viz. _Waites' + tooth-powder_, _red_, a quantity; _calcined magnesia_, of the best + quality, a quantity; and all this by safe, sure, and speedy means; + and, by the Lord! do it. + + "I have done nothing at Manfred's third Act. You must wait; I'll + have at it in a week or two, or so. Yours ever," &c. + + * * * * * + +LETTER 277. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Rome, May 5. 1817. + + "By this post, (or next at farthest) I send you in two _other_ + covers, the new third Act of 'Manfred.' I have re-written the + greater part, and returned what is not altered in the _proof_ you + sent me. The Abbot is become a good man, and the Spirits are + brought in at the death. You will find I think, some good poetry + in this new act, here and there; and if so, print it, without + sending me farther proofs, _under Mr. Gifford's correction_, if he + will have the goodness to overlook it. Address all answers to + Venice, as usual; I mean to return there in ten days. + + "'The Lament of Tasso,' which I sent from Florence, has, I trust, + arrived: I look upon it as a 'these be good rhymes,' as Pope's papa + said to him when he was a boy. For the two--it and the Drama--you + will disburse to me (_via_ Kinnaird) _six_ hundred guineas. You + will perhaps be surprised that I set the same price upon this as + upon the Drama; but, besides that I look upon it as _good_, I won't + take less than three hundred guineas for any thing. The two + together will make you a larger publication than the 'Siege' and + 'Parisina;' so you may think yourself let off very easy: that is to + say, if these poems are good for any thing, which I hope and + believe. + + "I have been some days in Rome the Wonderful. I am seeing sights, + and have done nothing else, except the new third Act for you. I + have this morning seen a live pope and a dead cardinal: Pius VII. + has been burying Cardinal Bracchi, whose body I saw in state at the + Chiesa Nuova. Rome has delighted me beyond every thing, since + Athens and Constantinople. But I shall not remain long this visit. + Address to Venice. + + "Ever, &c. + + "P.S. I have got my saddle-horses here, and have ridden, and am + riding, all about the country." + + * * * * * + +From the foregoing letters to Mr. Murray, we may collect some curious +particulars respecting one of the most original and sublime of the noble +poet's productions, the Drama of Manfred. His failure (and to an extent +of which the reader shall be enabled presently to judge), in the +completion of a design which he had, through two Acts, so magnificently +carried on,--the impatience with which, though conscious of this +failure, he as usual hurried to the press, without deigning to woo, or +wait for, a happier moment of inspiration,--his frank docility in, at +once, surrendering up his third Act to reprobation, without urging one +parental word in its behalf,--the doubt he evidently felt, whether, from +his habit of striking off these creations at a heat, he should be able +to rekindle his imagination on the subject,--and then, lastly, the +complete success with which, when his mind _did_ make the spring, he at +once cleared the whole space by which he before fell short of +perfection,--all these circumstances, connected with the production of +this grand poem, lay open to us features, both of his disposition and +genius, in the highest degree interesting, and such as there is a +pleasure, second only to that of perusing the poem itself, in +contemplating. + +As a literary curiosity, and, still more, as a lesson to genius, never +to rest satisfied with imperfection or mediocrity, but to labour on till +even failures are converted into triumphs, I shall here transcribe the +third Act, in its original shape, as first sent to the publisher:-- + +ACT III.--SCENE I. + +A Hall in the Castle of Manfred. + + MANFRED and HERMAN. + +_Man._ What is the hour? + +_Her._ It wants but one till sunset, +And promises a lovely twilight. + +_Man._ Say, +Are all things so disposed of in the tower +As I directed? + +_Her._ All, my lord, are ready: +Here is the key and casket. + +_Man._ It is well: +Thou may'st retire. [_Exit_ HERMAN. + +_Man._ (_alone._) There is a calm upon me-- +Inexplicable stillness! which till now +Did not belong to what I knew of life. +If that I did not know philosophy +To be of all our vanities the motliest, +The merest word that ever fool'd the ear +From out the schoolman's jargon, I should deem +The golden secret, the sought 'Kalon,' found, +And seated in my soul. It will not last, +But it is well to have known it, though but once: +It hath enlarged my thoughts with a new sense, +And I within my tablets would note down +That there is such a feeling. Who is there? + + _Re-enter_ HERMAN. + +_Her._ My lord, the Abbot of St. Maurice craves +To greet your presence. + + _Enter the_ ABBOT OF ST. MAURICE. + +_Abbot._ Peace be with Count Manfred! + +_Man._ Thanks, holy father! welcome to these walls; +Thy presence honours them, and blesseth those +Who dwell within them. + +_Abbot._ Would it were so, Count! +But I would fain confer with thee alone. + +_Man._ Herman, retire. What would my reverend guest? + + [_Exit_ HERMAN. + +_Abbot._ Thus, without prelude:--Age and zeal, my office, +And good intent, must plead my privilege; +Our near, though not acquainted neighbourhood, +May also be my herald. Rumours strange, +And of unholy nature, are abroad, +And busy with thy name--a noble name +For centuries; may he who bears it now +Transmit it unimpair'd. + +_Man._ Proceed,--I listen. + +_Abbot._ 'Tis said thou boldest converse with the things +Which are forbidden to the search of man; +That with the dwellers of the dark abodes, +The many evil and unheavenly spirits +Which walk the valley of the shade of death, +Thou communest. I know that with mankind, +Thy fellows in creation, thou dost rarely +Exchange thy thoughts, and that thy solitude +Is as an anchorite's, were it but holy. + +_Man._ And what are they who do avouch these things? + +_Abbot._ My pious brethren--the scared peasantry-- +Even thy own vassals--who do look on thee +With most unquiet eyes. Thy life's in peril. + +_Man._ Take it. + +_Abbot._ I come to save, and not destroy-- +I would not pry into thy secret soul; +But if these things be sooth, there still is time +For penitence and pity: reconcile thee +With the true church, and through the church to heaven. + +_Man._ I hear thee. This is my reply; Whate'er +I may have been, or am, doth rest between +Heaven and myself.--I shall not choose a mortal +To be my mediator. Have I sinn'd +Against your ordinances? prove and punish![1] + +_Abbot._ Then, hear and tremble! For the headstrong wretch +Who in the mail of innate hardihood +Would shield himself, and battle for his sins, +There is the stake on earth, and beyond earth eternal-- + +_Man._ Charity, most reverend father, +Becomes thy lips so much more than this menace, +That I would call thee back to it; but say, +What wouldst thou with me? + +_Abbot._ It may be there are +Things that would shake thee--but I keep them back, +And give thee till to-morrow to repent. +Then if thou dost not all devote thyself +To penance, and with gift of all thy lands +To the monastery-- + +_Man._ I understand thee,--well! + +_Abbot._ Expect no mercy; I have warned thee. + +_Man._ (_opening the casket._) Stop-- +There is a gift for thee within this casket. + + [MANFRED _opens the casket, strikes a light, and burns some + incense._ + +Ho! Ashtaroth! + + _The_ DEMON ASHTAROTH _appears, singing as follows:--_ + + The raven sits + On the raven-stone, + And his black wing flits + O'er the milk-white bone; + To and fro, as the night-winds blow, + The carcass of the assassin swings; + And there alone, on the raven-stone[2], + The raven flaps his dusky wings. + + The fetters creak--and his ebon beak + Croaks to the close of the hollow sound; + And this is the tune by the light of the moon + To which the witches dance their round-- + Merrily, merrily, cheerily, cheerily, + Merrily, speeds the ball: + The dead in their shrouds, and the demons in clouds, + Flock to the witches' carnival. + +_Abbot._ I fear thee not--hence--hence-- +Avaunt thee, evil one!--help, ho! without there! + +_Man._ Convey this man to the Shreckhorn--to its peak-- +To its extremest peak--watch with him there +From now till sunrise; let him gaze, and know +He ne'er again will be so near to heaven. +But harm him not; and, when the morrow breaks, +Set him down safe in his cell--away with him! + +_Ash._ Had I not better bring his brethren too, +Convent and all, to bear him company? + +_Man._ No, this will serve for the present. Take him up. + +_Ash._ Come, friar! now an exorcism or two, +And we shall fly the lighter. + + ASHTAROTH _disappears with the_ ABBOT, _singing as follows:--_ + + A prodigal son and a maid undone, + And a widow re-wedded within the year; + And a worldly monk and a pregnant nun, + Are things which every day appear. + + MANFRED _alone._ + +_Man._ Why would this fool break in on me, and force +My art to pranks fantastical?--no matter, +It was not of my seeking. My heart sickens, +And weighs a fix'd foreboding on my soul; +But it is calm--calm as a sullen sea +After the hurricane; the winds are still, +But the cold waves swell high and heavily, +And there is danger in them. Such a rest +Is no repose. My life hath been a combat. +And every thought a wound, till I am scarr'd +In the immortal part of me--What now? + + _Re-enter_ HERMAN. + +_Her._ My lord, you bade me wait on you at sunset: +He sinks behind the mountain. + +_Man._ Doth he so? +I will look on him. + + [MANFRED _advances to the window of the hall._ + + Glorious orb![3] the idol +Of early nature, and the vigorous race +Of undiseased mankind, the giant sons +Of the embrace of angels, with a sex +More beautiful than they, which did draw down +The erring spirits who can ne'er return.-- +Most glorious orb! that wert a worship, ere +The mystery of thy making was reveal'd! +Thou earliest minister of the Almighty, +Which gladden'd, on their mountain tops, the hearts +Of the Chaldean shepherds, till they pour'd +Themselves in orisons! Thou material God! +And representative of the Unknown-- +Who chose thee for his shadow! Thou chief star! +Centre of many stars! which mak'st our earth +Endurable, and temperest the hues +And hearts of all who walk within thy rays! +Sire of the seasons! Monarch of the climes, +And those who dwell in them! for, near or far, +Our inborn spirits have a tint of thee, +Even as our outward aspects;--thou dost rise, +And shine, and set in glory. Fare thee well! +I ne'er shall see thee more. As my first glance +Of love and wonder was for thee, then take +My latest look: thou wilt not beam on one +To whom the gifts of life and warmth have been +Of a more fatal nature. He is gone: +I follow. [_Exit_ MANFRED. + + +SCENE II. + +_The Mountains--The Castle of Manfred at some distance--A Terrace before +a Tower--Time, Twilight._ + + HERMAN, MANUEL, _and other dependants of_ MANFRED. + +_Her._ 'Tis strange enough; night after night, for years, +He hath pursued long vigils in this tower, +Without a witness. I have been within it,-- +So have we all been oft-times; but from it, +Or its contents, it were impossible +To draw conclusions absolute of aught +His studies tend to. To be sure, there is +One chamber where none enter; I would give +The fee of what I have to come these three years, +To pore upon its mysteries. + +_Manuel._ 'Twere dangerous; +Content thyself with what thou know'st already. + +_Her._ Ah! Manuel! thou art elderly and wise, +And couldst say much; thou hast dwelt within the castle-- +How many years is't? + +_Manuel._ Ere Count Manfred's birth, +I served his father, whom he nought resembles. + +_Her._ There be more sons in like predicament. +But wherein do they differ? + +_Manuel._ I speak not +Of features or of form, but mind and habits: +Count Sigismund was proud,--but gay and free,-- +A warrior and a reveller; he dwelt not +With books and solitude, nor made the night +A gloomy vigil, but a festal time, +Merrier than day; he did not walk the rocks +And forests like a wolf, nor turn aside +From men and their delights. + +_Her._ Beshrew the hour, +But those were jocund times! I would that such +Would visit the old walls again; they look +As if they had forgotten them. + +_Manuel._ These walls +Must change their chieftain first. Oh! I have seen +Some strange things in these few years.[4] + +_Her._ Come, be friendly; +Relate me some, to while away our watch: +I've heard thee darkly speak of an event +Which happened hereabouts, by this same tower. + +_Manuel._ That was a night indeed! I do remember +'Twas twilight, as it may be now, and such +Another evening;--yon red cloud, which rests +On Eigher's pinnacle, so rested then,-- +So like that it might be the same; the wind +Was faint and gusty, and the mountain snows +Began to glitter with the climbing moon; +Count Manfred was, as now, within his tower,-- +How occupied, we knew not, but with him +The sole companion of his wanderings +And watchings--her, whom of all earthly things +That lived, the only thing he seemed to love,-- +As he, indeed, by blood was bound to do, +The lady Astarte, his-- + +_Her._ Look--look--the tower-- +The tower's on fire. Oh, heavens and earth! what sound, +What dreadful sound is that? [_A crash like thunder._ + +_Manuel._ Help, help, there!--to the rescue of the Count,-- +The Count's in danger,--what ho! there! approach! + + _The Servants, Vassals, and Peasantry approach, stupified with + terror._ + +If there be any of you who have heart +And love of human kind, and will to aid +Those in distress--pause not--but follow me-- +The portal's open, follow. [MANUEL _goes in._ + +_Her._ Come--who follows? +What, none of ye?--ye recreants! shiver then +Without. I will not see old Manuel risk +His few remaining years unaided. [HERMAN _goes in._ + +_Vassal._ Hark!-- +No--all is silent--not a breath--the flame +Which shot forth such a blaze is also gone; +What may this mean? Let's enter! + +_Peasant._ Faith, not I,-- +Not that, if one, or two, or more, will join, +I then will stay behind; but, for my part, +I do not see precisely to what end. + +_Vassal._ Cease your vain prating--come. + +_Manuel._ (_speaking within._) 'Tis all in vain-- +He's dead. + +_Her._ (_within._) Not so--even now methought he moved; +But it is dark--so bear him gently out-- +Softly--how cold he is! take care of his temples +In winding down the staircase. + + _Re-enter_ MANUEL _and_ HERMAN, _bearing_ MANFRED _in their arms._ + +_Manuel._ Hie to the castle, some of ye, and bring +What aid you can. Saddle the barb, and speed +For the leech to the city--quick! some water there! + +_Her._ His cheek is black--but there is a faint beat +Still lingering about the heart. Some water. + + [_They sprinkle_ MANFRED _with water; after a pause, he gives + some signs of life._ + +_Manuel._ He seems to strive to speak--come--cheerly, Count! +He moves his lips--canst hear him? I am old, +And cannot catch faint sounds. + + [HERMAN _inclining his head and listening._ + +_Her._ I hear a word +Or two--but indistinctly--what is next? +What's to be done? let's bear him to the castle. + + [MANFRED _motions with his hand not to remove him._ + +_Manuel._ He disapproves--and 'twere of no avail-- +He changes rapidly. + +_Her._ 'Twill soon be over. + +_Manuel._ Oh! what a death is this! that I should live +To shake my gray hairs over the last chief +Of the house of Sigismund.--And such a death! +Alone--we know not how--unshrived--untended-- +With strange accompaniments and fearful signs-- +I shudder at the sight--but must not leave him. + +_Manfred._ (_speaking faintly and slowly._) Old man! 'tis not so difficult + to die. [MANFRED _having said this expires._ + +_Her._ His eyes are fixed and lifeless.--He is gone.-- + +_Manuel._ Close them.--My old hand quivers.--He departs-- +Whither? I dread to think--but he is gone! + + +[Footnote 1: It will be perceived that, as far as this, the original +matter of the third Act has been retained.] + +[Footnote 2: "Raven-stone (Rabenstein), a translation of the German word +for the gibbet, which in Germany and Switzerland is permanent, and made +of stone."] + +[Footnote 3: This fine soliloquy, and a great part of the subsequent +scene, have, it is hardly necessary to remark been retained in the +present form of the Drama.] + +[Footnote 4: Altered in the present form, to "some strange things in +them, Herman."] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 278. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Rome, May 9. 1817. + + "Address all answers to Venice; for there I shall return in fifteen + days, God willing. + + "I sent you from Florence 'The Lament of Tasso,' and from Rome the + third Act of Manfred, both of which, I trust, will duly arrive. The + terms of these two I mentioned in my last, and will repeat in this, + it is three hundred for each, or _six_ hundred guineas for the + two--that is, if you like, and they are good for any thing. + + "At last one of the parcels is arrived. In the notes to Childe + Harold there is a blunder of yours or mine: you talk of arrival at + _St. Gingo_, and, immediately after, add--'on the height is the + Chateau of Clarens.' This is sad work: Clarens is on the _other_ + side of the Lake, and it is quite impossible that I should have so + bungled. Look at the MS.; and at any rate rectify it. + + "The 'Tales of my Landlord' I have read with great pleasure, and + perfectly understand now why my sister and aunt are so very + positive in the very erroneous persuasion that they must have been + written by me. If you knew me as well as they do, you would have + fallen, perhaps, into the same mistake. Some day or other, I will + explain to you _why_--when I have time; at present, it does not + much matter; but you must have thought this blunder of theirs very + odd, and so did I, till I had read the book. Croker's letter to you + is a very great compliment; I shall return it to you in my next. + + "I perceive you are publishing a Life of Raffael d'Urbino: it may + perhaps interest you to hear that a set of German artists here + allow their _hair_ to grow, and trim it into _his fashion_, thereby + drinking the cummin of the disciples of the old philosopher; if + they would cut their hair, convert it into brushes, and paint like + him, it would be more '_German_ to the matter.' + + "I'll tell you a story: the other day, a man here--an + English--mistaking the statues of Charlemagne and Constantine, + which are _equestrian_, for those of Peter and Paul, asked another + _which_ was Paul of these same horsemen?--to which the reply + was,--'I thought, sir, that St. Paul had never got on _horseback_ + since his _accident_?' + + "I'll tell you another: Henry Fox, writing to some one from Naples + the other day, after an illness, adds--'and I am so changed, that + my _oldest creditors_ would hardly know me.' + + "I am delighted with Rome--as I would be with a bandbox, that is, + it is a fine thing to see, finer than Greece; but I have not been + here long enough to affect it as a residence, and I must go back to + Lombardy, because I am wretched at being away from Marianna. I have + been riding my saddle-horses every day, and been to Albano, its + Lakes, and to the top of the Alban Mount, and to Frescati, Aricia, + &c. &c. with an &c. &c. &c. about the city, and in the city: for + all which--vide Guide-book. As a whole, ancient and modern, it + beats Greece, Constantinople, every thing--at least that I have + ever seen. But I can't describe, because my first impressions are + always strong and confused, and my memory _selects_ and reduces + them to order, like distance in the landscape, and blends them + better, although they may be less distinct. There must be a sense + or two more than we have, us mortals; for * * * * * where there is + much to be grasped we are always at a loss, and yet feel that we + ought to have a higher and more extended comprehension. + + "I have had a letter from Moore, who is in some alarm about his + poem. I don't see why. + + "I have had another from my poor dear Augusta, who is in a sad fuss + about my late illness; do, pray, tell her (the truth) that I am + better than ever, and in importunate health, growing (if not grown) + large and ruddy, and congratulated by impertinent persons on my + robustious appearance, when I ought to be pale and interesting. + + "You tell me that George Byron has got a son, and Augusta says, a + daughter; which is it?--it is no great matter: the father is a good + man, an excellent officer, and has married a very nice little + woman, who will bring him more babes than income; howbeit she had a + handsome dowry, and is a very charming girl;--but he may as well + get a ship. + + "I have no thoughts of coming amongst you yet awhile, so that I can + fight off business. If I could but make a tolerable sale of + Newstead, there would be no occasion for my return; and I can + assure you very sincerely, that I am much happier (or, at least, + have been so) out of your island than in it. + + "Yours ever. + + "P.S. There are few English here, but several of my acquaintance; + amongst others, the Marquis of Lansdowne, with whom I dine + to-morrow. I met the Jerseys on the road at Foligno--all well. + + "Oh--I forgot--the Italians have printed Chillon, &c. a + _piracy_,--a pretty little edition, prettier than yours--and + published, as I found to my great astonishment on arriving here; + and what is odd, is, that the English is quite correctly printed. + Why they did it, or who did it, I know not; but so it is;--I + suppose, for the English people. I will send you a copy." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 279. TO MR. MOORE. + + "Rome, May 12. 1817. + + "I have received your letter here, where I have taken a cruise + lately; but I shall return back to Venice in a few days, so that if + you write again, address there, as usual. I am not for returning + to England so soon as you imagine; and by no means at all as a + residence. If you cross the Alps in your projected expedition, you + will find me somewhere in Lombardy, and very glad to see you. Only + give me a word or two beforehand, for I would readily diverge some + leagues to meet you. + + "Of Rome I say nothing; it is quite indescribable, and the + Guide-book is as good as any other. I dined yesterday with Lord + Lansdowne, who is on his return. But there are few English here at + present; the winter is _their_ time. I have been on horseback most + of the day, all days since my arrival, and have taken it as I did + Constantinople. But Rome is the elder sister, and the finer. I went + some days ago to the top of the Alban Mount, which is superb. As + for the Coliseum, Pantheon, St. Peter's, the Vatican, Palatine, &c. + &c.--as I said, vide Guide-book. They are quite inconceivable, and + must _be seen_. The Apollo Belvidere is the image of Lady Adelaide + Forbes--I think I never saw such a likeness. + + "I have seen the Pope alive, and a cardinal dead,--both of whom + looked very well indeed. The latter was in state in the Chiesa + Nuova, previous to his interment. + + "Your poetical alarms are groundless; go on and prosper. Here is + Hobhouse just come in, and my horses at the door, so that I must + mount and take the field in the Campus Martius, which, by the way, + is all built over by modern Rome. + + "Yours very and ever, &c. + + "P.S. Hobhouse presents his remembrances, and is eager, with all + the world, for your new poem." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 280. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Venice, May 30. 1817. + + "I returned from Rome two days ago, and have received your letter; + but no sign nor tidings of the parcel sent through Sir C. Stuart, + which you mention. After an interval of months, a packet of + 'Tales,' &c. found me at Rome; but this is all, and may be all that + ever will find me. The post seems to be the only sure conveyance; + and _that only for letters_. From Florence I sent you a poem on + Tasso, and from Rome the new third Act of 'Manfred,' and by Dr. + Polidori two portraits for my sister. I left Rome and made a rapid + journey home. You will continue to direct here as usual. Mr. + Hobhouse is gone to Naples: I should have run down there too for a + week, but for the quantity of English whom I heard of there. I + prefer hating them at a distance; unless an earthquake, or a good + real irruption of Vesuvius, were ensured to reconcile me to their + vicinity. + + "The day before I left Rome I saw three robbers guillotined. The + ceremony--including the _masqued_ priests; the half-naked + executioners; the bandaged criminals; the black Christ and his + banner; the scaffold; the soldiery; the slow procession, and the + quick rattle and heavy fall of the axe; the splash of the blood, + and the ghastliness of the exposed heads--is altogether more + impressive than the vulgar and ungentlemanly dirty 'new drop,' and + dog-like agony of infliction upon the sufferers of the English + sentence. Two of these men behaved calmly enough, but the first of + the three died with great terror and reluctance. What was very + horrible, he would not lie down; then his neck was too large for + the aperture, and the priest was obliged to drown his exclamations + by still louder exhortations. The head was off before the eye could + trace the blow; but from an attempt to draw back the head, + notwithstanding it was held forward by the hair, the first head was + cut off close to the ears: the other two were taken off more + cleanly. It is better than the oriental way, and (I should think) + than the axe of our ancestors. The pain seems little, and yet the + effect to the spectator, and the preparation to the criminal, is + very striking and chilling. The first turned me quite hot and + thirsty, and made me shake so that I could hardly hold the + opera-glass (I was close, but was determined to see, as one should + see every thing, once, with attention); the second and third (which + shows how dreadfully soon things grow indifferent), I am ashamed to + say, had no effect on me as a horror, though I would have saved + them if I could. Yours," &c. + + * * * * * + +LETTER 281. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Venice, June 4. 1817. + + "I have received the proofs of the 'Lament of Tasso,' which makes + me hope that you have also received the reformed third Act of + Manfred, from Rome, which I sent soon after my arrival there. My + date will apprise you of my return home within these few days. For + me, I have received _none_ of your packets, except, after long + delay, the 'Tales of my Landlord,' which I before acknowledged. I + do not at all understand the _why nots_, but so it is; no Manuel, + no letters, no tooth-powder, no _extract_ from Moore's Italy + concerning Marino Faliero, no NOTHING--as a man hallooed out at one + of Burdett's elections, after a long ululatus of 'No Bastille! No + governor-ities! No--'God knows who or what;--but his _ne plus + ultra_ was, 'No nothing!'--and my receipts of your packages amount + to about his meaning. I want the extract from _Moore's_ Italy very + much, and the tooth-powder, and the magnesia; I don't care so much + about the poetry, or the letters, or Mr. Maturin's by-Jasus + tragedy. Most of the things sent by the post have come--I mean + proofs and letters; therefore send me Marino Faliero by the post, + in a letter. + + "I was delighted with Rome, and was on horseback all round it many + hours daily, besides in it the rest of my time, bothering over its + marvels. I excursed and skirred the country round to Alba, Tivoli, + Frescati, Licenza, &c. &c.; besides, I visited twice the Fall of + Terni, which beats every thing. On my way back, close to the temple + by its banks, I got some famous trout out of the river + Clitumnus--the prettiest little stream in all poesy, near the first + post from Foligno and Spoletto.--I did not stay at Florence, being + anxious to get home to Venice, and having already seen the + galleries and other sights. I left my commendatory letters the + evening before I went, so I saw nobody. + + "To-day, Pindemonte, the celebrated poet of Verona, called on me; + he is a little thin man, with acute and pleasing features; his + address good and gentle; his appearance altogether very + philosophical; his age about sixty, or more. He is one of their + best going. I gave him _Forsyth_, as he speaks, or reads rather, a + little English, and will find there a favourable account of + himself. He enquired after his old Cruscan friends, Parsons, + Greathead, Mrs. Piozzi, and Merry, all of whom he had known in his + youth. I gave him as bad an account of them as I could, answering, + as the false 'Solomon Lob' does to 'Totterton' in the farce, 'all + gone dead,' and damned by a satire more than twenty years ago; that + the name of their extinguisher was Gifford; that they were but a + sad set of scribes after all, and no great things in any other way. + He seemed, as was natural, very much pleased with this account of + his old acquaintances, and went away greatly gratified with that + and Mr. Forsyth's sententious paragraph of applause in his own + (Pindemonte's) favour. After having been a little libertine in his + youth, he is grown devout, and takes prayers, and talks to himself, + to keep off the devil; but for all that, he is a very nice little + old gentleman. + + "I forgot to tell you that at Bologna (which is celebrated for + producing popes, painters, and sausages) I saw an anatomical + gallery, where there is a deal of waxwork, in which * *. + + "I am sorry to hear of your row with Hunt; but suppose him to be + exasperated by the Quarterly and your refusal to _deal_; and when + one is angry and edites a paper, I should think the temptation too + strong for literary nature, which is not always human. I can't + conceive in what, and for what, he abuses you: what have you done? + you are not an author, nor a politician, nor a public character; I + know no scrape you have tumbled into. I am the more sorry for this + because I introduced you to Hunt, and because I believe him to be a + good man; but till I know the particulars, I can give no opinion. + + "Let me know about Lalla Rookh, which must be out by this time. + + "I restore the proofs, but the _punctuation_ should be corrected. I + feel too lazy to have at it myself; so beg and pray Mr. Gifford for + me.--Address to Venice. In a few days I go to my _villeggiatura_, + in a cassino near the Brenta, a few miles only on the main land. I + have determined on another year, and _many years_ of residence if I + can compass them. Marianna is with me, hardly recovered of the + fever, which has been attacking all Italy last winter. I am afraid + she is a little hectic; but I hope the best. + + "Ever, &c. + + "P.S. Torwaltzen has done a bust of me at Rome for Mr. Hobhouse, + which is reckoned very good. He is their best after Canova, and by + some preferred to him. + + "I have had a letter from Mr. Hodgson. He is very happy, has got a + living, but not a child: if he had stuck to a curacy, babes would + have come of course, because he could not have maintained them. + + "Remember me to all friends, &c. &c. + + "An Austrian officer, the other day, being in love with a Venetian, + was ordered, with his regiment, into Hungary. Distracted between + love and duty, he purchased a deadly drug, which dividing with his + mistress, both swallowed. The ensuing pains were terrific, but the + pills were purgative, and not poisonous, by the contrivance of the + unsentimental apothecary; so that so much suicide was all thrown + away. You may conceive the previous confusion and the final + laughter; but the intention was good on all sides." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 282. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Venice, June 8. 1817. + + "The present letter will be delivered to you by two Armenian + friars, on their way, by England, to Madras. They will also convey + some copies of the grammar, which I think you agreed to take. If + you can be of any use to them, either amongst your naval or East + Indian acquaintances, I hope you will so far oblige me, as they and + their order have been remarkably attentive and friendly towards me + since my arrival at Venice. Their names are Father Sukias Somalian + and Father Sarkis Theodorosian. They speak Italian, and probably + French, or a little English. Repeating earnestly my recommendatory + request, believe me, very truly, yours, + + "BYRON. + + "Perhaps you can help them to their passage, or give or get them + letters for India." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 283. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "La Mira, near Venice, June 14. 1817. + + "I write to you from the banks of the Brenta, a few miles from + Venice, where I have colonised for six months to come. Address, as + usual, to Venice. + + "Three months after date (17th March),--like the unnegotiable bill + despondingly received by the reluctant tailor,--your despatch has + arrived, containing the extract from Moore's Italy and Mr. + Maturin's bankrupt tragedy. It is the absurd work of a clever man. + I think it might have done upon the stage, if he had made Manuel + (by some trickery, in a masque or vizor) fight his own battle, + instead of employing Molineux as his champion; and, after the + defeat of Torismond, have made him spare the son of his enemy, by + some revulsion of feeling, not incompatible with a character of + extravagant and distempered emotions. But as it is, what with the + Justiza, and the ridiculous conduct of the whole _dram. pers._ (for + they are all as mad as Manuel, who surely must have had more + interest with a corrupt bench than a distant relation and heir + presumptive, somewhat suspect of homicide,) I do not wonder at its + failure. As a play, it is impracticable; as a poem, no great + things. Who was the 'Greek that grappled with glory naked?' the + Olympic wrestlers? or Alexander the Great, when he ran stark round + the tomb of t'other fellow? or the Spartan who was fined by the + Ephori for fighting without his armour? or who? And as to 'flaying + off life like a garment,' helas! that's in Tom Thumb--see king + Arthur's soliloquy: + + "'Life's a mere rag, not worth a prince's wearing; + I'll cast it off.' + + And the stage-directions--'Staggers among the bodies;'--the slain + are too numerous, as well as the blackamoor knights-penitent being + one too many: and De Zelos is such a shabby Monmouth Street + villain, without any redeeming quality--Stap my vitals! Maturin + seems to be declining into Nat. Lee. But let him try again; he has + talent, but not much taste. I 'gin to fear, or to hope, that + Sotheby, after all, is to be the Eschylus of the age, unless Mr. + Shiel be really worthy his success. The more I see of the stage, + the less I would wish to have any thing to do with it; as a proof + of which, I hope you have received the third Act of Manfred, which + will at least prove that I wish to steer very clear of the + possibility of being put into scenery. I sent it from _Rome_. + + "I returned the proof of Tasso. By the way, have you never received + a translation of St. Paul which I sent you, _not_ for publication, + before I went to Rome? + + "I am at present on the Brenta. Opposite is a Spanish marquis, + ninety years old; next his casino is a Frenchman's,--besides the + natives; so that, as somebody said the other day, we are exactly + one of Goldoni's comedies (La Vedova Scaltra), where a Spaniard, + English, and Frenchman are introduced: but we are all very good + neighbours, Venetians, &c. &c. &c. + + "I am just getting on horseback for my evening ride, and a visit to + a physician, who has an agreeable family, of a wife and four + unmarried daughters, all under eighteen, who are friends of Signora + S * *, and enemies to nobody. There are, and are to be, besides, + conversaziones and I know not what, a Countess Labbia's and I know + not whom. The weather is mild; the thermometer 110 in the _sun_ + this day, and 80 odd in the shade. Yours, &c. + + "N." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 284. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "La Mira, near Venice, June 17. 1817. + + "It gives me great pleasure to hear of Moore's success, and the + more so that I never doubted that it would be complete. Whatever + good you can tell me of him and his poem will be most acceptable: I + feel very anxious indeed to receive it. I hope that he is as happy + in his fame and reward as I wish him to be; for I know no one who + deserves both more--if any so much. + + "Now to business; * * * * * * I say unto you, verily, it is not so; + or, as the foreigner said to the waiter, after asking him to bring + a glass of water, to which the man answered, 'I will, sir,'--'You + will!--G----d d----n,--I say, you _mush_!' And I will submit this + to the decision of any person or persons to be appointed by both, + on a fair examination of the circumstances of this as compared + with the preceding publications. So there's for you. There is + always some row or other previously to all our publications: it + should seem that, on approximating, we can never quite get over the + natural antipathy of author and bookseller, and that more + particularly the ferine nature of the latter must break forth. + + "You are out about the third Canto: I have not done, nor designed, + a line of continuation to that poem. I was too short a time at Rome + for it, and have no thought of recommencing. + + "I cannot well explain to you by letter what I conceive to be the + origin of Mrs. Leigh's notion about 'Tales of my Landlord;' but it + is some points of the characters of Sir E. Manley and Burley, as + well as one or two of the jocular portions, on which it is founded, + probably. + + "If you have received Dr. Polidori as well as a parcel of books, + and you can be of use to him, be so. I never was much more + disgusted with any human production than with the eternal nonsense, + and tracasseries, and emptiness, and ill humour, and vanity of that + young person; but he has some talent, and is a man of honour, and + has dispositions of amendment, in which he has been aided by a + little subsequent experience, and may turn out well. Therefore, use + your government interest for him, for he is improved and + improvable. + + "Yours," &c. + + * * * * * + +LETTER 285. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "La Mira, near Venice, June 18. 1817. + + "Enclosed is a letter to _Dr._ Holland from Pindemonte. Not knowing + the Doctor's address, I am desired to enquire, and, perhaps, being + a literary man, you will know or discover his haunt near some + populous churchyard. I have written to you a scolding letter--I + believe, upon a misapprehended passage in your letter--but never + mind: it will do for next time, and you will surely deserve it. + Talking of doctors reminds me once more to recommend to you one who + will not recommend himself,--the Doctor Polidori. If you can help + him to a publisher, do; or, if you have any sick relation, I would + advise his advice: all the patients he had in Italy are dead--Mr. * + *'s son, Mr. Horner, and Lord G * *, whom he embowelled with great + success at Pisa. + + "Remember me to Moore, whom I congratulate. How is Rogers? and what + is become of Campbell and all t'other fellows of the Druid order? I + got Maturin's Bedlam at last, but no other parcel; I am in fits for + the tooth-powder, and the magnesia. I want some of Burkitt's + _soda_-powders. Will you tell Mr. Kinnaird that I have written him + two letters on pressing business, (about Newstead, &c.) to which I + humbly solicit his attendance. I am just returned from a gallop + along the banks of the Brenta--time, sunset. Yours, + + "B." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 286. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "La Mira, near Venice, July 1. 1817. + + "Since my former letter, I have been working up my impressions into + a _fourth_ Canto of Childe Harold, of which I have roughened off + about rather better than thirty stanzas, and mean to go on; and + probably to make this 'Fytte' the concluding one of the poem, so + that you may propose against the autumn to draw out the + conscription for 1818. You must provide moneys, as this new + resumption bodes you certain disbursements. Somewhere about the end + of September or October, I propose to be under way (_i.e._ in the + press); but I have no idea yet of the probable length or calibre of + the Canto, or what it will be good for; but I mean to be as + mercenary as possible, an example (I do not mean of any individual + in particular, and least of all, any person or persons of our + mutual acquaintance) which I should have followed in my youth, and + I might still have been a prosperous gentleman. + + "No tooth-powder, no letters, no recent tidings of you. + + "Mr. Lewis is at Venice, and I am going up to stay a week with him + there--as it is one of his enthusiasms also to like the city. + + "I stood in Venice on the 'Bridge of Sighs,' &c. &c. + + "The 'Bridge of Sighs' (_i.e._ Ponte de'i Sospiri) is that which + divides, or rather joins, the palace of the Doge to the prison of + the state. It has two passages: the criminal went by the one to + judgment, and returned by the other to death, being strangled in a + chamber adjoining, where there was a mechanical process for the + purpose. + + "This is the first stanza of our new Canto; and now for a line of + the second:-- + + "In Venice, Tasso's echoes are no more, + And silent rows the songless gondolier, + Her palaces, &c. &c. + + "You know that formerly the gondoliers sung always, and Tasso's + Gierusalemme was their ballad. Venice is built on seventy-two + islands. + + "There! there's a brick of your new Babel! and now, sirrah! what + say you to the sample? + + "Yours, &c. + + "P.S. I shall write again by and by." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 287. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "La Mira, near Venice, July 8. 1817 + + "If you can convey the enclosed letter to its address, or discover + the person to whom it is directed, you will confer a favour upon + the Venetian creditor of a deceased Englishman. This epistle is a + dun to his executor, for house-rent. The name of the insolvent + defunct is, or was, _Porter Valter_, according to the account of + the plaintiff, which I rather suspect ought to be _Walter Porter_, + according to our mode of collocation. If you are acquainted with + any dead man of the like name a good deal in debt, pray dig him up, + and tell him that 'a pound of his fair flesh' or the ducats are + required, and that 'if you deny them, fie upon your law!' + + "I hear nothing more from you about Moore's poem, Rogers, or other + literary phenomena; but to-morrow, being post-day, will bring + perhaps some tidings. I write to you with people talking Venetian + all about, so that you must not expect this letter to be all + English. + + "The other day, I had a squabble on the highway, as follows: I was + riding pretty quickly from Dolo home about eight in the evening, + when I passed a party of people in a hired carriage, one of whom, + poking his head out of the window, began bawling to me in an + inarticulate but insolent manner. I wheeled my horse round, and + overtaking, stopped the coach, and said, 'Signor, have you any + commands for me?' He replied, impudently as to manner, 'No.' I then + asked him what he meant by that unseemly noise, to the discomfiture + of the passers-by. He replied by some piece of impertinence, to + which I answered by giving him a violent slap in the face. I then + dismounted, (for this passed at the window, I being on horseback + still,) and opening the door desired him to walk out, or I would + give him another. But the first had settled him except as to words, + of which he poured forth a profusion in blasphemies, swearing that + he would go to the police and avouch a battery sans provocation. I + said he lied, and was a * *, and if he did not hold his tongue, + should be dragged out and beaten anew. He then held his tongue. I + of course told him my name and residence, and defied him to the + death, if he were a gentleman, or not a gentleman, and had the + inclination to be genteel in the way of combat. He went to the + police, but there having been bystanders in the + road,--particularly a soldier, who had seen the business,--as well + as my servant, notwithstanding the oaths of the coachman and five + insides besides the plaintiff, and a good deal of paying on all + sides, his complaint was dismissed, he having been the + aggressor;--and I was subsequently informed that, had I not given + him a blow, he might have been had into durance. + + "So set down this,--'that in Aleppo once' I 'beat a Venetian;' but + I assure you that he deserved it, for I am a quiet man, like + Candide, though with somewhat of his fortune in being forced to + forego my natural meekness every now and then. + + "Yours, &c. B." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 288. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Venice, July 9, 1817. + + "I have got the sketch and extracts from Lalla Rookh. The plan, as + well as the extracts, I have seen, please me very much indeed, and + I feel impatient for the whole. + + "With regard to the critique on 'Manfred,' you have been in such a + devil of a hurry, that you have only sent me the half: it breaks + off at page 294. Send me the rest; and also page 270., where there + is 'an account of the supposed origin of this dreadful story,'--in + which, by the way, whatever it may be, the conjecturer is out, and + knows nothing of the matter. I had a better origin than he can + devise or divine, for the soul of him. + + "You say nothing of Manfred's luck in the world; and I care not. + He is one of the best of my misbegotten, say what they will. + + "I got at last an extract, but _no parcels_. They will come, I + suppose, some time or other. I am come up to Venice for a day or + two to bathe, and am just going to take a swim in the Adriatic; so, + good evening--the post waits. Yours, &c. + + "B. + + "P.S. Pray, was Manfred's speech to _the Sun_ still retained in Act + third? I hope so: it was one of the best in the thing, and better + than the Colosseum. I have done _fifty-six_ of Canto fourth, Childe + Harold; so down with your ducats." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 289. TO MR. MOORE. + + "La Mira, Venice, July 10. 1817. + + "Murray, the Mokanna of booksellers, has contrived to send me + extracts from Lalla Rookh by the post. They are taken from some + magazine, and contain a short outline and quotations from the two + first Poems. I am very much delighted with what is before me, and + very thirsty for the rest. You have caught the colours as if you + had been in the rainbow, and the tone of the East is perfectly + preserved. I am glad you have changed the title from 'Persian + Tale.' + + "I suspect you have written a devilish fine composition, and I + rejoice in it from my heart; because 'the Douglas and the Percy + both together are confident against a world in arms.' I hope you + won't be affronted at my looking on us as 'birds of a feather;' + though on whatever subject you had written, I should have been very + happy in your success. + + "There is a simile of an orange-tree's 'flowers and fruits,' which + I should have liked better if I did not believe it to be a + reflection on * * *. + + "Do you remember Thurlow's poem to Sam--'_When_ Rogers;' and that + d----d supper of Rancliffe's that ought to have been a _dinner_? + 'Ah, Master Shallow, we have heard the chimes at midnight.' But + + "My boat is on the shore, + And my bark is on the sea; + But, before I go, Tom Moore, + Here's a double health to thee! + + "Here's a sigh to those who love me, + And a smile to those who hate; + And whatever sky's above me, + Here's a heart for every fate. + + "Though the ocean roar around me, + Yet it still shall bear me on; + Though a desert should surround me, + It hath springs that may be won. + + "Were't the last drop in the well, + As I gasp'd upon the brink, + Ere my fainting spirit fell, + 'Tis to thee that I would drink. + + "With that water, as this wine, + The libation I would pour, + Should be--peace with thine and mine, + And a health to thee, Tom Moore. + + "This should have been written fifteen moons ago--the first stanza + was. I am just come out from an hour's swim in the Adriatic; and I + write to you with a black-eyed Venetian girl before me, reading + Boccacio. + + "Last week I had a row on the road (I came up to Venice from my + casino, a few miles on the Paduan road, this blessed day, to bathe) + with a fellow in a carriage, who was impudent to my horse. I gave + him a swingeing box on the ear, which sent him to the police, who + dismissed his complaint. Witnesses had seen the transaction. He + first shouted, in an unseemly way, to frighten my palfry. I wheeled + round, rode up to the window, and asked him what he meant. He + grinned, and said some foolery, which produced him an immediate + slap in the face, to his utter discomfiture. Much blasphemy ensued, + and some menace, which I stopped by dismounting and opening the + carriage door, and intimating an intention of mending the road with + his immediate remains, if he did not hold his tongue. He held it. + + "Monk Lewis is here--'how pleasant!'[5] He is a very good fellow, + and very much yours. So is Sam--so is every body--and amongst the + number, + + "Yours ever, + + "B. + + "P.S. What think you of Manfred?" + +[Footnote 5: An allusion (such as often occurs in these letters) to an +anecdote with which he had been amused.] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 290. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "La Mira, near Venice, July 15. 1817. + + "I have finished (that is, written--the file comes afterwards) + ninety and eight stanzas of the fourth Canto, which I mean to be + the concluding one. It will probably be about the same length as + the _third_, being already of the dimensions of the first or second + Cantos. I look upon parts of it as very good, that is, if the three + former are good, but this we shall see; and at any rate, good or + not, it is rather a different style from the last--less + metaphysical--which, at any rate, will be a variety. I sent you the + shaft of the column as a specimen the other day, _i.e._ the first + stanza. So you may be thinking of its arrival towards autumn, whose + winds will not be the only ones to be raised, _if so be as how + that_ it is ready by that time. + + "I lent Lewis, who is at Venice, (in or on the Canalaccio, the + Grand Canal,) your extracts from Lalla Rookh and Manuel[6], and, + out of contradiction, it may be, he likes the last, and is not much + taken with the first, of these performances. Of Manuel, I think, + with the exception of a few capers, it is as heavy a nightmare as + was ever bestrode by indigestion. + + "Of the extracts I can but judge as extracts, and I prefer the + 'Peri' to the 'Silver Veil.' He seems not so much at home in his + versification of the 'Silver Veil,' and a little embarrassed with + his horrors; but the conception of the character of the impostor + is fine, and the plan of great scope for his genius,--and I doubt + not that, as a whole, it will be very Arabesque and beautiful. + + "Your late epistle is not the most abundant in information, and has + not yet been succeeded by any other; so that I know nothing of your + own concerns, or of any concerns, and as I never hear from any body + but yourself who does not tell me something as disagreeable as + possible, I should not be sorry to hear from you: and as it is not + very probable,--if I can, by any device or possible arrangement + with regard to my personal affairs, so arrange it,--that I shall + return soon, or reside ever in England, all that you tell me will + be all I shall know or enquire after, as to our beloved realm of + Grub Street, and the black brethren and blue sisterhood of that + extensive suburb of Babylon. Have you had no new babe of literature + sprung up to replace the dead, the distant, the tired, and the + _re_tired? no prose, no verse, no _nothing_?" + +[Footnote 6: A tragedy, by the Rev. Mr. Maturin.] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 291. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Venice, July 20. 1817. + + "I write to give you notice that I have completed the _fourth_ and + _ultimate_ Canto of Childe Harold. It consists of 126 stanzas, and + is consequently the longest of the four. It is yet to be copied and + polished; and the notes are to come, of which it will require more + than the _third_ Canto, as it necessarily treats more of works of + art than of nature. It shall be sent towards autumn;--and now for + our barter. What do you bid? eh? you shall have samples, an' it so + please you: but I wish to know what I am to expect (as the saying + is) in these hard times, when poetry does not let for half its + value. If you are disposed to do what Mrs. Winifred Jenkins calls + 'the handsome thing,' I may perhaps throw you some odd matters to + the lot,--translations, or slight originals; there is no saying + what may be on the anvil between this and the booking season. + Recollect that it is the _last_ Canto, and completes the work; + whether as good as the others, I cannot judge, in course--least of + all as yet,--but it shall be as little worse as I can help. I may, + perhaps, give some little gossip in the notes as to the present + state of Italian literati and literature, being acquainted with + some of their _capi_--men as well as books;--but this depends upon + my humour at the time. So, now, pronounce: I say nothing. + + "When you have got the whole _four_ Cantos, I think you might + venture on an edition of the whole poem in quarto, with spare + copies of the two last for the purchasers of the old edition of the + first two. There is a hint for you, worthy of the Row; and now, + perpend--pronounce. + + "I have not received a word from you of the fate of 'Manfred' or + 'Tasso,' which seems to me odd, whether they have failed or + succeeded. + + "As this is a scrawl of business, and I have lately written at + length and often on other subjects, I will only add that I am," + &c. + + * * * * * + +LETTER 292. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "La Mira, near Venice, August 7, 1817 + + "Your letter of the 18th, and, what will please you, as it did me, + the parcel sent by the good-natured aid and abetment of Mr. Croker, + are arrived.--Messrs. Lewis and Hobhouse are here: the former in + the same house, the latter a few hundred yards distant. + + "You say nothing of Manfred, from which its failure may be + inferred; but I think it odd you should not say so at once. I know + nothing, and hear absolutely nothing, of any body or any thing in + England; and there are no English papers, so that all you say will + be news--of any person, or thing, or things. I am at present very + anxious about Newstead, and sorry that Kinnaird is leaving England + at this minute, though I do not tell him so, and would rather he + should have _his_ pleasure, although it may not in this instance + tend to my profit. + + "If I understand rightly, you have paid into Morland's 1500 + _pounds_: as the agreement in the paper is two thousand _guineas_, + there will remain therefore _six_ hundred _pounds_, and not five + hundred, the odd hundred being the extra to make up the specie. Six + hundred and thirty pounds will bring it to the like for Manfred and + Tasso, making a total of twelve hundred and thirty, I believe, for + I am not a good calculator. I do not wish to press you, but I tell + you fairly that it will be a convenience to me to have it paid as + soon as it can be made convenient to yourself. + + "The new and last Canto is 130 stanzas in length; and may be made + more or less. I have fixed no price, even in idea, and have no + notion of what it may be good for. There are no metaphysics in it; + at least, I think not. Mr. Hobhouse has promised me a copy of + Tasso's Will, for notes; and I have some curious things to say + about Ferrara, and Parisina's story, and perhaps a farthing + candle's worth of light upon the present state of Italian + literature. I shall hardly be ready by October; but that don't + matter. I have all to copy and correct, and the notes to write. + + "I do not know whether Scott will like it; but I have called him + the '_Ariosto_ of the North' in my _text_. _If he should not, say + so in time._ + + "An Italian translation of 'Glenarvon' came lately to be printed at + Venice. The censor (Sr. Petrotini) refused to sanction the + publication till he had seen me on the subject. I told him that I + did not recognise the slightest relation between that book and + myself; but that, whatever opinions might be upon that subject, _I_ + would never prevent or oppose the publication of _any_ book, in + _any_ language, on my own private account; and desired him (against + his inclination) to permit the poor translator to publish his + labours. It is going forwards in consequence. You may say this, + with my compliments, to the author. + + "Yours." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 293. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Venice, August 12. 1817. + + "I have been very sorry to hear of the death of Madame de Stael, + not only because she had been very kind to me at Copet, but because + now I can never requite her. In a general point of view, she will + leave a great gap in society and literature. + + "With regard to death, I doubt that we have any right to pity the + dead for their own sakes. + + "The copies of Manfred and Tasso are arrived, thanks to Mr. + Croker's cover. You have destroyed the whole effect and moral of + the poem by omitting the last line of Manfred's speaking; and why + this was done, I know not. Why you persist in saying nothing of the + thing itself, I am equally at a loss to conjecture. If it is for + fear of telling me something disagreeable, you are wrong; because + sooner or later I must know it, and I am not so new, nor so raw, + nor so inexperienced, as not to be able to bear, not the mere + paltry, petty disappointments of authorship, but things more + serious,--at least I hope so, and that what you may think + irritability is merely mechanical, and only acts like galvanism on + a dead body, or the muscular motion which survives sensation. + + "If it is that you are out of humour, because I wrote to you a + sharp letter, recollect that it was partly from a misconception of + your letter, and partly because you did a thing you had no right to + do without consulting me. + + "I have, however, heard good of Manfred from two other quarters, + and from men who would not be scrupulous in saying what they + thought, or what was said; and so 'good morrow to you, good Master + Lieutenant.' + + "I wrote to you twice about the fourth Canto, which you will answer + at your pleasure. Mr. Hobhouse and I have come up for a day to the + city; Mr. Lewis is gone to England; and I am + + "Yours." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 294. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "La Mira, near Venice, August 21. 1817. + + "I take you at your word about Mr. Hanson, and will feel obliged if + you will _go_ to him, and request Mr. Davies also to visit him by + my desire, and repeat that I trust that neither Mr. Kinnaird's + absence nor mine will prevent his taking all proper steps to + accelerate and promote the sale of Newstead and Rochdale, upon + which the whole of my future personal comfort depends. It is + impossible for me to express how much any delays upon these points + would inconvenience me; and I do not know a greater obligation that + can be conferred upon me than the pressing these things upon + Hanson, and making him act according to my wishes. I wish you would + _speak out_, at least to _me_, and tell me what you allude to by + your cold way of mentioning him. All mysteries at such a distance + are not merely tormenting but mischievous, and may be prejudicial + to my interests; so, pray expound, that I may consult with Mr. + Kinnaird when he arrives; and remember that I prefer the most + disagreeable certainties to hints and innuendoes. The devil take + every body: I never can get any person to be explicit about any + thing or any body, and my whole life is passed in conjectures of + what people mean: you all talk in the style of C * * L * *'s + novels. + + "It is not Mr. St. John, but _Mr. St. Aubyn_, son of Sir John St. + Aubyn. _Polidori_ knows him, and introduced him to me. He is of + Oxford, and has got my parcel. The Doctor will ferret him out, or + ought. The parcel contains many letters, some of Madame de Stael's, + and other people's, besides MSS., &c. By ----, if I find the + gentleman, and he don't find the parcel, I will say something he + won't like to hear. + + "You want a 'civil and delicate declension' for the medical + tragedy? Take it-- + + "Dear Doctor, I have read your play, + Which is a good one in its way,-- + Purges the eyes and moves the bowels, + And drenches handkerchiefs like towels + With tears, that, in a flux of grief, + Afford hysterical relief + To shatter'd nerves and quicken'd pulses, + Which your catastrophe convulses. + "I like your moral and machinery; + Your plot, too, has such scope for scenery! + Your dialogue is apt and smart; + The play's concoction full of art; + Your hero raves, your heroine cries, + All stab, and every body dies. + In short, your tragedy would be + The very thing to hear and see: + And for a piece of publication, + If I decline on this occasion, + It is not that I am not sensible + To merits in themselves ostensible, + But--and I grieve to speak it--plays + Are drugs, mere drugs, sir--now-a-days. + I had a heavy loss by 'Manuel,'-- + Too lucky if it prove not annual,-- + And S * *, with his 'Orestes,' + (Which, by the by, the author's best is,) + Has lain so very long on hand + That I despair of all demand. + I've advertised, but see my books, + Or only watch my shopman's looks;-- + Still Ivan, Ina, and such lumber, + My back-shop glut, my shelves encumber. + "There's Byron too, who once did better, + Has sent me, folded in a letter, + A sort of--it's no more a drama + Than Darnley, Ivan, or Kehama; + So alter'd since last year his pen is, + I think he's lost his wits at Venice. + In short, sir, what with one and t'other, + I dare not venture on another. + I write in haste; excuse each blunder; + The coaches through the street so thunder! + My room's so full--we've Gifford here + Reading MS., with Hookham Frere, + Pronouncing on the nouns and particles + Of some of our forthcoming Articles. + "The Quarterly--Ah, sir, if you + Had but the genius to review!-- + A smart critique upon St. Helena, + Or if you only would but tell in a + Short compass what--but, to resume: + As I was saying, sir, the room-- + The room's so full of wits and bards, + Crabbes, Campbells, Crokers, Freres, and Wards, + And others, neither bards nor wits:-- + My humble tenement admits + All persons in the dress of gent., + From Mr. Hammond to Dog Dent. + "A party dines with me to-day, + All clever men, who make their way; + They're at this moment in discussion + On poor De Stael's late dissolution. + Her book, they say, was in advance-- + Pray Heaven, she tell the truth of France! + "Thus run our time and tongues away.-- + But, to return, sir, to your play: + Sorry, sir, but I cannot deal, + Unless 'twere acted by O'Neill. + My hands so full, my head so busy, + I'm almost dead, and always dizzy; + And so, with endless truth and hurry, + Dear Doctor, I am yours, + + "JOHN MURRAY. + + "P.S. I've done the fourth and last Canto, which amounts to 133 + stanzas. I desire you to name a price; if you don't, _I_ will; so I + advise you in time. + + "Yours, &c. + + "There will be a good many notes." + + * * * * * + +Among those minor misrepresentations of which it was Lord Byron's fate +to be the victim, advantage was, at this time, taken of his professed +distaste to the English, to accuse him of acts of inhospitality, and +even rudeness, towards some of his fellow-countrymen. How far different +was his treatment of all who ever visited him, many grateful +testimonies might be collected to prove; but I shall here content +myself with selecting a few extracts from an account given me by Mr. +Henry Joy of a visit which, in company with another English gentleman, +he paid to the noble poet this summer, at his villa on the banks of the +Brenta. After mentioning the various civilities they had experienced +from Lord Byron; and, among others, his having requested them to name +their own day for dining with him,--"We availed ourselves," says Mr. +Joy, "of this considerate courtesy by naming the day fixed for our +return to Padua, when our route would lead us to his door; and we were +welcomed with all the cordiality which was to be expected from so +friendly a bidding. Such traits of kindness in such a man deserve to be +recorded on account of the numerous slanders thrown upon him by some of +the tribes of tourists, who resented, as a personal affront, his +resolution to avoid their impertinent inroads upon his retirement. So +far from any appearance of indiscriminate aversion to his countrymen, +his enquiries about his friends in England (_quorum pars magna fuisti_) +were most anxious and particular. + +"He expressed some opinions," continues my informant, "on matters of +taste, which cannot fail to interest his biographer. He contended that +Sculpture, as an art, was vastly superior to Painting;--a preference +which is strikingly illustrated by the fact that, in the fourth Canto of +Childe Harold, he gives the most elaborate and splendid account of +several statues, and none of any pictures; although Italy is, +emphatically, the land of painting, and her best statues are derived +from Greece. By the way, he told us that there were more objects of +interest in Rome alone than in all Greece from one extremity to the +other. After regaling us with an excellent dinner, (in which, by the by, +a very English joint of roast beef showed that he did not extend his +antipathies to all John-Bullisms,) he took me in his carriage some miles +of our route towards Padua, after apologising to my fellow-traveller for +the separation, on the score of his anxiety to hear all he could of his +friends in England; and I quitted him with a confirmed impression of the +strong ardour and sincerity of his attachment to those by whom he did +not fancy himself slighted or ill treated." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 295. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Sept. 4. 1817. + + "Your letter of the 15th has conveyed with its contents the + impression of a seal, to which the 'Saracen's Head' is a seraph, + and the 'Bull and Mouth' a delicate device. I knew that calumny had + sufficiently _blackened_ me of later days, but not that it had + given the features as well as complexion of a negro. Poor Augusta + is not less, but rather more, shocked than myself, and says 'people + seem to have lost their recollection strangely' when they engraved + such a 'blackamoor.' Pray don't seal (at least to me) with such a + caricature of the human numskull altogether; and if you don't break + the seal-cutter's head, at least crack his libel (or likeness, if + it should be a likeness) of mine. + + "Mr. Kinnaird is not yet arrived, but expected. He has lost by the + way all the tooth-powder, as a letter from Spa informs me. + + "By Mr. Rose I received safely, though tardily, magnesia and + tooth-powder, and * * * *. Why do you send me such trash--worse + than trash, the Sublime of Mediocrity? Thanks for Lalla, however, + which is good; and thanks for the Edinburgh and Quarterly, both + very amusing and well-written. Paris in 1815, &c.--good. Modern + Greece--good for nothing; written by some one who has never been + there, and not being able to manage the Spenser stanza, has + invented a thing of his own, consisting of two elegiac stanzas, an + heroic line, and an Alexandrine, twisted on a string. Besides, why + '_modern_?' You may say _modern Greeks_, but surely _Greece_ itself + is rather more ancient than ever it was. Now for business. + + "You offer 1500 guineas for the new Canto: I won't take it. I ask + two thousand five hundred guineas for it, which you will either + give or not, as you think proper. It concludes the poem, and + consists of 144 stanzas. The notes are numerous, and chiefly + written by Mr. Hobhouse, whose researches have been indefatigable; + and who, I will venture to say, has more real knowledge of Rome and + its environs than any Englishman who has been there since Gibbon. + By the way, to prevent any mistakes, I think it necessary to state + the fact that _he_, Mr. Hobhouse, has no interest whatever in the + price or profit to be derived from the copyright of either poem or + notes directly or indirectly; so that you are not to suppose that + it is by, for, or through him, that I require more for this Canto + than the preceding.--No: but if Mr. Eustace was to have had two + thousand for a poem on Education; if Mr. Moore is to have three + thousand for Lalla, &c.; if Mr. Campbell is to have three thousand + for his prose on poetry--I don't mean to disparage these gentlemen + in their labours--but I ask the aforesaid price for mine. You will + tell me that their productions are considerably _longer_: very + true, and when they shorten them, I will lengthen mine, and ask + less. You shall submit the MS. to Mr. Gifford, and any other two + gentlemen to be named by you, (Mr. Frere, or Mr. Croker, or + whomever you please, except such fellows as your * *s and * *s,) + and if they pronounce this Canto to be inferior as a _whole_ to the + preceding, I will not appeal from their award, but burn the + manuscript, and leave things as they are. + + "Yours very truly. + + "P.S. In answer to a former letter, I sent you a short statement of + what I thought the state of our present copyright account, viz. six + hundred _pounds_ still (or lately) due on Childe Harold, and six + hundred _guineas_, Manfred and Tasso, making a total of twelve + hundred and thirty pounds. If we agree about the new poem, I shall + take the liberty to reserve the choice of the manner in which it + should be published, viz. a quarto, certes." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 296. TO MR. HOPPNER. + + "La Mira, Sept. 12. 1817. + + "I set out yesterday morning with the intention of paying my + respects, and availing myself of your permission to walk over the + premises.[7] On arriving at Padua, I found that the march of the + Austrian troops had engrossed so many horses[8], that those I could + procure were hardly able to crawl; and their weakness, together + with the prospect of finding none at all at the post-house of + Monselice, and consequently either not arriving that day at Este, + or so late as to be unable to return home the same evening, induced + me to turn aside in a second visit to Arqua, instead of proceeding + onwards; and even thus I hardly got back in time. + + "Next week I shall be obliged to be in Venice to meet Lord Kinnaird + and his brother, who are expected in a few days. And this + interruption, together with that occasioned by the continued march + of the Austrians for the next few days, will not allow me to fix + any precise period for availing myself of your kindness, though I + should wish to take the earliest opportunity. Perhaps, if absent, + you will have the goodness to permit one of your servants to show + me the grounds and house, or as much of either as may be + convenient; at any rate, I shall take the first occasion possible + to go over, and regret very much that I was yesterday prevented. + + "I have the honour to be your obliged," &c. + +[Footnote 7: A country-house on the Euganean hills, near Este, which Mr. +Hoppner, who was then the English Consul-General at Venice, had for some +time occupied, and which Lord Byron afterwards rented of him, but never +resided in it.] + +[Footnote 8: So great was the demand for horses, on the line of march of +the Austrians, that all those belonging to private individuals were put +in requisition for their use, and Lord Byron himself received an order +to send his for the same purpose. This, however, he positively refused +to do, adding, that if an attempt were made to take them by force, he +would shoot them through the head in the middle of the road, rather than +submit to such an act of tyranny upon a foreigner who was merely a +temporary resident in the country. Whether his answer was ever reported +to the higher authorities I know not; but his horses were suffered to +remain unmolested in his stables.] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 297. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "September 15. 1817. + + "I enclose a sheet for correction, if ever you get to another + edition. You will observe that the blunder in printing makes it + appear as if the Chateau was _over_ St. Gingo, instead of being on + the opposite shore of the Lake, over Clarens. So, separate the + paragraphs, otherwise my _to_pography will seem as inaccurate as + your _ty_pography on this occasion. + + "The other day I wrote to convey my proposition with regard to the + fourth and concluding Canto. I have gone over and extended it to + one hundred and fifty stanzas, which is almost as long as the two + first were originally, and longer by itself than any of the smaller + poems except 'The Corsair.' Mr. Hobhouse has made some very + valuable and accurate notes of considerable length, and you may be + sure that I will do for the text all that I can to finish with + decency. I look upon Childe Harold as my best; and as I begun, I + think of concluding with it. But I make no resolutions on that + head, as I broke my former intention with regard to 'The Corsair.' + However, I fear that I shall never do better; and yet, not being + thirty years of age, for some moons to come, one ought to be + progressive as far as intellect goes for many a good year. But I + have had a devilish deal of tear and wear of mind and body in my + time, besides having published too often and much already. God + grant me some judgment to do what may be most fitting in that and + every thing else, for I doubt my own exceedingly. + + "I have read 'Lalla Rookh,' but not with sufficient attention yet, + for I ride about, and lounge, and ponder, and--two or three other + things; so that my reading is very desultory, and not so attentive + as it used to be. I am very glad to hear of its popularity, for + Moore is a very noble fellow in all respects, and will enjoy it + without any of the bad feelings which success--good or + evil--sometimes engenders in the men of rhyme. Of the poem, itself, + I will tell you my opinion when I have mastered it: I say of the + _poem_, for I don't like the _prose_ at all; and in the mean time, + the 'Fire-worshippers' is the best, and the 'Veiled Prophet' the + worst, of the volume. + + "With regard to poetry in general[9], I am convinced, the more I + think of it, that he and _all_ of us--Scott, Southey, Wordsworth, + Moore, Campbell, I,--are all in the wrong, one as much as another; + that we are upon a wrong revolutionary poetical system, or systems, + not worth a damn in itself, and from which none but Rogers and + Crabbe are free; and that the present and next generations will + finally be of this opinion. I am the more confirmed in this by + having lately gone over some of our classics, particularly _Pope_, + whom I tried in this way,--I took Moore's poems and my own and some + others, and went over them side by side with Pope's, and I was + really astonished (I ought not to have been so) and mortified at + the ineffable distance in point of sense, learning, effect, and + even _imagination_, passion, and _invention_, between the little + Queen Anne's man, and us of the Lower Empire. Depend upon it, it is + all Horace then, and Claudian now, among us; and if I had to begin + again, I would mould myself accordingly. Crabbe's the man, but he + has got a coarse and impracticable subject, and * * * is retired + upon half-pay, and has done enough, unless he were to do as he did + formerly." + +[Footnote 9: On this paragraph, in the MS. copy of the above letter, I +find the following note, in the handwriting of Mr. Gifford:-- + +"There is more good sense, and feeling, and judgment in this passage, +than in any other I ever read, or Lord Byron wrote."] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 298. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "September 17. 1817. + + "Mr. Hobhouse purposes being in England in November; he will bring + the fourth Canto with him, notes and all; the text contains one + hundred and fifty stanzas, which is long for that measure. + + "With regard to the 'Ariosto of the North,' surely their themes, + chivalry, war, and love, were as like as can be; and as to the + compliment, if you knew what the Italians think of Ariosto, you + would not hesitate about that. But as to their 'measures,' you + forget that Ariosto's is an octave stanza, and Scott's any thing + but a stanza. If you think Scott will dislike it, say so, and I + will expunge. I do not call him the '_Scotch_ Ariosto,' which would + be sad _provincial_ eulogy, but the 'Ariosto of the _North_, + meaning of all _countries_ that are _not_ the _South_. * * + + "As I have recently troubled you rather frequently, I will + conclude, repeating that I am + + "Yours ever," &c. + + * * * * * + +LETTER 299. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "October 12. 1817. + + "Mr. Kinnaird and his brother, Lord Kinnaird, have been here, and + are now gone again. All your missives came, except the + tooth-powder, of which I request further supplies, at all + convenient opportunities; as also of magnesia and soda-powders, + both great luxuries here, and neither to be had good, or indeed + hardly at all, of the natives. * * * + + "In * *'s Life, I perceive an attack upon the then Committee of + D.L. Theatre for acting Bertram, and an attack upon Maturin's + Bertram for being acted. Considering all things, this is not very + grateful nor graceful on the part of the worthy autobiographer; + and I would answer, if I had _not_ obliged him. Putting my own + pains to forward the views of * * out of the question, I know that + there was every disposition, on the part of the Sub-Committee, to + bring forward any production of his, were it feasible. The play he + offered, though poetical, did not appear at all practicable, and + Bertram did;--and hence this long tirade, which is the last chapter + of his vagabond life. + + "As for Bertram, Maturin may defend his own begotten, if he likes + it well enough; I leave the Irish clergyman and the new Orator + Henley to battle it out between them, satisfied to have done the + best I could for _both_. I may say this to _you_, who know it. + + "Mr. * * may console himself with the fervour,--the almost + religious fervour of his and W * *'s disciples, as he calls it. If + he means that as any proof of their merits, I will find him as much + 'fervour' in behalf of Richard Brothers and Joanna Southcote as + ever gathered over his pages or round his fire-side. + + "My answer to your proposition about the fourth Canto you will have + received, and I await yours;--perhaps we may not agree. I have + since written a poem (of 84 octave stanzas), humorous, in or after + the excellent manner of Mr. Whistlecraft (whom I take to be Frere), + on a Venetian anecdote which amused me:--but till I have your + answer, I can say nothing more about it. + + "Mr. Hobhouse does not return to England in November, as he + intended, but will winter here and as he is to convey the poem, or + poems,--for there may perhaps be more than the two mentioned, + (which, by the way, I shall not perhaps include in the same + publication or agreement,) I shall not be able to publish so soon + as expected; but I suppose there is no harm in the delay. + + "I have _signed_ and sent your former _copyrights_ by Mr. Kinnaird, + but _not_ the _receipt_, because the money is not yet paid. Mr. + Kinnaird has a power of attorney to sign for me, and will, when + necessary. + + "Many thanks for the Edinburgh Review, which is very kind about + Manfred, and defends its originality, which I did not know that any + body had attacked. I _never read_, and do not know that I ever saw, + the 'Faustus of Marlow,' and had, and have, no dramatic works by me + in English, except the recent things you sent me; but I heard Mr. + Lewis translate verbally some scenes of _Goethe's Faust_ (which + were, some good, and some bad) last summer;--which is all I know of + the history of that magical personage; and as to the germs of + Manfred, they may be found in the Journal which I sent to Mrs. + Leigh (part of which you saw) when I went over first the Dent de + Jaman, and then the Wengen or Wengeberg Alp and Sheideck, and made + the giro of the Jungfrau, Shreckhorn, &c. &c. shortly before I left + Switzerland. I have the whole scene of Manfred before me as if it + was but yesterday, and could point it out, spot by spot, torrent + and all. + + "Of the Prometheus of AEschylus I was passionately fond as a boy (it + was one of the Greek plays we read thrice a year at + Harrow);--indeed that and the 'Medea' were the only ones, except + the 'Seven before Thebes,' which ever much pleased me. As to the + 'Faustus of Marlow,' I never read, never saw, nor heard of it--at + least, thought of it, except that I think Mr. Gifford mentioned, in + a note of his which you sent me, something about the catastrophe; + but not as having any thing to do with mine, which may or may not + resemble it, for any thing I know. + + "The Prometheus, if not exactly in my plan, has always been so much + in my head, that I can easily conceive its influence over all or + any thing that I have written;--but I deny Marlow and his progeny, + and beg that you will do the same. + + "If you can send me the paper in question[10], which the Edinburgh + Review mentions, _do_. The review in the magazine you say was + written by Wilson? it had all the air of being a poet's, and was a + very good one. The Edinburgh Review I take to be Jeffrey's own by + its friendliness. I wonder they thought it worth while to do so, so + soon after the former; but it was evidently with a good motive. + + "I saw Hoppner the other day, whose country-house at Este I have + taken for two years. If you come out next summer, let me know in + time. Love to Gifford. + + "Yours ever truly. + + "Crabbe, Malcolm, Hamilton, and Chantrey, + Are all partakers of my pantry. + + These two lines are omitted in your letter to the doctor, after-- + + "All clever men who make their way." + +[Footnote 10: A paper in the Edinburgh Magazine, in which it was +suggested that the general conception of Manfred, and much of what is +excellent in the manner of its execution, had been borrowed from "The +Tragical History of Dr. Faustus," of Marlow.] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 300. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Venice, October 23. 1817. + + "Your two letters are before me, and our bargain is so far + concluded. How sorry I am to hear that Gifford is unwell! Pray tell + me he is better: I hope it is nothing but _cold_. As you say his + illness originates in cold, I trust it will get no further. + + "Mr. Whistlecraft has no greater admirer than myself: I have + written a story in 89 stanzas, in imitation of him, called _Beppo_, + (the short name for Giuseppe, that is, the _Joe_ of the Italian + Joseph,) which I shall throw you into the balance of the fourth + Canto, to help you round to your money; but you perhaps had better + publish it anonymously; but this we will see to by and by. + + "In the Notes to Canto fourth, Mr. Hobhouse has pointed out + _several errors_ of _Gibbon_. You may depend upon H.'s research and + accuracy. You may print it in what shape you please. + + "With regard to a future large edition, you may print all, or any + thing, except 'English Bards,' to the republication of which at + _no_ time will I consent. I would not reprint them on any + consideration. I don't think them good for much, even in point of + poetry; and, as to other things, you are to recollect that I gave + up the publication on account of the _Hollands_, and I do not think + that any time or circumstances can neutralise the suppression. Add + to which, that, after being on terms with almost all the bards and + critics of the day, it would be savage at any time, but worst of + all _now_, to revive this foolish lampoon. + + "The review of Manfred came very safely, and I am much pleased with + it. It is odd that they should say (that is somebody in a magazine + whom the Edinburgh controverts) that it was taken from Marlow's + Faust, which I never read nor saw. An American, who came the other + day from Germany, told Mr. Hobhouse that Manfred was taken from + Goethe's Faust. The devil may take both the Faustuses, German and + English--I have taken neither. + + "Will you send to _Hanson_, and say that he has not written since + 9th September?--at least I have had no letter since, to my great + surprise. + + "Will you desire Messrs. Morland to send out whatever additional + sums have or may be paid in credit immediately, and always to their + Venice correspondents? It is two months ago that they sent me out + an additional credit for _one thousand pounds_. I was very glad of + it, but I don't know how the devil it came; for I can only make out + 500 of Hanson's payment, and I had thought the other 500 came from + you; but it did not, it seems, as, by yours of the 7th instant, + you have only just paid the 1230_l._ balance. + + "Mr. Kinnaird is on his way home with the assignments. I can fix no + time for the arrival of Canto fourth, which depends on the journey + of Mr. Hobhouse home; and I do not think that this will be + immediate. + + "Yours in great haste and very truly, + + "B. + + "P.S. Morlands have not yet written to my bankers apprising the + payment of your balances: pray desire them to do so. + + "Ask them about the _previous_ thousand--of which I know 500 came + from Hanson's--and make out the other 500--that is, whence it + came." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 301. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Venice, November 15. 1817. + + "Mr. Kinnaird has probably returned to England by this time, and + will have conveyed to you any tidings you may wish to have of us + and ours. I have come back to Venice for the winter. Mr. Hobhouse + will probably set off in December, but what day or week I know not. + He is my opposite neighbour at present. + + "I wrote yesterday in some perplexity, and no very good humour, to + Mr. Kinnaird, to inform me about Newstead and the Hansons, of which + and whom I hear nothing since his departure from this place, except + in a few unintelligible words from an unintelligible woman. + + "I am as sorry to hear of Dr. Polidori's accident as one can be + for a person for whom one has a dislike, and something of contempt. + When he gets well, tell me, and how he gets on in the sick line. + Poor fellow! how came he to fix there? + + "I fear the Doctor's skill at Norwich + Will hardly salt the Doctor's porridge. + + Methought he was going to the Brazils to give the Portuguese physic + (of which they are fond to desperation) with the Danish consul. + + "Your new Canto has expanded to one hundred and sixty-seven + stanzas. It will be long, you see; and as for the notes by + Hobhouse, I suspect they will be of the heroic size. You must keep + Mr. * * in good humour, for he is devilish touchy yet about your + Review and all which it inherits, including the editor, the + Admiralty, and its bookseller. I used to think that _I_ was a good + deal of an author in _amour propre_ and _noli me tangere_; but + these prose fellows are worst, after all, about their little + comforts. + + "Do you remember my mentioning, some months ago, the Marquis + Moncada--a Spaniard of distinction and fourscore years, my summer + neighbour at La Mira? Well, about six weeks ago, he fell in love + with a Venetian girl of family, and no fortune or character; took + her into his mansion; quarrelled with all his former friends for + giving him advice (except me who gave him none), and installed her + present concubine and future wife and mistress of himself and + furniture. At the end of a month, in which she demeaned herself as + ill as possible, he found out a correspondence between her and + some former keeper, and after nearly strangling, turned her out of + the house, to the great scandal of the keeping part of the town, + and with a prodigious eclat, which has occupied all the canals and + coffee-houses in Venice. He said she wanted to poison him; and she + says--God knows what; but between them they have made a great deal + of noise. I know a little of both the parties: Moncada seemed a + very sensible old man, a character which he has not quite kept up + on this occasion; and the woman is rather showy than pretty. For + the honour of religion, she was bred in a convent, and for the + credit of Great Britain, taught by an Englishwoman. + + "Yours," &c. + + * * * * * + +LETTER 302. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Venice, December 3. 1817. + + "A Venetian lady, learned and somewhat stricken in years, having, + in her intervals of love and devotion, taken upon her to translate + the Letters and write the Life of Lady Mary Wortley Montague,--to + which undertaking there are two obstacles, firstly, ignorance of + English, and, secondly, a total dearth of information on the + subject of her projected biography, has applied to me for facts or + falsities upon this promising project. Lady Montague lived the last + twenty or more years of her life in or near Venice, I believe; but + here they know nothing, and remember nothing, for the story of + to-day is succeeded by the scandal of to-morrow; and the wit, and + beauty, and gallantry, which might render your countrywoman + notorious in her own country, must have been _here_ no great + distinction--because the first is in no request, and the two latter + are common to all women, or at least the last of them. If you can + therefore tell me any thing, or get any thing told, of Lady Wortley + Montague, I shall take it as a favour, and will transfer and + translate it to the 'Dama' in question. And I pray you besides to + send me, by some quick and safe voyager, the edition of her + Letters, and the stupid Life, by _Dr. Dallaway_, published by her + proud and foolish family. + + "The death of the Princess Charlotte has been a shock even here, + and must have been an earthquake at home. The Courier's list of + some three hundred heirs to the crown (including the house of + Wirtemberg, with that * * *, P----, of disreputable memory, whom I + remember seeing at various balls during the visit of the + Muscovites, &c. in 1814) must be very consolatory to all true + lieges, as well as foreigners, except Signor Travis, a rich Jew + merchant of this city, who complains grievously of the length of + British mourning, which has countermanded all the silks which he + was on the point of transmitting, for a year to come. The death of + this poor girl is melancholy in every respect, dying at twenty or + so, in childbed--of a _boy_ too, a present princess and future + queen, and just as she began to be happy, and to enjoy herself, and + the hopes which she inspired. + + "I think, as far as I can recollect, she is the first royal defunct + in childbed upon record in _our_ history. I feel sorry in every + respect--for the loss of a female reign, and a woman hitherto + harmless; and all the lost rejoicings, and addresses, and + drunkenness, and disbursements, of John Bull on the occasion. + + "The Prince will marry again, after divorcing his wife, and Mr. + Southey will write an elegy now, and an ode then; the Quarterly + will have an article against the press, and the Edinburgh an + article, _half_ and _half_, about reform and right of divorce; the + British will give you Dr. Chalmers's funeral sermon much commended, + with a place in the stars for deceased royalty; and the Morning + Post will have already yelled forth its 'syllables of dolour.' + + "Woe, woe, Nealliny!--the young Nealliny! + + "It is some time since I have heard from you: are you in bad + humour? I suppose so. I have been so myself, and it is your turn + now, and by and by mine will come round again. Yours truly, + + "B. + + "P.S. Countess Albrizzi, come back from Paris, has brought me a + medal of himself, a present from Denon to me, and a likeness of Mr. + Rogers (belonging to her), by Denon also." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 303. TO MR. HOPPNER. + + "Venice, December 15. 1817. + + "I should have thanked you before, for your favour a few days ago, + had I not been in the intention of paying my respects, personally, + this evening, from which I am deterred by the recollection that you + will probably be at the Count Goess's this evening, which has made + me postpone my intrusion. + + "I think your Elegy a remarkably good one, not only as a + composition, but both the politics and poetry contain a far greater + portion of truth and generosity than belongs to the times, or to + the professors of these opposite pursuits, which usually agree only + in one point, as extremes meet. I do not know whether you wished me + to retain the copy, but I shall retain it till you tell me + otherwise; and am very much obliged by the perusal. + + "My own sentiments on Venice, &c., such as they are, I had already + thrown into verse last summer, in the fourth Canto of Childe + Harold, now in preparation for the press; and I think much more + highly of them, for being in coincidence with yours. + + "Believe me yours," &c. + + * * * * * + +LETTER 304. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Venice, January 8. 1818. + + "My dear Mr. Murray, + You're in a damn'd hurry + To set up this ultimate Canto; + But (if they don't rob us) + You'll see Mr. Hobhouse + Will bring it safe in his portmanteau. + + "For the Journal you hint of, + As ready to print off, + No doubt you do right to commend it; + But as yet I have writ off + The devil a bit of + Our 'Beppo;'--when copied, I'll send it. + + "Then you've * * * Tour,-- + No great things, so be sure, + You could hardly begin with a less work; + For the pompous rascallion, + Who don't speak Italian + Nor French, must have scribbled by guess-work. + + "You can make any loss up + With 'Spence' and his gossip, + A work which must surely succeed; + Then Queen Mary's Epistle-craft, + With the new 'Fytte' of 'Whistlecraft,' + Must make people purchase and read. + + "Then you've General Gordon, + Who girded his sword on, + To serve with a Muscovite master, + And help him to polish + A nation so owlish, + They thought shaving their beards a disaster. + + "For the man, '_poor and shrewd_[11],' + With whom you'd conclude + A compact without more delay, + Perhaps some such pen is + Still extant in Venice; + But please, sir, to mention _your pay_." + + +[Footnote 11: "Vide your letter."] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 305. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Venice, January 19. 1818. + + "I send you the Story[12] in three other separate covers. It won't + do for your Journal, being full of political allusions. _Print + alone, without name_; alter nothing; get a scholar to see that the + _Italian phrases_ are correctly published, (your printing, by the + way, always makes me ill with its eternal blunders, which are + incessant,) and God speed you. Hobhouse left Venice a fortnight + ago, saving two days. I have heard nothing of or from him. + + "Yours, &c. + + "He has the whole of the MSS.; so put up prayers in your back shop, + or in the printer's 'Chapel.'" + +[Footnote 12: Beppo.] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 306. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Venice, January 27. 1818. + + "My father--that is, my Armenian father, Padre Pasquali--in the + name of all the other fathers of our Convent, sends you the + enclosed, greeting. + + "Inasmuch as it has pleased the translators of the long-lost and + lately-found portions of the text of Eusebius to put forth the + enclosed prospectus, of which I send six copies, you are hereby + implored to obtain subscribers in the two Universities, and among + the learned, and the unlearned who would unlearn their + ignorance--This _they_ (the Convent) request, _I_ request, and _do + you_ request. + + "I sent you Beppo some weeks agone. You must publish it alone; it + has politics and ferocity, and won't do for your isthmus of a + Journal. + + "Mr. Hobhouse, if the Alps have not broken his neck, is, or ought + to be, swimming with my commentaries and his own coat of mail in + his teeth and right hand, in a cork jacket, between Calais and + Dover. + + "It is the height of the Carnival, and I am in the extreme and + agonies of a new intrigue with I don't exactly know whom or what, + except that she is insatiate of love, and won't take money, and has + light hair and blue eyes, which are not common here, and that I met + her at the Masque, and that when her mask is off, I am as wise as + ever. I shall make what I can of the remainder of my youth." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 307. TO MR. MOORE. + + "Venice, February 2. 1818. + + "Your letter of December 8th arrived but this day, by some delay, + common but inexplicable. Your domestic calamity is very grievous, + and I feel with you as much as I _dare_ feel at all. Throughout + life, your loss must be my loss, and your gain my gain; and, though + my heart may ebb, there will always be a drop for you among the + dregs. + + "I know how to feel with you, because (selfishness being always the + substratum of our damnable clay) I am quite wrapt up in my own + children. Besides my little legitimate, I have made unto myself an + _il_legitimate since (to say nothing of one before[13]), and I look + forward to one of these as the pillar of my old age, supposing that + I ever reach--which I hope I never shall--that desolating period. I + have a great love for my little Ada, though perhaps she may torture + me, like * * *. + + "Your offered address will be as acceptable as you can wish. I + don't much care what the wretches of the world think of me--all + _that's_ past. But I care a good deal what _you_ think of me, and, + so, say what you like. You _know_ that I am not sullen; and, as to + being _savage_, such things depend on circumstances. However, as to + being in good humour in _your_ society, there is no great merit in + that, because it would be an effort, or an insanity, to be + otherwise. + + "I don't know what Murray may have been saying or quoting.[14] I + called Crabbe and Sam the fathers of present Poesy; and said, that + I thought--except them--_all_ of '_us youth_' were on a wrong tack. + But I never said that we did not sail well. Our fame will be hurt + by _admiration_ and _imitation_. When I say _our_, I mean _all_ + (Lakers included), except the postscript of the Augustans. The next + generation (from the quantity and facility of imitation) will + tumble and break their necks off our Pegasus, who runs away with + us; but we keep the _saddle_, because we broke the rascal and can + ride. But though easy to mount, he is the devil to guide; and the + next fellows must go back to the riding-school and the manege, and + learn to ride the 'great horse.' + + "Talking of horses, by the way, I have transported my own, four in + number, to the Lido (_beach_ in English), a strip of some ten miles + along the Adriatic, a mile or two from the city; so that I not only + get a row in my gondola, but a spanking gallop of some miles daily + along a firm and solitary beach, from the fortress to Malamocco, + the which contributes considerably to my health and spirits. + + "I have hardly had a wink of sleep this week past. We are in the + agonies of the Carnival's last days, and I must be up all night + again, as well as to-morrow. I have had some curious masking + adventures this Carnival; but, as they are not yet over, I shall + not say on. I will work the mine of my youth to the last veins of + the ore, and then--good night. I have lived, and am content. + + "Hobhouse went away before the Carnival began, so that he had + little or no fun. Besides, it requires some time to be + thoroughgoing with the Venetians; but of all this anon, in some + other letter. + + "I must dress for the evening. There is an opera and ridotto, and I + know not what, besides balls; and so, ever and ever yours, + + "B. + + "P.S. I send this without revision, so excuse errors. I delight in + the fame and fortune of Lalla, and again congratulate you on your + well-merited success." + +[Footnote 13: This possibly may have been the subject of the Poem given +in p. 152. of the first volume.] + +[Footnote 14: Having seen by accident the passage in one of his letters +to Mr. Murray, in which he denounces, as false and worthless, the +poetical system on which the greater number of his contemporaries, as +well as himself, founded their reputation, I took an opportunity, in the +next letter I wrote to him, of jesting a little on this opinion, and his +motives for it. It was, no doubt (I ventured to say), excellent policy +in him, who had made sure of his own immortality in this style of +writing, thus to _throw overboard_ all _us poor devils_, who were +embarked with him. He was, in fact, I added, behaving towards us much in +the manner of the methodist preacher who said to his congregation--"You +may think, at the Last Day, to get to heaven by laying hold on my +skirts; but I'll cheat you all, for I'll wear a spencer, I'll wear a +spencer!"] + + * * * * * + +Of his daily rides on the Lido, which he mentions in this letter, the +following account, by a gentleman who lived a good deal with him at +Venice, will be found not a little interesting:-- + +"Almost immediately after Mr. Hobhouse's departure, Lord Byron proposed +to me to accompany him in his rides on the Lido. One of the long narrow +islands which separate the Lagune, in the midst of which Venice stands, +from the Adriatic, is more particularly distinguished by this name. At +one extremity is a fortification, which, with the Castle of St. Andrea +on an island on the opposite side, defends the nearest entrance to the +city from the sea. In times of peace this fortification is almost +dismantled, and Lord Byron had hired here of the Commandant an +unoccupied stable, where he kept his horses. The distance from the city +was not very considerable; it was much less than to the Terra Firma, +and, as far as it went, the spot was not ineligible for riding. + +"Every day that the weather would permit, Lord Byron called for me in +his gondola, and we found the horses waiting for us outside of the fort. +We rode as far as we could along the sea-shore, and then on a kind of +dyke, or embankment, which has been raised where the island was very +narrow, as far as another small fort about half way between the +principal one which I have already mentioned, and the town or village of +Malamocco, which is near the other extremity of the island,--the +distance between the two forts being about three miles. + +"On the land side of the embankment, not far from the smaller fort, was +a boundary stone which probably marked some division of property,--all +the side of the island nearest the Lagune being divided into gardens for +the cultivation of vegetables for the Venetian markets. At the foot of +this stone Lord Byron repeatedly told me that I should cause him to be +interred, if he should die in Venice, or its neighbourhood, during my +residence there; and he appeared to think, as he was not a Catholic, +that, on the part of the government, there could be no obstacle to his +interment in an unhallowed spot of ground by the sea-side. At all +events, I was to overcome whatever difficulties might be raised on this +account. I was, by no means, he repeatedly told me, to allow his body to +be removed to England, nor permit any of his family to interfere with +his funeral. + +"Nothing could be more delightful than these rides on the Lido were to +me. We were from half to three quarters of an hour crossing the water, +during which his conversation was always most amusing and interesting. +Sometimes he would bring with him any new book he had received, and read +to me the passages which most struck him. Often he would repeat to me +whole stanzas of the poems he was engaged in writing, as he had composed +them on the preceding evening; and this was the more interesting to me, +because I could frequently trace in them some idea which he had started +in our conversation of the preceding day, or some remark, the effect of +which he had been evidently trying upon me. Occasionally, too, he spoke +of his own affairs, making me repeat all I had heard with regard to +him, and desiring that I would not spare him, but let him know the worst +that was said." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 308. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Venice, Feb. 20. 1818. + + "I have to thank Mr. Croker for the arrival, and you for the + contents, of the parcel which came last week, much quicker than any + before, owing to Mr. Croker's kind attention and the official + exterior of the bags; and all safe, except much friction amongst + the magnesia, of which only two bottles came entire; but it is all + very well, and I am exceedingly obliged to you. + + "The books I have read, or rather am reading. Pray, who may be the + Sexagenarian, whose gossip is very amusing? Many of his sketches I + recognise, particularly Gifford, Mackintosh, Drummond, Dutens, H. + Walpole, Mrs. Inchbald, Opie, &c., with the Scotts, Loughborough, + and most of the divines and lawyers, besides a few shorter hints of + authors, and a few lines about a certain '_noble author_,' + characterised as malignant and sceptical, according to the good old + story, 'as it was in the beginning, is now, but _not_ always shall + be:' do you know such a person, Master Murray? eh?--And pray, of + the booksellers, which be _you_? the dry, the dirty, the honest, + the opulent, the finical, the splendid, or the coxcomb bookseller? + Stap my vitals, but the author grows scurrilous in his grand + climacteric! + + "I remember to have seen Porson at Cambridge, in the hall of our + college, and in private parties, but not frequently; and I never + can recollect him except as drunk or brutal, and generally both: I + mean in an evening, for in the hall he dined at the Dean's table, + and I at the Vice-master's, so that I was not near him; and he then + and there appeared sober in his demeanour, nor did I ever hear of + excess or outrage on his part in public,--commons, college, or + chapel; but I have seen him in a private party of undergraduates, + many of them fresh men and strangers, take up a poker to one of + them, and heard him use language as blackguard as his action. I + have seen Sheridan drunk, too, with all the world; but his + intoxication was that of Bacchus, and Porson's that of Silenus. Of + all the disgusting brutes, sulky, abusive, and intolerable, Porson + was the most bestial, as far as the few times that I saw him went, + which were only at William Bankes's (the Nubian discoverer's) + rooms. I saw him once go away in a rage, because nobody knew the + name of the 'Cobbler of Messina,' insulting their ignorance with + the most vulgar terms of reprobation. He was tolerated in this + state amongst the young men for his talents, as the Turks think a + madman inspired, and bear with him. He used to recite, or rather + vomit, pages of all languages, and could hiccup Greek like a Helot; + and certainly Sparta never shocked her children with a grosser + exhibition than this man's intoxication. + + "I perceive, in the book you sent me, a long account of him, which + is very savage. I cannot judge, as I never saw him sober, except in + _hall_ or combination-room; and then I was never near enough to + hear, and hardly to see him. Of his drunken deportment, I can be + sure, because I saw it. + + "With the Reviews I have been much entertained. It requires to be + as far from England as I am to relish a periodical paper properly: + it is like soda-water in an Italian summer. But what cruel work you + make with Lady * * * *! You should recollect that she is a woman; + though, to be sure, they are now and then very provoking; still, as + authoresses, they can do no great harm; and I think it a pity so + much good invective should have been laid out upon her, when there + is such a fine field of us Jacobin gentlemen for you to work upon. + + "I heard from Moore lately, and was sorry to be made aware of his + domestic loss. Thus it is--'medio de fonte leporum'--in the acme of + his fame and his happiness comes a drawback as usual. + + "Mr. Hoppner, whom I saw this morning, has been made the father of + a very fine boy[15].--Mother and child doing very well indeed. By + this time Hobhouse should be with you, and also certain packets, + letters, &c. of mine, sent since his departure.--I am not at all + well in health within this last eight days. My remembrances to + Gifford and all friends. + + "Yours, &c. + + "B. + + "P.S. In the course of a month or two, Hanson will have probably to + send off a clerk with conveyances to sign (Newstead being sold in + November last for ninety-four thousand five hundred pounds), in + which case I supplicate supplies of articles as usual, for which, + desire Mr. Kinnaird to settle from funds in their bank, and deduct + from my account with him. + + "P.S. To-morrow night I am going to see 'Otello,' an opera from our + 'Othello,' and one of Rossini's best, it is said. It will be + curious to see in Venice the Venetian story itself represented, + besides to discover what they will make of Shakspeare in music." + +[Footnote 15: On the birth of this child, who was christened John +William Rizzo, Lord Byron wrote the four following lines, which are in +no other respect remarkable than that they were thought worthy of being +metrically translated into no less than ten different languages; namely, +Greek, Latin, Italian (also in the Venetian dialect), German, French, +Spanish, Illyrian, Hebrew, Armenian, and Samaritan:-- + + "His father's sense, his mother's grace + In him, I hope, will always fit so; + With (still to keep him in good case) + The health and appetite of Rizzo." + +The original lines, with the different versions just mentioned, were +printed, in a small neat volume (which now lies before me), in the +seminary of Padua.] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 309. TO MR. HOPPNER. + + "Venice, February 28. 1818. + + "My dear Sir, + + "Our friend, il Conte M., threw me into a cold sweat last night, by + telling me of a menaced version of Manfred (in Venetian, I hope, to + complete the thing) by some Italian, who had sent it to you for + correction, which is the reason why I take the liberty of troubling + you on the subject. If you have any means of communication with the + man, would you permit me to convey to him the offer of any price he + may obtain or think to obtain for his project, provided he will + throw his translation into the fire[16], and promise not to + undertake any other of that or any other of _my_ things: I will + send his money immediately on this condition. + + "As I did not write _to_ the Italians, nor _for_ the Italians, nor + _of_ the Italians, (except in a poem not yet published, where I + have said all the good I know or do not know of them, and none of + the harm,) I confess I wish that they would let me alone, and not + drag me into their arena as one of the gladiators, in a silly + contest which I neither understand nor have ever interfered with, + having kept clear of all their literary parties, both here and at + Milan, and elsewhere.--I came into Italy to feel the climate and be + quiet, if possible. Mossi's translation I would have prevented, if + I had known it, or could have done so; and I trust that I shall yet + be in time to stop this new gentleman, of whom I heard yesterday + for the first time. He will only hurt himself, and do no good to + his party, for in _party_ the whole thing originates. Our modes of + thinking and writing are so unutterably different, that I can + conceive no greater absurdity than attempting to make any approach + between the English and Italian poetry of the present day. I like + the people very much, and their literature very much, but I am not + the least ambitious of being the subject of their discussions + literary and personal (which appear to be pretty much the same + thing, as is the case in most countries); and if you can aid me in + impeding this publication, you will add to much kindness already + received from you by yours Ever and truly, + + "BYRON. + + "P.S. How is _the_ son, and mamma? Well, I dare say." + +[Footnote 16: Having ascertained that the utmost this translator could +expect to make by his manuscript was two hundred francs, Lord Byron +offered him that sum, if he would desist from publishing. The Italian, +however, held out for more; nor could he be brought to terms, till it +was intimated to him pretty plainly from Lord Byron that, should the +publication be persisted in, he would horsewhip him the very first time +they met. Being but little inclined to suffer martyrdom in the cause, +the translator accepted the two hundred francs, and delivered up his +manuscript, entering at the same time into a written engagement never to +translate any other of the noble poet's works. + +Of the qualifications of this person as a translator of English poetry, +some idea may be formed from the difficulty he found himself under +respecting the meaning of a line in the Incantation in Manfred,--"And +the wisp on the morass,"--which he requested of Mr. Hoppner to expound +to him, not having been able to find in the dictionaries to which he had +access any other signification of the word "wisp" than "a bundle of +straw."] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 310. TO MR. ROGERS. + + "Venice, March 3. 1828. + + "I have not, as you say, 'taken to wife the Adriatic.' I heard of + Moore's loss from himself in a letter which was delayed upon the + road three months. I was sincerely sorry for it, but in such cases + what are words? + + "The villa you speak of is one at Este, which Mr. Hoppner + (Consul-general here) has transferred to me. I have taken it for + two years as a place of Villeggiatura. The situation is very + beautiful, indeed, among the Euganean hills, and the house very + fair. The vines are luxuriant to a great degree, and all the fruits + of the earth abundant. It is close to the old castle of the Estes, + or Guelphs, and within a few miles of Arqua, which I have visited + twice, and hope to visit often. + + "Last summer (except an excursion to Rome) I passed upon the + Brenta. In Venice I winter, transporting my horses to the Lido, + bordering the Adriatic (where the fort is), so that I get a gallop + of some miles daily along the strip of beach which reaches to + Malamocco, when in health; but within these few weeks I have been + unwell. At present I am getting better. The Carnival was short, but + a good one. I don't go out much, except during the time of masques; + but there are one or two conversazioni, where I go regularly, just + to keep up the system; as I had letters to their givers; and they + are particular on such points; and now and then, though very + rarely, to the Governor's. + + "It is a very good place for women. I like the dialect and their + manner very much. There is a _naivete_ about them which is very + winning, and the romance of the place is a mighty adjunct; the _bel + sangue_ is not, however, now amongst the _dame_ or higher orders; + but all under _i fazzioli_, or kerchiefs (a white kind of veil + which the lower orders wear upon their heads);--the _vesta + zendale_, or old national female costume, is no more. The city, + however, is decaying daily, and does not gain in population. + However, I prefer it to any other in Italy; and here have I pitched + my staff, and here do I purpose to reside for the remainder of my + life, unless events, connected with business not to be transacted + out of England, compel me to return for that purpose; otherwise I + have few regrets, and no desires to visit it again for its own + sake. I shall probably be obliged to do so, to sign papers for my + affairs, and a proxy for the Whigs, and to see Mr. Waite, for I + can't find a good dentist here, and every two or three years one + ought to consult one. About seeing my children I must take my + chance. One I shall have sent here; and I shall be very happy to + see the legitimate one, when God pleases, which he perhaps will + some day or other. As for my mathematical * * *, I am as well + without her. + + "Your account of your visit to Fonthill is very striking: could you + beg of _him_ for _me_ a copy in MS. of the remaining _Tales_?[17] I + think I deserve them, as a strenuous and public admirer of the + first one. I will return it when read, and make no ill use of the + copy, if granted. Murray would send me out any thing safely. If + ever I return to England, I should like very much to see the + author, with his permission. In the mean time, you could not oblige + me more than by obtaining me the perusal I request, in French or + English,--all's one for that, though I prefer Italian to either. I + have a French copy of Vathek which I bought at Lausanne. I can read + French with great pleasure and facility, though I neither speak nor + write it. Now Italian I _can_ speak with some fluency, and write + sufficiently for my purposes, but I don't like their _modern_ prose + at all; it is very heavy, and so different from Machiavelli. + + "They say Francis is Junius;--I think it looks like it. I remember + meeting him at Earl Grey's at dinner. Has not he lately married a + young woman; and was not he Madame Talleyrand's _cavaliere + servente_ in India years ago? + + "I read my death in the papers, which was not true. I see they are + marrying the remaining singleness of the royal family. They have + brought out Fazio with great and deserved success at Covent Garden: + that's a good sign. I tried, during the directory, to have it done + at Drury Lane, but was overruled. If you think of coming into this + country, you will let me know perhaps beforehand. I suppose Moore + won't move. Rose is here. I saw him the other night at Madame + Albrizzi's; he talks of returning in May. My love to the Hollands. + + "Ever, &c. + + "P.S. They have been crucifying Othello into an opera (_Otello_, by + Rossini): the music good, but lugubrious; but as for the words, all + the real scenes with Iago cut out, and the greatest nonsense + instead; the handkerchief turned into a _billet-doux_, and the + first singer would not _black_ his face, for some exquisite reasons + assigned in the preface. Singing, dresses, and music, very good." + +[Footnote 17: A continuation of Vathek, by the author of that very +striking and powerful production. The "Tales" of which this unpublished +sequel consists are, I understand, those supposed to have been related +by the Princes in the Hall of Eblis.] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 311. TO MR. MOORE. + + "Venice, March 16. 1818. + + "My dear Tom, + + "Since my last, which I hope that you have received, I have had a + letter from our friend Samuel. He talks of Italy this summer--won't + you come with him? I don't know whether you would like our Italian + way of life or not. + + "They are an odd people. The other day I was telling a girl, 'You + must not come to-morrow, because Margueritta is coming at such a + time,'--(they are both about five feet ten inches high, with great + black eyes and fine figures--fit to breed gladiators from--and I + had some difficulty to prevent a battle upon a rencontre once + before,)--'unless you promise to be friends, and'--the answer was + an interruption, by a declaration of war against the other, which + she said would be a 'Guerra di Candia.' Is it not odd, that the + lower order of Venetians should still allude proverbially to that + famous contest, so glorious and so fatal to the Republic? + + "They have singular expressions, like all the Italians. For + example, 'Viscere'--as we would say, 'My love,' or 'My heart,' as + an expression of tenderness. Also, 'I would go for you into the + midst of a hundred _knives_.'--'_Mazza ben_,' excessive + attachment,--literally, 'I wish you well even to killing.' Then + they say (instead of our way, 'Do you think I would do you so much + harm?') 'Do you think I would _assassinate_ you in such a + manner?'--'Tempo _perfido_,' bad weather; 'Strade _perfide_,' bad + roads,--with a thousand other allusions and metaphors, taken from + the state of society and habits in the middle ages. + + "I am not so sure about _mazza_, whether it don't mean _massa_, + _i.e._ a great deal, a _mass_, instead of the interpretation I have + given it. But of the other phrases I am sure. + + "Three o' th' clock--I must 'to bed, to bed, to bed,' as mother S * + * (that tragical friend of the mathematical * * *) says. + + "Have you ever seen--I forget what or whom--no matter. They tell me + Lady Melbourne is very unwell. I shall be so sorry. She was my + greatest _friend_, of the feminine gender:--when I say 'friend,' I + mean _not_ mistress, for that's the antipode. Tell me all about you + and every body--how Sam is--how you like your neighbours, the + Marquis and Marchesa, &c. &c. + + "Ever," &c. + + * * * * * + +LETTER 312. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Venice, March 25. 1818. + + "I have your letter, with the account of 'Beppo,' for which I sent + you four new stanzas a fortnight ago, in case you print, or + reprint. + + "Croker's is a good guess; but the style is not English, it is + Italian;--Berni is the original of _all_. Whistlecraft was _my_ + immediate _model_! Rose's 'Animali' I never saw till a few days + ago,--they are excellent. But (as I said above) Berni is the father + of that kind of writing, which, I think, suits our language, too, + very well;--we shall see by the experiment. If it does, I shall + send you a volume in a year or two, for I know the Italian way of + life well, and in time may know it yet better; and as for the verse + and the passions, I have them still in tolerable vigour. + + "If you think that it will do you and the work, or works, any good, + you may put my name to it; _but first consult the knowing ones_. It + will, at any rate, show them that I can write cheerfully, and repel + the charge of monotony and mannerism. + + "Yours," &c. + + * * * * * + +LETTER 313. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Venice, April 11. 1818. + + "Will you send me by letter, packet, or parcel, half a dozen of the + coloured prints from Holmes's miniature (the latter done shortly + before I left your country, and the prints about a year ago); I + shall be obliged to you, as some people here have asked me for the + like. It is a picture of my upright self done for Scrope B. Davies, + Esq.[18] + + "Why have you not sent me an answer, and list of subscribers to the + translation of the Armenian _Eusebius_? of which I sent you printed + copies of the prospectus (in French) two moons ago. Have you had + the letter?--I shall send you another:--you must not neglect my + Armenians. Tooth-powder, magnesia, tincture of myrrh, + tooth-brushes, diachylon plaster, Peruvian bark, are my personal + demands. + + "Strahan, Tonson, Lintot of the times, + Patron and publisher of rhymes, + For thee the bard up Pindus climbs, + My Murray. + + "To thee, with hope and terror dumb, + The unfledged MS. authors come; + Thou printest all--and sellest some-- + My Murray. + + "Upon thy table's baize so green + The last new Quarterly is seen, + But where is thy new Magazine, + My Murray? + + "Along thy sprucest bookshelves shine + The works thou deemest most divine-- + The 'Art of Cookery,' and mine, + My Murray. + + "Tours, Travels, Essays, too, I wist, + And Sermons to thy mill bring grist! + And then thou hast the 'Navy List,' + My Murray. + + "And Heaven forbid I should conclude + Without 'the Board of Longitude,' + Although this narrow paper would, + My Murray!" + + +[Footnote 18: There follows, in this place, among other matter, a long +string of verses, in various metres, to the amount of about sixty lines, +so full of light gaiety and humour, that it is with some reluctance I +suppress them. They might, however, have the effect of giving pain in +quarters where even the author himself would not have deliberately +inflicted it;--from a pen like his, touches may be wounds, and without +being actually intended as such.] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 314. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Venice, April 12. 1818. + + "This letter will be delivered by Signor Gioe. Bata. Missiaglia, + proprietor of the Apollo library, and the principal publisher and + bookseller now in Venice. He sets out for London with a view to + business and correspondence with the English booksellers: and it is + in the hope that it may be for your mutual advantage that I furnish + him with this letter of introduction to you. If you can be of use + to him, either by recommendation to others, or by any personal + attention on your own part, you will oblige him and gratify me. You + may also perhaps both be able to derive advantage, or establish + some mode of literary communication, pleasing to the public, and + beneficial to one another. + + "At any rate, be civil to him for my sake, as well as for the + honour and glory of publishers and authors now and to come for + evermore. + + "With him I also consign a great number of MS. letters written in + English, French, and Italian, by various English established in + Italy during the last century:--the names of the writers, Lord + Hervey, Lady M.W. Montague, (hers are but few--some billets-doux in + French to Algarotti, and one letter in English, Italian, and all + sorts of jargon, to the same,) Gray, the poet (one letter), Mason + (two or three), Garrick, Lord Chatham, David Hume, and many of + lesser note,--all addressed to Count Algarotti. Out of these, I + think, with discretion, an amusing miscellaneous volume of letters + might be extracted, provided some good editor were disposed to + undertake the selection, and preface, and a few notes, &c. + + "The proprietor of these is a friend of mine, _Dr. Aglietti_,--a + great name in Italy,--and if you are disposed to publish, it will + be for _his benefit_, and it is to and for him that you will name a + price, if you take upon you the work. _I_ would _edite_ it myself, + but am too far off, and too lazy to undertake it; but I wish that + it could be done. The letters of Lord Hervey, in Mr. Rose's[19] + opinion and mine, are good; and the _short_ French love letters + _certainly_ are Lady M.W. Montague's--the _French_ not good, but + the sentiments beautiful. Gray's letter good; and Mason's + tolerable. The whole correspondence must be _well weeded_; but this + being done, a small and pretty popular volume might be made of + it.--There are many ministers' letters--Gray, the ambassador at + Naples, Horace Mann, and others of the same kind of animal. + + "I thought of a preface, defending Lord Hervey against Pope's + attack, but Pope--_quoad_ Pope, the poet--against all the world, in + the unjustifiable attempts begun by Warton and carried on at this + day by the new school of critics and scribblers, who think + themselves poets because they do _not_ write like Pope. I have no + patience with such cursed humbug and bad taste; your whole + generation are not worth a Canto of the Rape of the Lock, or the + Essay on Man, or the Dunciad, or 'any thing that is his.'--But it + is three in the matin, and I must go to bed. Yours alway," &c. + +[Footnote 19: Among Lord Byron's papers, I find some verses addressed to +him, about this time, by Mr. W. Rose, with the following note annexed to +them:--"These verses were sent to me by W.S. Rose, from Abaro, in the +spring of 1818. They are good and true; and Rose is a fine fellow, and +one of the few English who understand _Italy_, without which Italian is +nothing." The verses begin thus: + + "Byron[20], while you make gay what circle fits ye, + Bandy Venetian slang with the Benzon, + Or play at company with the Albrizzi, + The self-pleased pedant, and patrician crone, + Grimanis, Mocenigos, Balbis, Rizzi, + Compassionate our cruel case,--alone, + Our pleasure an academy of frogs, + Who nightly serenade us from the bogs," &c. &c. +] + +[Footnote 20: "I have _hunted_ out a precedent for this unceremonious +address."] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 315. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Venice, April 17. 1818. + + "A few days ago, I wrote to you a letter, requesting you to desire + Hanson to desire his messenger to come on from Geneva to Venice, + because I won't go from Venice to Geneva; and if this is not done, + the messenger may be damned, with him who mis-sent him. Pray + reiterate my request. + + "With the proofs returned, I sent two additional stanzas for Canto + fourth: did they arrive? + + "Your Monthly reviewer has made a mistake: _Cavaliere_, alone, is + well enough; but '_Cavalier' servente_' has always the _e_ mute in + conversation, and omitted in writing; so that it is not for the + sake of metre; and pray let Griffiths know this, with my + compliments. I humbly conjecture that I know as much of Italian + society and language as any of his people; but, to make assurance + doubly sure, I asked, at the Countess Benzona's last night, the + question of more than one person in _the office_, and of these + 'cavalieri serventi' (in the plural, recollect) I found that they + all accorded in pronouncing for 'cavalier' servente' in the + _singular_ number. I wish Mr. * * * * (or whoever Griffiths' + scribbler may be) would not talk of what he don't understand. Such + fellows are not fit to be intrusted with Italian, even in a + quotation. + + "Did you receive two additional stanzas, to be inserted towards the + close of Canto fourth? Respond, that (if not) they may be sent. + + "Tell Mr. * * and Mr. Hanson that they may as well expect Geneva to + come to me, as that I should go to Geneva. The messenger may go on + or return, as he pleases; I won't stir: and I look upon it as a + piece of singular absurdity in those who know me imagining that I + should;--not to say _malice_, in attempting unnecessary torture. + If, on the occasion, my interests should suffer, it is their + neglect that is to blame; and they may all be d----d together. + + "It is ten o'clock and time to dress. + + "Yours," &c. + + * * * * * + +LETTER 316. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "April 23. 1818. + + "The time is past in which I could feel for the dead,--or I should + feel for the death of Lady Melbourne, the best, and kindest, and + ablest female I ever knew, old or young. But 'I have supped full of + horrors,' and events of this kind have only a kind of numbness + worse than pain,--like a violent blow on the elbow or the head. + There is one link less between England and myself. + + "Now to business. I presented you with Beppo, as part of the + contract for Canto fourth,--considering the price you are to pay + for the same, and intending to eke you out in case of public + caprice or my own poetical failure. If you choose to suppress it + entirely, at Mr. * * * *'s suggestion, you may do as you please. + But recollect it is not to be published in a _garbled_ or + _mutilated_ state. I reserve to my friends and myself the right of + correcting the press;--if the publication continue, it is to + continue in its present form. + + "As Mr. * * says that he did not write this letter, &c. I am ready + to believe him; but for the firmness of my former persuasion, I + refer to Mr. * * * *, who can inform you how sincerely I erred on + this point. He has also the note--or, at least, had it, for I gave + it to him with my verbal comments thereupon. As to 'Beppo,' I will + not alter or suppress a syllable for any man's pleasure but my own. + + "You may tell them this; and add, that nothing but force or + necessity shall stir me one step towards places to which they would + wring me. + + "If your literary matters prosper let me know. If 'Beppo' pleases, + you shall have more in a year or two in the same mood. And so 'Good + morrow to you, good Master Lieutenant.' Yours," &c. + + * * * * * + +LETTER 317. TO MR. MOORE. + + "Palazzo Mocenigo, Canal Grande, + + "Venice, June 1. 1818. + + "Your letter is almost the only news, as yet, of Canto fourth, and + it has by no means settled its fate,--at least, does not tell me + how the 'Poeshie' has been received by the public. But I suspect, + no great things,--firstly, from Murray's 'horrid stillness;' + secondly, from what you say about the stanzas running into each + other[21], which I take _not_ to be _yours_, but a notion you have + been dinned with among the Blues. The fact is, that the terza rima + of the Italians, which always _runs_ on and in, may have led me + into experiments, and carelessness into conceit--or conceit into + carelessness--in either of which events failure will be probable, + and my fair woman, 'superne,' end in a fish; so that Childe Harold + will be like the mermaid, my family crest, with the fourth Canto + for a tail thereunto. I won't quarrel with the public, however, for + the 'Bulgars' are generally right; and if I miss now, I may hit + another time:--and so, the 'gods give us joy.' + + "You like Beppo, that's right. I have not had the Fudges yet, but + live in hopes. I need not say that your successes are mine. By the + way, Lydia White is here, and has just borrowed my copy of 'Lalla + Rookh.' + + "Hunt's letter is probably the exact piece of vulgar coxcombry you + might expect from his situation. He is a good man, with some + poetical elements in his chaos; but spoilt by the Christ-Church + Hospital and a Sunday newspaper,--to say nothing of the Surrey + gaol, which conceited him into a martyr. But he is a good man. When + I saw 'Rimini' in MS., I told him that I deemed it good poetry at + bottom, disfigured only by a strange style. His answer was, that + his style was a system, or _upon system_, or some such cant; and, + when a man talks of system, his case is hopeless: so I said no more + to him, and very little to any one else. + + "He believes his trash of vulgar phrases tortured into compound + barbarisms to be _old_ English; and we may say of it as Aimwell + says of Captain Gibbet's regiment, when the Captain calls it an + 'old corps,'--'the _oldest_ in Europe, if I may judge by your + uniform.' He sent out his 'Foliage' by Percy Shelley * * *, and, of + all the ineffable Centaurs that were ever begotten by Self-love + upon a Night-mare, I think this monstrous Sagittary the most + prodigious. _He_ (Leigh H.) is an honest charlatan, who has + persuaded himself into a belief of his own impostures, and talks + Punch in pure simplicity of heart, taking himself (as poor + Fitzgerald said of _himself_ in the Morning Post) for _Vates_ in + both senses, or nonsenses, of the word. Did you look at the + translations of his own which he prefers to Pope and Cowper, and + says so?--Did you read his skimble-skamble about * * being at the + head of his own _profession_, in the _eyes_ of _those_ who followed + it? I thought that poetry was an _art_, or an _attribute_, and not + a _profession_;--but be it one, is that * * * * * * at the head of + _your_ profession in _your_ eyes? I'll be curst if he is of _mine_, + or ever shall be. He is the only one of us (but of us he is not) + whose coronation I would oppose. Let them take Scott, Campbell, + Crabbe, or you, or me, or any of the living, and throne him;--but + not this new Jacob Behmen, this * * * * * * whose pride might have + kept him true, even had his principles turned as perverted as his + _soi-disant_ poetry. + + "But Leigh Hunt is a good man, and a good father--see his Odes to + all the Masters Hunt;--a good husband--see his Sonnet to Mrs. + Hunt;--a good friend--see his Epistles to different people;--and a + great coxcomb and a very vulgar person in every thing about him. + But that's not his fault, but of circumstances.[22] + + "I do not know any good model for a life of Sheridan but that of + _Savage_. Recollect, however, that the life of such a man may be + made far more amusing than if he had been a Wilberforce;--and this + without offending the living, or insulting the dead. The Whigs + abuse him; however, he never left them, and such blunderers deserve + neither credit nor compassion. As for his creditors,--remember, + Sheridan _never had_ a shilling, and was thrown, with great powers + and passions, into the thick of the world, and placed upon the + pinnacle of success, with no other external means to support him in + his elevation. Did Fox * * * _pay his_ debts?--or did Sheridan take + a subscription? Was the * *'s drunkenness more excusable than his? + Were his intrigues more notorious than those of all his + contemporaries? and is his memory to be blasted, and theirs + respected? Don't let yourself be led away by clamour, but compare + him with the coalitioner Fox, and the pensioner Burke, as a man of + principle, and with ten hundred thousand in personal views, and + with none in talent, for he beat them all _out_ and _out_. Without + means, without connection, without character, (which might be false + at first, and make him mad afterwards from desperation,) he beat + them all, in all he ever attempted. But alas, poor human nature! + Good night--or rather, morning. It is four, and the dawn gleams + over the Grand Canal, and unshadows the Rialto. I must to bed; up + all night--but, as George Philpot says, 'it's life, though, damme, + it's life!' Ever yours, B. + + "Excuse errors--no time for revision. The post goes out at noon, + and I sha'n't be up then. I will write again soon about your _plan_ + for a publication." + +[Footnote 21: I had said, I think, in my letter to him, that this +practice of carrying one stanza into another was "something like taking +on horses another stage without baiting."] + +[Footnote 22: I had, in first transcribing the above letter for the +press, omitted the whole of this caustic, and, perhaps, over-severe +character of Mr. Hunt; but the tone of that gentleman's book having, as +far as himself is concerned, released me from all those scruples which +prompted the suppression, I have considered myself at liberty to restore +the passage.] + + * * * * * + +During the greater part of the period which this last series of letters +comprises, he had continued to occupy the same lodgings in an extremely +narrow street called the Spezieria, at the house of the linen-draper, to +whose lady he devoted so much of his thoughts. That he was, for the +time, attached to this person,--as far as a passion so transient can +deserve the name of attachment,--is evident from his whole conduct. The +language of his letters shows sufficiently how much the novelty of this +foreign tie had caught his fancy; and to the Venetians, among whom such +arrangements are mere matters of course, the assiduity with which he +attended his Signora to the theatre, and the ridottos, was a subject of +much amusement. It was with difficulty, indeed, that he could be +prevailed upon to absent himself from her so long as to admit of that +hasty visit to the Immortal City, out of which one of his own noblest +titles to immortality sprung; and having, in the space of a few weeks, +drunk in more inspiration from all he saw than, in a less excited state, +possibly, he might have imbibed in years, he again hurried back, without +extending his journey to Naples,--having written to the fair Marianna to +meet him at some distance from Venice. + +Besides some seasonable acts of liberality to the husband, who had, it +seems, failed in trade, he also presented to the lady herself a handsome +set of diamonds; and there is an anecdote related in reference to this +gift, which shows the exceeding easiness and forbearance of his +disposition towards those who had acquired any hold on his heart. A +casket, which was for sale, being one day offered to him, he was not a +little surprised on discovering them to be the same jewels which he had, +not long before, presented to his fair favourite, and which had, by some +unromantic means, found their way back into the market. Without +enquiring, however, any further into the circumstances, he generously +repurchased the casket and presented it to the lady once more, +good-humouredly taxing her with the very little estimation in which, as +it appeared, she held his presents. + +To whatever extent this unsentimental incident may have had a share in +dispelling the romance of his passion, it is certain that, before the +expiration of the first twelvemonth, he began to find his lodgings in +the Spezieria inconvenient, and accordingly entered into treaty with +Count Gritti for his Palace on the Grand Canal,--engaging to give for +it, what is considered, I believe, a large rent in Venice, 200 louis a +year. On finding, however, that, in the counterpart of the lease brought +for his signature, a new clause had been introduced, prohibiting him not +only from underletting the house, in case he should leave Venice, but +from even allowing any of his own friends to occupy it during his +occasional absence, he declined closing on such terms; and resenting so +material a departure from the original engagement, declared in society, +that he would have no objection to give the same rent, though +acknowledged to be exorbitant, for any other palace in Venice, however +inferior, in all respects, to Count Gritti's. After such an +announcement, he was not likely to remain long unhoused; and the +Countess Mocenigo having offered him one of her three Palazzi, on the +Grand Canal, he removed to this house in the summer of the present year, +and continued to occupy it during the remainder of his stay in Venice. + +Highly censurable, in point of morality and decorum, as was his course +of life while under the roof of Madame * *, it was (with pain I am +forced to confess) venial in comparison with the strange, headlong +career of licence to which, when weaned from that connection, he so +unrestrainedly and, it may be added, defyingly abandoned himself. Of the +state of his mind on leaving England I have already endeavoured to +convey some idea, and, among the feelings that went to make up that +self-centred spirit of resistance which he then opposed to his fate, was +an indignant scorn of his own countrymen for the wrongs he thought they +had done him. For a time, the kindly sentiments which he still harboured +towards Lady Byron, and a sort of vague hope, perhaps, that all would +yet come right again, kept his mind in a mood somewhat more softened and +docile, as well as sufficiently under the influence of English opinion +to prevent his breaking out into such open rebellion against it, as he +unluckily did afterwards. + +By the failure of the attempted mediation with Lady Byron, his last link +with home was severed; while, notwithstanding the quiet and unobtrusive +life which he had led at Geneva, there was as yet, he found, no +cessation of the slanderous warfare against his character;--the same +busy and misrepresenting spirit which had tracked his every step at home +having, with no less malicious watchfulness, dogged him into exile. To +this persuasion, for which he had but too much grounds, was added all +that an imagination like his could lend to truth,--all that he was left +to interpret, in his own way, of the absent and the silent,--till, at +length, arming himself against fancied enemies and wrongs, and, with the +condition (as it seemed to him) of an outlaw, assuming also the +desperation, he resolved, as his countrymen would not do justice to the +better parts of his nature, to have, at least, the perverse satisfaction +of braving and shocking them with the worst. It is to this feeling, I am +convinced, far more than to any depraved taste for such a course of +life, that the extravagances to which he now, for a short time, gave +loose, are to be attributed. The exciting effect, indeed, of this mode +of existence while it lasted, both upon his spirits and his genius,--so +like what, as he himself tells us, was always produced in him by a state +of contest and defiance,--showed how much of this latter feeling must +have been mixed with his excesses. The altered character too, of his +letters in this respect cannot fail, I think, to be remarked by the +reader,--there being, with an evident increase of intellectual vigour, a +tone of violence and bravado breaking out in them continually, which +marks the high pitch of re-action to which he had now wound up his +temper. + +In fact, so far from the powers of his intellect being at all weakened +or dissipated by these irregularities, he was, perhaps, at no time of +his life, so actively in the full possession of all its energies; and +his friend Shelley, who went to Venice, at this period, to see him[23], +used to say, that all he observed of the workings of Byron's mind, +during his visit, gave him a far higher idea of its powers than he had +ever before entertained. It was, indeed, then that Shelley sketched out, +and chiefly wrote, his poem of "Julian and Maddalo," in the latter of +which personages he has so picturesquely shadowed forth his noble +friend[24]; and the allusions to "the Swan of Albion," in his "Lines +written among the Euganean Hills," were also, I understand, the result +of the same access of admiration and enthusiasm. + +In speaking of the Venetian women, in one of the preceding letters, +Lord Byron, it will be recollected, remarks, that the beauty for which +they were once so celebrated is no longer now to be found among the +"Dame," or higher orders, but all under the "fazzioli," or kerchiefs, of +the lower. It was, unluckily, among these latter specimens of the "bel +sangue" of Venice that he now, by a suddenness of descent in the scale +of refinement, for which nothing but the present wayward state of his +mind can account, chose to select the companions of his disengaged +hours;--and an additional proof that, in this short, daring career of +libertinism, he was but desperately seeking relief for a wronged and +mortified spirit, and + + "What to us seem'd guilt might be but woe,"-- + +is that, more than once, of an evening, when his house has been in the +possession of such visitants, he has been known to hurry away in his +gondola, and pass the greater part of the night upon the water, as if +hating to return to his home. It is, indeed, certain, that to this least +defensible portion of his whole life he always looked back, during the +short remainder of it, with painful self-reproach; and among the causes +of the detestation which he afterwards felt for Venice, this +recollection of the excesses to which he had there abandoned himself was +not the least prominent. + +The most distinguished and, at last, the reigning favourite of all this +unworthy Harem was a woman named Margarita Cogni, who has been already +mentioned in one of these letters, and who, from the trade of her +husband, was known by the title of the Fornarina. A portrait of this +handsome virago, drawn by Harlowe when at Venice, having fallen into the +hands of one of Lord Byron's friends after the death of that artist, the +noble poet, on being applied to for some particulars of his heroine, +wrote a long letter on the subject, from which the following are +extracts:-- + + "Since you desire the story of Margarita Cogni, you shall be told + it, though it may be lengthy. + + "Her face is the fine Venetian cast of the old time; her figure, + though perhaps too tall, is not less fine--and taken altogether in + the national dress. + + "In the summer of 1817, * * * * and myself were sauntering on + horseback along the Brenta one evening, when, amongst a group of + peasants, we remarked two girls as the prettiest we had seen for + some time. About this period, there had been great distress in the + country, and I had a little relieved some of the people. Generosity + makes a great figure at very little cost in Venetian livres, and + mine had probably been exaggerated as an Englishman's. Whether they + remarked us looking at them or no, I know not; but one of them + called out to me in Venetian, 'Why do not you, who relieve others, + think of us also?' I turned round and answered her--'Cara, tu sei + troppo bella e giovane per aver' bisogna del' soccorso mio.' She + answered, 'If you saw my hut and my food, you would not say so.' + All this passed half jestingly, and I saw no more of her for some + days. + + "A few evenings after, we met with these two girls again, and they + addressed us more seriously, assuring us of the truth of their + statement. They were cousins; Margarita married, the other single. + As I doubted still of the circumstances, I took the business in a + different light, and made an appointment with them for the next + evening. In short, in a few evenings we arranged our affairs, and + for a long space of time she was the only one who preserved over me + an ascendency which was often disputed, and never impaired. + + "The reasons of this were, firstly, her person;--very dark, tall, + the Venetian face, very fine black eyes. She was two-and-twenty + years old, * * * She was, besides, a thorough Venetian in her + dialect, in her thoughts, in her countenance, in every thing, with + all their _naivete_ and pantaloon humour. Besides, she could + neither read nor write, and could not plague me with + letters,--except twice that she paid sixpence to a public scribe, + under the piazza, to make a letter for her, upon some occasion when + I was ill and could not see her. In other respects, she was + somewhat fierce and 'prepotente,' that is, over-bearing, and used + to walk in whenever it suited her, with no very great regard to + time, place, nor persons; and if she found any women in her way, + she knocked them down. + + "When I first knew her, I was in 'relazione' (liaison) with la + Signora * *, who was silly enough one evening at Dolo, accompanied + by some of her female friends, to threaten her; for the gossips of + the villeggiatura had already found out, by the neighing of my + horse one evening, that I used to 'ride late in the night' to meet + the Fornarina. Margarita threw back her veil (fazziolo), and + replied in very explicit Venetian, '_You_ are _not_ his _wife_: _I_ + am _not_ his _wife_: you are his Donna, and _I_ am his _Donna_: + your husband is a _becco_, and mine is another. For the rest, what + _right_ have you to reproach me? If he prefers me to you, is it my + fault? If you wish to secure him, tie him to your + petticoat-string.--But do not think to speak to me without a reply, + because you happen to be richer than I am.' Having delivered this + pretty piece of eloquence (which I translate as it was related to + me by a bystander), she went on her way, leaving a numerous + audience with Madame * *, to ponder at her leisure on the dialogue + between them. + + "When I came to Venice for the winter, she followed; and as she + found herself out to be a favourite, she came to me pretty often. + But she had inordinate self-love, and was not tolerant of other + women. At the 'Cavalchina,' the masked ball on the last night of + the carnival, where all the world goes, she snatched off the mask + of Madame Contarini, a lady noble by birth, and decent in conduct, + for no other reason, but because she happened to be leaning on my + arm. You may suppose what a cursed noise this made; but this is + only one of her pranks. + + "At last she quarrelled with her husband, and one evening ran away + to my house. I told her this would not do: she said she would lie + in the street, but not go back to him; that he beat her, (the + gentle tigress!) spent her money, and scandalously neglected her. + As it was midnight I let her stay, and next day there was no moving + her at all. Her husband came, roaring and crying, and entreating + her to come back:--_not_ she! He then applied to the police, and + they applied to me: I told them and her husband to _take_ her; I + did not want her; she had come, and I could not fling her out of + the window; but they might conduct her through that or the door if + they chose it. She went before the commissary, but was obliged to + return with that 'becco ettico,' as she called the poor man, who + had a phthisic. In a few days she ran away again. After a precious + piece of work, she fixed herself in my house, really and truly + without my consent; but, owing to my indolence, and not being able + to keep my countenance, for if I began in a rage, she always + finished by making me laugh with some Venetian pantaloonery or + another; and the gipsy knew this well enough, as well as her other + powers of persuasion, and exerted them with the usual tact and + success of all she-things; high and low, they are all alike for + that. + + "Madame Benzoni also took her under her protection, and then her + head turned. She was always in extremes, either crying or laughing, + and so fierce when angered, that she was the terror of men, women, + and children--for she had the strength of an Amazon, with the + temper of Medea. She was a fine animal, but quite untameable. _I_ + was the only person that could at all keep her in any order, and + when she saw me really angry (which they tell me is a savage + sight), she subsided. But she had a thousand fooleries. In her + fazziolo, the dress of the lower orders, she looked beautiful; + but, alas! she longed for a hat and feathers; and all I could say + or do (and I said much) could not prevent this travestie. I put the + first into the fire; but I got tired of burning them, before she + did of buying them, so that she made herself a figure--for they did + not at all become her. + + "Then she would have her gowns with a _tail_--like a lady, + forsooth; nothing would serve her but 'l'abita colla _coua_,' or + _cua_, (that is the Venetian for 'la cola,' the tail or train,) and + as her cursed pronunciation of the word made me laugh, there was an + end of all controversy, and she dragged this diabolical tail after + her every where. + + "In the mean time, she beat the women and stopped my letters. I + found her one day pondering over one. She used to try to find out + by their shape whether they were feminine or no; and she used to + lament her ignorance, and actually studied her alphabet, on purpose + (as she declared) to open all letters addressed to me and read + their contents. + + "I must not omit to do justice to her housekeeping qualities. After + she came into my house as 'donna di governo,' the expenses were + reduced to less than half, and every body did their duty + better--the apartments were kept in order, and every thing and + every body else, except herself. + + "That she had a sufficient regard for me in her wild way, I had + many reasons to believe. I will mention one. In the autumn, one + day, going to the Lido with my gondoliers, we were overtaken by a + heavy squall, and the gondola put in peril--hats blown away, boat + filling, oar lost, tumbling sea, thunder, rain in torrents, night + coming, and wind unceasing. On our return, after a tight struggle, + I found her on the open steps of the Mocenigo palace, on the Grand + Canal, with her great black eyes flashing through her tears, and + the long dark hair, which was streaming, drenched with rain, over + her brows and breast. She was perfectly exposed to the storm; and + the wind blowing her hair and dress about her thin tall figure, and + the lightning flashing round her, and the waves rolling at her + feet, made her look like Medea alighted from her chariot, or the + Sibyl of the tempest that was rolling around her, the only living + thing within hail at that moment except ourselves. On seeing me + safe, she did not wait to greet me, as might have been expected, + but calling out to me--'Ah! can' della Madonna, xe esto il tempo + per andar' al' Lido?' (Ah! dog of the Virgin, is this a time to go + to Lido?) ran into the house, and solaced herself with scolding the + boatmen for not foreseeing the 'temporale.' I am told by the + servants that she had only been prevented from coming in a boat to + look after me, by the refusal of all the gondoliers of the canal to + put out into the harbour in such a moment; and that then she sat + down on the steps in all the thickest of the squall, and would + neither be removed nor comforted. Her joy at seeing me again was + moderately mixed with ferocity, and gave me the idea of a tigress + over her recovered cubs. + + "But her reign drew near a close. She became quite ungovernable + some months after, and a concurrence of complaints, some true, and + many false--'a favourite has no friends'--determined me to part + with her. I told her quietly that she must return home, (she had + acquired a sufficient provision for herself and mother, &c. in my + service,) and she refused to quit the house. I was firm, and she + went threatening knives and revenge. I told her that I had seen + knives drawn before her time, and that if she chose to begin, there + was a knife, and fork also, at her service on the table, and that + intimidation would not do. The next day, while I was at dinner, she + walked in, (having broken open a glass door that led from the hall + below to the staircase, by way of prologue,) and advancing straight + up to the table, snatched the knife from my hand, cutting me + slightly in the thumb in the operation. Whether she meant to use + this against herself or me, I know not--probably against + neither--but Fletcher seized her by the arms, and disarmed her. I + then called my boatmen, and desired them to get the gondola ready, + and conduct her to her own house again, seeing carefully that she + did herself no mischief by the way. She seemed quite quiet, and + walked down stairs. I resumed my dinner. + + "We heard a great noise, and went out, and met them on the + staircase, carrying her up stairs. She had thrown herself into the + canal. That she intended to destroy herself, I do not believe; but + when we consider the fear women and men who can't swim have of deep + or even of shallow water, (and the Venetians in particular, though + they live on the waves,) and that it was also night, and dark, and + very cold, it shows that she had a devilish spirit of some sort + within her. They had got her out without much difficulty or damage, + excepting the salt water she had swallowed, and the wetting she had + undergone. + + "I foresaw her intention to refix herself, and sent for a surgeon, + enquiring how many hours it would require to restore her from her + agitation; and he named the time. I then said, 'I give you that + time, and more if you require it; but at the expiration of this + prescribed period, if _she_ does not leave the house, _I_ will.' + + "All my people were consternated. They had always been frightened + at her, and were now paralysed: they wanted me to apply to the + police, to guard myself, &c. &c. like a pack of snivelling servile + boobies as they were. I did nothing of the kind, thinking that I + might as well end that way as another; besides, I had been used to + savage women, and knew their ways. + + "I had her sent home quietly after her recovery, and never saw her + since, except twice at the opera, at a distance amongst the + audience. She made many attempts to return, but no more violent + ones. And this is the story of Margarita Cogni, as far as it + relates to me. + + "I forgot to mention that she was very devout, and would cross + herself if she heard the prayer time strike. + + "She was quick in reply; as, for instance--One day when she had + made me very angry with beating somebody or other, I called her a + _cow_ (_cow_, in Italian, is a sad affront). I called her 'Vacca.' + She turned round, courtesied, and answered, 'Vacca _tua_, + 'celenza' (_i.e._ eccelenza). '_Your_ cow, please your Excellency.' + In short, she was, as I said before, a very fine animal, of + considerable beauty and energy, with many good and several amusing + qualities, but wild as a witch and fierce as a demon. She used to + boast publicly of her ascendency over me, contrasting it with that + of other women, and assigning for it sundry reasons. True it was, + that they all tried to get her away, and no one succeeded till her + own absurdity helped them. + + "I omitted to tell you her answer, when I reproached her for + snatching Madame Contarini's mask at the Cavalchina. I represented + to her that she was a lady of high birth, 'una Dama,' &c. She + answered, 'Se ella e dama _mi_ (_io_) son Veneziana;'--'If she is a + lady, I am a Venetian.' This would have been fine a hundred years + ago, the pride of the nation rising up against the pride of + aristocracy: but, alas! Venice, and her people, and her nobles, are + alike returning fast to the ocean; and where there is no + independence, there can be no real self-respect. I believe that I + mistook or mis-stated one of her phrases in my letter; it should + have been--'Can' della Madonna cosa vus' tu? esto non e tempo per + andar' a Lido?'" + +[Footnote 23: The following are extracts from a letter of Shelley's to a +friend at this time. + + "Venice, August, 1818. + + "We came from Padua hither in a gondola; and the gondolier, among + other things, without any hint on our part, began talking of Lord + Byron. He said he was a 'Giovanotto Inglese,' with a 'nome + stravagante,' who lived very luxuriously, and spent great sums of + money. + + "At three o'clock I called on Lord Byron. He was delighted to see + me, and our first conversation of course consisted in the object of + our visit. He took me in his gondola, across the Laguna, to a long, + strandy sand, which defends Venice from the Adriatic. When we + disembarked, we found his horses waiting for us, and we rode along + the sands, talking. Our conversation consisted in histories of his + own wounded feelings, and questions as to my affairs, with great + professions of friendship and regard for me. He said that if he had + been in England, at the time of the Chancery affair, he would have + moved heaven and earth to have prevented such a decision. He talked + of literary matters,--his fourth Canto, which he says is very good, + and indeed repeated some stanzas, of great energy, to me. When we + returned to his palace, which is one if the most magnificent in + Venice," &c. &c. +] + +[Footnote 24: In the preface also to this poem, under the fictitious +name of Count Maddalo, the following just and striking portrait of Lord +Byron is drawn:-- + +"He is a person of the most consummate genius, and capable, if he would +direct his energies to such an end, of becoming the redeemer of his +degraded country. But it is his weakness to be proud: he derives, from a +comparison of his own extraordinary mind with the dwarfish intellects +that surround him, an intense apprehension of the nothingness of human +life. His passions and his powers are incomparably greater than those of +other men, and instead of the latter having been employed in curbing the +former, they have mutually lent each other strength. His ambition preys +upon itself for want of objects which it can consider worthy of +exertion. I say that Maddalo is proud, because I can find no other word +to express the concentred and impatient feelings which consume him; but +it is on his own hopes and affections only that he seems to trample, for +in social life no human being can be more gentle, patient, and +unassuming than Maddalo. He is cheerful, frank, and witty. His more +serious conversation is a sort of intoxication. He has travelled much; +and there is an inexpressible charm in his relation of his adventures in +different countries."] + + * * * * * + +It was at this time, as we shall see by the letters I am about to +produce, and as the features, indeed, of the progeny itself would but +too plainly indicate, that he conceived, and wrote some part of, his +poem of 'Don Juan;'--and never did pages more faithfully and, in many +respects, lamentably, reflect every variety of feeling, and whim, and +passion that, like the wrack of autumn, swept across the author's mind +in writing them. Nothing less, indeed, than that singular combination of +attributes, which existed and were in full activity in his mind at this +moment, could have suggested, or been capable of, the execution of such +a work. The cool shrewdness of age, with the vivacity and glowing +temperament of youth,--the wit of a Voltaire, with the sensibility of a +Rousseau,--the minute, practical knowledge of the man of society, with +the abstract and self-contemplative spirit of the poet,--a +susceptibility of all that is grandest and most affecting in human +virtue, with a deep, withering experience of all that is most fatal to +it,--the two extremes, in short, of man's mixed and inconsistent nature, +now rankly smelling of earth, now breathing of heaven,--such was the +strange assemblage of contrary elements, all meeting together in the +same mind, and all brought to bear, in turn, upon the same task, from +which alone could have sprung this extraordinary poem,--the most +powerful and, in many respects, painful display of the versatility of +genius that has ever been left for succeeding ages to wonder at and +deplore. + +I shall now proceed with his correspondence,--having thought some of the +preceding observations necessary, not only to explain to the reader much +of what he will find in these letters, but to account to him for much +that has been necessarily omitted. + + * * * * * + +LETTER 318. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Venice, June 18. 1818. + + "Business and the utter and inexplicable silence of all my + correspondents renders me impatient and troublesome. I wrote to Mr. + Hanson for a balance which is (or ought to be) in his hands;--no + answer. I expected the messenger with the Newstead papers two + months ago, and instead of him, I received a requisition to proceed + to Geneva, which (from * *, who knows my wishes and opinions about + approaching England) could only be irony or insult. + + "I must, therefore, trouble _you_ to pay into my bankers' + _immediately_ whatever sum or sums you can make it convenient to do + on our agreement; otherwise, I shall be put to the _severest_ and + most immediate inconvenience; and this at a time when, by every + rational prospect and calculation, I ought to be in the receipt of + considerable sums. Pray do not neglect this; you have no idea to + what inconvenience you will otherwise put me. * * had some absurd + notion about the disposal of this money in annuity (or God knows + what), which I merely listened to when he was here to avoid + squabbles and sermons; but I have occasion for the principal, and + had never any serious idea of appropriating it otherwise than to + answer my personal expenses. Hobhouse's wish is, if possible, to + force me back to England[25]: he will not succeed; and if he did, I + would not stay. I hate the country, and like this; and all foolish + opposition, of course, merely adds to the feeling. _Your_ silence + makes me doubt the success of Canto fourth. If it has failed, I + will make such deduction as you think proper and fair from the + original agreement; but I could wish whatever is to be paid were + remitted to me, without delay, through the usual channel, by course + of post. + + "When I tell you that I have not heard a word from England since + very early in May, I have made the eulogium of my friends, or the + persons who call themselves so, since I have written so often and + in the greatest anxiety. Thank God, the longer I am absent, the + less cause I see for regretting the country or its living contents. + I am yours," &c. + +[Footnote 25: Deeply is it, for many reasons, to be regretted that this +friendly purpose did not succeed.] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 319. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Venice, July 10. 1818. + + "I have received your letter and the credit from Morlands, &c. for + whom I have also drawn upon you at sixty days' sight for the + remainder, according to your proposition. + + "I am still waiting in Venice, in expectancy of the arrival of + Hanson's clerk. What can detain him, I do not know; but I trust + that Mr. Hobhouse, and Mr. Kinnaird, when their political fit is + abated, will take the trouble to enquire and expedite him, as I + have nearly a hundred thousand pounds depending upon the completion + of the sale and the signature of the papers. + + "The draft on you is drawn up by Siri and Willhalm. I hope that + the form is correct. I signed it two or three days ago, desiring + them to forward it to Messrs. Morland and Ransom. + + "Your projected editions for November had better be postponed, as I + have some things in project, or preparation, that may be of use to + you, though not very important in themselves. I have completed an + Ode on Venice, and have two Stories, one serious and one ludicrous + (a la Beppo), not yet finished, and in no hurry to be so. + + "You talk of the letter to Hobhouse being much admired, and speak + of prose. I think of writing (for your full edition) some Memoirs + of my life, to prefix to them, upon the same model (though far + enough, I fear, from reaching it) of Gifford, Hume, &c.; and this + without any intention of making disclosures or remarks upon living + people, which would be unpleasant to them: but I think it might be + done, and well done. However, this is to be considered. I have + _materials_ in plenty, but the greater part of them could not be + used by _me_, nor for these hundred years to come. However, there + is enough without these, and merely as a literary man, to make a + preface for such an edition as you meditate. But this is by the + way: I have not made up my mind. + + "I enclose you a _note_ on the subject of '_Parisina_,' which + Hobhouse can dress for you. It is an extract of particulars from a + history of Ferrara. + + "I trust you have been attentive to Missiaglia, for the English + have the character of neglecting the Italians, at present, which I + hope you will redeem. + + "Yours in haste, B." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 320. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Venice, July 17. 1818. + + "I suppose that Aglietti will take whatever you offer, but till his + return from Vienna I can make him no proposal; nor, indeed, have + you authorised me to do so. The three French notes _are_ by Lady + Mary; also another half-English-French-Italian. They are very + pretty and passionate; it is a pity that a piece of one of them is + lost. Algarotti seems to have treated her ill; but she was much his + senior, and all women are used ill--or say so, whether they are or + not. + + "I shall be glad of your books and powders. I am still in waiting + for Hanson's clerk, but luckily not at Geneva. All my good friends + wrote to me to hasten _there_ to meet him, but not one had the good + sense or the good nature, to write afterwards to tell me that it + would be time and a journey thrown away, as he could not set off + for some months after the period appointed. If I _had_ taken the + journey on the general suggestion, I never would have spoken again + to one of you as long as I existed. I have written to request Mr. + Kinnaird, when the foam of his politics is wiped away, to extract a + positive answer from that * * * *, and not to keep me in a state of + suspense upon the subject. I hope that Kinnaird, who has my power + of attorney, keeps a look-out upon the gentleman, which is the more + necessary, as I have a great dislike to the idea of coming over to + look after him myself. + + "I have several things begun, verse and prose, but none in much + forwardness. I have written some six or seven sheets of a Life, + which I mean to continue, and send you when finished. It may + perhaps serve for your projected editions. If you would tell me + exactly (for I know nothing, and have no correspondents except on + business) the state of the reception of our late publications, and + the feeling upon them, without consulting any delicacies (I am too + seasoned to require them), I should know how and in what manner to + proceed. I should not like to give them too much, which may + probably have been the case already; but, as I tell you, I know + nothing. + + "I once wrote from the fulness of my mind and the love of fame, + (not as an _end_, but as a _means_, to obtain that influence over + men's minds which is power in itself and in its consequences,) and + now from habit and from avarice; so that the effect may probably be + as different as the inspiration. I have the same facility, and + indeed necessity, of composition, to avoid idleness (though + idleness in a hot country is a pleasure), but a much greater + indifference to what is to become of it, after it has served my + immediate purpose. However, I should on no account like to--but I + won't go on, like the Archbishop of Granada, as I am very sure that + you dread the fate of Gil Blas, and with good reason. Yours, &c. + + "P.S. I have written some very savage letters to Mr. Hobhouse, + Kinnaird, to you, and to Hanson, because the silence of so long a + time made me tear off my remaining rags of patience. I have seen + one or two late English publications which are no great things, + except Rob Roy. I shall be glad of Whistlecraft." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 321. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Venice, August 26. 1818. + + "You may go on with your edition, without calculating on the + Memoir, which I shall not publish at present. It is nearly + finished, but will be too long; and there are so many things, + which, out of regard to the living, cannot be mentioned, that I + have written with too much detail of that which interested me + least; so that my autobiographical Essay would resemble the tragedy + of Hamlet at the country theatre, recited 'with the part of Hamlet + left out by particular desire.' I shall keep it among my papers; it + will be a kind of guide-post in case of death, and prevent some of + the lies which would otherwise be told, and destroy some which have + been told already. + + "The tales also are in an unfinished state, and I can fix no time + for their completion: they are also not in the best manner. You + must not, therefore, calculate upon any thing in time for this + edition. The Memoir is already above forty-four sheets of very + large, long paper, and will be about fifty or sixty; but I wish to + go on leisurely; and when finished, although it might do a good + deal for you at the time, I am not sure that it would serve any + good purpose in the end either, as it is full of many passions and + prejudices, of which it has been impossible for me to keep + clear:--I have not the patience. + + "Enclosed is a list of books which Dr. Aglietti would be glad to + receive by way of price for his MS. letters, if you are disposed to + purchase at the rate of fifty pounds sterling. These he will be + glad to have as part, and the rest _I_ will give him in money, and + you may carry it to the account of books, &c. which is in balance + against me, deducting it accordingly. So that the letters are + yours, if you like them, at this rate; and he and I are going to + hunt for more Lady Montague letters, which he thinks of finding. I + write in haste. Thanks for the article, and believe me + + "Yours," &c. + + * * * * * + +To the charge brought against Lord Byron by some English travellers of +being, in general, repulsive and inhospitable to his own countrymen, I +have already made allusion; and shall now add to the testimony then +cited in disproof of such a charge some particulars, communicated to me +by Captain Basil Hall, which exhibit the courtesy and kindliness of the +noble poet's disposition in their true, natural light. + +"On the last day of August, 1818 (says this distinguished writer and +traveller), I was taken ill with an ague at Venice, and having heard +enough of the low state of the medical art in that country, I was not a +little anxious as to the advice I should take. I was not acquainted with +any person in Venice to whom I could refer, and had only one letter of +introduction, which was to Lord Byron; but as there were many stories +floating about of his Lordship's unwillingness to be pestered with +tourists, I had felt unwilling, before this moment, to intrude myself in +that shape. Now, however, that I was seriously unwell, I felt sure that +this offensive character would merge in that of a countryman in +distress, and I sent the letter by one of my travelling companions to +Lord Byron's lodgings, with a note, excusing the liberty I was taking, +explaining that I was in want of medical assistance, and saying I should +not send to any one till I heard the name of the person who, in his +Lordship's opinion, was the best practitioner in Venice. + +"Unfortunately for me, Lord Byron was still in bed, though it was near +noon, and still more unfortunately, the bearer of my message scrupled to +awake him, without first coming back to consult me. By this time I was +in all the agonies of a cold ague fit, and, therefore, not at all in a +condition to be consulted upon any thing--so I replied pettishly, 'Oh, +by no means disturb Lord Byron on my account--ring for the landlord, and +send for any one he recommends.' This absurd injunction being forthwith +and literally attended to, in the course of an hour I was under the +discipline of mine host's friend, whose skill and success it is no part +of my present purpose to descant upon:--it is sufficient to mention that +I was irrevocably in his hands long before the following most kind note +was brought to me, in great haste, by Lord Byron's servant. + + "'Venice, August 31. 1818. + + "'Dear Sir, + + "'Dr. Aglietti is the best physician, not only in Venice, but in + Italy: his residence is on the Grand Canal, and easily found; I + forget the number, but am probably the only person in Venice who + don't know it. There is no comparison between him and any of the + other medical people here. I regret very much to hear of your + indisposition, and shall do myself the honour of waiting upon you + the moment I am up. I write this in bed, and have only just + received the letter and note. I beg you to believe that nothing but + the extreme lateness of my hours could have prevented me from + replying immediately, or coming in person. I have not been called a + minute.--I have the honour to be, very truly, + + "'Your most obedient servant, + + "'BYRON.' + +"His Lordship soon followed this note, and I heard his voice in the next +room; but although he waited more than an hour, I could not see him, +being under the inexorable hands of the doctor. In the course of the +same evening he again called, but I was asleep. When I awoke I found his +Lordship's valet sitting by my bedside. 'He had his master's orders,' he +said, 'to remain with me while I was unwell, and was instructed to say, +that whatever his Lordship had, or could procure, was at my service, and +that he would come to me and sit with me, or do whatever I liked, if I +would only let him know in what way he could be useful.' + +"Accordingly, on the next day, I sent for some book, which was brought, +with a list of his library. I forget what it was which prevented my +seeing Lord Byron on this day, though he called more than once; and on +the next, I was too ill with fever to talk to any one. + +"The moment I could get out, I took a gondola and went to pay my +respects, and to thank his Lordship for his attentions. It was then +nearly three o'clock, but he was not yet up; and when I went again on +the following day at five, I had the mortification to learn that he had +gone, at the same hour, to call upon me, so that we had crossed each +other on the canal; and, to my deep and lasting regret, I was obliged to +leave Venice without seeing him." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 322. TO MR. MOORE. + + "Venice, September 19. 1818. + + "An English newspaper here would be a prodigy, and an opposition + one a monster; and except some ex tracts _from_ extracts in the + vile, garbled Paris gazettes, nothing of the kind reaches the + Veneto-Lombard public, who are, perhaps, the most oppressed in + Europe. My correspondences with England are mostly on business, and + chiefly with my * * *, who has no very exalted notion, or extensive + conception, of an author's attributes; for he once took up an + Edinburgh Review, and, looking at it a minute, said to me, 'So, I + see you have got into the magazine,'--which is the only sentence I + ever heard him utter upon literary matters, or the men thereof. + + "My first news of your Irish Apotheosis has, consequently, been + from yourself. But, as it will not be forgotten in a hurry, either + by your friends or your enemies, I hope to have it more in detail + from some of the former, and, in the mean time, I wish you joy with + all my heart. Such a moment must have been a good deal better than + Westminster-abbey,--besides being an assurance of _that_ one day + (many years hence, I trust,) into the bargain. + + "I am sorry to perceive, however, by the close of your letter, that + even _you_ have not escaped the 'surgit amari,' &c. and that your + damned deputy has been gathering such 'dew from the still _vext_ + Bermoothes'--or rather _vexatious_. Pray, give me some items of the + affair, as you say it is a serious one; and, if it grows more so, + you should make a trip over here for a few months, to see how + things turn out. I suppose you are a violent admirer of England by + your staying so long in it. For my own part, I have passed, between + the age of one-and-twenty and thirty, half the intervenient years + out of it without regretting any thing, except that I ever returned + to it at all, and the gloomy prospect before me of business and + parentage obliging me, one day, to return to it again,--at least, + for the transaction of affairs, the signing of papers, and + inspecting of children. + + "I have here my natural daughter, by name Allegra,--a pretty little + girl enough, and reckoned like papa.[26] Her mamma is English,--but + it is a long story, and--there's an end. She is about twenty + months old. + + "I have finished the first Canto (a long one, of about 180 octaves) + of a poem in the style and manner of 'Beppo', encouraged by the + good success of the same. It is called 'Don Juan', and is meant to + be a little quietly facetious upon every thing. But I doubt whether + it is not--at least, as far as it has yet gone--too free for these + very modest days. However, I shall try the experiment, anonymously, + and if it don't take, it will be discontinued. It is dedicated to S + * * in good, simple, savage verse, upon the * * * *'s politics, and + the way he got them. But the bore of copying it out is intolerable; + and if I had an amanuensis he would be of no use, as my writing is + so difficult to decipher. + + "My poem's Epic, and is meant to be + Divided in twelve books, each book containing + With love and war, a heavy gale at sea-- + A list of ships, and captains, and kings reigning-- + New characters, &c. &c. + + The above are two stanzas, which I send you as a brick of my Babel, + and by which you can judge of the texture of the structure. + + "In writing the Life of Sheridan, never mind the angry lies of the + humbug Whigs. Recollect that he was an Irishman and a clever + fellow, and that we have had some very pleasant days with him. + Don't forget that he was at school at Harrow, where, in my time, we + used to show his name--R.B. Sheridan, 1765,--as an honour to the + walls. Remember * *. Depend upon it that there were worse folks + going, of that gang, than ever Sheridan was. + + "What did Parr mean by 'haughtiness and coldness?' I listened to + him with admiring ignorance, and respectful silence. What more + could a talker for fame have?--they don't like to be answered. It + was at Payne Knight's I met him, where he gave me more Greek than I + could carry away. But I certainly meant to (and _did_) treat him + with the most respectful deference. + + "I wish you a good night, with a Venetian benediction, 'Benedetto + te, e la terra che ti fara!'--'May you be blessed, and the _earth_ + which you will _make_!'--is it not pretty? You would think it + still prettier if you had heard it, as I did two hours ago, from + the lips of a Venetian girl, with large black eyes, a face like + Faustina's, and the figure of a Juno--tall and energetic as a + Pythoness, with eyes flashing, and her dark hair streaming in the + moonlight--one of those women who may be made any thing. I am sure + if I put a poniard into the hand of this one, she would plunge it + where I told her,--and into _me_, if I offended her. I like this + kind of animal, and am sure that I should have preferred Medea to + any woman that ever breathed. You may, perhaps, wonder that I don't + in that case. I could have forgiven the dagger or the bowl, any + thing, but the deliberate desolation piled upon me, when I stood + alone upon my hearth, with my household gods shivered around me[27] + * * Do you suppose I have forgotten or forgiven it? It has + comparatively swallowed up in me every other feeling, and I am only + a spectator upon earth, till a tenfold opportunity offers. It may + come yet. There are others more to be blamed than * * * *, and it + is on these that my eyes are fixed unceasingly." + +[Footnote 26: This little child had been sent to him by its mother about +four or five months before, under the care of a Swiss nurse, a young +girl not above nineteen or twenty years of age, and in every respect +unfit to have the charge of such an infant, without the superintendence +of some more experienced person. "The child, accordingly," says my +informant, "was but ill taken care of;--not that any blame could attach +to Lord Byron, for he always expressed himself most anxious for her +welfare, but because the nurse wanted the necessary experience. The poor +girl was equally to be pitied; for, as Lord Byron's household consisted +of English and Italian men servants, with whom she could hold no +converse, and as there was no other female to consult with and assist +her in her charge, nothing could be more forlorn than her situation +proved to be." + +Soon after the date of the above letter, Mrs. Hoppner, the lady of the +Consul General, who had, from the first, in compassion both to father +and child, invited the little Allegra occasionally to her house, very +kindly proposed to Lord Byron to take charge of her altogether, and an +arrangement was accordingly concluded upon for that purpose.] + +[Footnote 27: + + "I had one only fount of quiet left, + And that they poison'd! _My pure household gods + Were shivered on my hearth._" MARINO FALIERO. +] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 323. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Venice, September 24. 1818. + + "In the one hundredth and thirty-second stanza of Canto fourth, the + stanza runs in the manuscript-- + + "And thou, who never yet of human wrong + Left the unbalanced scale, great Nemesis! + + and _not 'lost,'_ which is nonsense, as what losing a scale means, + I know not; but _leaving_ an unbalanced scale, or a scale + unbalanced, is intelligible.[28] Correct this, I pray,--not for the + public, or the poetry, but I do not choose to have blunders made in + addressing any of the deities so seriously as this is addressed. + + "Yours, &c. + + "P.S. In the translation from the Spanish, alter + + "In increasing squadrons flew, + + to-- + + To a mighty squadron grew. + + "What does 'thy waters _wasted_ them' mean (in the Canto)? _That is + not me._[29] Consult the MS. _always_. + + "I have written the first Canto (180 octave stanzas) of a poem in + the style of Beppo, and have Mazeppa to finish besides. + + "In referring to the mistake in stanza 132. I take the opportunity + to desire that in future, in all parts of my writings referring to + religion, you will be more careful, and not forget that it is + possible that in addressing the Deity a blunder may become a + blasphemy; and I do not choose to suffer such infamous perversions + of my words or of my intentions. + + "I saw the Canto by accident." + +[Footnote 28: This correction, I observe, has never been made,--the +passage still remaining, unmeaningly, + + "_Lost_ the unbalanced scale." +] + +[Footnote 29: This passage also remains uncorrected.] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 324. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Venice, January 20. 1819. + + "The opinions which I have asked of Mr. H. and others were with + regard to the poetical merit, and not as to what they may think due + to the _cant_ of the day, which still reads the Bath Guide, + Little's Poems, Prior, and Chaucer, to say nothing of Fielding and + Smollet. If published, publish entire, with the above-mentioned + exceptions; or you may publish anonymously, or _not at all_. In the + latter event, print 50 on my account, for private distribution. + + "Yours, &c. + + "I have written to Messrs. K. and H. to desire that they will not + erase more than I have stated. + + "The second Canto of Don Juan is finished in 206 stanzas." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 325. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Venice, January 25. 1819. + + "You will do me the favour to print privately (for private + distribution) fifty copies of 'Don Juan.' The list of the men to + whom I wish it to be presented, I will send hereafter. The other + two poems had best be added to the collective edition: I do not + approve of _their_ being published separately. Print Don Juan + _entire_, omitting, of course, the lines on Castlereagh, as I am + not on the spot to meet him. I have a second Canto ready, which + will be sent by and by. By this post, I have written to Mr. + Hobhouse, addressed to your care. + + "Yours, &c. + + "P.S. I have acquiesced in the request and representation; and + having done so, it is idle to detail my arguments in favour of my + own self-love and 'Poeshie;' but I _protest_. If the poem has + poetry, it would stand; if not, fall; the rest is 'leather and + prunello,' and has never yet affected any human production 'pro or + con.' Dulness is the only annihilator in such cases. As to the cant + of the day, I despise it, as I have ever done all its other finical + fashions, which become you as paint became the ancient Britons. If + you admit this prudery, you must omit half Ariosto, La Fontaine, + Shakspeare, Beaumont, Fletcher, Massinger, Ford, all the Charles + Second writers; in short, _something_ of most who have written + before Pope and are worth reading, and much of Pope himself. _Read + him_--most of you _don't_--but _do_--and I will forgive you; though + the inevitable consequence would be that you would burn all I have + ever written, and all your other wretched Claudians of the day + (except Scott and Crabbe) into the bargain. I wrong Claudian, who + _was_ a _poet_, by naming him with such fellows; but he was the + 'ultimus Romanorum,' the tail of the comet, and these persons are + the tail of an old gown cut into a waistcoat for Jackey; but being + both _tails_, I have compared the one with the other, though very + unlike, like all similes. I write in a passion and a sirocco, and I + was up till six this morning at the Carnival: but I _protest_, as I + did in my former letter." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 326. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Venice, February 1. 1819. + + "After one of the concluding stanzas of the first Canto of 'Don + Juan,' which ends with (I forget the number)-- + + "To have ... + ... when the original is dust, + A book, a d----d bad picture, and worse bust, + + insert the following stanza:-- + + "What are the hopes of man, &c. + + "I have written to you several letters, some with additions, and + some upon the subject of the poem itself, which my cursed + puritanical committee have protested against publishing. But we + will circumvent them on that point. I have not yet begun to copy + out the second Canto, which is finished, from natural laziness, and + the discouragement of the milk and water they have thrown upon the + first. I say all this to them as to you, that is, for _you_ to say + to _them_, for I will have nothing underhand. If they had told me + the poetry was bad, I would have acquiesced; but they say the + contrary, and then talk to me about morality--the first time I ever + heard the word from any body who was not a rascal that used it for + a purpose. I maintain that it is the most moral of poems; but if + people won't discover the moral, that is their fault, not mine. I + have already written to beg that in any case you will print _fifty_ + for private distribution. I will send you the list of persons to + whom it is to be sent afterwards. + + "Within this last fortnight I have been rather indisposed with a + rebellion of stomach, which would retain nothing, (liver, I + suppose,) and an inability, or fantasy, not to be able to eat of + any thing with relish but a kind of Adriatic fish called 'scampi,' + which happens to be the most indigestible of marine viands. + However, within these last two days, I am better, and very truly + yours." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 327. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Venice, April 6. 1819. + + "The second Canto of Don Juan was sent, on Saturday last, by post, + in four packets, two of four, and two of three sheets each, + containing in all two hundred and seventeen stanzas, octave + measure. But I will permit no curtailments, except those mentioned + about Castlereagh and * * * *. You sha'n't make _canticles_ of my + cantos. The poem will please, if it is lively; if it is stupid, it + will fail: but I will have none of your damned cutting and + slashing. If you please, you may publish _anonymously_; it will + perhaps be better; but I will battle my way against them all, like + a porcupine. + + "So you and Mr. Foscolo, &c. want me to undertake what you call a + 'great work?' an Epic Poem, I suppose, or some such pyramid. I'll + try no such thing; I hate tasks. And then 'seven or eight years!' + God send us all well this day three months, let alone years. If + one's years can't be better employed than in sweating poesy, a man + had better be a ditcher. And works, too!--is Childe Harold + nothing? You have so many 'divine poems,' is it nothing to have + written a _human_ one? without any of your worn-out machinery. Why, + man, I could have spun the thoughts of the four Cantos of that poem + into twenty, had I wanted to book-make, and its passion into as + many modern tragedies. Since you want _length_, you shall have + enough of _Juan_, for I'll make fifty Cantos. + + "And Foscolo, too! Why does _he_ not do something more than the + Letters of Ortis, and a tragedy, and pamphlets? He has good fifteen + years more at his command than I have: what has he done all that + time?--proved his genius, doubtless, but not fixed its fame, nor + done his utmost. + + "Besides, I mean to write my best work in _Italian_, and it will + take me nine years more thoroughly to master the language; and then + if my fancy exist, and I exist too, I will try what I _can_ do + _really_. As to the estimation of the English which you talk of, + let them calculate what it is worth, before they insult me with + their insolent condescension. + + "I have not written for their pleasure. If they are pleased, it is + that they chose to be so; I have never flattered their opinions, + nor their pride; nor will I. Neither will I make 'Ladies' books 'al + dilettar le femine e la plebe.' I have written from the fulness of + my mind, from passion, from impulse, from many motives, but not for + their 'sweet voices.' + + "I know the precise worth of popular applause, for few scribblers + have had more of it; and if I chose to swerve into their paths, I + could retain it, or resume it. But I neither love ye, nor fear ye; + and though I buy with ye and sell with ye, I will neither eat with + ye, drink with ye, nor pray with ye. They made me, without any + search, a species of popular idol; they, without reason or + judgment, beyond the caprice of their good pleasure, threw down the + image from its pedestal; it was not broken with the fall, and they + would, it seems, again replace it,--but they shall not. + + "You ask about my health: about the beginning of the year I was in + a state of great exhaustion, attended by such debility of stomach + that nothing remained upon it; and I was obliged to reform my 'way + of life,' which was conducting me from the 'yellow leaf' to the + ground, with all deliberate speed. I am better in health and + morals, and very much yours, &c. + + "P.S. I have read Hodgson's 'Friends.' He is right in defending + Pope against the bastard pelicans of the poetical winter day, who + add insult to their parricide, by sucking the blood of the parent + of English _real_ poetry,--poetry without fault,--and then spurning + the bosom which fed them." + + * * * * * + +It was about the time when the foregoing letter was written, and when, +as we perceive, like the first return of reason after intoxication, a +full consciousness of some of the evils of his late libertine course of +life had broken upon him, that an attachment differing altogether, both +in duration and devotion, from any of those that, since the dream of his +boyhood, had inspired him, gained an influence over his mind which +lasted through his few remaining years; and, undeniably wrong and +immoral (even allowing for the Italian estimate of such frailties) as +was the nature of the connection to which this attachment led, we can +hardly perhaps,--taking into account the far worse wrong from which it +rescued and preserved him,--consider it otherwise than as an event +fortunate both for his reputation and happiness. + +The fair object of this last, and (with one signal exception) only +_real_ love of his whole life, was a young Romagnese lady, the daughter +of Count Gamba, of Ravenna, and married, but a short time before Lord +Byron first met with her, to an old and wealthy widower, of the same +city, Count Guiccioli. Her husband had in early life been the friend of +Alfieri, and had distinguished himself by his zeal in promoting the +establishment of a National Theatre, in which the talents of Alfieri and +his own wealth were to be combined. Notwithstanding his age, and a +character, as it appears, by no means reputable, his great opulence +rendered him an object of ambition among the mothers of Ravenna, who, +according to the too frequent maternal practice, were seen vying with +each other in attracting so rich a purchaser for their daughters, and +the young Teresa Gamba, not yet sixteen, and just emancipated from a +convent, was the selected victim. + +The first time Lord Byron had ever seen this lady was in the autumn of +1818, when she made her appearance, three days after her marriage, at +the house of the Countess Albrizzi, in all the gaiety of bridal array, +and the first delight of exchanging a convent for the world. At this +time, however, no acquaintance ensued between them;--it was not till the +spring of the present year that, at an evening party of Madame +Benzoni's, they were introduced to each other. The love that sprung out +of this meeting was instantaneous and mutual, though with the usual +disproportion of sacrifice between the parties; such an event being, to +the man, but one of the many scenes of life, while, with woman, it +generally constitutes the whole drama. The young Italian found herself +suddenly inspired with a passion of which, till that moment, her mind +could not have formed the least idea;--she had thought of love but as an +amusement, and now became its slave. If at the outset, too, less slow to +be won than an Englishwoman, no sooner did she begin to understand the +full despotism of the passion than her heart shrunk from it as something +terrible, and she would have escaped, but that the chain was already +around her. + +No words, however, can describe so simply and feelingly as her own, the +strong impression which their first meeting left upon her mind:-- + +"I became acquainted (says Madame Guiccioli) with Lord Byron in the +April of 1819:--he was introduced to me at Venice, by the Countess +Benzoni, at one of that lady's parties. This introduction, which had so +much influence over the lives of us both, took place contrary to our +wishes, and had been permitted by us only from courtesy. For myself, +more fatigued than usual that evening on account of the late hours they +keep at Venice, I went with great repugnance to this party, and purely +in obedience to Count Guiccioli. Lord Byron, too, who was averse to +forming new acquaintances,--alleging that he had entirely renounced all +attachments, and was unwilling any more to expose himself to their +consequences,--on being requested by the countess Benzoni to allow +himself to be presented to me, refused, and, at last, only assented from +a desire to oblige her. + +"His noble and exquisitely beautiful countenance, the tone of his voice, +his manners, the thousand enchantments that surrounded him, rendered him +so different and so superior a being to any whom I had hitherto seen, +that it was impossible he should not have left the most profound +impression upon me. From that evening, during the whole of my subsequent +stay at Venice, we met every day."[30] + +[Footnote 30: "Nell' Aprile del 1819, io feci la conoscenza di Lord +Byron; e mi fu presentato a Venezia dalla Contessa Benzoni nella di lei +societa. Questa presentazione che ebbe tante consequenze per tutti e due +fu fatta contro la volonta d'entrambi, e solo per condiscendenza +l'abbiamo permessa. Io stanca piu che mai quella sera par le ore tarde +che si costuma fare in Venezia andai con molta ripugnanza e solo per +ubbidire al Conte Guiccioli in quella societa. Lord Byron che scansava +di fare nuove conoscenze, dicendo sempre che aveva interamente +rinunciato alle passioni e che non voleva esporsi piu alle loro +consequenze, quando la Contessa Benzoni la prego di volersi far +presentare a me egli recuso, e solo per la compiacenza glielo permise. +La nobile e bellissima sua fisonomia, il suono della sua voce, le sue +maniere, i mille incanti che lo circondavano lo rendevano un essere cosi +differente, cosi superiore a tutti quelli che io aveva sino allora +veduti che non potei a meno di non provarne la piu profonda impressione. +Da quella sera in poi in tutti i giorni che mi fermai in Venezia ei +siamo seinpre veduti."--MS.] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 328. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Venice, May 15. 1819. + + "I have got your extract, and the 'Vampire.' I need not say it is + _not mine_. There is a rule to go by: you are my publisher (till we + quarrel), and what is not published by you is not written by me. + + "Next week I set out for Romagna--at least, in all probability. You + had better go on with the publications, without waiting to hear + farther, for I have other things in my head. 'Mazeppa' and the + 'Ode' separate?--what think you? _Juan anonymous, without the + Dedication;_ for I won't be shabby, and attack Southey under cloud + of night. + + "Yours," &c. + + * * * * * + +In another letter on the subject of the Vampire, I find the following +interesting particulars:-- + + "TO MR. ----. + + "The story of Shelley's agitation is true.[31] I can't tell what + seized him, for he don't want courage. He was once with me in a + gale of wind, in a small boat, right under the rocks between + Meillerie and St. Gingo. We were five in the boat--a servant, two + boatmen, and ourselves. The sail was mismanaged, and the boat was + filling fast. He can't swim. I stripped off my coat, made him strip + off his, and take hold of an oar, telling him that I thought (being + myself an expert swimmer) I could save him, if he would not + struggle when I took hold of him--unless we got smashed against the + rocks, which were high and sharp, with an awkward surf on them at + that minute. We were then about a hundred yards from shore, and the + boat in peril. He answered me with the greatest coolness, 'that he + had no notion of being saved, and that I would have enough to do to + save myself, and begged not to trouble me.' Luckily, the boat + righted, and, bailing, we got round a point into St. Gingo, where + the inhabitants came down and embraced the boatmen on their escape, + the wind having been high enough to tear up some huge trees from + the Alps above us, as we saw next day. + + "And yet the same Shelley, who was as cool as it was possible to be + in such circumstances, (of which I am no judge myself, as the + chance of swimming naturally gives self-possession when near + shore,) certainly had the fit of phantasy which Polidori describes, + though _not exactly_ as he describes it. + + "The story of the agreement to write the ghost-books is true; but + the ladies are _not_ sisters. Mary Godwin (now Mrs. Shelley) wrote + Frankenstein, which you have reviewed, thinking it Shelley's. + Methinks it is a wonderful book for a girl of nineteen,--not + nineteen, indeed, at that time. I enclose you the beginning of + mine, by which you will see how far it resembles Mr. Colburn's + publication. If you choose to publish it, you may, _stating why_, + and with such explanatory proem as you please. I never went on with + it, as you will perceive by the date. I began it in an old + account-book of Miss Milbanke's, which I kept because it contains + the word 'Household,' written by her twice on the inside blank page + of the covers, being the only two scraps I have in the world in her + writing, except her name to the Deed of Separation. Her letters I + sent back except those of the quarrelling correspondence, and + those, being documents, are placed in the hands of a third person, + with copies of several of my own; so that I have no kind of + memorial whatever of her, but these two words,--and her actions. I + have torn the leaves containing the part of the Tale out of the + book, and enclose them with this sheet. + + "What do you mean? First you seem hurt by my letter, and then, in + your next, you talk of its 'power,' and so forth. 'This is a + d----d blind story, Jack; but never mind, go on.' You may be sure I + said nothing _on purpose_ to plague you; but if you will put me 'in + a frenzy, I will never call you _Jack_ again.' I remember nothing + of the epistle at present. + + "What do you mean by Polidori's _Diary_? Why, I defy him to say any + thing about me, but he is welcome. I have nothing to reproach me + with on his score, and I am much mistaken if that is not his _own_ + opinion. But why publish the names of the two girls? and in such a + manner?--what a blundering piece of exculpation! _He_ asked Pictet, + &c. to dinner, and of course was left to entertain them. I went + into society _solely_ to present _him_ (as I told him), that he + might return into good company if he chose; it was the best thing + for his youth and circumstances: for myself, I had done with + society, and, having presented him, withdrew to my own 'way of + life.' It is true that I returned without entering Lady Dalrymple + Hamilton's, because I saw it full. It is true that Mrs. Hervey (she + writes novels) fainted at my entrance into Coppet, and then came + back again. On her fainting, the Duchess de Broglie exclaimed, + 'This is _too much_--at _sixty-five_ years of age!'--I never gave + 'the English' an opportunity of avoiding me; but I trust that, if + ever I do, they will seize it. With regard to Mazeppa and the Ode, + you may join or separate them, as you please, from the two Cantos. + + "Don't suppose I want to put you out of humour. I have a great + respect for your good and gentlemanly qualities, and return your + personal friendship towards me; and although I think you a little + spoilt by 'villanous company,'--wits, persons of honour about town, + authors, and fashionables, together with your 'I am just going to + call at Carlton House, are you walking that way?'--I say, + notwithstanding 'pictures, taste, Shakspeare, and the musical + glasses,' you deserve and possess the esteem of those whose esteem + is worth having, and of none more (however useless it may be) than + yours very truly, &c. + + "P.S. Make my respects to Mr. Gifford. I am perfectly aware that + 'Don Juan' must set us all by the ears, but that is my concern, and + my beginning. There will be the 'Edinburgh,' and all, too, against + it, so that, like 'Rob Roy,' I shall have my hands full." + +[Footnote 31: This story, as given in the Preface to the "Vampire," is +as follows:-- + +"It appears that one evening Lord B., Mr. P.B. Shelley, two ladies, and +the gentleman before alluded to, after having perused a German work +called Phantasmagoria, began relating ghost stories, when his Lordship +having recited the beginning of Christabel, then unpublished, the whole +took so strong a hold of Mr. Shelley's mind, that he suddenly started +up, and ran out of the room. The physician and Lord Byron followed, and +discovered him leaning against a mantel-piece, with cold drops of +perspiration trickling down his face. After having given him something +to refresh him, upon enquiring into the cause of his alarm, they found +that his wild imagination having pictured to him the bosom of one of the +ladies with eyes (which was reported of a lady in the neighbourhood +where he lived), he was obliged to leave the room in order to destroy +the impression."] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 329. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Venice, May 25. 1819. + + "I have received no proofs by the last post, and shall probably + have quitted Venice before the arrival of the next. There wanted a + few stanzas to the termination of Canto first in the last proof; + the next will, I presume, contain them, and the whole or a portion + of Canto second; but it will be idle to wait for further answers + from me, as I have directed that my letters wait for my return + (perhaps in a month, and probably so); therefore do not wait for + further advice from me. You may as well talk to the wind, and + better--for _it_ will at least convey your accents a little further + than they would otherwise have gone; whereas _I_ shall neither + echo nor acquiesce in your 'exquisite reasons.' You may omit the + _note_ of reference to Hobhouse's travels, in Canto second, and you + will put as motto to the whole-- + + 'Difficile est proprie communia dicere.'--HORACE. + + "A few days ago I sent you all I know of Polidori's Vampire. He may + do, say, or write, what he pleases, but I wish he would not + attribute to me his own compositions. If he has any thing of mine + in his possession, the MS. will put it beyond controversy; but I + scarcely think that any one who knows me would believe the thing in + the Magazine to be mine, even if they saw it in my own + hieroglyphics. + + "I write to you in the agonies of a _sirocco_, which annihilates + me; and I have been fool enough to do four things since dinner, + which are as well omitted in very hot weather: 1stly, * * * *; + 2dly, to play at billiards from 10 to 12, under the influence of + lighted lamps, that doubled the heat; 3dly, to go afterwards into a + red-hot conversazione of the Countess Benzoni's; and, 4thly, to + begin this letter at three in the morning: but being begun, it must + be finished. + + "Ever very truly and affectionately yours, + + "B. + + "P.S. I petition for tooth-brushes, powder, magnesia, Macassar oil + (or Russia), _the_ sashes, and Sir Nl. Wraxall's Memoirs of his own + Times. I want, besides, a bull-dog, a terrier, and two Newfoundland + dogs; and I want (is it Buck's?) a life of _Richard 3d_, + advertised by Longman _long, long, long_ ago; I asked for it at + least three years since. See Longman's advertisements." + + * * * * * + +About the middle of April, Madame Guiccioli had been obliged to quit +Venice with her husband. Having several houses on the road from Venice +to Ravenna, it was his habit to stop at these mansions, one after the +other, in his journeys between the two cities; and from all these places +the enamoured young Countess now wrote to Lord Byron, expressing, in the +most passionate and pathetic terms, her despair at leaving him. So +utterly, indeed, did this feeling overpower her, that three times, in +the course of her first day's journey, she was seized with fainting +fits. In one of her letters, which I saw when at Venice, dated, if I +recollect right, from "Ca Zen, Cavanelle di Po," she tells him that the +solitude of this place, which she had before found irksome, was, now +that one sole idea occupied her mind, become dear and welcome to her, +and promises that, as soon as she arrives at Ravenna, "she will, +according to his wish, avoid all general society, and devote herself to +reading, music, domestic occupations, riding on horseback,--every thing, +in short, that she knew he would most like." What a change for a young +and simple girl, who, but a few weeks before, had thought only of +society and the world, but who now saw no other happiness but in the +hope of making herself worthy, by seclusion and self-instruction, of the +illustrious object of her devotion! + +On leaving this place, she was attacked with a dangerous illness on the +road, and arrived half dead at Ravenna; nor was it found possible to +revive or comfort her till an assurance was received from Lord Byron, +expressed with all the fervour of real passion, that, in the course of +the ensuing month, he would pay her a visit. Symptoms of consumption, +brought on by her state of mind, had already shown themselves; and, in +addition to the pain which this separation had caused her, she was also +suffering much grief from the loss of her mother, who, at this time, +died in giving birth to her fourteenth child. Towards the latter end of +May she wrote to acquaint Lord Byron that, having prepared all her +relatives and friends to expect him, he might now, she thought, venture +to make his appearance at Ravenna. Though, on the lady's account, +hesitating as to the prudence of such a step, he, in obedience to her +wishes, on the 2d of June, set out from La Mira (at which place he had +again taken a villa for the summer), and proceeded towards Romagna. + +From Padua he addressed a letter to Mr. Hoppner, chiefly occupied with +matters of household concern which that gentleman had undertaken to +manage for him at Venice, but, on the immediate object of his journey, +expressing himself in a tone so light and jesting, as it would be +difficult for those not versed in his character to conceive that he +could ever bring himself, while under the influence of a passion so +sincere, to assume. But such is ever the wantonness of the mocking +spirit, from which nothing,--not even love,--remains sacred; and which, +at last, for want of other food, turns upon himself. The same horror, +too, of hypocrisy that led Lord Byron to exaggerate his own errors, led +him also to disguise, under a seemingly heartless ridicule, all those +natural and kindly qualities by which they were redeemed. + +This letter from Padua concludes thus:-- + + "A journey in an Italian June is a conscription; and if I was not + the most constant of men, I should now be swimming from the Lido, + instead of smoking in the dust of Padua. Should there be letters + from England, let them wait my return. And do look at my house and + (not lands, but) waters, and scold;--and deal out the monies to + Edgecombe[32] with an air of reluctance and a shake of the + head--and put queer questions to him--and turn up your nose when he + answers. + + "Make my respect to the Consules--and to the Chevalier--and to + Scotin--and to all the counts and countesses of our acquaintance. + + "And believe me ever + + "Your disconsolate and affectionate," &c. + +[Footnote 32: A clerk of the English Consulate, whom he at this time +employed to control his accounts.] + + * * * * * + +As a contrast to the strange levity of this letter, as well as in +justice to the real earnestness of the passion, however censurable in +all other respects, that now engrossed him, I shall here transcribe some +stanzas which he wrote in the course of this journey to Romagna, and +which, though already published, are not comprised in the regular +collection of his works. + + "River[33], that rollest by the ancient walls, + Where dwells the lady of my love, when she + Walks by thy brink, and there perchance recalls + A faint and fleeting memory of me; + + "What if thy deep and ample stream should be + A mirror of my heart, where she may read + The thousand thoughts I now betray to thee, + Wild as thy wave, and headlong as thy speed! + + "What do I say--a mirror of my heart? + Are not thy waters sweeping, dark, and strong? + Such as my feelings were and are, thou art; + And such as thou art were my passions long. + + "Time may have somewhat tamed them,--not for ever; + Thou overflow'st thy banks, and not for aye + Thy bosom overboils, congenial river! + Thy floods subside, and mine have sunk away, + + "But left long wrecks behind, and now again, + Borne in our old unchanged career, we move; + Thou tendest wildly onwards to the main, + And I--to loving _one_ I should not love. + + "The current I behold will sweep beneath + Her native walls and murmur at her feet; + Her eyes will look on thee, when she shall breathe + The twilight air, unharm'd by summer's heat. + + "She will look on thee,--I have look'd on thee, + Full of that thought; and, from that moment, ne'er + Thy waters could I dream of, name, or see, + Without the inseparable sigh for her! + + "Her bright eyes will be imaged in thy stream,-- + Yes! they will meet the wave I gaze on now: + Mine cannot witness, even in a dream, + That happy wave repass me in its flow! + + "The wave that bears my tears returns no more: + Will she return by whom that wave shall sweep?-- + Both tread thy banks, both wander on thy shore, + I by thy source, she by the dark-blue deep. + + "But that which keepeth us apart is not + Distance, nor depth of wave, nor space of earth. + But the distraction of a various lot, + As various as the climates of our birth. + + "A stranger loves the lady of the land, + Born far beyond the mountains, but his blood + Is all meridian, as if never fann'd + By the black wind that chills the polar flood. + + "My blood is all meridian; were it not, + I had not left my clime, nor should I be, + In spite of tortures, ne'er to be forgot, + A slave again of love,--at least of thee. + + "'Tis vain to struggle--let me perish young-- + Live as I lived, and love as I have loved; + To dust if I return, from dust I sprung, + And then, at least, my heart can ne'er be moved." + +On arriving at Bologna and receiving no further intelligence from the +Contessa, he began to be of opinion, as we shall perceive in the annexed +interesting letters, that he should act most prudently, for all parties, +by returning to Venice. + +[Footnote 33: The Po.] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 330. TO MR. HOPPNER. + + "Bologna, June 6. 1819. + + "I am at length joined to Bologna, where I am settled like a + sausage, and shall be broiled like one, if this weather continues. + Will you thank Mengaldo on my part for the Ferrara acquaintance, + which was a very agreeable one. I stayed two days at Ferrara, and + was much pleased with the Count Mosti, and the little the shortness + of the time permitted me to see of his family. I went to his + conversazione, which is very far superior to any thing of the kind + at Venice--the women almost all young--several pretty--and the men + courteous and cleanly. The lady of the mansion, who is young, + lately married, and with child, appeared very pretty by candlelight + (I did not see her by day), pleasing in her manners, and very + lady-like, or thorough-bred, as we call it in England,--a kind of + thing which reminds one of a racer, an antelope, or an Italian + greyhound. She seems very fond of her husband, who is amiable and + accomplished; he has been in England two or three times, and is + young. The sister, a Countess somebody--I forget what--(they are + both Maffei by birth, and Veronese of course)--is a lady of more + display; she sings and plays divinely; but I thought she was a + d----d long time about it. Her likeness to Madame Flahaut (Miss + Mercer that was) is something quite extraordinary. + + "I had but a bird's eye view of these people, and shall not + probably see them again; but I am very much obliged to Mengaldo for + letting me see them at all. Whenever I meet with any thing + agreeable in this world, it surprises me so much, and pleases me so + much (when my passions are not interested one way or the other), + that I go on wondering for a week to come. I feel, too, in great + admiration of the Cardinal Legate's red stockings. + + "I found, too, such a pretty epitaph in the Certosa cemetery, or + rather two: one was + + 'Martini Luigi + Implora pace;' + + the other, + + 'Lucrezia Picini + Implora eterna quiete.' + + That was all; but it appears to me that these two and three words + comprise and compress all that can be said on the subject,--and + then, in Italian, they are absolute music. They contain doubt, + hope, and humility; nothing can be more pathetic than the 'implora' + and the modesty of the request;--they have had enough of life--they + want nothing but rest--they implore it, and 'eterna quiete.' It is + like a Greek inscription in some good old heathen 'City of the + Dead.' Pray, if I am shovelled into the Lido churchyard in your + time, let me have the 'implora pace,' and nothing else, for my + epitaph. I never met with any, ancient or modern, that pleased me a + tenth part so much. + + "In about a day or two after you receive this letter, I will thank + you to desire Edgecombe to prepare for my return. I shall go back + to Venice before I village on the Brenta. I shall stay but a few + days in Bologna. I am just going out to see sights, but shall not + present my introductory letters for a day or two, till I have run + over again the place and pictures; nor perhaps at all, if I find + that I have books and sights enough to do without the inhabitants. + After that, I shall return to Venice, where you may expect me about + the eleventh, or perhaps sooner. Pray make my thanks acceptable to + Mengaldo: my respects to the Consuless, and to Mr. Scott. I hope my + daughter is well. + + "Ever yours, and truly. + + "P.S. I went over the Ariosto MS. &c. &c. again at Ferrara, with + the castle, and cell, and house, &c. &c. + + "One of the Ferrarese asked me if I knew 'Lord Byron,' an + acquaintance of his, _now_ at Naples. I told him '_No!_' which was + true both ways; for I knew not the impostor, and in the other, no + one knows himself. He stared when told that I was 'the real Simon + Pure.' Another asked me if I had _not translated_ 'Tasso.' You see + what _fame_ is! how _accurate!_ how _boundless!_ I don't know how + others feel, but I am always the lighter and the better looked on + when I have got rid of mine; it sits on me like armour on the Lord + Mayor's champion; and I got rid of all the husk of literature, and + the attendant babble, by answering, that I had not translated + Tasso, but a namesake had; and by the blessing of Heaven, I looked + so little like a poet, that every body believed me." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 331. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Bologna, June 7. 1819. + + "Tell Mr. Hobhouse that I wrote to him a few days ago from Ferrara. + It will therefore be idle in him or you to wait for any further + answers or returns of proofs from Venice, as I have directed that + no English letters be sent after me. The publication can be + proceeded in without, and I am already sick of your remarks, to + which I think not the least attention ought to be paid. + + "Tell Mr. Hobhouse that, since I wrote to him, I had availed myself + of my Ferrara letters, and found the society much younger and + better there than at Venice. I am very much pleased with the little + the shortness of my stay permitted me to see of the Gonfaloniere + Count Mosti, and his family and friends in general. + + "I have been picture-gazing this morning at the famous Domenichino + and Guido, both of which are superlative. I afterwards went to the + beautiful cemetery of Bologna, beyond the walls, and found, besides + the superb burial-ground, an original of a Custode, who reminded + one of the grave-digger in Hamlet. He has a collection of + capuchins' skulls, labelled on the forehead, and taking down one of + them, said, 'This was Brother Desiderio Berro, who died at + forty--one of my best friends. I begged his head of his brethren + after his decease, and they gave it me. I put it in lime, and then + boiled it. Here it is, teeth and all, in excellent preservation. He + was the merriest, cleverest fellow I ever knew. Wherever he went, + he brought joy; and whenever any one was melancholy, the sight of + him was enough to make him cheerful again. He walked so actively, + you might have taken him for a dancer--he joked--he laughed--oh! he + was such a Frate as I never saw before, nor ever shall again!' + + "He told me that he had himself planted all the cypresses in the + cemetery; that he had the greatest attachment to them and to his + dead people; that since 1801 they had buried fifty-three thousand + persons. In showing some older monuments, there was that of a Roman + girl of twenty, with a bust by Bernini. She was a princess + Bartorini, dead two centuries ago: he said that, on opening her + grave, they had found her hair complete, and 'as yellow as gold.' + Some of the epitaphs at Ferrara pleased me more than the more + splendid monuments at Bologna; for instance:-- + + "Martini Luigi + Implora pace; + + "Lucrezia Picini + Implora eterna quiete. + + Can any thing be more full of pathos? Those few words say all that + can be said or sought: the dead had had enough of life; all they + wanted was rest, and this they _implore_! There is all the + helplessness, and humble hope, and deathlike prayer, that can arise + from the grave--'implora pace.'[34] I hope, whoever may survive + me, and shall see me put in the foreigners' burying-ground at the + Lido, within the fortress by the Adriatic, will see those two + words, and no more, put over me. I trust they won't think of + 'pickling, and bringing me home to Clod or Blunderbuss Hall.' I am + sure my bones would not rest in an English grave, or my clay mix + with the earth of that country. I believe the thought would drive + me mad on my deathbed, could I suppose that any of my friends would + be base enough to convey my carcass back to your soil. I would not + even feed your worms, if I could help it. + + "So, as Shakspeare says of Mowbray, the banished Duke of Norfolk, + who died at Venice (see Richard II.) that he, after fighting + + "'Against black Pagans, Turks, and Saracens, + And toiled with works of war, retired himself + To Italy, and there, at _Venice_, gave + His body to that _pleasant_ country's earth, + And his pure soul unto his captain, Christ, + Under whose colours he had fought so long.' + + "Before I left Venice, I had returned to you your late, and Mr. + Hobhouse's sheets of Juan. Don't wait for further answers from me, + but address yours to Venice, as usual. I know nothing of my own + movements; I may return there in a few days, or not for some time. + All this depends on circumstances. I left Mr. Hoppner very well. My + daughter Allegra was well too, and is growing pretty; her hair is + growing darker, and her eyes are blue. Her temper and her ways, Mr. + Hoppner says, are like mine, as well as her features: she will + make, in that case, a manageable young lady. + + "I have never heard any thing of Ada, the little Electra of + Mycenae. But there will come a day of reckoning, even if I should + not live to see it.[35] What a long letter I have scribbled! Yours, + &c. + + "P.S. Here, as in Greece, they strew flowers on the tombs. I saw a + quantity of rose-leaves, and entire roses, scattered over the + graves at Ferrara. It has the most pleasing effect you can + imagine." + +[Footnote 34: Though Lord Byron, like most other persons, in writing to +different friends, was sometimes led to repeat the same circumstances +and thoughts, there is, from the ever ready fertility of his mind, much +less of such repetition in his correspondence than in that, perhaps, of +any other multifarious letter-writer; and, in the instance before us, +where the same facts and reflections are, for the second time, +introduced, it is with such new touches, both of thought and expression, +as render them, even a second time, interesting;--what is wanting in the +novelty of the matter being made up by the new aspect given to it.] + +[Footnote 35: There were, in the former edition, both here and in a +subsequent letter, some passages reflecting upon the late Sir Samuel +Romilly, which, in my anxiety to lay open the workings of Lord Byron's +mind upon a subject in which so much of his happiness and character were +involved, I had been induced to retain, though aware of the erroneous +impression under which they were written;--the evident morbidness of the +feeling that dictated the attack, and the high, stainless reputation of +the person assailed, being sufficient, I thought, to neutralise any ill +effects such reflections might otherwise have produced. As I find it, +however, to be the opinion of all those whose opinions I most respect, +that, even with these antidotes, such an attack upon such a man ought +not to be left on record, I willingly expunge all trace of it from these +pages.] + + * * * * * + +While he was thus lingering irresolute at Bologna, the Countess +Guiccioli had been attacked with an intermittent fever, the violence of +which, combining with the absence of a confidential person to whom she +had been in the habit of intrusting her letters, prevented her from +communicating with him. At length, anxious to spare him the +disappointment of finding her so ill on his arrival, she had begun a +letter, requesting that he would remain at Bologna till the visit to +which she looked forward should bring her there also; and was in the act +of writing, when a friend came in to announce the arrival of an English +lord in Ravenna. She could not doubt for an instant that it was her +noble friend; and he had, in fact, notwithstanding his declaration to +Mr. Hoppner that it was his intention to return to Venice immediately, +wholly altered this resolution before the letter announcing it was +despatched,--the following words being written on the outside cover:--"I +am just setting off for Ravenna, June 8. 1819.--I changed my mind this +morning, and decided to go on." + +The reader, however, shall have Madame Guiccioli's own account of these +events, which, fortunately for the interest of my narration, I am +enabled to communicate. + +"On my departure from Venice, he had promised to come and see me at +Ravenna. Dante's tomb, the classical pine wood[36], the relics of +antiquity which are to be found in that place, afforded a sufficient +pretext for me to invite him to come, and for him to accept my +invitation. He came, in fact, in the month of June, arriving at Ravenna +on the day of the festival of the Corpus Domini; while I, attacked by a +consumptive complaint, which had its origin from the moment of my +quitting Venice, appeared on the point of death. The arrival of a +distinguished foreigner at Ravenna, a town so remote from the routes +ordinarily followed by travellers, was an event which gave rise to a +good deal of conversation. His motives for such a visit became the +subject of discussion, and these he himself afterwards involuntarily +divulged; for having made some enquiries with a view to paying me a +visit, and being told that it was unlikely that he would ever see me +again, as I was at the point of death, he replied, if such were the +case, he hoped that he should die also; which circumstance, being +repeated, revealed the object of his journey. Count Guiccioli, having +been acquainted with Lord Byron at Venice, went to visit him now, and in +the hope that his presence might amuse, and be of some use to me in the +state in which I then found myself, invited him to call upon me. He came +the day following. It is impossible to describe the anxiety he +showed,--the delicate attentions that he paid me. For a long time he had +perpetually medical books in his hands; and not trusting my physicians, +he obtained permission from Count Guiccioli to send for a very clever +physician, a friend of his, in whom he placed great confidence. The +attentions of Professor Aglietti (for so this celebrated Italian was +called), together with tranquillity, and the inexpressible happiness +which I experienced in Lord Byron's society, had so good an effect on my +health, that only two months afterwards I was able to accompany my +husband in a tour he was obliged to make to visit his various +estates."[37] + +[Footnote 36: + + "Tal qual di ramo in ramo si raccoglie + Per la pineta in sul lito di Chiassi, + Quando Eolo Scirocco fuor discioglie." + DANTE, PURG. Canto xxviii. + +Dante himself (says Mr. Carey, in one of the notes on his admirable +translation of this poet) "perhaps wandered in this wood during his +abode with Guido Novello da Polenta."] + +[Footnote 37: "Partendo io da Venezia egli promise di venir a vedermi a +Ravenna. La Tomba di Dante, il classico bosco di pini, gli avvanzi di +antichita che a Ravenna si trovano davano a me ragioni plausibili per +invitarlo a venire, ed a lui per accettare l'invito. Egli venne difatti +nel mese Guigno, e giunse a Ravenna nel giorno della Solennita del +Corpus Domini, mentre io attaccata da una malattia de consunzione ch' +ebbe principio dalla mia partenza da Venezia ero vicina a morire. +L'arrivo in Ravenna d'un forestiero distinto, in un paese cosi lontano +dalle strade che ordinariamente tengono i viaggiatori era un avvenimento +del quale molto si parlava, indagandosene i motivi, che +involontariamente poi egli feci conoscere. Perche avendo egli domandato +di me per venire a vedermi ed essendogli risposto 'che non potrebbe +vedermi piu perche ero vicina a morire'--egli rispose che in quel caso +voleva morire egli pure; la qual cosa essendosi poi ripetata si conobbe +cosi l'oggetto del suo viaggio. + +"Il Conte Guiccioli visito Lord Byron, essendolo conosciuto in Venezia, +e nella speranza che la di lui compagnia potesse distrarmi ed essermi di +qualche giovamento nello stato in cui mi trovavo egli lo invito di +venire a visitarmi. Il giorno appresso egli venne. Non si potrebbero +descrivere le cure, i pensieri delicati, quanto egli fece per me. Per +molto tempo egli non ebbe per le mani che dei Libri di Medicina; e poco +confidandosi nel miei medici ottenne dal Conte Guiccioli il permesso di +far venire un valente medico di lui amico nel quale egli aveva molta +confidenza. Le cure del Professore Aglietti (cosi si chiama questo +distinto Italiano) la tranquillita, anzi la felicita inesprimibile che +mi cagionava la presenza di Lord Byron migliorarono cosi rapidamente la +mia salute che entro lo spazio di due mesi potei seguire mio marito in +un giro che egli doveva fare per le sue terre."--MS.] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 332. TO MR. HOPPNER. + + "Ravenna, June 20. 1819. + + "I wrote to you from Padua, and from Bologna, and since from + Ravenna. I find my situation very agreeable, but want my horses + very much, there being good riding in the environs. I can fix no + time for my return to Venice--it may be soon or late--or not at + all--it all depends on the Donna, whom I found very seriously in + _bed_ with a cough and spitting of blood, &c. all of which has + subsided. I found all the people here firmly persuaded that she + would never recover;--they were mistaken, however. + + "My letters were useful as far as I employed them; and I like both + the place and people, though I don't trouble the latter more than I + can help _She_ manages very well--but if I come away with a + stiletto in my gizzard some fine afternoon, I shall not be + astonished. I can't make _him_ out at all--he visits me frequently, + and takes me out (like Whittington, the Lord Mayor) in a coach and + _six_ horses. The fact appears to be, that he is completely + _governed_ by her--for that matter, so am I.[38] The people here + don't know what to make of us, as he had the character of jealousy + with all his wives--this is the third. He is the richest of the + Ravennese, by their own account, but is not popular among them. Now + do, pray, send off Augustine, and carriage and cattle, to Bologna, + without fail or delay, or I shall lose my remaining shred of + senses. Don't forget this. My coming, going, and every thing, + depend upon HER entirely, just as Mrs. Hoppner (to whom I remit my + reverences) said in the true spirit of female prophecy. + + "You are but a shabby fellow not to have written before. And I am + truly yours," &c. + +[Footnote 38: That this task of "governing" him was one of more ease +than, from the ordinary view of his character, might be concluded, I +have more than once, in these pages, expressed my opinion, and shall +here quote, in corroboration of it, the remark of his own servant +(founded on an observation of more than twenty years), in speaking of +his master's matrimonial fate:-- + +"It is very odd, but I never yet knew a lady that could not manage my +Lord, _except_ my Lady." + +"More knowledge," says Johnson, "may be gained of a man's real character +by a short conversation with one of his servants than from the most +formal and studied narrative."] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 333. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Ravenna, June 29. 1819. + + "The letters have been forwarded from Venice, but I trust that you + will not have waited for further alterations--I will make none. + + "I have no time to return you the proofs--publish without them. I + am glad you think the poesy good; and as to 'thinking of the + effect,' think _you_ of the sale, and leave me to pluck the + porcupines who may point their quills at you. + + "I have been here (at Ravenna) these four weeks, having left Venice + a month ago;--I came to see my 'Amica,' the Countess Guiccioli, who + has been, and still continues, very unwell. * * She is only in her + seventeenth, but not of a strong constitution. She has a perpetual + cough and an intermittent fever, but bears up most _gallantly_ in + every sense of the word. Her husband (this is his third wife) is + the richest noble of Ravenna, and almost of Romagna; he is also + _not_ the youngest, being upwards of three-score, but in good + preservation. All this will appear strange to you, who do not + understand the meridian morality, nor our way of life in such + respects, and I cannot at present expound the difference;--but you + would find it much the same in these parts. At Faenza there is Lord + * * * * with an opera girl; and at the inn in the same town is a + Neapolitan Prince, who serves the wife of the Gonfaloniere of that + city. I am on duty here--so you see 'Cosi fan tut_ti_ e tut_te_.' + + "I have my horses here, _saddle_ as well as carriage, and ride or + drive every day in the forest, the _Pineta_, the scene of + Boccaccio's novel, and Dryden's fable of Honoria, &c. &c.; and I + see my Dama every day; but I feel seriously uneasy about her + health, which seems very precarious. In losing her, I should lose a + being who has run great risks on my account, and whom I have every + reason to love--but I must not think this possible. I do not know + what I _should_ do if she died, but I ought to blow my brains + out--and I hope that I should. Her husband is a very polite + personage, but I wish he would not carry me out in his coach and + six, like Whittington and his cat. + + "You ask me if I mean to continue D.J. &c. How should I know? What + encouragement do you give me, all of you, with your nonsensical + prudery? publish the two Cantos, and then you will see. I desired + Mr. Kinnaird to speak to you on a little matter of business; either + he has not spoken, or you have not answered. You are a pretty pair, + but I will be even with you both. I perceive that Mr. Hobhouse has + been challenged by Major Cartwright--Is the Major 'so cunning of + fence?'--why did not they fight?--they ought. + + "Yours," &c. + + * * * * * + +LETTER 334. TO MR. HOPPNER. + + "Ravenna, July 2. 1819. + + "Thanks for your letter and for Madame's. I will answer it + directly. Will you recollect whether I did not consign to you one + or two receipts of Madame Mocenigo's for house-rent--(I am not sure + of this, but think I did--if not, they will be in my drawers)--and + will you desire Mr. Dorville[39] to have the goodness to see if + Edgecombe has _receipts_ to all payments _hitherto_ made by him on + my account, and that there are _no debts_ at Venice? On your + answer, I shall send order of further remittance to carry on my + household expenses, as my present return to Venice is very + problematical; and it may happen--but I can say nothing + positive--every thing with me being indecisive and undecided, + except the disgust which Venice excites when fairly compared with + any other city in this part of Italy. When I say _Venice_, I mean + the _Venetians_--the city itself is superb as its history--but the + people are what I never thought them till they taught me to think + so. + + "The best way will be to leave Allegra with Antonio's spouse till I + can decide something about her and myself--but I thought that you + would have had an answer from Mrs. V----r.[40] You have had bore + enough with me and mine already. + + "I greatly fear that the Guiccioli is going into a consumption, to + which her constitution tends. Thus it is with every thing and every + body for whom I feel any thing like a real attachment;--'War, + death, or discord, doth lay siege to them.' I never even could + keep alive a dog that I liked or that liked me. Her symptoms are + obstinate cough of the lungs, and occasional fever, &c. &c. and + there are latent causes of an eruption in the skin, which she + foolishly repelled into the system two years ago: but I have made + them send her case to Aglietti; and have begged him to come--if + only for a day or two--to consult upon her state. + + "If it would not bore Mr. Dorville, I wish he would keep an eye on + E---- and on my other ragamuffins. I might have more to say, but I + am absorbed about La Gui. and her illness. I cannot tell you the + effect it has upon me. + + "The horses came, &c. &c. and I have been galloping through the + pine forest daily. + + "Believe me, &c. + + "P.S. My benediction on Mrs. Hoppner, a pleasant journey among the + Bernese tyrants, and safe return. You ought to bring back a + Platonic Bernese for my reformation. If any thing happens to my + present Amica, I have done with the passion for ever--it is my + _last_ love. As to libertinism, I have sickened myself of that, as + was natural in the way I went on, and I have at least derived that + advantage from vice, to _love_ in the better sense of the word. + _This_ will be my last adventure--I can hope no more to inspire + attachment, and I trust never again to feel it." + +[Footnote 39: The Vice-Consul of Mr. Hoppner.] + +[Footnote 40: An English widow lady, of considerable property in the +north of England, who, having seen the little Allegra at Mr. Hoppner's, +took an interest in the poor child's fate, and having no family of her +own, offered to adopt and provide for this little girl, if Lord Byron +would consent to renounce all claim to her. At first he seemed not +disinclined to enter into her views--so far, at least, as giving +permission that she should take the child with her to England and +educate it; but the entire surrender of his paternal authority he would +by no means consent to. The proposed arrangement accordingly was never +carried into effect.] + + * * * * * + +The impression which, I think, cannot but be entertained, from some +passages of these letters, of the real fervour and sincerity of his +attachment to Madame Guiccioli[41], would be still further confirmed by +the perusal of his letters to that lady herself, both from Venice and +during his present stay at Ravenna--all bearing, throughout, the true +marks both of affection and passion. Such effusions, however, are but +little suited to the general eye. It is the tendency of all strong +feeling, from dwelling constantly on the same idea, to be monotonous; +and those often-repeated vows and verbal endearments, which make the +charm of true love-letters to the parties concerned in them, must for +ever render even the best of them cloying to others. Those of Lord Byron +to Madame Guiccioli, which are for the most part in Italian, and written +with a degree of ease and correctness attained rarely by foreigners, +refer chiefly to the difficulties thrown in the way of their +meetings,--not so much by the husband himself, who appears to have liked +and courted Lord Byron's society, as by the watchfulness of other +relatives, and the apprehension felt by themselves lest their intimacy +should give uneasiness to the father of the lady, Count Gamba, a +gentleman to whose good nature and amiableness of character all who know +him bear testimony. + +In the near approaching departure of the young Countess for Bologna, +Lord Byron foresaw a risk of their being again separated; and under the +impatience of this prospect, though through the whole of his preceding +letters the fear of committing her by any imprudence seems to have been +his ruling thought, he now, with that wilfulness of the moment which has +so often sealed the destiny of years, proposed that she should, at once, +abandon her husband and fly with him:--"c'e uno solo rimedio efficace," +he says,--"cioe d' andar via insieme." To an Italian wife, almost every +thing but this is permissible. The same system which so indulgently +allows her a friend, as one of the regular appendages of her matrimonial +establishment, takes care also to guard against all unseemly +consequences of this privilege; and in return for such convenient +facilities of wrong exacts rigidly an observance of all the appearances +of right. Accordingly, the open step of deserting the husband for the +lover instead of being considered, as in England, but a sign and sequel +of transgression, takes rank, in Italian morality, as the main +transgression itself; and being an offence, too, rendered wholly +unnecessary by the latitude otherwise enjoyed, becomes, from its rare +occurrence, no less monstrous than odious. + +The proposition, therefore, of her noble friend seemed to the young +Contessa little less than sacrilege, and the agitation of her mind, +between the horrors of such a step, and her eager readiness to give up +all and every thing for him she adored, was depicted most strongly in +her answer to the proposal. In a subsequent letter, too, the romantic +girl even proposed, as a means of escaping the ignominy of an elopement, +that she should, like another Juliet, "pass for dead,"--assuring him +that there were many easy ways of effecting such a deception. + +[Footnote 41: "During my illness," says Madame Guiccioli, in her +recollections of this period, "he was for ever near me, paying me the +most amiable attentions, and when I became convalescent he was +constantly at my side. In society, at the theatre, riding, walking, he +never was absent from me. Being deprived at that time of his books, his +horses, and all that occupied him at Venice, I begged him to gratify me +by writing something on the subject of Dante, and, with his usual +facility and rapidity, he composed his 'Prophecy.'"--"Durante la mia +malattia L.B. era sempre presso di me, prestandomi le piu sensibili +cure, e quando passai allo stato di convalescenza egli era sempre al mio +fianco;--e in societa, e al teatro, e cavalcando, e passeggiando egli +non si allontanava mai da me. In quel' epoca essendo egli privo de' suoi +libri, e de' suoi cavalli, e di tuttocio che lo occupava in Venezia io +lo pregai di volersi occupare per me scrivendo qualche cosa sul Dante; +ed egli colla usata sua facilita e rapidita scrisse la sua Profezia."] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 335. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Ravenna, August 1. 1819. + + [Address your Answer to Venice, however.] + + "Don't be alarmed. You will see me defend myself gaily--that is, if + I happen to be in spirits; and by spirits, I don't mean your + meaning of the word, but the spirit of a bull-dog when pinched, or + a bull when pinned; it is then that they make best sport; and as my + sensations under an attack are probably a happy compound of the + united energies of these amiable animals, you may perhaps see what + Marrall calls 'rare sport,' and some good tossing and goring, in + the course of the controversy. But I must be in the right cue + first, and I doubt I am almost too far off to be in a sufficient + fury for the purpose. And then I have effeminated and enervated + myself with love and the summer in these last two months. + + "I wrote to Mr. Hobhouse, the other day, and foretold that Juan + would either fall entirely or succeed completely; there will be no + medium. Appearances are not favourable; but as you write the day + after publication, it can hardly be decided what opinion will + predominate. You seem in a fright, and doubtless with cause. Come + what may I never will flatter the million's canting in any shape. + Circumstances may or may not have placed me at times in a situation + to lead the public opinion, but the public opinion never led, nor + ever shall lead, me. I will not sit on a degraded throne; so pray + put Messrs. * * or * *, or Tom Moore, or * * * upon it; they will + all of them be transported with their coronation. + + "P.S. The Countess Guiccioli is much better than she was. I sent + you, before leaving Venice, the real original sketch which gave + rise to the 'Vampire,' &c.--Did you get it?" + + * * * * * + +This letter was, of course (like most of those he addressed to England +at this time), intended to be shown; and having been, among others, +permitted to see it, I took occasion, in my very next communication to +Lord Byron, to twit him a little with the passage in it relating to +myself,--the only one, as far as I can learn, that ever fell from my +noble friend's pen during our intimacy, in which he has spoken of me +otherwise than in terms of kindness and the most undeserved praise. +Transcribing his own words, as well as I could recollect them, at the +top of my letter, I added, underneath, "Is _this_ the way you speak of +your friends?" Not long after, too, when visiting him at Venice, I +remember making the same harmless little sneer a subject of raillery +with him; but he declared boldly that he had no recollection of having +ever written such words, and that, if they existed, "he must have been +half asleep when he wrote them." + +I have mentioned the circumstance merely for the purpose of remarking, +that with a sensibility vulnerable at so many points as his was, and +acted upon by an imagination so long practised in self-tormenting, it is +only wonderful that, thinking constantly, as his letters prove him to +have been, of distant friends, and receiving from few or none equal +proofs of thoughtfulness in return, he should not more frequently have +broken out into such sallies against the absent and "unreplying." For +myself, I can only say that, from the moment I began to unravel his +character, the most slighting and even acrimonious expressions that I +could have heard he had, in a fit of spleen, uttered against me, would +have no more altered my opinion of his disposition, nor disturbed my +affection for him, than the momentary clouding over of a bright sky +could leave an impression on the mind of gloom, after its shadow had +passed away. + + * * * * * + +LETTER 336. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Ravenna, August 9. 1819. + + "Talking of blunders reminds me of Ireland--Ireland of Moore. + What is this I see in Galignani about + 'Bermuda--agent--deputy--appeal--attachment,' &c.? What is the + matter? Is it any thing in which his friends can be of use to him? + Pray inform me. + + "Of Don Juan I hear nothing further from you; * * *, but the papers + don't seem so fierce as the letter you sent me seemed to + anticipate, by their extracts at least in Galignani's Messenger. I + never saw such a set of fellows as you are! And then the pains + taken to exculpate the modest publisher--he remonstrated, forsooth! + I will write a preface that _shall_ exculpate _you_ and * * *, &c. + completely, on that point; but, at the same time, I will cut you + up, like gourds. You have no more soul than the Count de Caylus, + (who assured his friends, on his death-bed, that he had none, and + that _he_ must know better than they whether he had one or no,) and + no more blood than a water-melon! And I see there hath been + asterisks, and what Perry used to called 'd_o_mned cutting and + slashing'--but, never mind. + + "I write in haste. To-morrow I set off for Bologna. I write to you + with thunder, lightning, &c. and all the winds of heaven whistling + through my hair, and the racket of preparation to boot. 'My + mistress dear, who hath fed my heart upon smiles and wine' for the + last two months, set off with her husband for Bologna this morning, + and it seems that I follow him at three to-morrow morning. I + cannot tell how our romance will end, but it hath gone on hitherto + most erotically. Such perils and escapes! Juan's are as child's + play in comparison. The fools think that all my _poeshie_ is always + allusive to my _own_ adventures: I have had at one time or another + better and more extraordinary and perilous and pleasant than these, + every day of the week, if I might tell them; but that must never + be. + + "I hope Mrs. M. has accouched. + + "Yours ever." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 337. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Bologna, August 12. 1819. + + "I do not know how far I may be able to reply to your letter, for I + am not very well to-day. Last night I went to the representation of + Alfieri's Mirra, the two last acts of which threw me into + convulsions. I do not mean by that word a lady's hysterics, but the + agony of reluctant tears, and the choking shudder, which I do not + often undergo for fiction. This is but the second time for any + thing under reality: the first was on seeing Kean's Sir Giles + Overreach. The worst was, that the 'Dama' in whose box I was, went + off in the same way, I really believe more from fright than any + other sympathy--at least with the players: but she has been ill, + and I have been ill, and we are all languid and pathetic this + morning, with great expenditure of sal volatile.[42] But, to return + to your letter of the 23d of July. + + "You are right, Gifford is right, Crabbe is right, Hobhouse is + right--you are all right, and I am all wrong; but do, pray, let me + have that pleasure. Cut me up root and branch; quarter me in the + Quarterly; send round my 'disjecti membra poetae,' like those of + the Levite's concubine; make me, if you will, a spectacle to men + and angels; but don't ask me to alter, for I won't:--I am obstinate + and lazy--and there's the truth. + + "But, nevertheless, I will answer your friend P * *, who objects to + the quick succession of fun and gravity, as if in that case the + gravity did not (in intention, at least) heighten the fun. His + metaphor is, that 'we are never scorched and drenched at the same + time.' Blessings on his experience! Ask him these questions about + 'scorching and drenching.' Did he never play at cricket, or walk a + mile in hot weather? Did he never spill a dish of tea over himself + in handing the cup to his charmer, to the great shame of his + nankeen breeches? Did he never swim in the sea at noonday with the + sun in his eyes and on his head, which all the foam of ocean could + not cool? Did he never draw his foot out of too hot water, + d----ning his eyes and his valet's? Did he never tumble into a + river or lake, fishing, and sit in his wet clothes in the boat, or + on the bank, afterwards 'scorched and drenched,' like a true + sportsman? 'Oh for breath to utter!'--but make him my compliments; + he is a clever fellow for all that--a very clever fellow. + + "You ask me for the plan of Donny Johnny: I _have_ no plan; I _had_ + no plan; but I had or have materials; though if, like Tony Lumpkin, + 'I am to be snubbed so when I am in spirits,' the poem will be + naught, and the poet turn serious again. If it don't take, I will + leave it off where it is, with all due respect to the public; but + if continued, it must be in my own way. You might as well make + Hamlet (or Diggory) 'act mad' in a strait waistcoat as trammel my + buffoonery, if I am to be a buffoon; their gestures and my thoughts + would only be pitiably absurd and ludicrously constrained. Why, + man, the soul of such writing is its licence; at least the + _liberty_ of that _licence_, if one likes--_not_ that one should + abuse it. It is like Trial by Jury and Peerage and the Habeas + Corpus--a very fine thing, but chiefly in the _reversion;_ because + no one wishes to be tried for the mere pleasure of proving his + possession of the privilege. + + "But a truce with these reflections. You are too earnest and eager + about a work never intended to be serious. Do you suppose that I + could have any intention but to giggle and make giggle?--a playful + satire, with as little poetry as could be helped, was what I meant. + And as to the indecency, do, pray, read in Boswell what _Johnson_, + the sullen moralist, says of _Prior_ and Paulo Purgante. + + "Will you get a favour done for me? _You_ can, by your government + friends, Croker, Canning, or my old schoolfellow Peel, and I can't. + Here it is. Will you ask them to appoint (_without salary or + emolument_) a noble Italian (whom I will name afterwards) consul or + vice-consul for Ravenna? He is a man of very large + property,--noble, too; but he wishes to have a British protection, + in case of changes. Ravenna is near the sea. He wants no + _emolument_ whatever. That his office might be useful, I know; as I + lately sent off from Ravenna to Trieste a poor devil of an English + sailor, who had remained there sick, sorry, and pennyless (having + been set ashore in 1814), from the want of any accredited agent + able or willing to help him homewards. Will you get this done? If + you do, I will then send his name and condition, subject, of + course, to rejection, if _not_ approved when known. + + "I know that in the Levant you make consuls and vice-consuls, + perpetually, of foreigners. This man is a patrician, and has twelve + thousand a year. His motive is a British protection in case of new + invasions. Don't you think Croker would do it for us? To be sure, + my _interest_ is rare!! but, perhaps, a brother wit in the Tory + line might do a good turn at the request of so harmless and long + absent a Whig, particularly as there is no _salary_ or _burden_ of + any sort to be annexed to the office. + + "I can assure you, I should look upon it as a great obligation; + but, alas! that very circumstance may, very probably, operate to + the contrary--indeed, it ought; but I have, at least, been an + honest and an open enemy. Amongst your many splendid government + connections, could not you, think you, get our Bibulus made a + Consul? or make me one, that I may make him my Vice. You may be + assured that, in case of accidents in Italy, he would be no feeble + adjunct--as you would think, if you knew his patrimony. + + "What is all this about Tom Moore? but why do I ask? since the + state of my own affairs would not permit me to be of use to him, + though they are greatly improved since 1816, and may, with some + more luck and a little prudence, become quite clear. It seems his + claimants are _American_ merchants? _There goes Nemesis!_ Moore + abused America. It is always thus in the long run:--Time, the + Avenger. You have seen every trampler down, in turn, from + Buonaparte to the simplest individuals. You saw how some were + avenged even upon my insignificance, and how in turn * * * paid for + his atrocity. It is an odd world; but the watch has its mainspring, + after all. + + "So the Prince has been repealing Lord Edward Fitzgerald's + forfeiture? _Ecco un' sonetto!_ + + "To be the father of the fatherless, + To stretch the hand from the throne's height, and raise + _His_ offspring, who expired in other days + To make thy sire's sway by a kingdom less,-- + _This_ is to be a monarch, and repress + Envy into unutterable praise. + Dismiss thy guard, and trust thee to such traits, + For who would lift a hand, except to bless? + Were it not easy, sir, and is't not sweet + To make thyself beloved? and to be + Omnipotent by Mercy's means? for thus + Thy sovereignty would grow but more complete, + A despot thou, and yet thy people free, + And by the heart, not hand, enslaving us. + + "There, you dogs! there's a sonnet for you: you won't have such as + that in a hurry from Mr. Fitzgerald. You may publish it with my + name, an' ye wool. He deserves all praise, bad and good; it was a + very noble piece of principality. Would you like an epigram--a + translation? + + "If for silver, or for gold, + You could melt ten thousand pimples + Into half a dozen dimples, + Then your face we might behold, + Looking, doubtless, much more snugly, + Yet ev'n _then_ 'twould be d----d _ugly_. + + "This was written on some Frenchwoman, by Rulhieres, I believe. + Yours." + +[Footnote 42: The "Dama," in whose company he witnessed this +representation, thus describes its effect upon him:--"The play was that +of Mirra; the actors, and particularly the actress who performed the +part of Mirra, seconded with much success the intentions of our great +dramatist. Lord Byron took a strong interest in the representation, and +it was evident that he was deeply affected. At length there came a point +of the performance at which he could no longer restrain his +emotions;--he burst into a flood of tears, and, his sobs preventing him +from remaining any longer in the box, he rose and left the theatre.--I +saw him similarly affected another time during a representation of +Alfieri's 'Philip,' at Ravenna."--"Gli attori, e specialmente l' attrice +che rappresentava Mirra secondava assai bene la mente del nostro grande +tragico. L.B. prece molto interesse alla rappresentazione, e si +conosceva che era molto commosso. Venne un punto poi della tragedia in +cui non pote piu frenare la sua emozione,--diede in un diretto pianto e +i singhiozzi gl' impedirono di piu restare nel palco; onde si levo, e +parti dal teatro. In uno stato simile lo viddi un altra volta a Ravenna +ad una rappresentazione del Filippo d'Alfieri."] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 338. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Bologna, August 23. 1819. + + "I send you a letter to R * *ts, signed Wortley Clutterbuck, which + you may publish in what form you please, in answer to his article. + I have had many proofs of men's absurdity, but he beats all in + folly. Why, the wolf in sheep's clothing has tumbled into the very + trap! We'll strip him. The letter is written in great haste, and + amidst a thousand vexations. Your letter only came yesterday, so + that there is no time to polish: the post goes out to-morrow. The + date is 'Little Piddlington.' Let * * * * correct the press: he + knows and can read the handwriting. Continue to keep the + _anonymous_ about 'Juan;' it helps us to fight against overwhelming + numbers. I have a thousand distractions at present; so excuse + haste, and wonder I can act or write at all. Answer by post, as + usual. + + "Yours. + + "P.S. If I had had time, and been quieter and nearer, I would have + cut him to hash; but as it is, you can judge for yourselves." + + * * * * * + +The letter to the Reviewer, here mentioned, had its origin in rather an +amusing circumstance. In the first Canto of Don Juan appeared the +following passage:-- + + "For fear some prudish readers should grow skittish, + I've bribed My Grandmother's Review,--the British! + + "I sent it in a letter to the editor, + Who thank'd me duly by return of post-- + I'm for a handsome article his creditor; + Yet if my gentle Muse he please to roast, + And break a promise after having made it her, + Denying the receipt of what it cost, + And smear his page with gall instead of honey, + All I can say is--that he had the money." + +On the appearance of the poem, the learned editor of the Review in +question allowed himself to be decoyed into the ineffable absurdity of +taking the charge as serious, and, in his succeeding number, came forth +with an indignant contradiction of it. To this tempting subject the +letter, written so hastily off at Bologna, related; but, though printed +for Mr. Murray, in a pamphlet consisting of twenty-three pages, it was +never published by him.[43] Being valuable, however, as one of the best +specimens we have of Lord Byron's simple and thoroughly English prose, I +shall here preserve some extracts from it. + +[Footnote 43: It appeared afterwards in the Liberal.] + + * * * * * + +"TO THE EDITOR OF THE BRITISH REVIEW. + + "My dear R----ts, + + "As a believer in the Church of England--to say nothing of the + State--I have been an occasional reader, and great admirer, though + not a subscriber, to your Review. But I do not know that any + article of its contents ever gave me much surprise till the + eleventh of your late twenty-seventh number made its appearance. + You have there most manfully refuted a calumnious accusation of + bribery and corruption, the credence of which in the public mind + might not only have damaged your reputation as a clergyman and an + editor, but, what would have been still worse, have injured the + circulation of your journal; which, I regret to hear, is not so + extensive as the 'purity (as you well observe) of its, &c. &c.' and + the present taste for propriety, would induce us to expect. The + charge itself is of a solemn nature; and, although in verse, is + couched in terms of such circumstantial gravity as to induce a + belief little short of that generally accorded to the thirty-nine + articles, to which you so generously subscribed on taking your + degrees. It is a charge the most revolting to the heart of man from + its frequent occurrence; to the mind of a statesman from its + occasional truth; and to the soul of an editor from its moral + impossibility. You are charged then in the last line of one octave + stanza, and the whole eight lines of the next, viz. 209th and 210th + of the first Canto of that 'pestilent poem,' Don Juan, with + receiving, and still more foolishly acknowledging, the receipt of + certain moneys to eulogise the unknown author, who by this account + must be known to you, if to nobody else. An impeachment of this + nature, so seriously made, there is but one way of refuting; and it + is my firm persuasion, that whether you did or did not (and _I_ + believe that you did not) receive the said moneys, of which I wish + that he had specified the sum, you are quite right in denying all + knowledge of the transaction. If charges of this nefarious + description are to go forth, sanctioned by all the solemnity of + circumstance, and guaranteed by the veracity of verse (as + Counsellor Phillips would say), what is to become of readers + hitherto implicitly confident in the not less veracious prose of + our critical journals? what is to become of the reviews; and, if + the reviews fail, what is to become of the editors? It is common + cause, and you have done well to sound the alarm. I myself, in my + humble sphere, will be one of your echoes. In the words of the + tragedian Liston, 'I love a row,' and you seem justly determined to + make one. + + "It is barely possible, certainly improbable, that the writer might + have been in jest; but this only aggravates his crime. A joke, the + proverb says, 'breaks no bones;' but it may break a bookseller, or + it may be the cause of bones being broken. The jest is but a bad + one at the best for the author, and might have been a still worse + one for you, if your copious contradiction did not certify to all + whom it may concern your own indignant innocence, and the + immaculate purity of the British Review. I do not doubt your word, + my dear R----ts, yet I cannot help wishing that, in a case of such + vital importance, it had assumed the more substantial shape of an + affidavit sworn before the Lord Mayor Atkins, who readily receives + any deposition; and doubtless would have brought it in some way as + evidence of the designs of the Reformers to set fire to London, at + the same time that he himself meditates the same good office + towards the river Thames. + + "I recollect hearing, soon after the publication, this subject + discussed at the tea-table of Mr. * * * the poet,--and Mrs. and the + Misses * * * * * being in a corner of the room perusing the proof + sheets of Mr. * * *'s poems, the male part of the _conversazione_ + were at liberty to make some observations on the poem and passage + in question, and there was a difference of opinion. Some thought + the allusion was to the 'British Critic;' others, that by the + expression 'My Grandmother's Review,' it was intimated that 'my + grandmother' was not the reader of the review, but actually the + writer; thereby insinuating, my dear Mr. R----ts, that you were an + old woman; because, as people often say, 'Jeffrey's Review," + 'Gifford's Review,' in lieu of Edinburgh and Quarterly, so 'My + Grandmother's Review' and R----ts's might be also synonymous. Now, + whatever colour this insinuation might derive from the circumstance + of your wearing a gown, as well as from your time of life, your + general style, and various passages of your writings,--I will take + upon myself to exculpate you from all suspicion of the kind, and + assert, without calling Mrs. R----ts in testimony, that if ever you + should be chosen Pope, you will pass through all the previous + ceremonies with as much credit as any pontiff since the parturition + of Joan. It is very unfair to judge of sex from writings, + particularly from those of the British Review. We are all liable to + be deceived, and it is an indisputable fact that many of the best + articles in your journal, which were attributed to a veteran + female, were actually written by you yourself, and yet to this day + there are people who could never find out the difference. But let + us return to the more immediate question. + + "I agree with you that it is impossible Lord B. should be the + author, not only because, as a British peer and a British poet, it + would be impracticable for him to have recourse to such facetious + fiction, but for some other reasons which you have omitted to + state. In the first place, his Lordship has no grandmother. Now the + author--and we may believe him in this--doth expressly state that + the 'British' is his 'Grandmother's Review;' and if, as I think I + have distinctly proved, this was not a mere figurative allusion to + your supposed intellectual age and sex, my dear friend, it follows, + whether you be she or no, that there is such an elderly lady still + extant. + + "Shall I give you what I think a prudent opinion? I don't mean to + insinuate, God forbid! but if, by any accident, there should have + been such a correspondence between you and the unknown author, + whoever he may be, send him back his money; I dare say he will be + very glad to have it again; it can't be much, considering the value + of the article and the circulation of the journal; and you are too + modest to rate your praise beyond its real worth:--don't be angry, + I know you won't, at this appraisement of your powers of eulogy: + for on the other hand, my dear fellow, depend upon it your abuse is + worth, not its own weight, that's a feather, but _your_ weight in + gold. So don't spare it; if he has bargained for _that_, give it + handsomely, and depend upon your doing him a friendly office. + + "What the motives of this writer may have been for (as you + magnificently translate his quizzing you) 'stating, with the + particularity which belongs to fact, the forgery of a groundless + fiction,' (do, pray, my dear R., talk a little less 'in King + Cambyses' vein,') I cannot pretend to say; perhaps to laugh at you, + but that is no reason for your benevolently making all the world + laugh also. I approve of your being angry, I tell you I am angry + too, but you should not have shown it so outrageously. Your solemn + '_if_ somebody personating the Editor of the, &c. &c. has received + from Lord B. or from any other person,' reminds me of Charley + Incledon's usual exordium when people came into the tavern to hear + him sing without paying their share of the reckoning--'if a maun, + or _ony_ maun, or _ony other_ maun,' &c. &c.; you have both the + same redundant eloquence. But why should you think any body would + personate you? Nobody would dream of such a prank who ever read + your compositions, and perhaps not many who have heard your + conversation. But I have been inoculated with a little of your + prolixity. The fact is, my dear R----ts, that somebody has tried to + make a fool of you, and what he did not succeed in doing, you have + done for him and for yourself." + + * * * * * + +Towards the latter end of August, Count Guiccioli, accompanied by his +lady, went for a short time to visit some of his Romagnese estates, +while Lord Byron remained at Bologna alone. And here, with a heart +softened and excited by the new feeling that had taken possession of +him, he appears to have given himself up, during this interval of +solitude, to a train of melancholy and impassioned thought, such as, for +a time, brought back all the romance of his youthful days. That spring +of natural tenderness within his soul, which neither the world's efforts +nor his own had been able to chill or choke up, was now, with something +of its first freshness, set flowing once more. He again knew what it was +to love and be loved,--too late, it is true, for happiness, and too +wrongly for peace, but with devotion enough, on the part of the woman, +to satisfy even his thirst for affection, and with a sad earnestness, on +his own, a foreboding fidelity, which made him cling but the more +passionately to this attachment from feeling that it would be his last. + +A circumstance which he himself used to mention as having occurred at +this period will show how over-powering, at times, was the rush of +melancholy over his heart. It was his fancy, during Madame Guiccioli's +absence from Bologna, to go daily to her house at his usual hour of +visiting her, and there, causing her apartments to be opened, to sit +turning over her books, and writing in them.[44] He would then descend +into her garden, where he passed hours in musing; and it was on an +occasion of this kind, as he stood looking, in a state of unconscious +reverie, into one of those fountains so common in the gardens of Italy, +that there came suddenly into his mind such desolate fancies, such +bodings of the misery he might bring on her he loved, by that doom which +(as he has himself written) "makes it fatal to be loved[45]," that, +overwhelmed with his own thoughts, he burst into an agony of tears. + +During the same few days it was that he wrote in the last page of Madame +Guiccioli's copy of "Corinne" the following remarkable note:-- + + "My dearest Teresa,--I have read this book in your garden;--my + love, you were absent, or else I could not have read it. It is a + favourite book of yours, and the writer was a friend of mine. You + will not understand these English words, and _others_ will not + understand them--which is the reason I have not scrawled them in + Italian. But you will recognise the hand-writing of him who + passionately loved you, and you will divine that, over a book which + was yours, he could only think of love. In that word, beautiful in + all languages, but most so in yours--_Amor mio_--is comprised my + existence here and hereafter. I feel I exist here, and I fear that + I shall exist hereafter,--to _what_ purpose you will decide; my + destiny rests with you, and you are a woman, seventeen years of + age, and two out of a convent. I wish that you had stayed there, + with all my heart,--or, at least, that I had never met you in your + married state. + + "But all this is too late. I love you, and you love me,--at least, + you _say so_, and _act_ as if you _did_ so, which last is a great + consolation in all events. But _I_ more than love you, and cannot + cease to love you. + + "Think of me, sometimes, when the Alps and the ocean divide + us,--but they never will, unless you _wish_ it. BYRON. + + "Bologna, August 25. 1819." + +[Footnote 44: One of these notes, written at the end of the 5th chapter, +18th book of Corinne ("Fragmens des Pensees de Corinne") is as +follows:-- + + "I knew Madame de Stael well,--better than she knew Italy,--but I + little thought that, one day, I should _think with her thoughts_, + in the country where she has laid the scene of her most attractive + productions. She is sometimes right, and often wrong, about Italy + and England; but almost always true in delineating the heart, which + is of but one nation, and of no country,--or, rather, of all. + + "BYRON. + + "Bologna, August 23. 1819." +] + +[Footnote 45: + + "Oh Love! what is it, in this world of ours, + Which makes it fatal to be loved? ah! why + With cypress branches hast thou wreath'd thy bowers, + And made thy best interpreter a sigh? + As those who dote on odours pluck the flowers, + And place them on their breasts--but place to die.-- + Thus the frail beings we would fondly cherish + Are laid within our bosoms but to perish." +] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 339. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Bologna, August 24. 1819. + + "I wrote to you by last post, enclosing a buffooning letter for + publication, addressed to the buffoon R----ts, who has thought + proper to tie a canister to his own tail. It was written off-hand, + and in the midst of circumstances not very favourable to + facetiousness, so that there may, perhaps, be more bitterness than + enough for that sort of small acid punch:--you will tell me. + + "Keep the anonymous, in any case: it helps what fun there may be. + But if the matter grow serious about _Don Juan_, and you feel + _yourself_ in a scrape, or _me_ either, _own that I am the author._ + _I_ will never _shrink_; and if _you_ do, I can always answer you + in the question of Guatimozin to his minister--each being on his + own coals.[46] + + "I wish that I had been in better spirits; but I am out of sorts, + out of nerves, and now and then (I begin to fear) out of my senses. + All this Italy has done for me, and not England: I defy all you, + and your climate to boot, to make me mad. But if ever I do really + become a bedlamite, and wear a strait waistcoat, let me be brought + back among you; your people will then be proper company. + + "I assure you what I here say and feel has nothing to do with + England, either in a literary or personal point of view. All my + present pleasures or plagues are as Italian as the opera. And after + all, they are but trifles; for all this arises from my 'Dama's' + being in the country for three days (at Capo-fiume). But as I could + never live but for one human being at a time, (and, I assure you, + _that one_ has never been _myself_, as you may know by the + consequences, for the _selfish_ are _successful_ in life,) I feel + alone and unhappy. + + "I have sent for my daughter from Venice, and I ride daily, and + walk in a garden, under a purple canopy of grapes, and sit by a + fountain, and talk with the gardener of his tools, which seem + greater than Adam's, and with his wife, and with his son's wife, + who is the youngest of the party, and, I think, talks best of the + three. Then I revisit the Campo Santo, and my old friend, the + sexton, has two--but _one_ the prettiest daughter imaginable; and I + amuse myself with contrasting her beautiful and innocent face of + fifteen with the skulls with which he has peopled several cells, + and particularly with that of one skull dated 1766, which was once + covered (the tradition goes) by the most lovely features of + Bologna--noble and rich. When I look at these, and at this + girl--when I think of what _they were_, and what she must be--why, + then, my dear Murray, I won't shock you by saying what I think. It + is little matter what becomes of us 'bearded men,' but I don't like + the notion of a beautiful woman's lasting less than a beautiful + tree--than her own picture--her own shadow, which won't change so + to the sun as her face to the mirror. I must leave off, for my head + aches consumedly. I have never been quite well since the night of + the representation of Alfieri's Mirra, a fortnight ago. Yours + ever." + +[Footnote 46: + + "Am I now reposing on a bed of flowers?" + +See ROBERTSON.] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 340. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Bologna, August 29. 1819. + + "I have been in a rage these two days, and am still bilious + therefrom. You shall hear. A captain of dragoons, * *, Hanoverian + by birth, in the Papal troops at present, whom I had obliged by a + loan when nobody would lend him a paul, recommended a horse to me, + on sale by a Lieutenant * *, an officer who unites the sale of + cattle to the purchase of men. I bought it. The next day, on + shoeing the horse, we discovered the _thrush_,--the animal being + warranted sound. I sent to reclaim the contract and the money. The + lieutenant desired to speak with me in person. I consented. He + came. It was his own particular request. He began a story. I asked + him if he would return the money. He said no--but he would + exchange. He asked an exorbitant price for his other horses. I told + him that he was a thief. He said he was an _officer_ and a man of + honour, and pulled out a Parmesan passport signed by General Count + Neifperg. I answered, that as he was an officer, I would treat him + as such; and that as to his being a gentleman, he might prove it by + returning the money: as for his Parmesan passport, I should have + valued it more if it had been a Parmesan cheese. He answered in + high terms, and said that if it were the _morning_ (it was about + eight o'clock in the evening) he would have _satisfaction_. I then + lost my temper: 'As for THAT,' I replied, 'you shall have it + directly,--it will be _mutual_ satisfaction, I can assure you. You + are a thief, and, as you say, an officer; my pistols are in the + next room loaded; take one of the candles, examine, and make your + choice of weapons.' He replied, that _pistols_ were _English + weapons_; _he_ always fought with the _sword_. I told him that I + was able to accommodate him, having three regimental swords in a + drawer near us: and he might take the longest and put himself on + guard. + + "All this passed in presence of a third person. He then said _No_; + but to-morrow morning he would give me the meeting at any time or + place. I answered that it was not usual to appoint meetings in the + presence of witnesses, and that we had best speak man to man, and + appoint time and instruments. But as the man present was leaving + the room, the Lieutenant * *, before he could shut the door after + him, ran out roaring 'Help and murder' most lustily, and fell into + a sort of hysteric in the arms of about fifty people, who all saw + that I had no weapon of any sort or kind about me, and followed + him, asking him what the devil was the matter with him. Nothing + would do: he ran away without his hat, and went to bed, ill of the + fright. He then tried his complaint at the police, which dismissed + it as frivolous. He is, I believe, gone away, or going. + + "The horse was warranted, but, I believe, so worded that the + villain will not be obliged to refund, according to law. He + endeavoured to raise up an indictment of assault and battery, but + as it was in a public inn, in a frequented street, there were too + many witnesses to the contrary; and, as a military man, he has not + cut a martial figure, even in the opinion of the priests. He ran + off in such a hurry that he left his hat, and never missed it till + he got to his hostel or inn. The facts are as I tell you, I can + assure you. He began by 'coming Captain Grand over me,' or I should + never have thought of trying his 'cunning in fence.' But what could + I do? He talked of 'honour, and satisfaction, and his commission;' + he produced a military passport; there are severe punishments for + _regular duels_ on the Continent, and trifling ones for + _rencontres_, so that it is best to fight it out directly; he had + robbed, and then wanted to insult me;--what could I do? My + patience was gone, and the weapons at hand, fair and equal. + Besides, it was just after dinner, when my digestion was bad, and I + don't like to be disturbed. His friend * * is at Forli; we shall + meet on my way back to Ravenna. The Hanoverian seems the greater + rogue of the two; and if my valour does not ooze away like + Acres's--'Odds flints and triggers!' if it should be a rainy + morning, and my stomach in disorder, there may be something for the + obituary. + + "Now pray, 'Sir Lucius, do not you look upon me as a very ill-used + gentleman?' I send my Lieutenant to match Mr. Hobhouse's Major + Cartwright: and so 'good morrow to you, good master Lieutenant.' + With regard to other things I will write soon, but I have been + quarrelling and fooling till I can scribble no more." + + * * * * * + +In the month of September, Count Guiccioli, being called away by +business to Ravenna, left his young Countess and her lover to the free +enjoyment of each other's society at Bologna. The lady's ill health, +which had been the cause of her thus remaining behind, was thought, soon +after, to require the still further advantage of a removal to Venice; +and the Count her husband, being written to on the subject, consented, +with the most complaisant readiness, that she should proceed thither in +company with Lord Byron. "Some business" (says the lady's own Memoir) +"having called Count Guiccioli to Ravenna, I was obliged, by the state +of my health, instead of accompanying him, to return to Venice, and he +consented that Lord Byron should be the companion of my journey. We left +Bologna on the fifteenth of September: we visited the Euganean Hills +and Arqua, and wrote our names in the book which is presented to those +who make this pilgrimage. But I cannot linger over these recollections +of happiness;--the contrast with the present is too dreadful. If a +blessed spirit, while in the full enjoyment of heavenly happiness, were +sent down to this earth to suffer all its miseries, the contrast could +not be more dreadful between the past and the present, than what I have +endured from the moment when that terrible word reached my ears, and I +for ever lost the hope of again beholding him, one look from whom I +valued beyond earth's all happiness. When I arrived at Venice, the +physicians ordered that I should try the country air, and Lord Byron, +having a villa at La Mira, gave it up to me, and came to reside there +with me. At this place we passed the autumn, and there I had the +pleasure of forming your acquaintance."[47] + +It was my good fortune, at this period, in the course of a short and +hasty tour through the north of Italy, to pass five or six days with +Lord Byron at Venice. I had written to him on my way thither to announce +my coming, and to say how happy it would make me could I tempt him to +accompany me as far as Rome. + +During my stay at Geneva, an opportunity had been afforded me of +observing the exceeding readiness with which even persons the least +disposed to be prejudiced gave an ear to any story relating to Lord +Byron, in which the proper portions of odium and romance were but +plausibly mingled. In the course of conversation, one day, with the late +amiable and enlightened Monsieur D * *, that gentleman related, with +much feeling, to my fellow-traveller and myself, the details of a late +act of seduction of which Lord Byron had, he said, been guilty, and +which was made to comprise within itself all the worst features of such +unmanly frauds upon innocence;--the victim, a young unmarried lady, of +one of the first families of Venice, whom the noble seducer had lured +from her father's house to his own, and, after a few weeks, most +inhumanly turned her out of doors. In vain, said the relator, did she +entreat to become his servant, his slave;--in vain did she ask to +remain in some dark corner of his mansion, from which she might be able +to catch a glimpse of his form as he passed. Her betrayer was obdurate, +and the unfortunate young lady, in despair at being thus abandoned by +him, threw herself into the canal, from which she was taken out but to +be consigned to a mad-house. Though convinced that there must be +considerable exaggeration in this story, it was only on my arrival at +Venice I ascertained that the whole was a romance; and that out of the +circumstances (already laid before the reader) connected with Lord +Byron's fantastic and, it must be owned, discreditable fancy for the +Fornarina, this pathetic tale, so implicitly believed at Geneva, was +fabricated. + +Having parted at Milan, with Lord John Russell, whom I had accompanied +from England, and whom I was to rejoin, after a short visit to Rome, at +Genoa, I made purchase of a small and (as it soon proved) crazy +travelling carriage, and proceeded alone on my way to Venice. My time +being limited, I stopped no longer at the intervening places than was +sufficient to hurry over their respective wonders, and, leaving Padua at +noon on the 8th of October, I found myself, about two o'clock, at the +door of my friend's villa, at La Mira. He was but just up, and in his +bath; but the servant having announced my arrival, he returned a message +that, if I would wait till he was dressed, he would accompany me to +Venice. The interval I employed in conversing with my old acquaintance, +Fletcher, and in viewing, under his guidance, some of the apartments of +the villa. + +It was not long before Lord Byron himself made his appearance; and the +delight I felt in meeting him once more, after a separation of so many +years, was not a little heightened by observing that his pleasure was, +to the full, as great, while it was rendered doubly touching by the +evident rarity of such meetings to him of late, and the frank outbreak +of cordiality and gaiety with which he gave way to his feelings. It +would be impossible, indeed, to convey to those who have not, at some +time or other, felt the charm of his manner, any idea of what it could +be when under the influence of such pleasurable excitement as it was +most flatteringly evident he experienced at this moment. + +I was a good deal struck, however, by the alteration that had taken +place in his personal appearance. He had grown fatter both in person and +face, and the latter had most suffered by the change,--having lost, by +the enlargement of the features, some of that refined and spiritualised +look that had, in other times, distinguished it. The addition of +whiskers, too, which he had not long before been induced to adopt, from +hearing that some one had said he had a "faccia di musico," as well as +the length to which his hair grew down on his neck, and the rather +foreign air of his coat and cap,--all combined to produce that +dissimilarity to his former self I had observed in him. He was still, +however, eminently handsome: and, in exchange for whatever his features +might have lost of their high, romantic character, they had become more +fitted for the expression of that arch, waggish wisdom, that Epicurean +play of humour, which he had shown to be equally inherent in his +various and prodigally gifted nature; while, by the somewhat increased +roundness of the contours, the resemblance of his finely formed mouth +and chin to those of the Belvedere Apollo had become still more +striking. + +His breakfast, which I found he rarely took before three or four o'clock +in the afternoon, was speedily despatched,--his habit being to eat it +standing, and the meal in general consisting of one or two raw eggs, a +cup of tea without either milk or sugar, and a bit of dry biscuit. +Before we took our departure, he presented me to the Countess Guiccioli, +who was at this time, as my readers already know, living under the same +roof with him at La Mira; and who, with a style of beauty singular in an +Italian, as being fair-complexioned and delicate, left an impression +upon my mind, during this our first short interview, of intelligence and +amiableness such as all that I have since known or heard of her has but +served to confirm. + +We now started together, Lord Byron and myself, in my little Milanese +vehicle, for Fusina,--his portly gondolier Tita, in a rich livery and +most redundant mustachios, having seated himself on the front of the +carriage, to the no small trial of its strength, which had already once +given way, even under my own weight, between Verona and Vicenza. On our +arrival at Fusina, my noble friend, from his familiarity with all the +details of the place, had it in his power to save me both trouble and +expense in the different arrangements relative to the custom-house, +remise, &c.; and the good-natured assiduity with which he bustled about +in despatching these matters, gave me an opportunity of observing, in +his use of the infirm limb, a much greater degree of activity than I had +ever before, except in sparring, witnessed. + +As we proceeded across the Lagoon in his gondola, the sun was just +setting, and it was an evening such as Romance would have chosen for a +first sight of Venice, rising "with her tiara of bright towers" above +the wave; while, to complete, as might be imagined, the solemn interest +of the scene, I beheld it in company with him who had lately given a new +life to its glories, and sung of that fair City of the Sea thus +grandly:-- + + "I stood in Venice on the Bridge of Sighs; + A palace and a prison on each hand: + I saw from out the wave her structures rise + As from the stroke of the enchanter's wand: + A thousand years their cloudy wings expand + Around me, and a dying glory smiles + O'er the far times, when many a subject land + Look'd to the winged lion's marble piles, + Where Venice sat in state, throned in her hundred isles." + +But, whatever emotions the first sight of such a scene might, under +other circumstances, have inspired me with, the mood of mind in which I +now viewed it was altogether the very reverse of what might have been +expected. The exuberant gaiety of my companion, and the +recollections,--any thing but romantic,--into which our conversation +wandered, put at once completely to flight all poetical and historical +associations; and our course was, I am almost ashamed to say, one of +uninterrupted merriment and laughter till we found ourselves at the +steps of my friend's palazzo on the Grand Canal. All that had ever +happened, of gay or ridiculous, during our London life together,--his +scrapes and my lecturings,--our joint adventures with the Bores and +Blues, the two great enemies, as he always called them, of London +happiness,--our joyous nights together at Watier's, Kinnaird's, &c. and +"that d----d supper of Rancliffe's which _ought_ to have been a +dinner,"--all was passed rapidly in review between us, and with a flow +of humour and hilarity, on his side, of which it would have been +difficult, even for persons far graver than I can pretend to be, not to +have caught the contagion. + +He had all along expressed his determination that I should not go to any +hotel, but fix my quarters at his house during the period of my stay; +and, had he been residing there himself, such an arrangement would have +been all that I most desired. But, this not being the case, a common +hotel was, I thought, a far readier resource; and I therefore entreated +that he would allow me to order an apartment at the Gran Bretagna, which +had the reputation, I understood, of being a comfortable hotel. This, +however, he would not hear of; and, as an inducement for me to agree to +his plan, said that, as long as I chose to stay, though he should be +obliged to return to La Mira in the evenings, he would make it a point +to come to Venice every day and dine with me. As we now turned into the +dismal canal, and stopped before his damp-looking mansion, my +predilection for the Gran Bretagna returned in full force; and I again +ventured to hint that it would save an abundance of trouble to let me +proceed thither. But "No--no," he answered,--"I see you think you'll be +very uncomfortable here; but you'll find that it is not quite so bad as +you expect." + +As I groped my way after him through the dark hall, he cried out, "Keep +clear of the dog;" and before we had proceeded many paces farther, "Take +care, or that monkey will fly at you;"--a curious proof, among many +others, of his fidelity to all the tastes of his youth, as it agrees +perfectly with the description of his life at Newstead, in 1809, and of +the sort of menagerie which his visiters had then to encounter in their +progress through his hall. Having escaped these dangers, I followed him +up the staircase to the apartment destined for me. All this time he had +been despatching servants in various directions,--one, to procure me a +_laquais de place_; another to go in quest of Mr. Alexander Scott, to +whom he wished to give me in charge; while a third was sent to order his +Segretario to come to him. "So, then, you keep a Secretary?" I said. +"Yes," he answered, "a fellow who _can't write_[48]--but such are the +names these pompous people give to things." + +When we had reached the door of the apartment it was discovered to be +locked, and, to all appearance, had been so for some time, as the key +could not be found;--a circumstance which, to my English apprehension, +naturally connected itself with notions of damp and desolation, and I +again sighed inwardly for the Gran Bretagna. Impatient at the delay of +the key, my noble host, with one of his humorous maledictions, gave a +vigorous kick to the door and burst it open; on which we at once entered +into an apartment not only spacious and elegant, but wearing an aspect +of comfort and habitableness which to a traveller's eye is as welcome as +it is rare. "Here," he said, in a voice whose every tone spoke kindness +and hospitality,--"these are the rooms I use myself, and here I mean to +establish you." + +He had ordered dinner from some Tratteria, and while waiting its +arrival--as well as that of Mr. Alexander Scott, whom he had invited to +join us--we stood out on the balcony, in order that, before the daylight +was quite gone, I might have some glimpses of the scene which the Canal +presented. Happening to remark, in looking up at the clouds, which were +still bright in the west, that "what had struck me in Italian sunsets +was that peculiar rosy hue--" I had hardly pronounced the word "rosy," +when Lord Byron, clapping his hand on my mouth, said, with a laugh, +"Come, d----n it, Tom, don't be poetical." Among the few gondolas +passing at the time, there was one at some distance, in which sat two +gentlemen, who had the appearance of being English; and, observing them +to look our way, Lord Byron putting his arms a-kimbo, said with a sort +of comic swagger, "Ah! if you, John Bulls, knew who the two fellows +are, now standing up here, I think you _would_ stare!"--I risk +mentioning these things, though aware how they may be turned against +myself, for the sake of the otherwise indescribable traits of manner and +character which they convey. After a very agreeable dinner, through +which the jest, the story, and the laugh were almost uninterruptedly +carried on, our noble host took leave of us to return to La Mira, while +Mr. Scott and I went to one of the theatres, to see the Ottavia of +Alfieri. + +The ensuing evenings, during my stay, were passed much in the same +manner,--my mornings being devoted, under the kind superintendence of +Mr. Scott, to a hasty, and, I fear, unprofitable view of the treasures +of art with which Venice abounds. On the subjects of painting and +sculpture Lord Byron has, in several of his letters, expressed strongly +and, as to most persons will appear, heretically his opinions. In his +want, however, of a due appreciation of these arts, he but resembled +some of his great precursors in the field of poetry;--both Tasso and +Milton, for example, having evinced so little tendency to such +tastes[49], that, throughout the whole of their pages, there is not, I +fear, one single allusion to any of those great masters of the pencil +and chisel, whose works, nevertheless, both had seen. That Lord Byron, +though despising the imposture and jargon with which the worship of the +Arts is, like other worships, clogged and mystified, felt deeply, more +especially in sculpture, whatever imaged forth true grace and energy, +appears from passages of his poetry, which are in every body's memory, +and not a line of which but thrills alive with a sense of grandeur and +beauty such as it never entered into the capacity of a mere connoisseur +even to conceive. + +In reference to this subject, as we were conversing one day after dinner +about the various collections I had visited that morning, on my saying +that fearful as I was, at all times, of praising any picture, lest I +should draw upon myself the connoisseur's sneer for my pains, I would +yet, to _him_, venture to own that I had seen a picture at Milan +which--"The Hagar!" he exclaimed, eagerly interrupting me; and it was in +fact this very picture I was about to mention as having wakened in me, +by the truth of its expression, more real emotion than any I had yet +seen among the chefs-d'oeuvre of Venice. It was with no small degree of +pride and pleasure I now discovered that my noble friend had felt +equally with myself the affecting mixture of sorrow and reproach with +which the woman's eyes tell the whole story in that picture. + +On the second evening of my stay, Lord Byron having, as before, left us +for La Mira, I most willingly accepted the offer of Mr. Scott to +introduce me to the conversazioni of the two celebrated ladies, with +whose names, as leaders of Venetian fashion, the tourists to Italy have +made every body acquainted. To the Countess A * *'s parties Lord Byron +had chiefly confined himself during the first winter he passed at +Venice; but the tone of conversation at these small meetings being much +too learned for his tastes, he was induced, the following year, to +discontinue his attendance at them, and chose, in preference, the less +erudite, but more easy, society of the Countess B * *. Of the sort of +learning sometimes displayed by the "blue" visitants at Madame A * *'s, +a circumstance mentioned by the noble poet himself may afford some idea. +The conversation happening to turn, one evening, upon the statue of +Washington, by Canova, which had been just shipped off for the United +States, Madame A * *, who was then engaged in compiling a Description +Raisonnee of Canova's works, and was anxious for information respecting +the subject of this statue, requested that some of her learned guests +would detail to her all they knew of him. This task a Signor * * (author +of a book on Geography and Statistics) undertook to perform, and, after +some other equally sage and authentic details, concluded by informing +her that "Washington was killed in a duel by Burke."--"What," exclaimed +Lord Byron, as he stood biting his lips with impatience during this +conversation, "what, in the name of folly, are you all thinking +of?"--for he now recollected the famous duel between Hamilton and +Colonel Burr, whom, it was evident, this learned worthy had confounded +with Washington and Burke! + +In addition to the motives easily conceivable for exchanging such a +society for one that offered, at least, repose from such erudite +efforts, there was also another cause more immediately leading to the +discontinuance of his visits to Madame A * *. This lady, who has been +sometimes honoured with the title of "The De Stael of Italy," had +written a book called "Portraits," containing sketches of the characters +of various persons of note; and it being her intention to introduce Lord +Byron into this assemblage, she had it intimated to his Lordship that an +article in which his portraiture had been attempted was to appear in a +new edition she was about to publish of her work. It was expected, of +course, that this intimation would awaken in him some desire to see the +sketch; but, on the contrary, he was provoking enough not to manifest +the least symptoms of curiosity. Again and again was the same hint, with +as little success, conveyed; till, at length, on finding that no +impression could be produced in this manner, a direct offer was made, in +Madame A * *'s own name, to submit the article to his perusal. He could +now contain himself no longer. With more sincerity than politeness, he +returned for answer to the lady, that he was by no means ambitious of +appearing in her work; that, from the shortness, as well as the distant +nature of their acquaintance, it was impossible she could have qualified +herself to be his portrait-painter, and that, in short, she could not +oblige him more than by committing the article to the flames. + +Whether the tribute thus unceremoniously treated ever met the eyes of +Lord Byron, I know not; but he could hardly, I think, had he seen it, +have escaped a slight touch of remorse at having thus spurned from him a +portrait drawn in no unfriendly spirit, and, though affectedly +expressed, seizing some of the less obvious features of his +character,--as, for instance, that diffidence so little to be expected +from a career like his, with the discriminating niceness of a female +hand. The following are extracts from this Portrait:-- + + + "'Toi, dont le monde encore ignore le vrai nom, + Esprit mysterieux, Mortel, Ange, ou Demon, + Qui que tu sois, Byron, bon ou fatal genie, + J'aime de tes conceits la sauvage harmonie.' + LAMARTINE. + +"It would be to little purpose to dwell upon the mere beauty of a +countenance in which the expression of an extraordinary mind was so +conspicuous. What serenity was seated on the forehead, adorned with the +finest chestnut hair, light, curling, and disposed with such art, that +the art was hidden in the imitation of most pleasing nature! What +varied expression in his eyes! They were of the azure colour of the +heavens, from which they seemed to derive their origin. His teeth, in +form, in colour, in transparency, resembled pearls; but his cheeks were +too delicately tinged with the hue of the pale rose. His neck, which he +was in the habit of keeping uncovered as much as the usages of society +permitted, seemed to have been formed in a mould, and was very white. +His hands were as beautiful as if they had been the works of art. His +figure left nothing to be desired, particularly by those who found +rather a grace than a defect in a certain light and gentle undulation of +the person when he entered a room, and of which you hardly felt tempted +to enquire the cause. Indeed it was scarcely perceptible,--the clothes +he wore were so long. + +"He was never seen to walk through the streets of Venice, nor along the +pleasant banks of the Brenta, where he spent some weeks of the summer; +and there are some who assert that he has never seen, excepting from a +window, the wonders of the 'Piazza di San Marco;'--so powerful in him +was the desire of not showing himself to be deformed in any part of his +person. I, however, believe that he has often gazed on those wonders, +but in the late and solitary hour, when the stupendous edifices which +surrounded him, illuminated by the soft and placid light of the moon, +appeared a thousand times more lovely. + +"His face appeared tranquil like the ocean on a fine spring morning; +but, like it, in an instant became changed into the tempestuous and +terrible, if a passion, (a passion did I say?) a thought, a word, +occurred to disturb his mind. His eyes then lost all their sweetness, +and sparkled so that it became difficult to look on them. So rapid a +change would not have been thought possible; but it was impossible to +avoid acknowledging that the natural state of his mind was the +tempestuous. + +"What delighted him greatly one day annoyed him the next; and whenever +he appeared constant in the practice of any habits, it arose merely from +the indifference, not to say contempt, in which he held them all: +whatever they might be, they were not worthy that he should occupy his +thoughts with them. His heart was highly sensitive, and suffered itself +to be governed in an extraordinary degree by sympathy; but his +imagination carried him away, and spoiled every thing. He believed in +presages, and delighted in the recollection that he held this belief in +common with Napoleon. It appeared that, in proportion as his +intellectual education was cultivated, his moral education was +neglected, and that he never suffered himself to know or observe other +restraints than those imposed by his inclinations. Nevertheless, who +could believe that he had a constant, and almost infantine timidity, of +which the evidences were so apparent as to render its existence +indisputable, notwithstanding the difficulty experienced in associating +with Lord Byron a sentiment which had the appearance of modesty? +Conscious as he was that, wherever he presented himself, all eyes were +fixed on him, and all lips, particularly those of the women, were opened +to say, 'There he is, that is Lord Byron,'--he necessarily found +himself in the situation of an actor obliged to sustain a character, and +to render an account, not to others (for about them he gave himself no +concern), but to himself, of his every action and word. This occasioned +him a feeling of uneasiness which was obvious to every one. + +"He remarked on a certain subject (which in 1814 was the topic of +universal discourse) that 'the world was worth neither the trouble taken +in its conquest, nor the regret felt at its loss,' which saying (if the +worth of an expression could ever equal that of many and great actions) +would almost show the thoughts and feelings of Lord Byron to be more +stupendous and unmeasured than those of him respecting whom he spoke. + +"His gymnastic exercises were sometimes violent, and at others almost +nothing. His body, like his spirit, readily accommodated itself to all +his inclinations. During an entire winter, he went out every morning +alone to row himself to the island of Armenians, (a small island +situated in the midst of a tranquil lake, and distant from Venice about +half a league,) to enjoy the society of those learned and hospitable +monks, and to learn their difficult language; and, in the evening, +entering again into his gondola, he went, but only for a couple of +hours, into company. A second winter, whenever the water of the lake was +violently agitated, he was observed to cross it, and landing on the +nearest _terra firma_, to fatigue at least two horses with riding. + +"No one ever heard him utter a word of French, although he was +perfectly conversant with that language. He hated the nation and its +modern literature; in like manner, he held the modern Italian literature +in contempt, and said it possessed but one living author,--a restriction +which I know not whether to term ridiculous, or false and injurious. His +voice was sufficiently sweet and flexible. He spoke with much suavity, +if not contradicted, but rather addressed himself to his neighbour than +to the entire company. + +"Very little food sufficed him; and he preferred fish to flesh for this +extraordinary reason, that the latter, he said, rendered him ferocious. +He disliked seeing women eat; and the cause of this extraordinary +antipathy must be sought in the dread he always had, that the notion he +loved to cherish of their perfection and almost divine nature might be +disturbed. Having always been governed by them, it would seem that his +very self-love was pleased to take refuge in the idea of their +excellence,--a sentiment which he knew how (God knows how) to reconcile +with the contempt in which, shortly afterwards, almost with the +appearance of satisfaction, he seemed to hold them. But contradictions +ought not to surprise us in characters like Lord Byron's; and then, who +does not know that the slave holds in detestation his ruler? + +"Lord Byron disliked his countrymen, but only because he knew that his +morals were held in contempt by them. The English, themselves rigid +observers of family duties, could not pardon him the neglect of his, nor +his trampling on principles; therefore neither did he like being +presented to them, nor did they, especially when they had their wives +with them, like to cultivate his acquaintance. Still there was a strong +desire in all of them to see him, and the women in particular, who did +not dare to look at him but by stealth, said in an under voice, 'What a +pity it is!' If, however, any of his compatriots of exalted rank and of +high reputation came forward to treat him with courtesy, he showed +himself obviously flattered by it, and was greatly pleased with such +association. It seemed that to the wound which remained always open in +his ulcerated heart such soothing attentions were as drops of healing +balm, which comforted him. + +"Speaking of his marriage,--a delicate subject, but one still agreeable +to him, if it was treated in a friendly voice,--he was greatly moved, +and said it had been the innocent cause of all his errors and all his +griefs. Of his wife he spoke with much respect and affection. He said +she was an illustrious lady, distinguished for the qualities of her +heart and understanding, and that all the fault of their cruel +separation lay with himself. Now, was such language dictated by justice +or by vanity? Does it not bring to mind the saying of Julius, that the +wife of Caesar must not even be suspected? What vanity in that saying of +Caesar! In fact, if it had not been from vanity, Lord Byron would have +admitted this to no one. Of his young daughter, his dear Ada, he spoke +with great tenderness, and seemed to be pleased at the great sacrifice +he had made in leaving her to comfort her mother. The intense hatred he +bore his mother-in-law, and a sort of Euryclea of Lady Byron, two women +to whose influence he, in a great measure, attributed her estrangement +from him,--demonstrated clearly how painful the separation was to him, +notwithstanding some bitter pleasantries which occasionally occur in his +writings against her also, dictated rather by rancour than by +indifference." + +[Footnote 47: "Il Conte Guiccioli doveva per affari ritornare a Ravenna; +lo stato della mia salute esiggeva che io ritornassi in vece a Venezia. +Egli acconsenti dunque che Lord Byron, mi fosse compagno di viaggio. +Partimmo da Bologna alli 15 di Sre.--visitammo insieme i Colli Euganei +ed Arqua; scrivemmo i nostri nomi nel libro che si presenta a quelli che +fanno quel pellegrinaggio. Ma sopra tali rimembranze di felicita non +posso fermarmi, caro Signr. Moore; l'opposizione col presente e troppo +forte, e se un anima benedetta nel pieno godimento di tutte le felicita +celesti fosse mandata quaggiu e condannata a sopportare tutte le miserie +della nostra terra non potrebbe sentire piu terribile contrasto fra il +passato ed il presente di quello che io sento dacche quella terribile +parola e giunta alle mie orecchie, dacche ho perduto la speranza di piu +vedere quello di cui uno sguardo valeva per me piu di tutte le felicita +della terra. Giunti a Venezia i medici mi ordinarono di respirare l'aria +della campagna. Egli aveva una villa alla Mira,--la cedesse a me, e +venne meco. La passammo l'autunno, e la ebbi il bene di fare la vostra +conoscenza."--MS.] + +[Footnote 48: The title of Segretario is sometimes given, as in this +case, to a head-servant or house-steward.] + +[Footnote 49: That this was the case with Milton is acknowledged by +Richardson, who admired both Milton and the Arts too warmly to make such +an admission upon any but valid grounds. "He does not appear," says this +writer, "to have much regarded what was done with the pencil; no, not +even when in Italy, in Rome, in the Vatican. Neither does it seem +Sculpture was much esteemed by him." After an authority like this, the +theories of Hayley and others, with respect to the impressions left upon +Milton's mind by the works of art he had seen in Italy, are hardly worth +a thought. Though it may be conceded that Dante was an admirer of the +Arts, his recommendation of the Apocalypse to Giotto, as a source of +subjects for the pencil, shows, at least, what indifferent judges poets +are, in general, of the sort of fancies fittest to be embodied by the +painter.] + + * * * * * + +From the time of his misunderstanding with Madame A * * *, the visits of +the noble poet were transferred to the house of the other great rallying +point of Venetian society, Madame B * * *,--a lady in whose manners, +though she had long ceased to be young, there still lingered much of +that attaching charm, which a youth passed in successful efforts to +please seldom fails to leave behind. That those powers of pleasing, too, +were not yet gone, the fidelity of, at least, one devoted admirer +testified; nor is she supposed to have thought it impossible that Lord +Byron himself might yet be linked on at the end of that long chain of +lovers, which had, through so many years, graced the triumphs of her +beauty. If, however, there could have been, in any case, the slightest +chance of such a conquest, she had herself completely frustrated it by +introducing her distinguished visitor to Madame Guiccioli,--a step by +which she at last lost, too, even the ornament of his presence at her +parties, as in consequence of some slighting conduct, on her part, +towards his "Dama," he discontinued his attendance at her evening +assemblies, and at the time of my visit to Venice had given up society +altogether. + +I could soon collect, from the tone held respecting his conduct at +Madame B * * *'s, how subversive of all the morality of intrigue they +considered the late step of which he had been guilty in withdrawing his +acknowledged "Amica" from the protection of her husband, and placing +her, at once, under the same roof with himself. "You must really (said +the hostess herself to me) scold your friend;--till this unfortunate +affair, he conducted himself _so_ well!"--a eulogy on his previous moral +conduct which, when I reported it the following day to my noble host, +provoked at once a smile and sigh from his lips. + +The chief subject of our conversation, when alone, was his marriage, and +the load of obloquy which it had brought upon him. He was most anxious +to know the worst that had been alleged of his conduct; and as this was +our first opportunity of speaking together on the subject, I did not +hesitate to put his candour most searchingly to the proof, not only by +enumerating the various charges I had heard brought against him by +others, but by specifying such portions of these charges as I had been +inclined to think not incredible myself. To all this he listened with +patience, and answered with the most unhesitating frankness, laughing to +scorn the tales of unmanly outrage related of him, but, at the same +time, acknowledging that there had been in his conduct but too much to +blame and regret, and stating one or two occasions, during his domestic +life, when he had been irritated into letting "the breath of bitter +words" escape him,--words, rather those of the unquiet spirit that +possessed him than his own, and which he now evidently remembered with +a degree of remorse and pain which might well have entitled them to be +forgotten by others. + +It was, at the same time, manifest, that, whatever admissions he might +be inclined to make respecting his own delinquencies, the inordinate +measure of the punishment dealt out to him had sunk deeply into his +mind, and, with the usual effect of such injustice, drove him also to be +unjust himself;--so much so, indeed, as to impute to the quarter, to +which he now traced all his ill fate, a feeling of fixed hostility to +himself, which would not rest, he thought, even at his grave, but +continue to persecute his memory as it was now embittering his life. So +strong was this impression upon him, that during one of our few +intervals of seriousness, he conjured me, by our friendship, if, as he +both felt and hoped, I should survive him, not to let unmerited censure +settle upon his name, but, while I surrendered him up to condemnation, +where he deserved it, to vindicate him where aspersed. + +How groundless and wrongful were these apprehensions, the early death +which he so often predicted and sighed for has enabled us, unfortunately +but too soon, to testify. So far from having to defend him against any +such assailants, an unworthy voice or two, from persons more injurious +as friends than as enemies, is all that I find raised in hostility to +his name; while by none, I am inclined to think, would a generous +amnesty over his grave be more readily and cordially concurred in than +by her, among whose numerous virtues a forgiving charity towards +himself was the only one to which she had not yet taught him to render +justice. + +I have already had occasion to remark, in another part of this work, +that with persons who, like Lord Byron, live centred in their own +tremulous web of sensitiveness, those friends of whom they see least, +and who, therefore, least frequently come in collision with them in +those every-day realities from which such natures shrink so morbidly, +have proportionately a greater chance of retaining a hold on their +affections. There is, however, in long absence from persons of this +temperament, another description of risk hardly less, perhaps, to be +dreaded. If the station a friend holds in their hearts is, in near +intercourse with them, in danger from their sensitiveness, it is almost +equally, perhaps, at the mercy of their too active imaginations during +absence. On this very point, I recollect once expressing my +apprehensions to Lord Byron, in a passage of a letter addressed to him +but a short time before his death, of which the following is, as nearly +as I can recall it, the substance:--"When _with_ you, I feel _sure_ of +you; but, at a distance, one is often a little afraid of being made the +victim, all of a sudden, of some of those fanciful suspicions, which, +like meteoric stones, generate themselves (God knows how) in the upper +regions of your imagination, and come clattering down upon our heads, +some fine sunny day, when we are least expecting such an invasion." + +In writing thus to him, I had more particularly in recollection a fancy +of this kind respecting myself, which he had, not long before my present +visit to him at Venice, taken into his head. In a ludicrous, and now, +perhaps, forgotten publication of mine, giving an account of the +adventures of an English family in Paris, there had occurred the +following description of the chief hero of the tale:-- + + "A fine, sallow, sublime sort of Werter-faced man, + With mustachios which gave (what we read of so oft) + The dear Corsair expression, half savage, half soft,-- + As hyaenas in love may be fancied to look, or + A something between Abelard and old Blucher." + +On seeing this doggrel, my noble friend,--as I might, indeed, with a +little more thought, have anticipated,--conceived the notion that I +meant to throw ridicule on his whole race of poetic heroes, and +accordingly, as I learned from persons then in frequent intercourse with +him, flew out into one of his fits of half humorous rage against me. +This he now confessed himself, and, in laughing over the circumstance +with me, owned that he had even gone so far as, in his first moments of +wrath, to contemplate some little retaliation for this perfidious hit at +his heroes. "But when I recollected," said he, "what pleasure it would +give the whole tribe of blockheads and blues to see you and me turning +out against each other, I gave up the idea." He was, indeed, a striking +instance of what may be almost invariably observed, that they who best +know how to wield the weapon of ridicule themselves, are the most alive +to its power in the hands of others. I remember, one day,--in the year +1813, I think,--as we were conversing together about critics and their +influence on the public. "For my part," he exclaimed, "I don't care what +they say of me, so they don't quiz me."--"Oh, you need not fear +that,"--I answered, with something, perhaps, of a half suppressed smile +on my features,--"nobody could quiz _you_"--"_You could_, you villain!" +he replied, clenching his hand at me, and looking, at the same time, +with comic earnestness into my face. + +Before I proceed any farther with my own recollections, I shall here +take the opportunity of extracting some curious particulars respecting +the habits and mode of life of my friend while at Venice, from an +account obligingly furnished me by a gentleman who long resided in that +city, and who, during the greater part of Lord Byron's stay, lived on +terms of the most friendly intimacy with him. + +"I have often lamented that I kept no notes of his observations during +our rides and aquatic excursions. Nothing could exceed the vivacity and +variety of his conversation, or the cheerfulness of his manner. His +remarks on the surrounding objects were always original: and most +particularly striking was the quickness with which he availed himself of +every circumstance, however trifling in itself, and such as would have +escaped the notice of almost any other person, to carry his point in +such arguments as we might chance to be engaged in. He was feelingly +alive to the beauties of nature, and took great interest in any +observations, which, as a dabbler in the arts, I ventured to make upon +the effects of light and shadow, or the changes produced in the colour +of objects by every variation in the atmosphere. + +"The spot where we usually mounted our horses had been a Jewish +cemetery; but the French, during their occupation of Venice, had thrown +down the enclosures, and levelled all the tombstones with the ground, in +order that they might not interfere with the fortifications upon the +Lido, under the guns of which it was situated. To this place, as it was +known to be that where he alighted from his gondola and met his horses, +the curious amongst our country people, who were anxious to obtain a +glimpse of him, used to resort; and it was amusing in the extreme to +witness the excessive coolness with which ladies, as well as gentlemen, +would advance within a very few paces of him, eyeing him, some with +their glasses, as they would have done a statue in a museum, or the wild +beasts at Exeter 'Change. However flattering this might be to a man's +vanity, Lord Byron, though he bore it very patiently, expressed himself, +as I believe he really was, excessively annoyed at it. + +"I have said that our usual ride was along the sea-shore, and that the +spot where we took horse, and of course dismounted, had been a cemetery. +It will readily be believed, that some caution was necessary in riding +over the broken tombstones, and that it was altogether an awkward place +for horses to pass. As the length of our ride was not very great, +scarcely more than six miles in all, we seldom rode fast, that we might +at least prolong its duration; and enjoy as much as possible the +refreshing air of the Adriatic. One day, as we were leisurely returning +homewards, Lord Byron, all at once, and without saying any thing to me, +set spurs to his horse and started off at full gallop, making the +greatest haste he could to get to his gondola. I could not conceive what +fit had seized him, and had some difficulty in keeping even within a +reasonable distance of him, while I looked around me to discover, if I +were able, what could be the cause of his unusual precipitation. At +length I perceived at some distance two or three gentlemen, who were +running along the opposite side of the island nearest the Lagoon, +parallel with him, towards his gondola, hoping to get there in time to +see him alight; and a race actually took place between them, he +endeavouring to outstrip them. In this he, in fact, succeeded, and, +throwing himself quickly from his horse, leapt into his gondola, of +which he hastily closed the blinds, ensconcing himself in a corner so as +not to be seen. For my own part, not choosing to risk my neck over the +ground I have spoken of, I followed more leisurely as soon as I came +amongst the gravestones, but got to the place of embarkation just at the +same moment with my curious countrymen, and in time to witness their +disappointment at having had their run for nothing. I found him exulting +in his success in outstripping them. He expressed in strong terms his +annoyance at what he called their impertinence, whilst I could not but +laugh at his impatience, as well as at the mortification of the +unfortunate pedestrians, whose eagerness to see him, I said, was, in my +opinion, highly flattering to him. That, he replied, depended on the +feeling with which they came; and he had not the vanity to believe that +they were influenced by any admiration of his character or of his +abilities, but that they were impelled merely by idle curiosity. Whether +it was so or not, I cannot help thinking that if they had been of the +other sex, he would not have been so eager to escape from their +observation, as in that case he would have repaid them glance for +glance. + +"The curiosity that was expressed by all classes of travellers to see +him, and the eagerness with which they endeavoured to pick up any +anecdotes of his mode of life, were carried to a length which will +hardly be credited. It formed the chief subject of their enquiries of +the gondoliers who conveyed them from terra firma to the floating city; +and these people, who are generally loquacious, were not at all backward +in administering to the taste and humours of their passengers, relating +to them the most extravagant and often unfounded stories. They took care +to point out the house where he lived, and to give such hints of his +movements as might afford them an opportunity of seeing him. Many of the +English visiters, under pretext of seeing his house, in which there were +no paintings of any consequence, nor, besides himself, any thing worthy +of notice, contrived to obtain admittance through the cupidity of his +servants, and with the most barefaced impudence forced their way even +into his bedroom, in the hopes of seeing him. Hence arose, in a great +measure, his bitterness towards them, which he has expressed in a note +to one of his poems, on the occasion of some unfounded remark made upon +him by an anonymous traveller in Italy; and it certainly appears well +calculated to foster that cynicism which prevails in his latter works +more particularly, and which, as well as the misanthropical expressions +that occur in those which first raised his reputation, I do not believe +to have been his natural feeling. Of this I am certain, that I never +witnessed greater kindness than in Lord Byron. + +"The inmates of his family were all extremely attached to him, and would +have endured any thing on his account. He was indeed culpably lenient to +them; for even when instances occurred of their neglecting their duty, +or taking an undue advantage of his good-nature, he rather bantered than +spoke seriously to them upon it, and could not bring himself to +discharge them, even when he had threatened to do so. An instance +occurred within my knowledge of his unwillingness to act harshly towards +a tradesman whom he had materially assisted, not only by lending him +money, but by forwarding his interest in every way that he could. +Notwithstanding repeated acts of kindness on Lord Byron's part, this man +robbed and cheated him in the most barefaced manner; and when at length +Lord Byron was induced to sue him at law for the recovery of his money, +the only punishment he inflicted upon him, when sentence against him was +passed, was to put him in prison for one week, and then to let him out +again, although his debtor had subjected him to a considerable +additional expense, by dragging him into all the different courts of +appeal, and that he never at last recovered one halfpenny of the money +owed to him. Upon this subject he writes to me from Ravenna, 'If * * is +in (prison), let him out; if out, put him in for a week, merely for a +lesson, and give him a good lecture.' + +"He was also ever ready to assist the distressed, and he was most +unostentatious in his charities: for besides considerable sums which he +gave away to applicants at his own house, he contributed largely by +weekly and monthly allowances to persons whom he had never seen, and +who, as the money reached them by other hands, did not even know who was +their benefactor. One or two instances might be adduced where his +charity certainly bore an appearance of ostentation; one particularly, +when he sent fifty louis d'or to a poor printer whose house had been +burnt to the ground, and all his property destroyed; but even this was +not unattended with advantage; for it in a manner compelled the Austrian +authorities to do something for the poor sufferer, which I have no +hesitation in saying they would not have done otherwise; and I attribute +it entirely to the publicity of his donation, that they allowed the man +the use of an unoccupied house belonging to the government until he +could rebuild his own, or re-establish his business elsewhere. Other +instances might be perhaps discovered where his liberalities proceeded +from selfish, and not very worthy motives[50]; but these are rare, and +it would be unjust in the extreme to assume them as proofs of his +character." + +It has been already mentioned that, in writing to my noble friend to +announce my coming, I had expressed a hope that he would be able to go +on with me to Rome; and I had the gratification of finding, on my +arrival, that he was fully prepared to enter into this plan. On becoming +acquainted, however, with all the details of his present situation, I so +far sacrificed my own wishes and pleasure as to advise strongly that he +should remain at La Mira. In the first place, I saw reason to apprehend +that his leaving Madame Guiccioli at this crisis might be the means of +drawing upon him the suspicion of neglecting, if not actually deserting, +a young person who had just sacrificed so much to her devotion for him, +and whose position, at this moment, between the Count and Lord Byron, it +required all the generous prudence of the latter to shield from shame or +fall. There had just occurred too, as it appeared to me, a most +favourable opening for the retrieval of, at least, the imprudent part of +the transaction, by replacing the lady instantly under her husband's +protection, and thus enabling her still to retain that station in +society which, in such society, nothing but such imprudence could have +endangered. + +This latter hope had been suggested by a letter he one day showed me, +(as we were dining together alone, at the well-known Pellegrino,) which +had that morning been received by the Contessa from her husband, and the +chief object of which was--_not_ to express any censure of her conduct, +but to suggest that she should prevail upon her noble admirer to +transfer into his keeping a sum of 1000_l._, which was then lying, if I +remember right, in the hands of Lord Byron's banker at Ravenna, but +which the worthy Count professed to think would be more advantageously +placed in his own. Security, the writer added, would be given, and five +per cent. interest allowed; as to accept of the sum on any other terms +he should hold to be an "avvilimento" to him. Though, as regarded the +lady herself, who has since proved, by a most noble sacrifice, how +perfectly disinterested were her feelings throughout[51], this trait of +so wholly opposite a character in her lord must have still further +increased her disgust at returning to him, yet so important did it seem, +as well for her friend's sake as her own, to retrace, while there was +yet time, their last imprudent step, that even the sacrifice of this +sum, which I saw would materially facilitate such an arrangement, did +not appear to me by any means too high a price to pay for it. On this +point, however, my noble friend entirely differed with me; and nothing +could be more humorous and amusing than the manner in which, in his +newly assumed character of a lover of money, he dilated on the many +virtues of a thousand pounds, and his determination not to part with a +single one of them to Count Guiccioli. Of his confidence, too, in his +own power of extricating himself from this difficulty he spoke with +equal gaiety and humour; and Mr. Scott, who joined our party after +dinner, having taken the same view of the subject as I did, he laid a +wager of two sequins with that gentleman, that, without any such +disbursement, he would yet bring all right again, and "save the lady and +the money too." + +It is indeed, certain, that he had at this time taken up the whim (for +it hardly deserves a more serious name) of minute and constant +watchfulness over his expenditure; and, as most usually happens, it was +with the increase of his means that this increased sense of the value of +money came. The first symptom I saw of this new fancy of his was the +exceeding joy which he manifested on my presenting to him a rouleau of +twenty Napoleons, which Lord K * *d, to whom he had, on some occasion, +lent that sum, had intrusted me with, at Milan, to deliver into his +hands. With the most joyous and diverting eagerness, he tore open the +paper, and, in counting over the sum, stopped frequently to congratulate +himself on the recovery of it. + +Of his household frugalities I speak but on the authority of others; but +it is not difficult to conceive that, with a restless spirit like his, +which delighted always in having something to contend with, and which, +but a short time before, "for want," as he said, "of something craggy to +break upon," had tortured itself with the study of the Armenian +language, he should, in default of all better excitement, find a sort of +stir and amusement in the task of contesting, inch by inch, every +encroachment of expense, and endeavouring to suppress what he himself +calls + + "That climax of all earthly ills, + The inflammation of our weekly bills." + +In truth, his constant recurrence to the praise of avarice in Don Juan, +and the humorous zest with which he delights to dwell on it, shows how +new-fangled, as well as how far from serious, was his adoption of this +"good old-gentlemanly vice." In the same spirit he had, a short time +before my arrival at Venice, established a hoarding-box, with a slit in +the lid, into which he occasionally put sequins, and, at stated periods, +opened it to contemplate his treasures. His own ascetic style of living +enabled him, as far as himself was concerned, to gratify this taste for +economy in no ordinary degree,--his daily bill of fare, when the +Margarita was his companion, consisting, I have been assured, of but +four beccafichi, of which the Fornarina eat three, leaving even him +hungry. + +That his parsimony, however (if this new phasis of his ever-shifting +character is to be called by such a name), was very far from being of +that kind which Bacon condemns, as "withholding men from works of +liberality," is apparent from all that is known of his munificence, at +this very period,--some particulars of which, from a most authentic +source, have just been cited, proving amply that while, for the +indulgence of a whim, he kept one hand closed, he gave free course to +his generous nature by dispensing lavishly from the other. It should be +remembered, too, that as long as money shall continue to be one of the +great sources of power, so long will they who seek influence over their +fellow-men attach value to it as an instrument; and the more lowly they +are inclined to estimate the disinterestedness of the human heart, the +more available and precious will they consider the talisman that gives +such power over it. Hence, certainly, it is not among those who have +thought highest of mankind that the disposition to avarice has most +generally displayed itself. In Swift the love of money was strong and +avowed; and to Voltaire the same propensity was also frequently +imputed,--on about as sufficient grounds, perhaps, as to Lord Byron. + +On the day preceding that of my departure from Venice, my noble host, on +arriving from La Mira to dinner, told me, with all the glee of a +schoolboy who had been just granted a holiday, that, as this was my last +evening, the Contessa had given him leave to "make a night of it," and +that accordingly he would not only accompany me to the opera, but we +should sup together at some cafe (as in the old times) afterwards. +Observing a volume in his gondola, with a number of paper marks between +the leaves, I enquired of him what it was?--"Only a book," he answered, +"from which I am trying to _crib_, as I do wherever I can[52];--and +that's the way I get the character of an original poet." On taking it up +and looking into it, I exclaimed, "Ah, my old friend, +Agathon!"[53]--"What!" he cried, archly, "you have been beforehand with +me there, have you?" + +Though in imputing to himself premeditated plagiarism, he was, of +course, but jesting, it was, I am inclined to think, his practice, when +engaged in the composition of any work, to excite thus his vein by the +perusal of others, on the same subject or plan, from which the slightest +hint caught by his imagination, as he read, was sufficient to kindle +there such a train of thought as, but for that spark, had never been +awakened, and of which he himself soon forgot the source. In the present +instance, the inspiration he sought was of no very elevating +nature,--the anti-spiritual doctrines of the Sophist in this Romance[54] +being what chiefly, I suspect, attracted his attention to its pages, as +not unlikely to supply him with fresh argument and sarcasm for those +depreciating views of human nature and its destiny, which he was now, +with all the wantonness of unbounded genius, enforcing in Don Juan. + +Of this work he was, at the time of my visit to him, writing the third +Canto, and before dinner, one day, read me two or three hundred lines of +it;--beginning with the stanzas "Oh Wellington," &c. which at that time +formed the opening of this third Canto, but were afterwards reserved for +the commencement of the ninth. My opinion of the poem, both as regarded +its talent and its mischief, he had already been made acquainted with, +from my having been one of those,--his Committee, as he called us,--to +whom, at his own desire, the manuscript of the two first Cantos had been +submitted, and who, as the reader has seen, angered him not a little by +deprecating the publication of it. In a letter which I, at that time, +wrote to him on the subject, after praising the exquisite beauty of the +scenes between Juan and Haidee, I ventured to say, "Is it not odd that +the same licence which, in your early Satire, you blamed _me_ for being +guilty of on the borders of my twentieth year, you are now yourself +(with infinitely greater power, and therefore infinitely greater +mischief) indulging in _after_ thirty!" + +Though I now found him, in full defiance of such remonstrances, +proceeding with this work, he had yet, as his own letters prove, been so +far influenced by the general outcry against his poem, as to feel the +zeal and zest with which he had commenced it considerably abated,--so +much so, as to render, ultimately, in his own opinion, the third and +fourth Cantos much inferior in spirit to the two first. So sensitive, +indeed,--in addition to his usual abundance of this quality,--did he, at +length, grow on the subject, that when Mr. W. Bankes, who succeeded me, +as his visiter, happened to tell him, one day, that he had heard a Mr. +Saunders (or some such name), then resident at Venice, declare that, in +his opinion, "Don Juan was all Grub Street," such an effect had this +disparaging speech upon his mind, (though coming from a person who, as +he himself would have it, was "nothing but a d----d salt-fish seller,") +that, for some time after, by his own confession to Mr. Bankes, he could +not bring himself to write another line of the poem; and, one morning, +opening a drawer where the neglected manuscript lay, he said to his +friend, "Look here--this is all Mr. Saunders's 'Grub Street.'" + +To return, however, to the details of our last evening together at +Venice. After a dinner with Mr. Scott at the Pellegrino, we all went, +rather late, to the opera, where the principal part in the Baccanali di +Roma was represented by a female singer, whose chief claim to +reputation, according to Lord Byron, lay in her having _stilettoed_ one +of her favourite lovers. In the intervals between the singing he pointed +out to me different persons among the audience, to whom celebrity of +various sorts, but, for the most part, disreputable, attached; and of +one lady who sat near us, he related an anecdote, which, whether new or +old, may, as creditable to Venetian facetiousness, be worth, perhaps, +repeating. This lady had, it seems, been pronounced by Napoleon the +finest woman in Venice; but the Venetians, not quite agreeing with this +opinion of the great man, contented themselves with calling her "La +Bella _per Decreto_,"--adding (as the Decrees always begin with the word +"Considerando"), "Ma _senza_ il Considerando." + +From the opera, in pursuance of our agreement to "make a night of it," +we betook ourselves to a sort of _cabaret_ in the Place of St. Mark, and +there, within a few yards of the Palace of the Doges, sat drinking hot +brandy punch, and laughing over old times, till the clock of St. Mark +struck the second hour of the morning. Lord Byron then took me in his +gondola, and, the moon being in its fullest splendour, he made the +gondoliers row us to such points of view as might enable me to see +Venice, at that hour, to advantage. Nothing could be more solemnly +beautiful than the whole scene around, and I had, for the first time, +the Venice of my dreams before me. All those meaner details which so +offend the eye by day were now softened down by the moonlight into a +sort of visionary indistinctness; and the effect of that silent city of +palaces, sleeping, as it were, upon the waters, in the bright stillness +of the night, was such as could not but affect deeply even the least +susceptible imagination. My companion saw that I was moved by it, and +though familiar with the scene himself, seemed to give way, for the +moment, to the same strain of feeling; and, as we exchanged a few +remarks suggested by that wreck of human glory before us, his voice, +habitually so cheerful, sunk into a tone of mournful sweetness, such as +I had rarely before heard from him, and shall not easily forget. This +mood, however, was but of the moment; some quick turn of ridicule soon +carried him off into a totally different vein, and at about three +o'clock in the morning, at the door of his own palazzo, we parted, +laughing, as we had met;--an agreement having been first made that I +should take an early dinner with him next day at his villa, on my road +to Ferrara. + +Having employed the morning of the following day in completing my round +of sights at Venice,--taking care to visit specially "that picture by +Giorgione," to which the poet's exclamation, "_such_ a woman!"[55] will +long continue to attract all votaries of beauty,--I took my departure +from Venice, and, at about three o'clock, arrived at La Mira. I found my +noble host waiting to receive me, and, in passing with him through the +hall, saw his little Allegra, who, with her nursery maid, was standing +there as if just returned from a walk. To the perverse fancy he had for +falsifying his own character, and even imputing to himself faults the +most alien to his nature, I have already frequently adverted, and had, +on this occasion, a striking instance of it. After I had spoken a +little, in passing, to the child, and made some remark on its beauty, he +said to me,--"Have you any notion--but I suppose _you_ have--of what +they call the parental feeling? For myself, I have not the least." And +yet, when that child died, in a year or two afterwards, he who now +uttered this artificial speech was so overwhelmed by the event, that +those who were about him at the time actually trembled for his reason! + +A short time before dinner he left the room, and in a minute or two +returned, carrying in his hand a white leather bag. "Look here," he +said, holding it up--"this would be worth something to Murray, though +_you_, I dare say, would not give sixpence for it."--"What is it?" I +asked.--"My Life and Adventures," he answered. On hearing this, I raised +my hands in a gesture of wonder. "It is not a thing," he continued, +"that can be published during my lifetime, but you may have it--if you +like--there, do whatever you please with it." In taking the bag, and +thanking him most warmly, I added, "This will make a nice legacy for my +little Tom, who shall astonish the latter days of the nineteenth century +with it." He then added, "You may show it to any of our friends you +think worthy of it:"--and this is, nearly word for word, the whole of +what passed between us on the subject. + +At dinner we were favoured with the presence of Madame Guiccioli, who +was so obliging as to furnish me, at Lord Byron's suggestion, with a +letter of introduction to her brother, Count Gamba, whom it was +probable, they both thought, I should meet at Rome. This letter I never +had an opportunity of presenting; and as it was left open for me to +read, and was, the greater part of it, I have little doubt, dictated by +my noble friend, I may venture, without impropriety, to give an extract +from it here;--premising that the allusion to the "Castle," &c. refers +to some tales respecting the cruelty of Lord Byron to his wife, which +the young Count had heard, and, at this time, implicitly believed. After +a few sentences of compliment to the bearer, the letter proceeds:--"He +is on his way to see the wonders of Rome, and there is no one, I am +sure, more qualified to enjoy them. I shall be gratified and obliged by +your acting, as far as you can, as his guide. He is a friend of Lord +Byron's, and much more accurately acquainted with his history than those +who have related it to you. He will accordingly describe to you, if you +ask him, _the shape, the dimensions_, and whatever else you may please +to require, of _that Castle in which he keeps imprisoned a young and +innocent wife_, &c. &c. My dear Pietro, whenever you feel inclined to +laugh, do send two lines of answer to your sister, who loves and ever +will love you with the greatest tenderness.--Teresa Guiccioli."[56] + +After expressing his regret that I had not been able to prolong my stay +at Venice, my noble friend said, "At least, I think, you might spare a +day or two to go with me to Arqua. I should like," he continued, +thoughtfully, "to visit that tomb with you:"--then, breaking off into +his usual gay tone; "a pair of poetical pilgrims--eh, Tom, what say +you?"--That I should have declined this offer, and thus lost the +opportunity of an excursion which would have been remembered, as a +bright dream, through all my after-life, is a circumstance I never can +think of without wonder and self-reproach. But the main design on which +I had then set my mind of reaching Rome, and, if possible, Naples, +within the limited period which circumstances allowed, rendered me far +less alive than I ought to have been to the preciousness of the episode +thus offered to me. + +When it was time for me to depart, he expressed his intention to +accompany me a few miles; and, ordering his horses to follow, proceeded +with me in the carriage as far as Stra, where for the last time--how +little thinking it was to be the last!--I bade my kind and admirable +friend farewell. + +[Footnote 50: The writer here, no doubt, alludes to such questionable +liberalities as those exercised towards the husbands of his two +favourites, Madame S * * and the Fornarina.] + +[Footnote 51: The circumstance here alluded to may be most clearly, +perhaps, communicated to my readers through the medium of the following +extract from a letter which Mr. Barry (the friend and banker of Lord +Byron) did me the favour of addressing to me, soon after his Lordship's +death:--"When Lord Byron went to Greece, he gave me orders to advance +money to Madame G * *; but that lady would never consent to receive any. +His Lordship had also told me that he meant to leave his will in my +hands, and that there would be a bequest in it of 10,000_l._ to Madame G +* *. He mentioned this circumstance also to Lord Blessington. When the +melancholy news of his death reached me, I took for granted that this +will would be found among the sealed papers he had left with me; but +there was no such instrument. I immediately then wrote to Madame G * *, +enquiring if she knew any thing concerning it, and mentioning, at the +same time, what his Lordship had said is to the legacy. To this the lady +replied, that he had frequently spoken to her on the same subject, but +that she had always cut the conversation short, as it was a topic she by +no means liked to hear him speak upon. In addition, she expressed a wish +that no such will as I had mentioned would be found; as her +circumstances were already sufficiently independent, and the world might +put a wrong construction on her attachment, should it appear that her +fortunes were, in any degree, bettered by it."] + +[Footnote 52: This will remind the reader of Moliere's avowal in +speaking of wit:--"C'est mon bien, et je le prends partout ou je le +trouve."] + +[Footnote 53: The History of Agathon, by Wieland.] + +[Footnote 54: Between Wieland, the author of this Romance, and Lord +Byron, may be observed some of those generic points of resemblance which +it is so interesting to trace in the characters of men of genius. The +German poet, it is said, never perused any work that made a strong +impression upon him, without being stimulated to commence one, himself, +on the same topic and plan; and in Lord Byron the imitative principle +was almost equally active,--there being few of his poems that might not, +in the same manner, be traced to the strong impulse given to his +imagination by the perusal of some work that had just before interested +him. In the history, too, of their lives and feelings, there was a +strange and painful coincidence,--the revolution that took place in all +Wieland's opinions, from the Platonism and romance of his youthful days, +to the material and Epicurean doctrines that pervaded all his maturer +works, being chiefly, it is supposed, brought about by the shock his +heart had received from a disappointment of its affections in early +life. Speaking of the illusion of this first passion, in one of his +letters, he says,--"It is one for which no joys, no honours, no gifts of +fortune, not even wisdom itself can afford an equivalent, and which, +when it has once vanished, returns no more."] + +[Footnote 55: + + "'Tis but a portrait of his son and wife, + And self; but such a woman! love in life!" + BEPPO, Stanza xii. + +This seems, by the way, to be an incorrect description of the picture, +as, according to Vasari and others, Giorgione never was married, and +died young.] + +[Footnote 56: "Egli viene per vedere le meraviglie di questa Citta, e +sono certa che nessuno meglio di lui saprebbe gustarle. Mi sara grato +che vi facciate sua guida come potrete, e voi poi me ne avrete obbligo. +Egli e amico de Lord Byron--sa la sua storia assai piu precisamente di +quelli che a voi la raccontarono. Egli dunque vi raccontera se lo +interrogherete _la forma, le dimensioni_, e tuttocio che vi piacera del +_Castello ove tiene imprigionata una giovane innocente sposa_, &c. &c. +Mio caro Pietro, quando ti sei bene sfogato a ridere, allora rispondi +due righe alla tua sorella, che t' ama e t' amera sempre colla maggiore +tenerezza."] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 341. TO MR. HOPPNER. + + "October 22. 1819. + + "I am glad to hear of your return, but I do not know how to + congratulate you--unless you think differently of Venice from what + I think now, and you thought always. I am, besides, about to renew + your troubles by requesting you to be judge between Mr. E * * * and + myself in a small matter of imputed peculation and irregular + accounts on the part of that phoenix of secretaries. As I knew that + you had not parted friends, at the same time that _I_ refused for + my own part any judgment but _yours_, I offered him his choice of + any person, the _least_ scoundrel native to be found in Venice, as + his own umpire; but he expressed himself so convinced of your + impartiality, that he declined any but _you_. This is in his + favour.--The paper within will explain to you the default in his + accounts. You will hear his explanation, and decide if it so please + you. I shall not appeal from the decision. + + "As he complained that his salary was insufficient, I determined to + have his accounts examined, and the enclosed was the result.--It is + all in black and white with documents, and I have despatched + Fletcher to explain (or rather to perplex) the matter. + + "I have had much civility and kindness from Mr. Dorville during + your journey, and I thank him accordingly. + + "Your letter reached me at your departure[57], and displeased me + very much:--not that it might not be true in its statement and kind + in its intention, but you have lived long enough to know how + useless all such representations ever are and must be in cases + where the passions are concerned. To reason with men in such a + situation is like reasoning with a drunkard in his cups--the only + answer you will get from him is, that he is sober, and you are + drunk. + + "Upon that subject we will (if you like) be silent. You might only + say what would distress me without answering any purpose whatever; + and I have too many obligations to you to answer you in the same + style. So that you should recollect that you have also that + advantage over me. I hope to see you soon. + + "I suppose you know that they said at Venice, that I was arrested + at Bologna as a _Carbonaro_--story about as true as their usual + conversation. Moore has been here--I lodged him in my house at + Venice, and went to see him daily; but I could not at that time + quit La Mira entirely. You and I were not very far from meeting in + Switzerland. With my best respects to Mrs. Hoppner, believe me ever + and truly, &c. + + "P.S. Allegra is here in good health and spirits--I shall keep her + with me till I go to England, which will perhaps be in the spring. + It has just occurred to me that you may not perhaps like to + undertake the office of judge between Mr. E. and your humble + servant.--Of course, as Mr. Liston (the comedian, not the + ambassador) says, '_it is all hoptional_;' but I have no other + resource. I do not wish to find him a rascal, if it can be avoided, + and would rather think him guilty of carelessness than cheating. + The case is this--can I, or not, give him a character for + _honesty_?--It is not my intention to continue him in my service." + +[Footnote 57: Mr. Hoppner, before his departure from Venice for +Switzerland, had, with all the zeal of a true friend, written a letter +to Lord Byron, entreating him "to leave Ravenna while yet he had a whole +skin, and urging him not to risk the safety of a person he appeared so +sincerely attached to--as well as his own--for the gratification of a +momentary passion, which could only be a source of regret to both +parties." In the same letter Mr. Hoppner informed him of some reports he +had heard lately at Venice, which, though possibly, he said, unfounded, +had much increased his anxiety respecting the consequences of the +connection formed by him.] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 342. TO MR. HOPPNER. + + "October 25. 1819. + + "You need not have made any excuses about the letter: I never said + but that you might, could, should, or would have reason. I merely + described my own state of inaptitude to listen to it at that time, + and in those circumstances. Besides, you did not speak from your + _own_ authority--but from what you said you had heard. Now my blood + boils to hear an Italian speaking ill of another Italian, because, + though they lie in particular, they speak truth in general by + speaking ill at all;--and although they know that they are trying + and wishing to lie, they do not succeed, merely because they can + say nothing so bad of each other, that it _may_ not, and must not + be true, from the atrocity of their long debased national + character.[58] + + "With regard to E., you will perceive a most irregular, extravagant + account, without proper documents to support it. He demanded an + increase of salary, which made me suspect him; he supported an + outrageous extravagance of expenditure, and did not like the + dismission of the cook; he never complained of him--as in duty + bound--at the time of his robberies. I can only say, that the house + expense is now under _one half_ of what it then was, as he himself + admits. He charged for a comb _eighteen_ francs,--the real price + was _eight_. He charged a passage from Fusina for a person named + Iambelli, who paid it _herself_, as she will prove if necessary. He + fancies, or asserts himself, the victim of a domestic complot + against him;--accounts are accounts--prices are prices;--let him + make out a fair detail. _I_ am not prejudiced against him--on the + contrary, I supported him against the complaints of his wife, and + of his former master, at a time when I could have crushed him like + an earwig; and if he is a scoundrel, he is the greatest of + scoundrels, an ungrateful one. The truth is, probably, that he + thought I was leaving Venice, and determined to make the most of + it. At present he keeps bringing in _account after account_, though + he had always money in hand--as I believe you know my system was + never to allow longer than a week's bills to run. Pray read him + this letter--I desire nothing to be concealed against which he may + defend himself. + + "Pray how is your little boy? and how are you?--I shall be up in + Venice very soon, and we will be bilious together. I hate the place + and all that it inherits. + + "Yours," &c. + +[Footnote 58: "This language" (says Mr. Hoppner, in some remarks upon +the above letter) "is strong, but it was the language of prejudice; and +he was rather apt thus to express the feelings of the moment, without +troubling himself to consider how soon he might be induced to change +them. He was at this time so sensitive on the subject of Madame * *, +that, merely because some persons had disapproved of her conduct, he +declaimed in the above manner against the whole nation. I never" +(continues Mr. Hoppner) "was partial to Venice; but disliked it almost +from the first month of my residence there. Yet I experienced more +kindness in that place than I ever met with in any country, and +witnessed acts of generosity and disinterestedness such as rarely are +met with elsewhere."] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 343. TO MR. HOPPNER. + + "October 28. 1819. + + "I have to thank you for your letter, and your compliment to Don + Juan. I said nothing to you about it, understanding that it is a + sore subject with the moral reader, and has been the cause of a + great row; but I am glad you like it. I will say nothing about the + shipwreck, except that I hope you think it is as nautical and + technical as verse could admit in the octave measure. + + "The poem has _not sold well_, so Murray says--'but the best + judges, &c. say, &c.' so says that worthy man. I have never seen it + in print. The third Canto is in advance about one hundred stanzas; + but the failure of the two first has weakened my _estro_, and it + will neither be so good as the two former, nor completed, unless I + get a little more _riscaldato_ in its behalf. I understand the + outcry was beyond every thing.--Pretty cant for people who read Tom + Jones, and Roderick Random, and the Bath Guide, and Ariosto, and + Dryden, and Pope--to say nothing of Little's Poems! Of course I + refer to the _morality_ of these works, and not to any pretension + of mine to compete with them in any thing but decency. I hope yours + is the Paris edition, and that you did not pay the London price. I + have seen neither except in the newspapers. + + "Pray make my respects to Mrs. H., and take care of your little + boy. All my household have the fever and ague, except Fletcher, + Allegra, and my_sen_ (as we used to say in Nottinghamshire), and + the horses, and Mutz, and Moretto. In the beginning of November, + perhaps sooner, I expect to have the pleasure of seeing you. To-day + I got drenched by a thunder-storm, and my horse and groom too, and + his horse all bemired up to the middle in a cross-road. It was + summer at noon, and at five we were bewintered; but the lightning + was sent perhaps to let us know that the summer was not yet over. + It is queer weather for the 27th October. + + "Yours," &c. + + * * * * * + +LETTER 344. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Venice, October 29. 1819. + + "Yours of the 15th came yesterday. I am sorry that you do not + mention a large letter addressed to _your care_ for Lady Byron, + from me, at Bologna, two months ago. Pray tell me, was this letter + received and forwarded? + + "You say nothing of the vice-consulate for the Ravenna patrician, + from which it is to be inferred that the thing will not be done. + + "I had written about a hundred stanzas of a _third_ Canto to Don + Juan, but the reception of the two first is no encouragement to you + nor me to proceed. + + "I had also written about 600 lines of a poem, the Vision (or + Prophecy) of Dante, the subject a view of Italy in the ages down to + the present--supposing Dante to speak in his own person, previous + to his death, and embracing all topics in the way of prophecy, like + Lycophron's Cassandra; but this and the other are both at a + stand-still for the present. + + "I gave Moore, who is gone to Rome, my Life in MS., in + seventy-eight folio sheets, brought down to 1816. But this I put + into his hands for _his_ care, as he has some other MSS. of mine--a + Journal kept in 1814, &c. Neither are for publication during my + life; but when I am cold you may do what you please. In the mean + time, if you like to read them you may, and show them to anybody + you like--I care not. + + "The Life is _Memoranda_, and not _Confessions_ I have left out all + my _loves_ (except in a general way), and many other of the most + important things (because I must not compromise other people), so + that it is like the play of Hamlet--'the part of Hamlet omitted by + particular desire.' But you will find many opinions, and some fun, + with a detailed account of my marriage, and its consequences, as + true as a party concerned can make such account, for I suppose we + are all prejudiced. + + "I have never read over this Life since it was written, so that I + know not exactly what it may repeat or contain. Moore and I passed + some merry days together. + + "I probably must return for business, or in my way to America. + Pray, did you get a letter for Hobhouse, who will have told you the + contents? I understand that the Venezuelan commissioners had orders + to treat with emigrants; now I want to go there. I should not make + a bad South-American planter, and I should take my natural + daughter, Allegra, with me, and settle. I wrote, at length, to + Hobhouse, to get information from Perry, who, I suppose, is the + best topographer and trumpeter of the new republicans. Pray write. + + "Yours ever. + + "P.S. Moore and I did nothing but laugh. He will tell you of 'my + whereabouts,' and all my proceedings at this present; they are as + usual. You should not let those fellows publish false 'Don Juans;' + but do not put _my name_, because I mean to cut R----ts up like a + gourd, in the preface, if I continue the poem." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 345. TO MR. HOPPNER. + + "October 29. 1819. + + "The Ferrara story is of a piece with all the rest of the Venetian + manufacture,--you may judge. I only changed horses there since I + wrote to you, after my visit in June last. '_Convent_' and '_carry + off_', quotha! and '_girl_.' I should like to know _who_ has been + carried off, except poor dear _me_. I have been more ravished + myself than anybody since the Trojan war; but as to the arrest and + its causes, one is as true as the other, and I can account for the + invention of neither. I suppose it is some confusion of the tale of + the F * * and of Me. Guiccioli, and half a dozen more; but it is + useless to unravel the web, when one has only to brush it away. I + shall settle with Master E. who looks very blue at your + _in-decision_, and swears that he is the best arithmetician in + Europe; and so I think also, for he makes out two and two to be + five. + + "You may see me next week. I have a horse or two more (five in + all), and I shall repossess myself of Lido, and I will rise + earlier, and we will go and shake our livers over the beach, as + heretofore, if you like--and we will make the Adriatic roar again + with our hatred of that now empty oyster-shell, without its pearl, + the city of Venice. + + "Murray sent me a letter yesterday: the impostors have published + _two_ new _third_ Cantos of _Don Juan_;--the devil take the + impudence of some blackguard bookseller or other _therefor_! + Perhaps I did not make myself understood; he told me the sale had + been great, 1200 out of 1500 quarto, I believe (which is nothing + after selling 13,000 of the Corsair in one day); but that the 'best + judges,' &c. had said it was very fine, and clever, and + particularly good English, and poetry, and all those consolatory + things, which are not, however, worth a single copy to a + bookseller: and as to the author, of course I am in a d----ned + passion at the bad taste of the times, and swear there is nothing + like posterity, who, of course, must know more of the matter than + their grandfathers. There has been an eleventh commandment to the + women not to read it, and, what is still more extraordinary, they + seem not to have broken it. But that can be of little import to + them, poor things, for the reading or non-reading a book will never + * * * *. + + "Count G. comes to Venice next week, and I am requested to consign + his wife to him, which shall be done. What you say of the long + evenings at the Mira, or Venice, reminds me of what Curran said to + Moore:--'So I hear you have married a pretty woman, and a very good + creature, too--an excellent creature. Pray--um! _how do you pass + your evenings?_' It is a devil of a question that, and perhaps as + easy to answer with a wife as with a mistress. + + "If you go to Milan, pray leave at least a _Vice-Consul_--the only + vice that will ever be wanting in Venice. D'Orville is a good + fellow. But you shall go to England in the spring with me, and + plant Mrs. Hoppner at Berne with her relations for a few months. I + wish you had been here (at Venice, I mean, not the Mira) when Moore + was here--we were very merry and tipsy. He _hated_ Venice, by the + way, and swore it was a sad place.[59] + + "So Madame Albrizzi's death is in danger--poor woman! Moore told me + that at Geneva they had made a devil of a story of the + Fornaretta:--'Young lady seduced!--subsequent abandonment!--leap + into the Grand Canal!'--and her being in the 'hospital of _fous_ in + consequence!' I should like to know who was nearest being made + '_fou_,' and be d----d to them I Don't you think me in the + interesting character of a very ill used gentleman? I hope your + little boy is well. Allegrina is flourishing like a pomegranate + blossom. Yours," &c. + +[Footnote 59: I beg to say that this report of my opinion of Venice is +coloured somewhat too deeply by the feelings of the reporter.] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 346. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Venice, November 8. 1819. + + "Mr. Hoppner has lent me a copy of 'Don Juan,' Paris edition, which + he tells me is read in Switzerland by clergymen and ladies with + considerable approbation. In the second Canto, you must alter the + 49th stanza to + + "'Twas twilight, and the sunless day went down + Over the waste of waters, like a veil + Which if withdrawn would but disclose the frown + Of one whose hate is mask'd but to assail; + Thus to their hopeless eyes the night was shown, + And grimly darkled o'er their faces pale + And the dim desolate deep; twelve days had Fear + Been their familiar, and now Death was here. + + "I have been ill these eight days with a tertian fever, caught in + the country on horseback in a thunderstorm. Yesterday I had the + fourth attack: the two last were very smart, the first day as well + as the last being preceded by vomiting. It is the fever of the + place and the season. I feel weakened, but not unwell, in the + intervals, except headach and lassitude. + + "Count Guiccioli has arrived in Venice, and has presented his + spouse (who had preceded him two months for her health and the + prescriptions of Dr. Aglietti) with a paper of conditions, + regulations of hours and conduct, and morals, &c. &c. &c. which he + insists on her accepting, and she persists in refusing. I am + expressly, it should seem, excluded by this treaty, as an + indispensable preliminary; so that they are in high dissension, and + what the result may be I know not, particularly as they are + consulting friends. + + "To-night, as Countess Guiccioli observed me poring over 'Don + Juan,' she stumbled by mere chance on the 137th stanza of the first + Canto, and asked me what it meant. I told her, 'Nothing--but "your + husband is coming."' As I said this in Italian, with some emphasis, + she started up in a fright, and said, '_Oh, my God, is_ he + _coming_?' thinking it was _her own_, who either was or ought to + have been at the theatre. You may suppose we laughed when she found + out the mistake. You will be amused, as I was;--it happened not + three hours ago. + + "I wrote to you last week, but have added nothing to the third + Canto since my fever, nor to 'The Prophecy of Dante.' Of the former + there are about 100 octaves done; of the latter about 500 + lines--perhaps more. Moore saw the third Juan, as far as it then + went. I do not know if my fever will let me go on with either, and + the tertian lasts, they say, a good while. I had it in Malta on my + way home, and the malaria fever in Greece the year before that. The + Venetian is not very fierce, but I was delirious one of the nights + with it, for an hour or two, and, on my senses coming back, found + Fletcher sobbing on one side of the bed, and La Contessa + Guiccioli[60] weeping on the other; so that I had no want of + attendance. I have not yet taken any physician, because, though I + think they may relieve in chronic disorders, such as gout and the + like, &c. &c. &c. (though they can't cure them)--just as surgeons + are necessary to set bones and tend wounds--yet I think fevers + quite out of their reach, and remediable only by diet and nature. + + "I don't like the taste of bark, but I suppose that I must take it + soon. + + "Tell Rose that somebody at Milan (an Austrian, Mr. Hoppner says) + is answering his book. William Bankes is in quarantine at Trieste. + I have not lately heard from you. Excuse this paper: it is long + paper shortened for the occasion. What folly is this of Carlile's + trial? why let him have the honours of a martyr? it will only + advertise the books in question. Yours, &c. + + "P.S. As I tell you that the Guiccioli business is on the eve of + exploding in one way or the other, I will just add that, without + attempting to influence the decision of the Contessa, a good deal + depends upon it. If she and her husband make it up, you will, + perhaps, see me in England sooner than you expect. If not, I shall + retire with her to France or America, change my name, and lead a + quiet provincial life. All this may seem odd, but I have got the + poor girl into a scrape; and as neither her birth, nor her rank, + nor her connections by birth or marriage are inferior to my own, I + am in honour bound to support her through. Besides, she is a very + pretty woman--ask Moore--and not yet one and twenty. + + "If she gets over this and I get over my tertian, I will, perhaps, + look in at Albemarle Street, some of these days, _en passant_ to + Bolivar." + +[Footnote 60: The following curious particulars of his delirium are +given by Madame Guiccioli:--"At the beginning of winter Count Guiccioli +came from Ravenna to fetch me. When he arrived, Lord Byron was ill of a +fever, occasioned by his having got wet through;--a violent storm having +surprised him while taking his usual exercise on horseback. He had been +delirious the whole night, and I had watched continually by his bedside. +During his delirium he composed a good many verses, and ordered his +servant to write them down from his dictation. The rhythm of these +verses was quite correct, and the poetry itself had no appearance of +being the work of a delirious mind. He preserved them for some time +after he got well, and then burned them."--"Sul cominciare dell' inverno +il Conte Guiccioli venne a prendermi per ricondurmi a Ravenna. Quando +egli giunse Ld. Byron era ammalato di febbri prese per essersi bagnato +avendolo sorpreso un forte temporale mentre faceva l' usato suo +esercizio a cavallo. Egli aveva delirato tutta la notte, ed io aveva +sempre vegliato presso al suo letto. Nel suo delirio egli compose molti +versi che ordino al suo domestico di scrivere sotto la sua dittatura. La +misura dei versi era esatissima, e la poesia pure non pareva opera di +una mente in delirio. Egli la conservo lungo tempo dopo restabilito--poi +l' abbruccio." + +I have been informed, too, that, during his ravings at this time, he was +constantly haunted by the idea of his mother-in-law,--taking every one +that came near him for her, and reproaching those about him for letting +her enter his room.] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 347. TO MR. BANKES. + + "Venice, November 20. 1819. + + "A tertian ague which has troubled me for some time, and the + indisposition of my daughter, have prevented me from replying + before to your welcome letter. I have not been ignorant of your + progress nor of your discoveries, and I trust that you are no worse + in health from your labours. You may rely upon finding every body + in England eager to reap the fruits of them; and as you have done + more than other men, I hope you will not limit yourself to saying + less than may do justice to the talents and time you have bestowed + on your perilous researches. The first sentence of my letter will + have explained to you why I cannot join you at Trieste. I was on + the point of setting out for England (before I knew of your + arrival) when my child's illness has made her and me dependent on a + Venetian Proto-Medico. + + "It is now seven years since you and I met;--which time you have + employed better for others and more honourably for yourself than I + have done. + + "In England you will find considerable changes, public and + private,--you will see some of our old college contemporaries + turned into lords of the Treasury, Admiralty, and the like,--others + become reformers and orators,--many settled in life, as it is + called,--and others settled in death; among the latter, (by the + way, not our fellow collegians,) Sheridan, Curran, Lady Melbourne, + Monk Lewis, Frederick Douglas, &c. &c. &c.; but you will still find + Mr. * * living and all his family, as also * * * * *. + + "Should you come up this way, and I am still here, you need not be + assured how glad I shall be to see you; I long to hear some part + from you, of that which I expect in no long time to see. At length + you have had better fortune than any traveller of equal enterprise + (except Humboldt), in returning safe; and after the fate of the + Brownes, and the Parkes, and the Burckhardts, it is hardly less + surprise than satisfaction to get you back again. + + "Believe me ever + + "And very affectionately yours, + + "BYRON." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 348. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Venice, December 4. 1819. + + "You may do as you please, but you are about a hopeless experiment. + Eldon will decide against you, were it only that my name is in the + record. You will also recollect that if the publication is + pronounced against, on the grounds you mention, as _indecent and + blasphemous_, that _I_ lose all right in my daughter's + _guardianship_ and _education_, in short, all paternal authority, + and every thing concerning her, except * * * * * * * * It was so + decided in Shelley's case, because he had written Queen Mab, &c. + &c. However, you can ask the lawyers, and do as you like: I do not + inhibit you trying the question; I merely state one of the + consequences to me. With regard to the copyright, it is hard that + you should pay for a nonentity: I will therefore refund it, which I + can very well do, not having spent it, nor begun upon it; and so we + will be quits on that score. It lies at my banker's. + + "Of the Chancellor's law I am no judge; but take up Tom Jones, and + read his Mrs. Waters and Molly Seagrim; or Prior's Hans Carvel and + Paulo Purganti: Smollett's Roderick Random, the chapter of Lord + Strutwell, and many others; Peregrine Pickle, the scene of the + Beggar Girl; Johnson's _London_, for coarse expressions; for + instance, the words '* *,' and '* *;' Anstey's Bath Guide, the + 'Hearken, Lady Betty, hearken;'--take up, in short, Pope, Prior, + Congreve, Dryden, Fielding, Smollett, and let the counsel select + passages, and what becomes of _their_ copyright, if his Wat Tyler + decision is to pass into a precedent? I have nothing more to say: + you must judge for yourselves. + + "I wrote to you some time ago. I have had a tertian ague; my + daughter Allegra has been ill also, and I have been almost obliged + to run away with a married woman; but with some difficulty, and + many internal struggles, I reconciled the lady with her lord, and + cured the fever of the child with bark, and my own with cold water. + I think of setting out for England by the Tyrol in a few days, so + that I could wish you to direct your next letter to Calais. Excuse + my writing in great haste and late in the morning, or night, + whichever you please to call it. The third Canto of 'Don Juan' is + completed, in about two hundred stanzas; very decent, I believe, + but do not know, and it is useless to discuss until it be + ascertained if it may or may not be a property. + + "My present determination to quit Italy was unlooked for; but I + have explained the reasons in letters to my sister and Douglas + Kinnaird, a week or two ago. My progress will depend upon the snows + of the Tyrol, and the health of my child, who is at present quite + recovered; but I hope to get on well, and am + + "Yours ever and truly. + + "P.S. Many thanks for your letters, to which you are not to + consider this as an answer, but as an acknowledgment." + + * * * * * + +The struggle which, at the time of my visit to him, I had found Lord +Byron so well disposed to make towards averting, as far as now lay in +his power, some of the mischievous consequences which, both to the +object of his attachment and himself, were likely to result from their +connection, had been brought, as the foregoing letters show, to a crisis +soon after I left him. The Count Guiccioli, on his arrival at Venice, +insisted, as we have seen, that his lady should return with him; and, +after some conjugal negotiations, in which Lord Byron does not appear to +have interfered, the young Contessa consented reluctantly to accompany +her lord to Ravenna, it being first covenanted that, in future, all +communication between her and her lover should cease. + +"In a few days after this," says Mr. Hoppner, in some notices of his +noble friend with which he has favoured me, "he returned to Venice, very +much out of spirits, owing to Madame Guiccioli's departure, and out of +humour with every body and every thing around him. We resumed our rides +at the Lido; and I did my best not only to raise his spirits, but to +make him forget his absent mistress, and to keep him to his purpose of +returning to England. He went into no society; and having no longer any +relish for his former occupation, his time, when he was not writing, +hung heavy enough on hand." + +The promise given by the lovers not to correspond was, as all parties +must have foreseen, soon violated; and the letters Lord Byron addressed +to the lady, at this time, though written in a language not his own, are +rendered frequently even eloquent by the mere force of the feeling that +governed him--a feeling which could not have owed its fuel to fancy +alone, since now that reality had been so long substituted, it still +burned on. From one of these letters, dated November 25th, I shall so +far presume upon the discretionary power vested in me, as to lay a short +extract or two before the reader--not merely as matters of curiosity, +but on account of the strong evidence they afford of the struggle +between passion and a sense of right that now agitated him. + +"You are," he says, "and ever will be, my first thought. But, at this +moment, I am in a state most dreadful, not knowing which way to +decide;--on the one hand, fearing that I should compromise you for ever, +by my return to Ravenna and the consequences of such a step, and, on the +other, dreading that I shall lose both you and myself, and all that I +have ever known or tasted of happiness, by never seeing you more. I pray +of you, I implore you to be comforted, and to believe that I cannot +cease to love you but with my life." [61] In another part he says, "I go +to save you, and leave a country insupportable to me without you. Your +letters to F * * and myself do wrong to my motives--but you will yet see +your injustice. It is not enough that I must leave you--from motives of +which ere long you will be convinced--it is not enough that I must fly +from Italy, with a heart deeply wounded, after having passed all my days +in solitude since your departure, sick both in body and mind--but I must +also have to endure your reproaches without answering and without +deserving them. Farewell! in that one word is comprised the death of my +happiness." [62] + +He had now arranged every thing for his departure for England, and had +even fixed the day, when accounts reached him from Ravenna that the +Contessa was alarmingly ill;--her sorrow at their separation having so +much preyed upon her mind, that even her own family, fearful of the +consequences, had withdrawn all opposition to her wishes, and now, with +the sanction of Count Guiccioli himself, entreated her lover to hasten +to Ravenna. What was he, in this dilemma, to do? Already had he +announced his coming to different friends in England, and every dictate, +he felt, of prudence and manly fortitude urged his departure. While thus +balancing between duty and inclination, the day appointed for his +setting out arrived; and the following picture, from the life, of his +irresolution on the occasion, is from a letter written by a female +friend of Madame Guiccioli, who was present at the scene:--"He was ready +dressed for the journey, his gloves and cap on, and even his little cane +in his hand. Nothing was now waited for but his coming down +stairs,--his boxes being already all on board the gondola. At this +moment, my Lord, by way of pretext, declares, that if it should strike +one o'clock before every thing was in order (his arms being the only +thing not yet quite ready), he would not go that day. The hour strikes, +and he remains!"[63] + +The writer adds, "it is evident he has not the heart to go;" and the +result proved that she had not judged him wrongly. The very next day's +tidings from Ravenna decided his fate, and he himself, in a letter to +the Contessa, thus announces the triumph which she had achieved. "F * * +* will already have told you, _with her accustomed sublimity_, that Love +has gained the victory. I could not summon up resolution enough to leave +the country where you are, without, at least, once more seeing you. On +_yourself_, perhaps, it will depend, whether I ever again shall leave +you. Of the rest we shall speak when we meet. You ought, by this time, +to know which is most conducive to your welfare, my presence or my +absence. For myself, I am a citizen of the world--all countries are +alike to me. You have ever been, since our first acquaintance, _the sole +object of my thoughts_. My opinion was, that the best course I could +adopt, both for your peace and that of all your family, would have been +to depart and go far, _far_ away from you;--since to have been near and +not approach you would have been, for me, impossible. You have however +decided that I am to return to Ravenna. I shall accordingly return--and +shall _do_--and _be_ all that you wish. I cannot say more.[64] + +On quitting Venice he took leave of Mr. Hoppner in a short but cordial +letter, which I cannot better introduce than by prefixing to it the few +words of comment with which this excellent friend of the noble poet has +himself accompanied it:--"I need not say with what painful feeling I +witnessed the departure of a person who, from the first day of our +acquaintance, had treated me with unvaried kindness, reposing a +confidence in me which it was beyond the power of my utmost efforts to +deserve; admitting me to an intimacy which I had no right to claim, and +listening with patience, and the greatest good temper, to the +remonstrances I ventured to make upon his conduct." + +[Footnote 61: "Tu sei, e sarai sempre mio primo pensier. Ma in questo +momento sono in un' stato orribile non sapendo cosa decidere;--temendo, +da una parte, comprometterti in eterno col mio ritorno a Ravenna, e +colle sue consequenze; e, dal' altra perderti, e me stesso, e tutto quel +che ho conosciuto o gustato di felicita, nel non vederti piu. Ti prego, +ti supplico calmarti, e credere che non posso cessare ad amarti che +colla vita."] + +[Footnote 62: "Io parto, per _salvarti_, e lascio un paese divenuto +insopportabile senza di te. Le tue lettere alla F * *, ed anche a me +stesso fanno torto ai miei motivi; ma col tempo vedrai la tua +ingiustizia. Tu parli del dolor--io lo sento, ma mi mancano le parole. +Non basta lasciarti per dei motivi dei quali tu eri persuasa (non molto +tempo fa)--non basta partire dall' Italia col cuore lacerato, dopo aver +passato tutti i giorni dopo la tua partenza nella solitudine, ammalato +di corpo e di anima--ma ho anche a sopportare i tuoi rimproveri, senza +replicarti, e senza meritarli. Addio--in quella parola e compresa la +morte _di_ mia felicita." + +The close of this last sentence exhibits one of the very few instances +of incorrectness that Lord Byron falls into in these letters;--the +proper construction being "_della_ mia felicita."] + +[Footnote 63: "Egli era tutto vestito di viaggio coi guanti fra le mani, +col suo bonnet, e persino colla piccola sua canna; non altro aspettavasi +che egli scendesse le scale, tutti i bauli erano in barca. Milord fa la +pretesta che se suona un ora dopo il mezzodi e che non sia ogni cosa +all' ordine (poiche le armi sole non erano in pronto) egli non +partirebbe piu per quel giorno. L'ora suona ed egli resta."] + +[Footnote 64: "La F * * ti avra detta, _colla sua solita sublimita_, che +l'Amor ha vinto. Io non ho potuto trovare forza di anima per lasciare il +paese dove tu sei, senza vederti almeno un' altra volta:--forse +dipendera da _te_ se mai ti lascio piu. Per il resto parleremo. Tu +dovresti adesso sapere cosa sara piu convenevole al tuo ben essere la +mia presenza o la mia lontananza. Io sono cittadino del mondo--tutti i +paesi sono eguali per me. Tu sei stata sempre (dopo che ci siamo +conosciuti) _l'unico oggetto di miei_ pensieri. Credeva che il miglior +partito per la pace tua e la pace di tua famiglia fosse il mio partire, +e andare ben _lontano_; poiche stare vicino e non avvicinarti sarebbe +per me impossible. Ma tu hai deciso che io debbo ritornare a +Ravenna--tornaro--e faro--e saro cio die tu vuoi. Non posso dirti di +piu."] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 349. TO MR. HOPPNER. + + "My dear Hoppner, + + "Partings are but bitter work at best, so that I shall not venture + on a second with you. Pray make my respects to Mrs. Hoppner, and + assure her of my unalterable reverence for the singular goodness of + her disposition, which is not without its reward even in this + world--for those who are no great believers in human virtues would + discover enough in her to give them a better opinion of their + fellow-creatures and--what is still more difficult--of themselves, + as being of the same species, however inferior in approaching its + nobler models. Make, too, what excuses you can for my omission of + the ceremony of leave-taking. If we all meet again, I will make my + humblest apology; if not, recollect that I wished you all well; + and, if you can, forget that I have given you a great deal of + trouble. + + "Yours," &c. &c. + + * * * * * + +LETTER 350. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Venice, December 10. 1819. + + "Since I last wrote, I have changed my mind, and shall not come to + England. The more I contemplate, the more I dislike the place and + the prospect. You may, therefore, address to me as usual _here_, + though I mean to go to another city. I have finished the third + Canto of Don Juan, but the things I have read and heard discourage + all further publication--at least for the present. You may try the + copy question, but you'll lose it: the cry is up, and cant is up. I + should have no objection to return the price of the copyright, and + have written to Mr. Kinnaird by this post on the subject. Talk with + him. + + "I have not the patience, nor do I feel interest enough in the + question, to contend with the fellows in their own slang; but I + perceive Mr. Blackwood's Magazine and one or two others of your + missives have been hyperbolical in their praise, and diabolical in + their abuse. I like and admire W * *n, and _he_ should not have + indulged himself in such outrageous licence.[65] It is overdone and + defeats itself. What would he say to the grossness without passion + and the misanthropy without feeling of Gulliver's Travels?--When he + talks of Lady's Byron's business, he talks of what he knows nothing + about; and you may tell him that no one can more desire a public + investigation of that affair than I do. + + "I sent home by Moore (_for_ Moore only, who has my Journal also) + my Memoir written up to 1816, and I gave him leave to show it to + whom he pleased, but _not to publish_, on any account. You may + read it, and you may let W * *n read it, if he likes--not for his + _public_ opinion, but his private; for I like the man, and care + very little about his Magazine. And I could wish Lady B. herself to + read it, that she may have it in her power to mark any thing + mistaken or mis-stated; as it may probably appear after my + extinction, and it would be but fair she should see it,--that is to + say, herself willing. + + "Perhaps I may take a journey to you in the spring; but I _have_ + been ill and _am_ indolent and indecisive, because few things + interest me. These fellows first abused me for being gloomy, and + now they are wroth that I am, or attempted to be, facetious. I have + got such a cold and headach that I can hardly see what I + scrawl:--the winters here are as sharp as needles. Some time ago, I + wrote to you rather fully about my Italian affairs; at present I + can say no more except that you shall hear further by and by. + + "Your Blackwood accuses me of treating women harshly: it may be so, + but I have been their martyr; my whole life has been sacrificed + _to_ them and _by_ them. I mean to leave Venice in a few days, but + you will address your letters _here_ as usual. When I fix + elsewhere, you shall know." + +[Footnote 65: This is one of the many mistakes into which his distance +from the scene of literary operations led him. The gentleman, to whom +the hostile article in the Magazine is here attributed, has never, +either then or since, written upon the subject of the noble poet's +character or genius, without giving vent to a feeling of admiration as +enthusiastic as it is always eloquently and powerfully expressed.] + + * * * * * + +Soon after this letter to Mr. Murray he set out for Ravenna, from which +place we shall find his correspondence for the next year and a half +dated. For a short time after his arrival, he took up his residence at +an inn; but the Count Guiccioli having allowed him to hire a suite of +apartments in the Palazzo Guiccioli itself, he was once more lodged +under the same roof with the Countess Guiccioli. + + * * * * * + +LETTER 351. TO MR. HOPPNER. + + "Ravenna, Dec. 31. 1819. + + "I have been here this week, and was obliged to put on my armour + and go the night after my arrival to the Marquis Cavalli's, where + there were between two and three hundred of the best company I have + seen in Italy,--more beauty, more youth, and more diamonds among + the women than have been seen these fifty years in the + Sea-Sodom.[66] I never saw such a difference between two places of + the same latitude, (or platitude, it is all one,)--music, dancing, + and play, all in the same _salle_. The G.'s object appeared to be + to parade her foreign friend as much as possible, and, faith, if + she seemed to glory in so doing, it was not for me to be ashamed of + it. Nobody seemed surprised;--all the women, on the contrary, were, + as it were, delighted with the excellent example. The vice-legate, + and all the other vices, were as polite as could be;--and I, who + had acted on the reserve, was fairly obliged to take the lady under + my arm, and look as much like a cicisbeo as I could on so short a + notice,--to say nothing of the embarrassment of a cocked hat and + sword, much more formidable to me than ever it will be to the + enemy. + + "I write in great haste--do you answer as hastily. I can understand + nothing of all this; but it seems as if the G. had been presumed to + be _planted_, and was determined to show that she was + not,--_plantation_, in this hemisphere, being the greatest moral + misfortune. But this is mere conjecture, for I know nothing about + it--except that every body are very kind to her, and not + discourteous to me. Fathers, and all relations, quite agreeable. + + "Yours ever, + + "B. + + "P.S. Best respects to Mrs. H. + + "I would send the _compliments_ of the season; but the season + itself is so complimentary with snow and rain that I wait for + sunshine." + +[Footnote 66: + + "Gehenna of the waters! thou Sea-Sodom!" + MARINO FALIERO. +] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 352. TO MR. MOORE. + + "January 2. 1320. + + "My dear Moore, + + "'To-day it is my wedding day; + And all the folks would stare, + If wife should dine at Edmonton, + And I should dine at Ware.' + + Or _thus_: + + "Here's a happy new year! but with reason, + I beg you'll permit me to say-- + Wish me many returns of the _season_, + But as _few_ as you please of the _day_. + + "My this present writing is to direct you that, if _she chooses_, + she may see the MS. Memoir in your possession. I wish her to have + fair play, in all cases, even though it will not be published till + after my decease. For this purpose, it were but just that Lady B. + should know what is there said of her and hers, that she may have + full power to remark on or respond to any part or parts, as may + seem fitting to herself. This is fair dealing, I presume, in all + events. + + "To change the subject, are you in England? I send you an epitaph + for Castlereagh. * * * * * Another for Pitt:-- + + "With death doom'd to grapple + Beneath this cold slab, he + Who lied in the Chapel + Now lies in the Abbey. + + "The gods seem to have made me poetical this day:-- + + "In digging up your bones, Tom Paine, + Will. Cobbett has done well: + You visit him on earth again, + He'll visit you in hell. + + Or, + + "You come to him on earth again, + He'll go with you to hell. + + "Pray let not these versiculi go forth with my name, except among + the initiated, because my friend H. has foamed into a reformer, + and, I greatly fear, will subside into Newgate; since the + Honourable House, according to Galignani's Reports of Parliamentary + Debates, are menacing a prosecution to a pamphlet of his. I shall + be very sorry to hear of any thing but good for him, particularly + in these miserable squabbles; but these are the natural effects of + taking a part in them. + + "For my own part I had a sad scene since you went. Count Gu. came + for his wife, and _none_ of those consequences which Scott + prophesied ensued. There was no damages, as in England, and so + Scott lost his wager. But there was a great scene, for she would + not, at first, go back with him--at least, she _did_ go back with + him; but he insisted, reasonably enough, that all communication + should be broken off between her and me. So, finding Italy very + dull, and having a fever tertian, I packed up my valise, and + prepared to cross the Alps; but my daughter fell ill, and detained + me. + + "After her arrival at Ravenna, the Guiccioli fell ill again too; + and at last, her father (who had, all along, opposed the liaison + most violently till now) wrote to me to say that she was in such a + state that _he_ begged me to come and see her,--and that her + husband had acquiesced, in consequence of her relapse, and that + _he_ (her father) would guarantee all this, and that there would be + no farther scenes in consequence between them, and that I should + not be compromised in any way. I set out soon after, and have been + here ever since. I found her a good deal altered, but getting + better:--_all_ this comes of reading Corinna. + + "The Carnival is about to begin, and I saw about two or three + hundred people at the Marquis Cavalli's the other evening, with as + much youth, beauty, and diamonds among the women, as ever averaged + in the like number. My appearance in waiting on the Guiccioli was + considered as a thing of course. The Marquis is her uncle, and + naturally considered me as her relation. + + "The paper is out, and so is the letter. Pray write. Address to + Venice, whence the letters will be forwarded. Yours, &c. B." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 353. TO MR. HOPPNER. + + "Ravenna, January 20. 1820. + + "I have not decided any thing about remaining at Ravenna. I may + stay a day, a week, a year, all my life; but all this depends upon + what I can neither see nor foresee. I came because I was called, + and will go the moment that I perceive what may render my departure + proper. My attachment has neither the blindness of the beginning, + nor the microscopic accuracy of the close to such liaisons; but + 'time and the hour' must decide upon what I do. I can as yet say + nothing, because I hardly know any thing beyond what I have told + you. + + "I wrote to you last post for my movables, as there is no getting a + lodging with a chair or table here ready; and as I have already + some things of the sort at Bologna which I had last summer there + for my daughter, I have directed them to be moved; and wish the + like to be done with those of Venice, that I may at least get out + of the 'Albergo Imperiale,' which _is imperial_ in all true sense + of the epithet. Buffini may be paid for his poison. I forgot to + thank you and Mrs. Hoppner for a whole treasure of toys for Allegra + before our departure; it was very kind, and we are very grateful. + + "Your account of the weeding of the Governor's party is very + entertaining. If you do not understand the consular exceptions, I + do; and it is right that a man of honour, and a woman of probity, + should find it so, particularly in a place where there are not 'ten + righteous.' As to nobility--in England none are strictly noble but + peers, not even peers' sons, though titled by courtesy; nor knights + of the garter, unless of the peerage, so that Castlereagh himself + would hardly pass through a foreign herald's ordeal till the death + of his father. + + "The snow is a foot deep here. There is a theatre, and opera,--the + Barber of Seville. Balls begin on Monday next. Pay the porter for + never looking after the gate, and ship my chattels, and let me + know, or let Castelli let me know, how my law-suits go on--but fee + him only in proportion to his success. Perhaps we may meet in the + spring yet, if you are for England. I see H * * has got into a + scrape, which does not please me; he should not have gone so deep + among those men without calculating the consequences. I used to + think myself the most imprudent of all among my friends and + acquaintances, but almost begin to doubt it. + + "Yours," &c. + + * * * * * + +LETTER 354. TO MR. HOPPNER. + + "Ravenna, January 31. 1820. + + "You would hardly have been troubled with the removal of my + furniture, but there is none to be had nearer than Bologna, and I + have been fain to have that of the rooms which I fitted up for my + daughter there in the summer removed here. The expense will be at + least as great of the land carriage, so that you see it was + necessity, and not choice. Here they get every thing from Bologna, + except some lighter articles from Forli or Faenza. + + "If Scott is returned, pray remember me to him, and plead laziness + the whole and sole cause of my not replying:--dreadful is the + exertion of letter-writing. The Carnival here is less boisterous, + but we have balls and a theatre. I carried Bankes to both, and he + carried away, I believe, a much more favourable impression of the + society here than of that of Venice,--recollect that I speak of the + _native_ society only. + + "I am drilling very hard to learn how to double a shawl, and should + succeed to admiration if I did not always double it the wrong side + out; and then I sometimes confuse and bring away two, so as to put + all the Servanti out, besides keeping their _Servite_ in the cold + till every body can get back their property. But it is a dreadfully + moral place, for you must not look at anybody's wife except your + neighbour's,--if you go to the next door but one, you are scolded, + and presumed to be perfidious. And then a relazione or an amicizia + seems to be a regular affair of from five to fifteen years, at + which period, if there occur a widowhood, it finishes by a + sposalizio; and in the mean time it has so many rules of its own + that it is not much better. A man actually becomes a piece of + female property,--they won't let their Serventi marry until there + is a vacancy for themselves. I know two instances of this in one + family here. + + "To-night there was a ----[67] Lottery after the opera; it is an + odd ceremony. Bankes and I took tickets of it, and buffooned + together very merrily. He is gone to Firenze. Mrs. J * * should + have sent you my postscript; there was no occasion to have bored + you in person. I never interfere in anybody's squabbles,--she may + scratch your face herself. + + "The weather here has been dreadful--snow several feet--a _fiume_, + broke down a bridge, and flooded heaven knows how many _campi_; + then rain came--and it is still thawing--so that my saddle-horses + have a sinecure till the roads become more practicable. Why did + Lega give away the goat? a blockhead--I must have him again. + + "Will you pay Missiaglia and the Buffo Buffini of the Gran + Bretagna? I heard from Moore, who is at Paris; I had previously + written to him in London, but he has not yet got my letter, + apparently. + + "Believe me," &c. + +[Footnote 67: The word here, being under the seal, is illegible.] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 355. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Ravenna, February 7. 1820. + + "I have had no letter from you these two months; but since I came + here in December, 1819, I sent you a letter for Moore, who is God + knows _where_--in Paris or London, I presume. I have copied and + cut the third Canto of Don Juan _into two_, because it was too + long; and I tell you this beforehand, because in case of any + reckoning between you and me, these two are only to go for one, as + this was the original form, and, in fact, the two together are not + longer than one of the first: so remember that I have not made this + division to _double_ upon _you_; but merely to suppress some + tediousness in the aspect of the thing. I should have served you a + pretty trick if I had sent you, for example, cantos of 50 stanzas + each. + + "I am translating the first Canto of Pulci's Morgante Maggiore, and + have half done it; but these last days of the Carnival confuse and + interrupt every thing. + + "I have not yet sent off the Cantos, and have some doubt whether + they ought to be published, for they have not the spirit of the + first. The outcry has not frightened but it has _hurt_ me, and I + have not written _con amore_ this time. It is very decent, however, + and as dull as 'the last new comedy.' + + "I think my translations of Pulci will make you stare. It must be + put by the original, stanza for stanza, and verse for verse; and + you will see what was permitted in a Catholic country and a bigoted + age to a churchman, on the score of religion;--and so tell those + buffoons who accuse me of attacking the Liturgy. + + "I write in the greatest haste, it being the hour of the Corso, and + I must go and buffoon with the rest. My daughter Allegra is just + gone with the Countess G. in Count G.'s coach and six to join the + cavalcade, and I must follow with all the rest of the Ravenna + world. Our old Cardinal is dead, and the new one not appointed yet; + but the masquing goes on the same, the vice-legate being a good + governor. We have had hideous frost and snow, but all is mild + again. + + "Yours," &c. + + * * * * * + +LETTER 356. TO MR. BANKES. + + "Ravenna, February 19. 1820. + + "I have room for you in the house here, as I had in Venice, if you + think fit to make use of it; but do not expect to find the same + gorgeous suite of tapestried halls. Neither dangers nor tropical + heats have ever prevented your penetrating wherever you had a mind + to it, and why should the snow now?--Italian snow--fie on it!--so + pray come. Tita's heart yearns for you, and mayhap for your silver + broad pieces; and your playfellow, the monkey, is alone and + inconsolable. + + "I forget whether you admire or tolerate red hair, so that I rather + dread showing you all that I have about me and around me in this + city. Come, nevertheless,--you can pay Dante a morning visit, and I + will undertake that Theodore and Honoria will be most happy to see + you in the forest hard by. We Goths, also, of Ravenna, hope you + will not despise our arch-Goth, Theodoric. I must leave it to these + worthies to entertain you all the fore part of the day, seeing that + I have none at all myself--the lark that rouses me from my + slumbers, being an afternoon bird. But, then, all your evenings, + and as much as you can give me of your nights, will be mine. Ay! + and you will find me eating flesh, too, like yourself or any other + cannibal, except it be upon Fridays. Then, there are more Cantos + (and be d----d to them) of what the courteous reader, Mr. S----, + calls Grub Street, in my drawer, which I have a little scheme to + commit to your charge for England; only I must first cut up (or cut + down) two aforesaid Cantos into three, because I am grown base and + mercenary, and it is an ill precedent to let my Mecaenas, Murray, + get too much for his money. I am busy, also, with + Pulci--translating--servilely translating, stanza for stanza, and + line for line--two octaves every night,--the same allowance as at + Venice. + + "Would you call at your banker's at Bologna, and ask him for some + letters lying there for me, and burn them?--or I will--so do not + burn them, but bring them,--and believe me ever and very + affectionately Yours, + + "BYRON. + + "P.S. I have a particular wish to hear from yourself something + about Cyprus, so pray recollect all that you can.--Good night." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 357. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Ravenna, February 21. 1820. + + "The bull-dogs will be very agreeable. I have only those of this + country, who, though good, have not the tenacity of tooth and + stoicism in endurance of my canine fellow-citizens: then pray send + them by the readiest conveyance--perhaps best by sea. Mr. Kinnaird + will disburse for them, and deduct from the amount on your + application or that of Captain Tyler. + + "I see the good old King is gone to his place. One can't help being + sorry, though blindness, and age, and insanity, are supposed to be + drawbacks on human felicity; but I am not at all sure that the + latter, at least, might not render him happier than any of his + subjects. + + "I have no thoughts of coming to the coronation, though I should + like to see it, and though I have a right to be a puppet in it; but + my division with Lady Byron, which has drawn an equinoctial line + between me and mine in all other things, will operate in this also + to prevent my being in the same procession. + + "By Saturday's post I sent you four packets, containing Cantos + third and fourth. Recollect that these two cantos reckon only as + _one_ with you and me, being, in fact, the third canto cut into + two, because I found it too long. Remember this, and don't imagine + that there could be any other motive. The whole is about 225 + stanzas, more or less, and a lyric of 96 lines, so that they are no + longer than the first _single_ cantos: but the truth is, that I + made the first too long, and should have cut those down also had I + thought better. Instead of saying in future for so many cantos, say + so many stanzas or pages: it was Jacob Tonson's way, and certainly + the best; it prevents mistakes. I might have sent you a dozen + cantos of 40 stanzas each,--those of 'The Minstrel' (Beattie's) are + no longer,--and ruined you at once, if you don't suffer as it is. + But recollect that you are not _pinned down_ to any thing you say + in a letter, and that, calculating even these two cantos as _one_ + only (which they were and are to be reckoned), you are not bound by + your offer. Act as may seem fair to all parties. + + "I have finished my translation of the first Canto of 'The Morgante + Maggiore' of Pulci, which I will transcribe and send. It is the + parent, not only of Whistlecraft, but of all jocose Italian poetry. + You must print it side by side with the original Italian, because I + wish the reader to judge of the fidelity: it is stanza for stanza, + and often line for line, if not word for word. + + "You ask me for a volume of manners, &c. on Italy. Perhaps I am in + the case to know more of them than most Englishmen, because I have + lived among the natives, and in parts of the country where + Englishmen never resided before (I speak of Romagna and this place + particularly); but there are many reasons why I do not choose to + treat in print on such a subject. I have lived in their houses and + in the heart of their families, sometimes merely as 'amico di + casa,' and sometimes as 'amico di cuore' of the Dama, and in + neither case do I feel myself authorised in making a book of them. + Their moral is not your moral; their life is not your life; you + would not understand it; it is not English, nor French, nor German, + which you would all understand. The conventual education, the + cavalier servitude, the habits of thought and living are so + entirely different, and the difference becomes so much more + striking the more you live intimately with them, that I know not + how to make you comprehend a people who are at once temperate and + profligate, serious in their characters and buffoons in their + amusements, capable of impressions and passions, which are at once + _sudden_ and _durable_ (what you find in no other nation), and who + actually have no society (what we would call so), as you may see by + their comedies; they have no real comedy, not even in Goldoni, and + that is because they have no society to draw it from. + + "Their conversazioni are not society at all. They go to the theatre + to talk, and into company to hold their tongues. The _women_ sit in + a circle, and the men gather into groups, or they play at dreary + faro, or 'lotto reale,' for small sums. Their academic are concerts + like our own, with better music and more form. Their best things + are the carnival balls and masquerades, when every body runs mad + for six weeks. After their dinners and suppers they make extempore + verses and buffoon one another; but it is in a humour which you + would not enter into, ye of the north. + + "In their houses it is better. I should know something of the + matter, having had a pretty general experience among their women, + from the fisherman's wife up to the Nobil Dama, whom I serve. Their + system has its rules, and its fitnesses, and its decorums, so as to + be reduced to a kind of discipline or game at hearts, which admits + few deviations, unless you wish to lose it. They are extremely + tenacious, and jealous as furies, not permitting their lovers even + to marry if they can help it, and keeping them always close to them + in public as in private, whenever they can. In short, they transfer + marriage to adultery, and strike the _not_ out of that commandment. + The reason is, that they marry for their parents, and love for + themselves. They exact fidelity from a lover as a debt of honour, + while they pay the husband as a tradesman, that is, not at all. You + hear a person's character, male or female, canvassed not as + depending on their conduct to their husbands or wives, but to their + mistress or lover. If I wrote a quarto, I don't know that I could + do more than amplify what I have here noted. It is to be observed + that while they do all this, the greatest outward respect is to be + paid to the husbands, not only by the ladies, but by their + Serventi--particularly if the husband serves no one himself (which + is not often the case, however); so that you would often suppose + them relations--the Servente making the figure of one adopted into + the family. Sometimes the ladies run a little restive and elope, or + divide, or make a scene: but this is at starting, generally, when + they know no better, or when they fall in love with a foreigner, or + some such anomaly,--and is always reckoned unnecessary and + extravagant. + + "You enquire after Dante's Prophecy: I have not done more than six + hundred lines, but will vaticinate at leisure. + + "Of the bust I know nothing. No cameos or seals are to be cut here + or elsewhere that I know of, in any good style. Hobhouse should + write himself to Thorwaldsen: the bust was made and paid for three + years ago. + + "Pray tell Mrs. Leigh to request Lady Byron to urge forward the + transfer from the funds. I wrote to Lady Byron on business this + post, addressed to the care of Mr. D. Kinnaird." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 358. TO MR. BANKES. + + "Ravenna, February 26. 1820. + + "Pulci and I are waiting for you with impatience; but I suppose we + must give way to the attraction of the Bolognese galleries for a + time. I know nothing of pictures myself, and care almost as little: + but to me there are none like the Venetian--above all, Giorgione. I + remember well his Judgment of Solomon in the Mariscalchi in + Bologna. The real mother is beautiful, exquisitely beautiful. Buy + her, by all means, if you can, and take her home with you: put her + in safety: for be assured there are troublous times brewing for + Italy; and as I never could keep out of a row in my life, it will + be my fate, I dare say, to be over head and ears in it; but no + matter, these are the stronger reasons for coming to see me soon. + + "I have more of Scott's novels (for surely they are Scott's) since + we met, and am more and more delighted. I think that I even prefer + them to his poetry, which (by the way) I redde for the first time + in my life in your rooms in Trinity College. + + "There are some curious commentaries on Dante preserved here, + which you should see. Believe me ever, faithfully and most + affectionately, yours," &c. + + * * * * * + +LETTER 359. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Ravenna, March 1. 1820. + + "I sent you by last post the translation of the first Canto of the + Morgante Maggiore, and wish you to ask Rose about the word + 'sbergo,' _i.e._ 'usbergo,' which I have translated _cuirass_. I + suspect that it means _helmet_ also. Now, if so, which of the + senses is best accordant with the text? I have adopted cuirass, but + will be amenable to reasons. Of the natives, some say one, and some + t'other: but they are no great Tuscans in Romagna. However, I will + ask Sgricci (the famous improvisatore) to-morrow, who is a native + of Arezzo. The Countess Guiccioli who is reckoned a very cultivated + young lady, and the dictionary, say _cuirass_. I have written + cuirass, but _helmet_ runs in my head nevertheless--and will run in + verse very well, whilk is the principal point. I will ask the Sposa + Spina Spinelli, too, the Florentine bride of Count Gabriel Rusponi, + just imported from Florence, and get the sense out of somebody. + + "I have just been visiting the new Cardinal, who arrived the day + before yesterday in his legation. He seems a good old gentleman, + pious and simple, and not quite like his predecessor, who was a + bon-vivant, in the worldly sense of the words. + + "Enclosed is a letter which I received some time ago from Dallas. + It will explain itself. I have not answered it. This comes of doing + people good. At one time or another (including copyrights) this + person has had about fourteen hundred pounds of my money, and he + writes what he calls a posthumous work about me, and a scrubby + letter accusing me of treating him ill, when I never did any such + thing. It is true that I left off letter-writing, as I have done + with almost everybody else; but I can't see how that was misusing + him. + + "I look upon his epistle as the consequence of my not sending him + another hundred pounds, which he wrote to me for about two years + ago, and which I thought proper to withhold, he having had his + share, methought, of what I could dispone upon others. + + "In your last you ask me after my articles of domestic wants; I + believe they are as usual: the bull-dogs, magnesia, soda-powders, + tooth-powders, brushes, and every thing of the kind which are here + unattainable. You still ask me to return to England: alas! to what + purpose? You do not know what you are requiring. Return I must, + probably, some day or other (if I live), sooner or later; but it + will not be for pleasure, nor can it end in good. You enquire after + my health and SPIRITS in large letters: my health can't be very + bad, for I cured myself of a sharp tertian ague, in three weeks, + with cold water, which had held my stoutest gondolier for months, + notwithstanding all the bark of the apothecary,--a circumstance + which surprised Dr. Aglietti, who said it was a proof of great + stamina, particularly in so epidemic a season. I did it out of + dislike to the taste of bark (which I can't bear), and succeeded, + contrary to the prophecies of every body, by simply taking nothing + at all. As to _spirits_, they are unequal, now high, now low, like + other people's I suppose, and depending upon circumstances. + + "Pray send me W. Scott's new novels. What are their names and + characters? I read some of his former ones, at least once a day, + for an hour or so. The last are too hurried: he forgets + Ravenswood's name, and calls him _Edgar_ and then _Norman_; and + Girder, the cooper, is styled now _Gilbert_, and now _John_; and he + don't make enough of Montrose; but Dalgetty is excellent, and so is + Lucy Ashton, and the b----h her mother. What is _Ivanhoe_? and what + do you call his other? are there _two_? Pray make him write at + least two a year: I like no reading so well. + + "The editor of the Bologna Telegraph has sent me a paper with + extracts from Mr. Mulock's (his name always reminds me of Muley + Moloch of Morocco) 'Atheism answered,' in which there is a long + eulogium of my poesy, and a great 'compatimento' for my misery. I + never could understand what they mean by accusing me of irreligion. + However, they may have it their own way. This gentleman seems to be + my great admirer, so I take what he says in good part, as he + evidently intends kindness, to which I can't accuse myself of being + invincible. + + "Yours," &c. + + * * * * * + +LETTER 360. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Ravenna, March 5. 1820. + + "In case, in your country, you should not readily lay hands on the + Morgante Maggiore, I send you the original text of the first Canto, + to correspond with the translation which I sent you a few days ago. + It is from the Naples edition in quarto of 1732,--_dated Florence_, + however, by a trick of _the trade_, which you, as one of the allied + sovereigns of the profession, will perfectly understand without any + further spiegazione. + + "It is strange that here nobody understands the real precise + meaning of 'sbergo,' or 'usbergo[68],' an old Tuscan word, which I + have rendered _cuirass_ (but am not sure it is not _helmet_). I + have asked at least twenty people, learned and ignorant, male and + female, including poets, and officers civil and military. The + dictionary says _cuirass_, but gives no authority; and a female + friend of mine says _positively cuirass_, which makes me doubt the + fact still more than before. Ginguene says 'bonnet de fer,' with + the usual superficial decision of a Frenchman, so that I can't + believe him: and what between the dictionary, the Italian woman, + and the Frenchman, there's no trusting to a word they say. The + context, too, which should decide, admits equally of either + meaning, as you will perceive. Ask Rose, Hobhouse, Merivale, and + Foscolo, and vote with the majority. Is Frere a good Tuscan? if he + be, bother him too. I have tried, you see, to be as accurate as I + well could. This is my third or fourth letter, or packet, within + the last twenty days." + +[Footnote 68: It has been suggested to me that usbergo is obviously the +same as hauberk, habergeon, &c. all from the German _halsberg_, or +covering of the neck.] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 361. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Ravenna, March 14. 1820. + + "Enclosed is Dante's Prophecy--Vision--or what not.[69] Where I + have left more than one reading (which I have done often), you may + adopt that which Gifford, Frere, Rose, and Hobhouse, and others of + your Utican Senate think the best or least bad. The preface will + explain all that is explicable. These are but the four first + cantos: if approved, I will go on. + + "Pray mind in printing; and let some good Italian scholar correct + the Italian quotations. + + "Four days ago I was overturned in an open carriage between the + river and a steep bank:--wheels dashed to pieces, slight bruises, + narrow escape, and all that; but no harm done, though coachman, + foot-man, horses, and vehicle, were all mixed together like + macaroni. It was owing to bad driving, as I say; but the coachman + swears to a start on the part of the horses. We went against a post + on the verge of a steep bank, and capsized. I usually go out of + the town in a carriage, and meet the saddle horses at the bridge; + it was in going there that we boggled; but I got my ride, as usual, + after the accident. They say here it was all owing to St. Antonio + of Padua, (serious, I assure you,)--who does thirteen miracles a + day,--that worse did not come of it. I have no objection to this + being his fourteenth in the four-and-twenty-hours. He presides over + overturns and all escapes therefrom, it seems: and they dedicate + pictures, &c. to him, as the sailors once did to Neptune, after + 'the high Roman fashion.' + + "Yours, in haste." + +[Footnote 69: There were in this Poem, originally, three lines of +remarkable strength and severity, which, as the Italian poet against +whom they were directed was then living, were omitted in the +publication. I shall here give them from memory. + + "The prostitution of his Muse and wife, + Both beautiful, and both by him debased, + Shall salt his bread and give him means of life." +] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 362. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Ravenna, March 20. 1820. + + "Last post I sent you 'The Vision of Dante,'--four first Cantos. + Enclosed you will find, _line for line_, in _third rhyme_ (_terza + rima_), of which your British blackguard reader as yet understands + nothing, Fanny of Rimini. You know that she was born here, and + married, and slain, from Gary, Boyd, and such people. I have done + it into _cramp_ English, line for line, and rhyme for rhyme, to try + the possibility. You had best append it to the poems already sent + by last three posts. I shall not allow you to play the tricks you + did last year, with the prose you _post_-scribed to Mazeppa, which + I sent to you _not_ to be published, if not in a periodical + paper,--and there you tacked it, without a word of explanation. If + this is published, publish it _with the original_, and _together_ + with the _Pulci_ translation, _or_ the _Dante imitation_. I suppose + you have both by now, and the _Juan_ long before. + + "FRANCESCA OF RIMINI. + + "_Translation from the Inferno of Dante, Canto 5th._ + + "'The land where I was born sits by the seas, + Upon that shore to which the Po descends, + With all his followers, in search of peace. + Love, which the gentle heart soon apprehends, + Seized him for the fair person which was ta'en + From me, and me even yet the mode offends. + Love, who to none beloved to love again + Remits, seized me with wish to please, so strong, + That, as thou seest, yet, yet it doth remain. + Love to one death conducted us along, + But Caina waits for him our life who ended:' + These were the accents utter'd by her tongue,-- + Since first I listen'd to these souls offended, + I bow'd my visage and so kept it till-- + + {_then_} + 'What think'st thou?' said the bard; { when } I unbended, + And recommenced: 'Alas! unto such ill + How many sweet thoughts, what strong ecstasies + Led these their evil fortune to fulfil!' + And then I turn'd unto their side my eyes, + And said, 'Francesca, thy sad destinies + Have made me sorrow till the tears arise. + But tell me, in the season of sweet sighs, + By what and how thy Love to Passion rose, + So as his dim desires to recognise?' + Then she to me: 'The greatest of all woes + {_recall to mind_} + Is to { remind us of } our happy days + {_this_} + In misery, and { that } thy teacher knows. + + But if to learn our passion's first root preys + Upon thy spirit with such sympathy, + { _relate_ } + I will {do[70] even} as he who weeps and says.-- + We read one day for pastime, seated nigh, + Of Lancilot, how Love enchain'd him too. + We were alone, quite unsuspiciously, + But oft our eyes met, and our cheeks in hue + All o'er discolour'd by that reading were; + { _overthrew_ } + But one point only wholly {us o'erthrew;} + { _desired_ } + When we read the {long-sighed-for} smile of her, + {_a fervent_} + To be thus kiss'd by such { devoted } lover, + He who from me can be divided ne'er + Kiss'd my mouth, trembling in the act all over. + Accursed was the book and he who wrote! + That day no further leaf we did uncover.-- + While thus one Spirit told us of their lot, + The other wept, so that with pity's thralls + I swoon'd as if by death I had been smote, + And fell down even as a dead body falls.'" + + +[Footnote 70: "In some of the editions, it is, 'diro,' in others +'faro;'--an essential difference between 'saying' and 'doing,' which I +know not how to decide. Ask Foscolo. The d----d editions drive me mad."] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 363. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Ravenna, March 23. 1820. + + "I have received your letter of the 7th. Besides the four packets + you have already received, I have sent the Pulci a few days after, + and since (a few days ago) the four first Cantos of Dante's + Prophecy, (the best thing I ever wrote, if it be not + _unintelligible_,) and by last post a literal translation, word for + word (versed like the original), of the episode of Francesca of + Rimini. I want to hear what you think of the new Juans, and the + translations, and the Vision. They are all things that are, or + ought to be, very different from one another. + + "If you choose to make a print from the Venetian, you may; but she + don't correspond at all to the character you mean her to represent. + On the contrary, the Contessa G. does (except that she is fair), + and is much prettier than the Fornarina; but I have no picture of + her except a miniature, which is very ill done; and, besides, it + would not be proper, on any account whatever, to make such a use of + it, even if you had a copy. + + "Recollect that the two new Cantos only count with us for one. You + may put the Pulci and Dante together: perhaps that were best. So + you have put your name to Juan, after all your panic. You are a + rare fellow. I must now put myself in a passion to continue my + prose. Yours," &c. + + "I have caused write to Thorwaldsen. Pray be careful in sending my + daughter's picture--I mean, that it be not hurt in the carriage, + for it is a journey rather long and jolting." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 364. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Ravenna, March 28. 1820. + + "Enclosed is a 'Screed of Doctrine' for you, of which I will + trouble you to acknowledge the receipt by next post. Mr. Hobhouse + must have the correction of it for the press. You may show it first + to whom you please. + + "I wish to know what became of my two Epistles from St. Paul + (translated from the Armenian three years ago and more), and of the + letter to R----ts of last autumn, which you never have attended to? + There are two packets with this. + + "P.S. I have some thoughts of publishing the 'Hints from Horace,' + written ten years ago[71],--if Hobhouse can rummage them out of my + papers left at his father's,--with some omissions and alterations + previously to be made when I see the proofs." + +[Footnote 71: When making the observations which occur in the early part +of this work, on the singular preference given by the noble author to the +"Hints from Horace," I was not aware of the revival of this strange +predilection, which (as it appears from the above letter, and, still more +strongly, from some that follow) took place so many years after, in the +full maturity of his powers and taste. Such a delusion is hardly +conceivable, and can only, perhaps, be accounted for by that tenaciousness +of early opinions and impressions by which his mind, in other respects so +versatile, was characterised.] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 365. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Ravenna, March 29. 1820. + + "Herewith you will receive a note (enclosed) on Pope, which you + will find tally with a part of the text of last post. I have at + last lost all patience with the atrocious cant and nonsense about + Pope, with which our present * *s are overflowing, and am + determined to make such head against it as an individual can, by + prose or verse; and I will at least do it with good will. There is + no bearing it any longer; and if it goes on, it will destroy what + little good writing or taste remains amongst us. I hope there are + still a few men of taste to second me; but if not, I'll battle it + alone, convinced that it is in the best cause of English + literature. + + "I have sent you so many packets, verse and prose, lately, that you + will be tired of the postage, if not of the perusal. I want to + answer some parts of your last letter, but I have not time, for I + must 'boot and saddle,' as my Captain Craigengelt (an officer of + the old Napoleon Italian army) is in waiting, and my groom and + cattle to boot. + + "You have given me a screed of metaphor and what not about _Pulci_, + and manners, and 'going without clothes, like our Saxon ancestors.' + Now, the _Saxons did not go without clothes_; and, in the next + place, they are not my ancestors, nor yours either; for mine were + Norman, and yours, I take it by your name, were _Gael_. And, in the + next, I differ from you about the 'refinement' which has banished + the comedies of Congreve. Are not the comedies of _Sheridan_? acted + to the thinnest houses? I know (as _ex-committed_) that 'The School + for Scandal' was the worst stock piece upon record. I also know + that Congreve gave up writing because Mrs. Centlivre's balderdash + drove his comedies off. So it is not decency, but stupidity, that + does all this; for Sheridan is as decent a writer as need be, and + Congreve no worse than Mrs. Centlivre, of whom Wilks (the actor) + said, 'not only her play would be damned, but she too.' He alluded + to 'A Bold Stroke for a Wife.' But last, and most to the purpose, + Pulci is _not_ an _indecent_ writer--at least in his first Canto, + as you will have perceived by this time. + + "You talk of _refinement_:--are you all _more_ moral? are you _so_ + moral? No such thing. _I_ know what the world is in England, by my + own proper experience of the best of it--at least of the loftiest; + and I have described it every where as it is to be found in all + places. + + "But to return. I should like to see the _proofs_ of mine answer, + because there will be something to omit or to alter. But pray let + it be carefully printed. When convenient let me have an answer. + + "Yours." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 366. TO MR. HOPPNER. + + "Ravenna, March 31. 1820. + + "Ravenna continues much the same as I described it. Conversazioni + all Lent, and much better ones than any at Venice. There are small + games at hazard, that is, faro, where nobody can point more than a + shilling or two;--other card-tables, and as much talk and coffee as + you please. Every body does and says what they please; and I do not + recollect any disagreeable events, except being three times falsely + accused of flirtation, and once being robbed of six sixpences by a + nobleman of the city, a Count * * *. I did not suspect the + illustrious delinquent; but the Countess V * * * and the Marquis L + * * * told me of it directly, and also that it was a way he had, of + filching money when he saw it before him; but I did not ax him for + the cash, but contented myself with telling him that if he did it + again, I should anticipate the law. + + "There is to be a theatre in April, and a fair, and an opera, and + another opera in June, besides the fine weather of nature's giving, + and the rides in the Forest of Pine. With my best respects to Mrs. + Hoppner, believe me ever, &c. BYRON. + + "P.S. Could you give me an item of what books remain at Venice? I + don't want them, but want to know whether the few that are not here + are there, and were not lost by the way. I hope and trust you have + got all your wine safe, and that it is drinkable. Allegra is + prettier, I think, but as obstinate as a mule, and as ravenous as a + vulture: health good, to judge of the complexion--temper tolerable, + but for vanity and pertinacity. She thinks herself handsome, and + will do as she pleases." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 367. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Ravenna, April 9. 1820. + + "In the name of all the devils in the printing-office, why don't + you write to acknowledge the receipt of the second, third, and + fourth packets, viz. the Pulci translation and original, the + _Danticles_, the Observations on, &c.? You forget that you keep me + in hot water till I know whether they are arrived, or if I must + have the bore of re-copying. + + "Have you gotten the cream of translations, Francesca of Rimini, + from the Inferno? Why, I have sent you a warehouse of trash within + the last month, and you have no sort of feeling about you: a + pastry-cook would have had twice the gratitude, and thanked me at + least for the quantity. + + "To make the letter heavier, I enclose you the Cardinal Legate's + (our Campeius) circular for his conversazione this evening. It is + the anniversary of the Pope's _tiara_-tion, and all polite + Christians, even of the Lutheran creed, must go and be civil. And + there will be a circle, and a faro-table, (for shillings, that is, + they don't allow high play,) and all the beauty, nobility, and + sanctity of Ravenna present. The Cardinal himself is a very + good-natured little fellow, bishop of Muda, and legate here,--a + decent believer in all the doctrines of the church. He has kept his + housekeeper these forty years * * * *; but is reckoned a pious man, + and a moral liver. + + "I am not quite sure that I won't be among you this autumn, for I + find that business don't go on--what with trustees and lawyers--as + it should do, 'with all deliberate speed.' They differ about + investments in Ireland. + + "Between the devil and deep sea, + Between the lawyer and trustee, + + I am puzzled; and so much time is lost by my not being upon the + spot, what with answers, demurs, rejoinders, that it may be I must + come and look to it; for one says do, and t'other don't, so that I + know not which way to turn: but perhaps they can manage without + me. + + "Yours, &c. + + "P.S. I have begun a tragedy on the subject of Marino Faliero, the + Doge of Venice; but you sha'n't see it these six years, if you + don't acknowledge my packets with more quickness and precision. + _Always write, if but a line_, by return of post, when any thing + arrives, which is not a mere letter. + + "Address direct to Ravenna; it saves a week's time, and much + postage." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 368. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Ravenna, April 16. 1820. + + "Post after post arrives without bringing any acknowledgment from + you of the different packets (excepting the first) which I sent + within the last two months, all of which ought to be arrived long + ere now; and as they were announced in other letters, you ought at + least to say whether they are come or not. You are not expected to + write frequent, or long letters, as your time is much occupied; but + when parcels that have cost some pains in the composition, and + great trouble in the copying, are sent to you, I should at least be + put out of suspense, by the immediate acknowledgment, per return of + post, addressed _directly_ to _Ravenna_. I am naturally--knowing + what continental posts are--anxious to hear that they are arrived; + especially as I loathe the task of copying so much, that if there + was a human being that could copy my blotted MSS. he should have + all they can ever bring for his trouble. All I desire is two lines, + to say, such a day I received such a packet. There are at least six + unacknowledged. This is neither kind nor courteous. + + "I have, besides, another reason for desiring you to be speedy, + which is, that there is THAT brewing in Italy which will speedily + cut off all security of communication, and set all your + Anglo-travellers flying in every direction, with their usual + fortitude in foreign tumults. The Spanish and French affairs have + set the Italians in a ferment; and no wonder: they have been too + long trampled on. This will make a sad scene for your exquisite + traveller, but not for the resident, who naturally wishes a people + to redress itself. I shall, if permitted by the natives, remain to + see what will come of it, and perhaps to take a turn with them, + like Dugald Dalgetty and his horse, in case of business; for I + shall think it by far the most interesting spectacle and moment in + existence, to see the Italians send the barbarians of all nations + back to their own dens. I have lived long enough among them to feel + more for them as a nation than for any other people in existence. + But they want union, and they want principle; and I doubt their + success. However, they will try, probably, and if they do, it will + be a good cause. No Italian can hate an Austrian more than I do: + unless it be the English, the Austrians seem to me the most + obnoxious race under the sky. + + "But I doubt, if any thing be done, it won't be so quietly as in + Spain. To be sure, revolutions are not to be made with rose-water, + where there are foreigners as masters. + + "Write while you can; for it is but the toss up of a paul that + there will not be a row that will somewhat retard the mail by and + by. + + "Yours," &c. + + * * * * * + +LETTER 369. TO MR. HOPPNER. + + "Ravenna, April 18. 1820. + + "I have caused write to Siri and Willhalm to send with Vincenza, in + a boat, the camp-beds and swords left in their care when I quitted + Venice. There are also several pounds of Mantons best powder in a + Japan case; but unless I felt sure of getting it away from V. + without seizure, I won't have it ventured. I can get it in here, by + means of an acquaintance in the customs, who has offered to get it + ashore for me; but should like to be certiorated of its safety in + leaving Venice. I would not lose it for its weight in gold--there + is none such in Italy, as I take it to be. + + "I wrote to you a week or so ago, and hope you are in good plight + and spirits. Sir Humphry Davy is here, and was last night at the + Cardinal's. As I had been there last Sunday, and yesterday was + warm, I did not go, which I should have done, if I had thought of + meeting the man of chemistry. He called this morning, and I shall + go in search of him at Corso time. I believe to-day, being Monday, + there is no great conversazione, and only the family one at the + Marchese Cavalli's, where I go as a relation sometimes, so that, + unless he stays a day or two, we should hardly meet in public. + + "The theatre is to open in May for the fair, if there is not a row + in all Italy by that time,--the Spanish business has set them all a + constitutioning, and what will be the end, no one knows--it is also + necessary thereunto to have a beginning. + + "Yours, &c. + + "P.S. My benediction to Mrs. Hoppner. How is your little boy? + Allegra is growing, and has increased in good looks and obstinacy." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 370. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Ravenna, April 23. 1820. + + "The proofs don't contain the _last_ stanzas of Canto second, but + end abruptly with the 105th stanza. + + "I told you long ago that the new Cantos[72] were _not_ good, and I + also _told you a reason_. Recollect, I do not oblige you to publish + them; you may suppress them, if you like, but I can alter nothing. + I have erased the six stanzas about those two impostors * * * * + (which I suppose will give you great pleasure), but I can do no + more. I can neither recast, nor replace; but I give you leave to + put it all into the fire, if you like, or _not_ to publish, and I + think that's sufficient. + + "I told you that I wrote on with no good will--that I had been, + _not_ frightened, but _hurt_ by the outcry, and, besides, that when + I wrote last November, I was ill in body, and in very great + distress of mind about some private things of my own; but you would + have it: so I sent it to you, and to make it lighter, cut it in + two--but I can't piece it together again. I can't cobble: I must + 'either make a spoon or spoil a horn,'--and there's an end; for + there's no remeid: but I leave you free will to suppress the whole, + if you like it. + + "About the _Morgante Maggiore, I won't have a line omitted_. It may + circulate, or it may not; but all the criticism on earth sha'n't + touch a line, unless it be because it is badly translated. Now you + say, and I say, and others say, that the translation is a good one; + and so it shall go to press as it is. Pulci must answer for his own + irreligion: I answer for the translation only. + + "Pray let Mr. Hobhouse look to the Italian next time in the proofs: + this time, while I am scribbling to you, they are corrected by one + who passes for the prettiest woman in Romagna, and even the + Marches, as far as Ancona, be the other who she may. + + "I am glad you like my answer to your enquiries about Italian + society. It is fit you should like _something_, and be d----d to + you. + + "My love to Scott. I shall think higher of knighthood ever after + for his being dubbed. By the way, he is the first poet titled for + his talent in Britain: it has happened abroad before now; but on + the Continent titles are universal and worthless. Why don't you + send me Ivanhoe and the Monastery? I have never written to Sir + Walter, for I know he has a thousand things, and I a thousand + nothings, to do; but I hope to see him at Abbotsford before very + long, and I will sweat his claret for him, though Italian + abstemiousness has made my brain but a shilpit concern for a Scotch + sitting 'inter pocula.' I love Scott, and Moore, and all the better + brethren; but I hate and abhor that puddle of water-worms whom you + have taken into your troop. + + "Yours, &c. + + "P.S. You say that _one half_ is very good: you are _wrong_; for, + if it were, it would be the finest poem in existence. _Where_ is + the poetry of which _one half_ is good? is it the _AEneid_? is it + _Milton's_? is it _Dryden's_? is it any one's except _Pope's_ and + _Goldsmith's_, of which _all_ is good? and yet these two last are + the poets your pond poets would explode. But if _one half_ of the + two new Cantos be good in your opinion, what the devil would you + have more? No--no; no poetry is _generally_ good--only by fits and + starts--and you are lucky to get a sparkle here and there. You + might as well want a midnight _all stars_ as rhyme all perfect. + + "We are on the verge of a _row_ here. Last night they have + overwritten all the city walls with 'Up with the republic!' and + 'Death to the Pope!' &c. &c. This would be nothing in London, where + the walls are privileged. But here it is a different thing: they + are not used to such fierce political inscriptions, and the police + is all on the alert, and the Cardinal glares pale through all his + purple. + + "April 24. 1820. 8 o'clock, P.M. + + "The police have been, all noon and after, searching for the + inscribers, but have caught none as yet. They must have been all + night about it, for the 'Live republics--Death to Popes and + Priests,' are innumerable, and plastered over all the palaces: ours + has plenty. There is 'Down with the Nobility,' too; they are down + enough already, for that matter. A very heavy rain and wind having + come on, I did not go out and 'skirr the country;' but I shall + mount to-morrow, and take a canter among the peasantry, who are a + savage, resolute race, always riding with guns in their hands. I + wonder they don't suspect the serenaders, for they play on the + guitar here all night, as in Spain, to their mistresses. + + "Talking of politics, as Caleb Quotem says, pray look at the + _conclusion_ of my Ode on _Waterloo_, written in the year 1815, + and, comparing it with the Duke de Berri's catastrophe in 1820, + tell me if I have not as good a right to the character of '_Vates_' + in both senses of the word, as Fitzgerald and Coleridge? + + "'Crimson tears will follow yet--' + + and have not they? + + "I can't pretend to foresee what will happen among you Englishers + at this distance, but I vaticinate a row in Italy; in whilk case, I + don't know that I won't have a finger in it. I dislike the + Austrians, and think the Italians infamously oppressed; and if they + begin, why, I will recommend 'the erection of a sconce upon + Drumsnab,' like Dugald Dalgetty." + +[Footnote 72: Of Don Juan.] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 371. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Ravenna, May 8. 1820. + + "From your not having written again, an intention which your letter + of the 7th ultimo indicated, I have to presume that the 'Prophecy + of Dante' has not been found more worthy than its predecessors in + the eyes of your illustrious synod. In that case, you will be in + some perplexity; to end which, I repeat to you, that you are not to + consider yourself as bound or pledged to publish any thing because + it is _mine_, but always to act according to your own views, or + opinions, or those of your friends; and to be sure that you will in + no degree offend me by 'declining the article,' to use a technical + phrase. The _prose_ observations on John Wilson's attack, I do not + intend for publication at this time; and I send a copy of verses to + Mr. Kinnaird (they were written last year on crossing the Po) which + must _not_ be published either. I mention this, because it is + probable he may give you a copy. Pray recollect this, as they are + mere verses of society, and written upon private feelings and + passions. And, moreover, I can't consent to any mutilations or + omissions of _Pulci_: the original has been ever free from such in + Italy, the capital of Christianity, and the translation may be so + in England; though you will think it strange that they should have + allowed such _freedom_ for many centuries to the Morgante, while + the other day they confiscated the whole translation of the fourth + Canto of Childe Harold, and have persecuted Leoni, the + translator--so he writes me, and so I could have told him, had he + consulted me before his publication. This shows how much more + politics interest men in these parts than religion. Half a dozen + invectives against tyranny confiscate Childe Harold in a month; and + eight and twenty cantos of quizzing monks and knights, and church + government, are let loose for centuries. I copy Leoni's account. + + "'Non ignorera forse che la mia versione del 4 deg. Canto del Childe + Harold fu confiscata in ogni parte: ed io stesso ho dovuto soffrir + vessazioni altrettanto ridicole quanto illiberaii, ad arte che + alcuni versi fossero esclusi dalla censura. Ma siccome il divieto + non fa d'ordinario che accrescere la curiosita cos! quel carme + sull' Italia e ricercato piu che mai, e penso di farlo ristampare + in Inghil-terra senza nulla escludere. Sciagurata condizione di + questa mia patria! se patria si puo chiamare una terra cosi + avvilita dalla fortuna, dagli uomini, da se medesima.' + + "Rose will translate this to you. Has he had his letter? I enclosed + it to you months ago. + + "This intended piece of publication I shall dissuade him from, or + he may chance to see the inside of St. Angelo's. The last sentence + of his letter is the common and pathetic sentiment of all his + countrymen. + + "Sir Humphry Davy was here last fortnight, and I was in his company + in the house of a very pretty Italian lady of rank, who, by way of + displaying her learning in presence of the great chemist, then + describing his fourteenth ascension to Mount Vesuvius, asked 'if + there was not a similar volcano in _Ireland_?' My only notion of an + Irish volcano consisted of the lake of Killarney, which I naturally + conceived her to mean; but, on second thoughts, I divined that she + alluded to _Ice_land and to Hecla--and so it proved, though she + sustained her volcanic topography for some time with all the + amiable pertinacity of 'the feminie.' She soon after turned to me + and asked me various questions about Sir Humphry's philosophy, and + I explained as well as an oracle his skill in gasen safety lamps, + and ungluing the Pompeian MSS. 'But what do you call him?' said + she. 'A great chemist,' quoth I. 'What can he do?' repeated the + lady. 'Almost any thing,' said I. 'Oh, then, mio caro, do pray beg + him to give me something to dye my eyebrows black. I have tried a + thousand things, and the colours all come off; and besides, they + don't grow; can't he invent something to make them grow?' All this + with the greatest earnestness; and what you will be surprised at, + she is neither ignorant nor a fool, but really well educated and + clever. But they speak like children, when first out of their + convents; and, after all, this is better than an English + blue-stocking. + + "I did not tell Sir Humphry of this last piece of philosophy, not + knowing how he might take it. Davy was much taken with Ravenna, and + the PRIMITIVE _Italianism_ of the people, who are unused to + foreigners: but he only stayed a day. + + "Send me Scott's novels and some news. + + "P.S. I have begun and advanced into the second act of a tragedy + on the subject of the Doge's conspiracy (_i.e._ the story of Marino + Faliero); but my present feeling is so little encouraging on such + matters, that I begin to think I have mined my talent out, and + proceed in no great phantasy of finding a new vein. + + "P.S. I sometimes think (if the Italians don't rise) of coming over + to England in the autumn after the coronation, (at which I would + not appear, on account of my family schism,) but as yet I can + decide nothing. The place must be a great deal changed since I left + it, now more than four years ago." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 372. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Ravenna, May 20. 1820. + + "Murray, my dear, make my respects to Thomas Campbell, and tell him + from me, with faith and friendship, three things that he must right + in his poets: Firstly, he says Anstey's Bath Guide characters are + taken from Smollett. 'Tis impossible:--the Guide was published in + 1766, and Humphrey Clinker in 1771--_dunque_, 'tis Smollett who has + taken from Anstey. Secondly, he does not know to whom Cowper + alludes, when he says that there was one who 'built a church to + _God_, and then blasphemed his name:' it was 'Deo erexit + _Voltaire_' to whom that maniacal Calvinist and coddled poet + alludes. Thirdly, he misquotes and spoils a passage from + Shakspeare, 'to gild refined gold, to paint the lily,' &c.; for + _lily_ he puts rose, and bedevils in more words than one the whole + quotation. + + "Now, Tom is a fine fellow; but he should be correct; for the first + is an _injustice_ (to Anstey), the second an _ignorance_, and the + third a _blunder_. Tell him all this, and let him take it in good + part; for I might have rammed it into a review and rowed + him--instead of which, I act like a Christian. + + "Yours," &c. + + * * * * * + +LETTER 373. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Ravenna, May 20. 1820. + + "First and foremost, you must forward my letter to _Moore_ dated 2d + _January_, which I said you might open, but desired you _to + forward_. Now, you should really not forget these little things, + because they do mischief among friends. You are an excellent man, a + great man, and live among great men, but do pray recollect your + absent friends and authors. + + "In the first place, _your packets_; then a letter from Kinnaird, + on the most urgent business; another from Moore, about a + communication to Lady Byron of importance; a fourth from the mother + of Allegra; and, fifthly, at Ravenna, the Countess G. is on the eve + of being separated. But the Italian public are on her side, + particularly the women,--and the men also, because they say that + _he_ had no business to take the business up now after a year of + toleration. All her relations (who are numerous, high in rank, and + powerful) are furious _against him_ for his conduct. I am warned to + be on my guard, as he is very capable of employing _sicarii_--this + is Latin as well as Italian, so you can understand it; but I have + arms, and don't mind them, thinking that I could pepper his + ragamuffins, if they don't come unawares, and that, if they do, one + may as well end that way as another; and it would besides serve + _you_ as an advertisement:-- + + "Man may escape from rope or gun, &c. + But he who takes woman, woman, woman, &c. + + "Yours. + + "P.S. I have looked over the press, but heaven knows how. Think + what I have on hand and the post going out to-morrow. Do you + remember the epitaph on Voltaire? + + "'Ci-git l'enfant gate,' &c. + + "'Here lies the spoilt child + Of the world which he spoil'd.' + + The original is in Grimm and Diderot, &c. &c. &c." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 374. TO MR. MOORE. + + "Ravenna, May 24. 1820. + + "I wrote to you a few days ago. There is also a letter of January + last for you at Murray's, which will explain to you why I am here. + Murray ought to have forwarded it long ago. I enclose you an + epistle from a countrywoman of yours at Paris, which has moved my + entrails. You will have the goodness, perhaps, to enquire into the + truth of her story, and I will help her as far as I can,--though + not in the useless way she proposes. Her letter is evidently + unstudied, and so natural, that the orthography is also in a state + of nature. + + "Here is a poor creature, ill and solitary, who thinks, as a last + resource, of translating you or me into French! Was there ever such + a notion? It seems to me the consummation of despair. Pray enquire, + and let me know, and, if you could draw a bill on me _here_ for a + few hundred francs, at your banker's, I will duly honour it,--that + is, if she is not an impostor.[73] If not, let me know, that I may + get something remitted by my banker Longhi, of Bologna, for I have + no correspondence myself, at Paris: but tell her she must not + translate;--if she does, it will be the height of ingratitude. + + "I had a letter (not of the same kind, but in French and flattery) + from a Madame Sophie Gail, of Paris, whom I take to be the spouse + of a Gallo-Greek of that name. Who is she? and what is she? and how + came she to take an interest in my _poeshie_ or its author? If you + know her, tell her, with my compliments, that, as I only _read_ + French, I have not answered her letter; but would have done so in + Italian, if I had not thought it would look like an affectation. I + have just been scolding my monkey for tearing the seal of her + letter, and spoiling a mock book, in which I put rose leaves. I had + a civet-cat the other day, too; but it ran away, after scratching + my monkey's cheek, and I am in search of it still. It was the + fiercest beast I ever saw, and like * * in the face and manner. + + "I have a world of things to say; but, as they are not come to a + _denouement_, I don't care to begin their history till it is wound + up. After you went, I had a fever, but got well again without bark. + Sir Humphry Davy was here the other day, and liked Ravenna very + much. He will tell you any thing you may wish to know about the + place and your humble servitor. + + "Your apprehensions (arising from Scott's) were unfounded. There + are _no damages_ in this country, but there will probably be a + separation between them, as her family, which is a principal one, + by its connections, are very much against _him_, for the whole of + his conduct;--and he is old and obstinate, and she is young and a + woman, determined to sacrifice every thing to her affections. I + have given her the best advice, viz. to stay with him,--pointing + out the state of a separated woman, (for the priests won't let + lovers live openly together, unless the husband sanctions it,) and + making the most exquisite moral reflections,--but to no purpose. + She says, 'I will stay with him, if he will let you remain with me. + It is hard that I should be the only woman in Romagna who is not to + have her Amico; but, if not, I will not live with him; and as for + the consequences, love, &c. &c. &c.'--you know how females reason + on such occasions. + + "He says he has let it go on till he can do so no longer. But he + wants her to stay, and dismiss me; for he doesn't like to pay back + her dowry and to make an alimony. Her relations are rather for the + separation, as they detest him,--indeed, so does every body. The + populace and the women are, as usual, all for those who are in the + wrong, viz. the lady and her lover. I should have retreated, but + honour, and an erysipelas which has attacked her, prevent me,--to + say nothing of love, for I love her most entirely, though not + enough to persuade her to sacrifice every thing to a frenzy. 'I see + how it will end; she will be the sixteenth Mrs. Shuffleton.' + + "My paper is finished, and so must this letter. + + "Yours ever, B. + + "P.S. I regret that you have not completed the Italian Fudges. + Pray, how come you to be still in Paris? Murray has four or five + things of mine in hand--the new Don Juan, which his back-shop synod + don't admire;--a translation of the first Canto of Pulci's Morgante + Maggiore, excellent;--short ditto from Dante, not so much approved; + the Prophecy of Dante, very grand and worthy, &c. &c. &c.;--a + furious prose answer to Blackwood's Observations on Don Juan, with + a savage Defence of Pope--likely to make a row. The opinions above + I quote from Murray and his Utican senate;--you will form your own, + when you see the things. + + "You will have no great chance of seeing me, for I begin to think + I must finish in Italy. But, if you come my way, you shall have a + tureen of macaroni. Pray tell me about yourself, and your intents. + + "My trustees are going to lend Earl Blessington sixty thousand + pounds (at six per cent.) on a Dublin mortgage. Only think of my + becoming an Irish absentee!" + +[Footnote 73: According to his desire, I waited upon this young lady, +having provided myself with a rouleau of fifteen or twenty Napoleons to +present to her from his Lordship; but, with a very creditable spirit, my +young countrywoman declined the gift, saying that Lord Byron had +mistaken the object of her application to him, which was to request +that, by allowing her to have the sheets of some of his works before +publication, he would enable her to prepare early translations for the +French booksellers, and thus afford her the means of acquiring something +towards a livelihood.] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 375. TO MR. HOPPNER. + + "Ravenna, May 25. 1820. + + "A German named Ruppsecht has sent me, heaven knows why, several + Deutsche Gazettes, of all which I understand neither word nor + letter. I have sent you the enclosed to beg you to translate to me + some remarks, which appear to be _Goethe's upon_ Manfred--and if I + may judge by _two_ notes of _admiration_ (generally put after + something ridiculous by us) and the word '_hypocondrisch_,' are any + thing but favourable. I shall regret this, for I should have been + proud of Goethe's good word; but I sha'n't alter my opinion of him, + even though he should be savage. + + "Will you excuse this trouble, and do me this favour?--Never + mind--soften nothing--I am literary proof--having had good and evil + said in most modern languages. + + "Believe me," &c. + + * * * * * + +LETTER 376. TO MR. MOORE. + + "Ravenna, June 1. 1820, + + "I have received a Parisian letter from W.W., which I prefer + answering through you, if that worthy be still at Paris, and, as + he says, an occasional visiter of yours. In November last he wrote + to me a well-meaning letter, stating, for some reasons of his own, + his belief that a re-union might be effected between Lady B. and + myself. To this I answered as usual; and he sent me a second + letter, repeating his notions, which letter I have never answered, + having had a thousand other things to think of. He now writes as if + he believed that he had offended me by touching on the topic; and I + wish you to assure him that I am not at all so,--but, on the + contrary, obliged by his good nature. At the same time acquaint him + the _thing is impossible. You know this_, as well as I,--and there + let it end. + + "I believe that I showed you his epistle in autumn last. He asks me + if I have heard of _my_ 'laureat' at Paris[74],--somebody who has + written 'a most sanguinary Epitre' against me; but whether in + French, or Dutch, or on what score, I know not, and he don't + say,--except that (for my satisfaction) he says it is the best + thing in the fellow's volume. If there is any thing of the kind + that I _ought_ to know, you will doubtless tell me. I suppose it to + be something of the usual sort;--he says, he don't remember the + author's name. + + "I wrote to you some ten days ago, and expect an answer at your + leisure. + + "The separation business still continues, and all the world are + implicated, including priests and cardinals. The public opinion is + furious against _him_, because he ought to have cut the matter + short _at first_, and not waited twelve months to begin. He has + been trying at evidence, but can get none _sufficient_; for what + would make fifty divorces in England won't do here--there must be + the _most decided_ proofs. + + "It is the first cause of the kind attempted in Ravenna for these + two hundred years; for, though they often separate, they assign a + different motive. You know that the continental incontinent are + more delicate than the English, and don't like proclaiming their + coronation in a court, even when nobody doubts it. + + "All her relations are furious against him. The father has + challenged him--a superfluous valour, for he don't fight, though + suspected of two assassinations--one of the famous Monzoni of + Forli. Warning was given me not to take such long rides in the Pine + Forest without being on my guard; so I take my stiletto and a pair + of pistols in my pocket during my daily rides. + + "I won't stir from this place till the matter is settled one way or + the other. She is as femininely firm as possible; and the opinion + is so much against him, that the _advocates_ decline to undertake + his cause, because they say that he is either a fool or a + rogue--fool, if he did not discover the liaison till now; and + rogue, if he did know it, and waited, for some bad end, to divulge + it. In short, there has been nothing like it since the days of + Guido di Polenta's family, in these parts. + + "If the man has me taken off, like Polonius 'say, he made a good + end,'--for a melodrama. The principal security is, that he has not + the courage to spend twenty scudi--the average price of a + clean-handed bravo--otherwise there is no want of opportunity, for + I ride about the woods every evening, with one servant, and + sometimes an acquaintance, who latterly looks a little queer in + solitary bits of bushes. + + "Good bye.--Write to yours ever," &c. + +[Footnote 74: M. Lamartine.] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 377. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Ravenna, June 7. 1820. + + "Enclosed is something which will interest you, to wit, the opinion + of _the_ greatest man of Germany--perhaps of Europe--upon one of + the great men of your advertisements, (all 'famous hands,' as Jacob + Tonson used to say of his ragamuffins,)--in short, a critique of + _Goethe's_ upon _Manfred_. There is the original, an English + translation, and an Italian one; keep them all in your + archives,--for the opinions of such a man as Goethe, whether + favourable or not, are always interesting--and this is more so, as + favourable. His _Faust_ I never read, for I don't know German; but + Matthew Monk Lewis, in 1816, at Coligny, translated most of it to + me _viva voce_, and I was naturally much struck with it; but it was + the _Steinbach_ and the _Jungfrau_, and something else, much more + than Faustus, that made me write Manfred. The first scene, however, + and that of Faustus are very similar. Acknowledge this letter. + + "Yours ever. + + "P.S. I have received _Ivanhoe_;--_good_. Pray send me some + tooth-powder and tincture of myrrh, by _Waite_, &c. Ricciardetto + should have been _translated literally, or not at all_. As to + puffing _Whistlecraft_, it _won't_ do. I'll tell you why some day + or other. Cornwall's a poet, but spoilt by the detestable schools + of the day. Mrs. Hemans is a poet also, but too stiltified and + apostrophic,--and quite wrong. Men died calmly before the Christian + era, and since, without Christianity: witness the Romans, and, + lately, Thistlewood, Sandt, and Lovel--_men who ought to have been + weighed down with their crimes, even had they believed_. A deathbed + is a matter of nerves and constitution, and not of religion. + Voltaire was frightened, Frederick of Prussia not: Christians the + same, according to their strength rather than their creed. What + does H * * H * * mean by his stanza? which is octave got drunk or + gone mad. He ought to have his ears boxed with Thor's hammer for + rhyming so fantastically." + + * * * * * + +The following is the article from Goethe's "Kunst und Alterthum," +enclosed in this letter. The grave confidence with which the venerable +critic traces the fancies of his brother poet to real persons and +events, making no difficulty even of a double murder at Florence to +furnish grounds for his theory, affords an amusing instance of the +disposition so prevalent throughout Europe, to picture Byron as a man of +marvels and mysteries, as well in his life as his poetry. To these +exaggerated, or wholly false notions of him, the numerous fictions +palmed upon the world of his romantic tours and wonderful adventures in +places he never saw, and with persons that never existed[75], have, no +doubt, considerably contributed; and the consequence is, so utterly out +of truth and nature are the representations of his life and character +long current upon the Continent, that it may be questioned whether the +real "flesh and blood" hero of these pages,--the social, +practical-minded, and, with all his faults and eccentricities, _English_ +Lord Byron,--may not, to the over-exalted imaginations of most of his +foreign admirers, appear but an ordinary, unromantic, and prosaic +personage. + +[Footnote 75: Of this kind are the accounts, filled with all sorts of +circumstantial wonders, of his residence in the island of Mytilene;--his +voyages to Sicily,--to Ithaca, with the Countess Guiccioli, &c. &c. But +the most absurd, perhaps, of all these fabrications, are the stories +told by Pouqueville, of the poet's religious conferences in the cell of +Father Paul, at Athens; and the still more unconscionable fiction in +which Rizo has indulged, in giving the details of a pretended theatrical +scene, got up (according to this poetical historian) between Lord Byron +and the Archbishop of Arta, at the tomb of Botzaris, in Missolonghi.] + + * * * * * + +"GOETHE ON MANFRED. + +[1820.] + +"Byron's tragedy, Manfred, was to me a wonderful phenomenon, and one +that closely touched me. This singular intellectual poet has taken my +Faustus to himself, and extracted from it the strongest nourishment for +his hypochondriac humour. He has made use of the impelling principles in +his own way, for his own purposes, so that no one of them remains the +same; and it is particularly on this account that I cannot enough admire +his genius. The whole is in this way so completely formed anew, that it +would be an interesting task for the critic to point out not only the +alterations he has made, but their degree of resemblance with, or +dissimilarity to, the original: in the course of which I cannot deny +that the gloomy heat of an unbounded and exuberant despair becomes at +last oppressive to us. Yet is the dissatisfaction we feel always +connected with esteem and admiration. + +"We find thus in this tragedy the quintessence of the most astonishing +talent born to be its own tormentor. The character of Lord Byron's life +and poetry hardly permits a just and equitable appreciation. He has +often enough confessed what it is that torments him. He has repeatedly +pourtrayed it; and scarcely any one feels compassion for this +intolerable suffering, over which he is ever laboriously ruminating. +There are, properly speaking, two females whose phantoms for ever haunt +him, and which, in this piece also, perform principal parts--one under +the name of Astarte, the other without form or actual presence, and +merely a voice. Of the horrid occurrence which took place with the +former, the following is related:--When a bold and enterprising young +man, he won the affections of a Florentine lady. Her husband discovered +the amour, and murdered his wife; but the murderer was the same night +found dead in the street, and there was no one on whom any suspicion +could be attached. Lord Byron removed from Florence, and these spirits +haunted him all his life after. + +"This romantic incident is rendered highly probable by innumerable +allusions to it in his poems. As, for instance, when turning his sad +contemplations inwards, he applies to himself the fatal history of the +king of Sparta. It is as follows:--Pausanias, a Lacedemonian general, +acquires glory by the important victory at Plataea, but afterwards +forfeits the confidence of his countrymen through his arrogance, +obstinacy, and secret intrigues with the enemies of his country. This +man draws upon himself the heavy guilt of innocent blood, which attends +him to his end; for, while commanding the fleet of the allied Greeks, in +the Black Sea, he is inflamed with a violent passion for a Byzantine +maiden. After long resistance, he at length obtains her from her +parents, and she is to be delivered up to him at night. She modestly +desires the servant to put out the lamp, and, while groping her way in +the dark, she overturns it. Pausanias is awakened from his +sleep--apprehensive of an attack from murderers, he seizes his sword, +and destroys his mistress. The horrid sight never leaves him. Her shade +pursues him unceasingly, and he implores for aid in vain from the gods +and the exorcising priests. + +"That poet must have a lacerated heart who selects such a scene from +antiquity, appropriates it to himself, and burdens his tragic image with +it. The following soliloquy, which is overladen with gloom and a +weariness of life, is, by this remark, rendered intelligible. We +recommend it as an exercise to all friends of declamation. Hamlet's +soliloquy appears improved upon here."[76] + +[Footnote 76: The critic here subjoins the soliloquy from Manfred, +beginning "We are the fools of time and terror," in which the allusion +to Pausanias occurs.] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 378. TO MR. MOORE. + + "Ravenna, June 9. 1820. + + "Galignani has just sent me the Paris edition of your works (which + I wrote to order), and I am glad to see my old friends with a + French face. I have been skimming and dipping, in and over them, + like a swallow, and as pleased as one. It is the first time that I + had seen the Melodies without music; and, I don't know how, but I + can't read in a music-book--the crotchets confound the words in my + head, though I recollect them perfectly when _sung_. Music assists + my memory through the ear, not through the eye; I mean, that her + quavers perplex me upon paper, but they are a help when heard. And + thus I was glad to see the words without their borrowed robes;--to + my mind they look none the worse for their nudity. + + "The biographer has made a botch of your life--calling your father + 'a _venerable old_ gentleman,' and prattling of 'Addison,' and + 'dowager countesses.' If that damned fellow was to _write my_ life, + I would certainly _take his_. And then, at the Dublin dinner, you + have 'made a speech' (do you recollect, at Douglas K.'s, 'Sir, he + made me a speech?') too complimentary to the 'living poets,' and + somewhat redolent of universal praise. _I_ am but too well off in + it, but * * *. + + "You have not sent me any poetical or personal news of yourself. + Why don't you complete an Italian Tour of the Fudges? I have just + been turning over Little, which I knew by heart in 1803, being then + in my fifteenth summer. Heigho! I believe all the mischief I have + ever done, or sung, has been owing to that confounded book of + yours. + + "In my last I told you of a cargo of 'Poeshie,' which I had sent to + M. at his own impatient desire;--and, now he has got it, he don't + like it, and demurs. Perhaps he is right. I have no great opinion + of any of my last shipment, except a translation from Pulci, which + is word for word, and verse for verse. + + "I am in the third Act of a Tragedy; but whether it will be + finished or not, I know not: I have, at this present, too many + passions of my own on hand to do justice to those of the dead. + Besides the vexations mentioned in my last, I have incurred a + quarrel with the Pope's carabiniers, or gens d'armerie, who have + petitioned the Cardinal against my liveries, as resembling too + nearly their own lousy uniform. They particularly object to the + epaulettes, which all the world with us have on upon gala days. My + liveries are of the colours conforming to my arms, and have been + the family hue since the year 1066. + + "I have sent a tranchant reply, as you may suppose; and have given + to understand that, if any soldados of that respectable corps + insult my servants, I will do likewise by their gallant commanders; + and I have directed my ragamuffins, six in number, who are + tolerably savage, to defend themselves, in case of aggression; and, + on holidays and gaudy days, I shall arm the whole set, including + myself, in case of accidents or treachery. I used to play pretty + well at the broad-sword, once upon a time, at Angelo's; but I + should like the pistol, our national buccaneer weapon, better, + though I am out of practice at present. However, I can 'wink and + hold out mine iron.' It makes me think (the whole thing does) of + Romeo and Juliet--'now, Gregory, remember thy _swashing_ blow.' + + "All these feuds, however, with the Cavalier for his wife, and the + troopers for my liveries, are very tiresome to a quiet man, who + does his best to please all the world, and longs for fellowship and + good will. Pray write. I am yours," &c. + + * * * * * + +LETTER 379. TO MR. MOORE. + + "Ravenna, July 13. 1820. + + "To remove or increase your Irish anxiety about my being 'in a + wisp[77],' I answer your letter forth-with; premising that, as I am + a '_Will_ of the wisp,' I may chance to flit out of it. But, first, + a word on the Memoir;--I have no objection, nay, I would rather + that _one_ correct copy was taken and deposited in honourable + hands, in case of accidents happening to the original; for you know + that I have none, and have never even _re_-read, nor, indeed, + _read_ at all what is there written; I only know that I wrote it + with the fullest intention to be 'faithful and true' in my + narrative, but _not_ impartial--no, by the Lord! I can't pretend to + be that, while I feel. But I wish to give every body concerned the + opportunity to contradict or correct me. + + "I have no objection to any proper person seeing what is there + written,--seeing it was written, like every thing else, for the + purpose of being read, however much many writings may fail in + arriving at that object. + + "With regard to 'the wisp,' the Pope has pronounced _their + separation_. The decree came yesterday from Babylon,--it was _she_ + and _her friends_ who demanded it, on the grounds of her husband's + (the noble Count Cavalier's) extraordinary usage. _He_ opposed it + with all his might because of the alimony, which has been assigned, + with all her goods, chattels, carriage, &c. to be restored by him. + In Italy they can't divorce. He insisted on her giving me up, and + he would forgive every thing,--* * * * * + * * * * * * * * * + * * * * * * * But, in this + country, the very courts hold such proofs in abhorrence, the + Italians being as much more delicate in public than the English, as + they are more passionate in private. + + "The friends and relatives, who are numerous and powerful, reply to + him--'_You_, yourself, are either fool or knave,--fool, if you did + not see the consequences of the approximation of these two young + persons,--knave, if you connive at it. Take your choice,--but don't + break out (after twelve months of the closest intimacy, under your + own eyes and positive sanction) with a scandal, which can only make + you ridiculous and her unhappy.' + + "He swore that he thought our intercourse was purely amicable, and + that _I_ was more partial to him than to her, till melancholy + testimony proved the contrary. To this they answer, that 'Will of + _this_ wisp' was not an unknown person, and that 'clamosa Fama' had + not proclaimed the purity of my morals;--that _her_ brother, a year + ago, wrote from Rome to warn him that his wife would infallibly be + led astray by this ignis fatuus, unless he took proper measures, + all of which he neglected to take, &c. &c. + + "Now he says that he encouraged my return to Ravenna, to see '_in + quanti piedi di acqua siamo_,' and he has found enough to drown him + in. In short, + + "'Ce ne fut pas le tout; sa femme se plaignit-- + Proces--La parente se joint en excuse et dit + Que du _Docteur_ venoit tout le mauvais menage; + Que cet homme etoit fou, que sa femme etoit sage. + On fit casser le mariage.' + + It is but to let the women alone, in the way of conflict, for they + are sure to win against the field. She returns to her father's + house, and I can only see her under great restrictions--such is the + custom of the country. The relations behave very well:--I offered + any settlement, but they refused to accept it, and swear she + _shan't_ live with G. (as he has tried to prove her faithless), but + that he shall maintain her; and, in fact, a judgment to this + effect came yesterday. I am, of course, in an awkward situation + enough. + + "I have heard no more of the carabiniers who protested against my + liveries. They are not popular, those same soldiers, and, in a + small row, the other night, one was slain, another wounded, and + divers put to flight, by some of the Romagnuole youth, who are + dexterous, and somewhat liberal of the knife. The perpetrators are + not discovered, but I hope and believe that none of my ragamuffins + were in it, though they are somewhat savage, and secretly armed, + like most of the inhabitants. It is their way, and saves sometimes + a good deal of litigation. + + "There is a revolution at Naples. If so, it will probably leave a + card at Ravenna in its way to Lombardy. + + "Your publishers seem to have used you like mine. M. has shuffled, + and almost insinuated that my last productions are _dull_. Dull, + sir!--damme, dull! I believe he is right. He begs for the + completion of my tragedy on Marino Faliero, none of which is yet + gone to England. The fifth act is nearly completed, but it is + dreadfully long--40 sheets of long paper of 4 pages each--about 150 + when printed; but 'so full of pastime and prodigality' that I think + it will do. + + "Pray send and publish your _Pome_ upon me; and don't be afraid of + praising me too highly. I shall pocket my blushes. + + "'Not actionable!'--_Chantre d'enfer!_[78]--by * * that's 'a + speech,' and I won't put up with it. A pretty title to give a man + for doubting if there be any such place! + + "So my Gail is gone--and Miss Mah_ony_ won't take _Mo_ney. I am + very glad of it--I like to be generous free of expense. But beg her + not to translate me. + + "Oh, pray tell Galignani that I shall send him a screed of doctrine + if he don't be more punctual. Somebody _regularly detains two_, and + sometimes _four_, of his Messengers by the way. Do, pray, entreat + him to be more precise. News are worth money in this remote kingdom + of the Ostrogoths. + + "Pray, reply. I should like much to share some of your Champagne + and La Fitte, but I am too Italian for Paris in general. Make + Murray send my letter to you--it is full of _epigrams_. + + "Yours," &c. + +[Footnote 77: An Irish phrase for being in a scrape.] + +[Footnote 78: The title given him by M. Lamartine, in one of his Poems.] + + * * * * * + +In the separation that had now taken place between Count Guiccioli and +his wife, it was one of the conditions that the lady should, in future, +reside under the paternal roof:--in consequence of which, Madame +Guiccioli, on the 16th of July, left Ravenna and retired to a villa +belonging to Count Gamba, about fifteen miles distant from that city. +Here Lord Byron occasionally visited her--about once or twice, perhaps, +in a month--passing the rest of his time in perfect solitude. To a mind +like his, whose world was within itself, such a mode of life could have +been neither new nor unwelcome; but to the woman, young and admired, +whose acquaintance with the world and its pleasures had but just begun, +this change was, it must be confessed, most sudden and trying. Count +Guiccioli was rich, and, as a young wife, she had gained absolute power +over him. She was proud, and his station placed her among the highest in +Ravenna. They had talked of travelling to Naples, Florence, Paris,--and +every luxury, in short, that wealth could command was at her disposal. + +All this she now voluntarily and determinedly sacrificed for Byron. Her +splendid home abandoned--her relations all openly at war with her--her +kind father but tolerating, from fondness, what he could not +approve--she was now, upon a pittance of 200_l._ a year, living apart +from the world, her sole occupation the task of educating herself for +her illustrious friend, and her sole reward the few brief glimpses of +him which their now restricted intercourse allowed. Of the man who could +inspire and keep alive so devoted a feeling, it may be pronounced with +confidence that he could not have been such as, in the freaks of his own +wayward humour, he represented himself; while, on the lady's side, the +whole history of her attachment goes to prove how completely an Italian +woman, whether by nature or from her social position, is led to invert +the usual course of such frailties among ourselves, and, weak in +resisting the first impulses of passion, to reserve the whole strength +of her character for a display of constancy and devotedness afterwards. + + * * * * * + +LETTER 380. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Ravenna, July 17. 1820. + + "I have received some books, and Quarterlies, and Edinburghs, for + all which I am grateful: they contain all I know of England, except + by Galignani's newspaper. + + "The tragedy is completed, but now comes the task of copy and + correction. It is very long, (42 _sheets_ of long paper, of four + pages each,) and I believe must make more than 140 or 150 pages, + besides many historical extracts as notes, which I mean to append. + History is closely followed. Dr. Moore's account is in some + respects false, and in all foolish and flippant. _None_ of the + chronicles (and I have consulted Sanuto, Sandi, Navagero, and an + anonymous Siege of Zara, besides the histories of Laugier, Daru, + Sismondi, &c.) state, or even hint, that he begged his life; they + merely say that he did not deny the conspiracy. He was one of their + great men,--commanded at the siege of Zara,--beat 80,000 + Hungarians, killing 8000, and at the same time kept the town he was + besieging in order,--took Capo d'Istria,--was ambassador at Genoa, + Rome, and finally Doge, where he fell for treason, in attempting to + alter the government, by what Sanuto calls a judgment on him for, + many years before (when Podesta and Captain of Treviso), having + knocked down a bishop, who was sluggish in carrying the host at a + procession. He 'saddles him,' as Thwackum did Square, 'with a + judgment;' but he does not mention whether he had been punished at + the time for what would appear very strange, even now, and must + have been still more so in an age of papal power and glory. Sanuto + says, that Heaven took away his senses for this buffet, and induced + him to conspire. 'Pero fu permesso che il Faliero perdette + l'intelletto,' &c. + + "I do not know what your parlour-boarders will think of the Drama I + have founded upon this extraordinary event. The only similar one in + history is the story of Agis, King of Sparta, a prince _with_ the + commons against the aristocracy, and losing his life therefor. But + it shall be sent when copied. + + "I should be glad to know why your Quarter_ing_ Reviewers, at the + close of 'The Fall of Jerusalem,' accuse me of Manicheism? a + compliment to which the sweetener of 'one of the mightiest spirits' + by no means reconciles me. The poem they review is very noble; but + could they not do justice to the writer without converting him into + my religious antidote? I am not a Manichean, nor an _Any_-chean. I + should like to know what harm my 'poeshies' have done? I can't tell + what people mean by making me a hobgoblin." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 381. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Ravenna, August 31. 1820. + + "I have '_put my soul_' into the tragedy (as you _if_ it); but you + know that there are d----d souls as well as tragedies. Recollect + that it is not a political play, though it may look like it: it is + strictly historical. Read the history and judge. + + "Ada's picture is her mother's. I am glad of it--the mother made a + good daughter. Send me Gifford's opinion, and never mind the + Archbishop. I can neither send you away, nor give you a hundred + pistoles, nor a better taste: I send you a tragedy, and you ask for + 'facetious epistles;' a little like your predecessor, who advised + Dr. Prideaux to 'put some more humour into his Life of Mahomet.' + + "Bankes is a wonderful fellow. There is hardly one of my school or + college contemporaries that has not turned out more or less + celebrated. Peel, Palmerstone, Bankes, Hobhouse, Tavistock, Bob + Mills, Douglas Kinnaird, &c. &c. have all talked and been talked + about. + + "We are here going to fight a little next month, if the Huns don't + cross the Po, and probably if they do. I can't say more now. If any + thing happens, you have matter for a posthumous work, in MS.; so + pray be civil. Depend upon it, there will be savage work, if once + they begin here. The French courage proceeds from vanity, the + German from phlegm, the Turkish from fanaticism and opium, the + Spanish from pride, the English from coolness, the Dutch from + obstinacy, the Russian from insensibility, but the _Italian_ from + _anger_; so you'll see that they will spare nothing." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 382. TO MR. MOORE. + + "Ravenna, August 31, 1820. + + "D----n your 'mezzo cammin[79]'--you should say 'the prime of + life,' a much more consolatory phrase. Besides, it is not correct. + I was born in 1788, and consequently am but thirty-two. You are + mistaken on another point. The 'Sequin Box' never came into + requisition, nor is it likely to do so. It were better that it had, + for then a man is not _bound_, you know. As to reform, I did + reform--what would you have? 'Rebellion lay in his way, and he + found it.' I verily believe that nor you, nor any man of poetical + temperament, can avoid a strong passion of some kind. It is the + poetry of life. What should I have known or written, had I been a + quiet, mercantile politician, or a lord in waiting? A man must + travel, and turmoil, or there is no existence. Besides, I only + meant to be a Cavalier Servente, and had no idea it would turn out + a romance, in the Anglo fashion. + + "However, I suspect I know a thing or two of Italy--more than Lady + Morgan has picked up in her posting. What do Englishmen know of + Italians beyond their museums and saloons--and some hack * *, _en + passant_? Now, I have lived in the heart of their houses, in parts + of Italy freshest and least influenced by strangers,--have seen and + become (_pars magna fui_) a portion of their hopes, and fears, and + passions, and am almost inoculated into a family. This is to see + men and things as they are. + + "You say that I called you 'quiet [80]'--I don't recollect any + thing of the sort. On the contrary, you are always in scrapes. + + "What think you of the Queen? I hear Mr. Hoby says, 'that it makes + him weep to see her, she reminds him so much of Jane Shore.' + + "Mr. Hoby the bootmaker's heart is quite sore, + For seeing the Queen makes him think of Jane Shore; + And, in fact, * * + + Pray excuse this ribaldry. What is your poem about? Write and tell + me all about it and you. + + "Yours, &c. + + "P.S. Did you write the lively quiz on Peter Bell? It has wit + enough to be yours, and almost too much to be any body else's now + going. It was in Galignani the other day or week." + +[Footnote 79: I had congratulated him upon arriving at what Dante calls +the "mezzo cammin" of life, the age of thirty-three.] + +[Footnote 80: I had mistaken the concluding words of his letter of the +9th of June.] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 383. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Ravenna, September 7. 1820. + + "In correcting the proofs you must refer to the _manuscript_, + because there are in it various readings. Pray attend to this, and + choose what Gifford thinks best, Let me hear what he thinks of the + whole. + + "You speak of Lady * *'s illness; she is not of those who die:--the + amiable only do; and those whose death would _do good_ live. + Whenever she is pleased to return, it may be presumed she will take + her 'divining rod' along with her: it may be of use to her at home, + as well as to the 'rich man' of the Evangelists. + + "Pray do not let the papers paragraph me back to England. They may + say what they please, any loathsome abuse but that. Contradict it. + + "My last letters will have taught you to expect an explosion here: + it was primed and loaded, but they hesitated to fire the train. One + of the cities shirked from the league. I cannot write more at large + for a thousand reasons. Our 'puir hill folk' offered to strike, and + raise the first banner, but Bologna paused; and now 'tis autumn, + and the season half over. 'O Jerusalem! Jerusalem!' The Huns are on + the Po; but if once they pass it on their way to Naples, all Italy + will be behind them. The dogs--the wolves--may they perish like the + host of Sennacherib! If you want to publish the Prophecy of Dante, + you never will have a better time." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 384. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Ravenna, Sept. 11. 1820. + + "Here is another historical _note_ for you. I want to be as near + truth as the drama can be. + + "Last post I sent you a note fierce as Faliero himself[81], in + answer to a trashy tourist, who pretends that he could have been + introduced to me. Let me have a proof of it, that I may cut its + lava into some shape. + + "What Gifford says is very consolatory (of the first act). English, + sterling _genuine English_, is a desideratum amongst you, and I am + glad that I have got so much left; though Heaven knows how I + retain it: I _hear_ none but from my valet, and his is + _Nottinghamshire_: and I _see_ none but in your new publications, + and theirs is _no_ language at all, but jargon. Even your * * * * + is terribly stilted and affected, with '_very, very_' so soft and + pamby. + + "Oh! if ever I do come amongst you again, I will give you such a + 'Baviad and Maeviad!' not as good as the old, but even _better + merited_. There never was such a _set_ as your _ragamuffins_ (I + mean _not_ yours only, but every body's). What with the Cockneys, + and the Lakers, and the _followers_ of Scott, and Moore, and Byron, + you are in the very uttermost decline and degradation of + literature. I can't think of it without all the remorse of a + murderer. I wish that Johnson were alive again to crush them!" + +[Footnote 81: The angry note against English travellers appended to this +tragedy, in consequence of an assertion made by some recent tourist, +that he (or as it afterwards turned out, she) "had repeatedly declined +an introduction to Lord Byron while in Italy."] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 385. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Ravenna, Sept. 14. 1820. + + "What! not a line? Well, have it your own way. + + "I wish you would inform Perry, that his stupid paragraph is the + cause of all my newspapers being stopped in Paris. The fools + believe me in your infernal country, and have not sent on their + gazettes, so that I know nothing of your beastly trial of the + Queen. + + "I cannot avail myself of Mr. Gifford's remarks, because I have + received none, except on the first act. Yours, &c. + + "P.S. Do, pray, beg the editors of papers to say any thing + blackguard they please; but not to put me amongst their arrivals. + They do me more mischief by such nonsense than all their abuse can + do." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 386. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Ravenna, Sept. 21. 1820. + + "So you are at your old tricks again. This is the second packet I + have received unaccompanied by a single line of good, bad, or + indifferent. It is strange that you have never forwarded any + further observations of Gifford's. How am I to alter or amend, if I + hear no further? or does this silence mean that it is well enough + as it is, or too bad to be repaired? If the last, why do you not + say so at once, instead of playing pretty, while you know that soon + or late you must out with the truth. + + "Yours, &c. + + "P.S. My sister tells me that you sent to her to enquire where I + was, believing in my arrival, _driving a curricle_, &c. &c. into + Palace-yard. Do you think me a coxcomb or a madman, to be capable + of such an exhibition? My sister knew me better, and told you, that + could not be me. You might as well have thought me entering on 'a + pale horse,' like Death in the Revelations." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 387. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Ravenna, Sept. '23. 1820. + + "Get from Mr. Hobhouse, and send me a proof (with the Latin) of my + Hints from Horace; it has now the _nonum prematur in annum_ + complete for its production, being written at Athens in 1811. I + have a notion that, with some omissions of names and passages, it + will do; and I could put my late observations _for_ Pope amongst + the notes, with the date of 1820, and so on. As far as + versification goes, it is good; and, on looking back to what I + wrote about that period, I am astonished to see how _little_ I have + trained on. I wrote better then than now; but that comes of my + having fallen into the atrocious bad taste of the times. If I can + trim it for present publication, what with the other things you + have of mine, you will have a volume or two of _variety_ at least, + for there will be all measures, styles, and topics, whether good or + no. I am anxious to hear what Gifford thinks of the tragedy: pray + let me know. I really do not know what to think myself. + + "If the Germans pass the Po, they will be treated to a mass out of + the Cardinal de Retz's _Breviary_. * *'s a fool, and could not + understand this: Frere will. It is as pretty a conceit as you would + wish to see on a summer's day. + + "Nobody here believes a word of the evidence against the Queen. The + very mob cry shame against their countrymen, and say, that for half + the money spent upon the trial, any testimony whatever may be + brought out of Italy. This you may rely upon as fact. I told you as + much before. As to what travellers report, what _are travellers_? + Now I have _lived_ among the Italians--not _Florenced_, and + _Romed_, and galleried, and conversationed it for a few months, and + then home again; but been of their families, and friendships, and + feuds, and loves, and councils, and correspondence, in a part of + Italy least known to foreigners,--and have been amongst them of all + classes, from the Conte to the Contadine; and you may be sure of + what I say to you. + + "Yours," &c. + + * * * * * + +LETTER 388. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Ravenna, Sept. 28. 1820. + + "I thought that I had told you long ago, that it never was intended + nor written with any view to the stage. I have said so in the + preface too. It is too long and too regular for your stage, the + persons too few, and the _unity_ too much observed. It is more like + a play of Alfieri's than of your stage (I say this humbly in + speaking of that great man); but there is poetry, and it is equal + to Manfred, though I know not what esteem is held of Manfred. + + "I have now been nearly as long _out_ of England as I was there + during the time I saw you frequently. I came home July 14th, 1811, + and left again April 25th, 1816: so that Sept. 28th, 1820, brings + me within a very few months of the same duration of time of my stay + and my absence. In course, I can know nothing of the public taste + and feelings, but from what I glean from letters, &c. Both seem to + be as bad as possible. + + "I thought _Anastasius excellent_: did I not say so? Matthews's + Diary most excellent; it, and Forsyth, and parts of Hobhouse, are + all we have of truth or sense upon Italy. The Letter to Julia very + good indeed, I do not despise * * * * * *; but if she knit blue + stockings instead of wearing them, it would be better. _You_ are + taken in by that false stilted trashy style, which is a mixture of + all the styles of the day, which are _all bombastic_ (I don't + except my _own_--no one has done more through negligence to corrupt + the language); but it is neither English nor poetry. Time will + show. + + "I am sorry Gifford has made no further remarks beyond the first + Act: does he think all the English equally sterling as he thought + the first? You did right to send the proofs: I was a fool; but I do + really detest the sight of proofs: it is an absurdity; but comes + from laziness. + + "You can steal the two Juans into the world quietly, tagged to the + others. The play as you will--the Dante too; but the _Pulci_ I am + proud of: it is superb; you have no such translation. It is the + best thing I ever did in my life. I wrote the play from beginning + to end, and not a _single scene without interruption_, and being + obliged to break off in the middle; for I had my hands full, and my + head, too, just then; so it can be no great shakes--I mean the + play; and the head too, if you like. + + "P.S. Politics here still savage and uncertain. However, we are all + in our 'bandaliers,' to join the 'Highlanders if they cross the + Forth,' _i.e._ to crush the Austrians if they cross the Po. The + rascals!--and that dog Liverpool, to say their subjects are + _happy_! If ever I come back, I'll work some of these ministers. + + "Sept. 29. + + "I opened my letter to say, that on reading _more_ of the four + volumes on Italy, where the author says 'declined an introduction,' + I perceive (_horresco referens_) it is written by a WOMAN!!! In + that case you must suppress my note and answer, and all I have said + about the book and the writer. I never dreamed of it until now, in + my extreme wrath at that precious note. I can only say that I am + sorry that a lady should say any thing of the kind. What I would + have said to one of the other sex you know already. Her book too + (as a _she_ book) is not a bad one; but she evidently don't know + the Italians, or rather don't like them, and forgets the _causes_ + of their misery and profligacy (_Matthews_ and _Forsyth_ are your + men for truth and tact), and has gone over Italy in + _company_--_always_ a _bad_ plan: you must be _alone_ with people + to know them well. Ask her, who was the '_descendant of Lady M.W. + Montague_,' and by whom? by Algarotti? + + "I suspect that, in Marino Faliero, you and yours won't like the + _politics_, which are perilous to you in these times; but recollect + that it is _not a political_ play, and that I was obliged to put + into the mouths of the characters the sentiments upon which they + acted. I hate all things written like Pizarro, to represent France, + England, and so forth. All I have done is meant to be purely + Venetian, even to the very prophecy of its present state. + + "Your Angles in general know little of the _Italians_, who detest + them for their numbers and their GENOA treachery. Besides, the + English travellers have not been composed of the best company. How + could they?--out of 100,000, how many gentlemen were there, or + honest men? + + "Mitchell's Aristophanes is excellent. Send me the rest of it. + + "These fools will force me to write a book about Italy myself, to + give them 'the loud lie.' They prate about assassination; what is + it but the origin of duelling--and '_a wild justice_,' as Lord + Bacon calls it? It is the fount of the modern point of honour in + what the laws can't or _won't_ reach. Every man is liable to it + more or less, according to circumstances or place. For instance, I + am living here exposed to it daily, for I have happened to make a + powerful and unprincipled man my enemy;--and I never sleep the + worse for it, or ride in less solitary places, because precaution + is useless, and one thinks of it as of a disease which may or may + not strike. It is true that there are those here, who, if he did, + would 'live to think on't;' but that would not awake my bones: I + should be sorry if it would, were they once at rest." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 389. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Ravenna, 8bre 6 deg., 1820. + + "You will have now received all the Acts, corrected, of the Marino + Faliero. What you say of the 'bet of 100 guineas' made by some one + who says that he saw me last week, reminds me of what happened in + 1810: you can easily ascertain the fact, and it is an odd one. + + "In the latter end of 1811, I met one evening at the Alfred my old + school and form fellow (for we were within two of each other, _he_ + the higher, though both very near the top of our remove,) _Peel_, + the Irish secretary. He told me that, in 1810, he met me, as he + thought, in St. James's Street, but we passed without speaking. He + mentioned this, and it was denied as impossible, I being then in + Turkey. A day or two afterward, he pointed out to his brother a + person on the opposite side of the way:--'There,' said he, 'is the + man whom I took for Byron.' His brother instantly answered, 'Why, + it is Byron, and no one else.' But this is not all:--I was _seen_ + by somebody to _write down my name_ amongst the enquirers after the + King's health, then attacked by insanity. Now, at this very period, + as nearly as I could make out, I was ill of a _strong fever_ at + Patras, caught in the marshes near Olympia, from the _malaria_. If + I had died there, this would have been a new ghost story for you. + You can easily make out the accuracy of this from Peel himself, who + told it in detail. I suppose you will be of the opinion of + Lucretius, who (denies the immortality of the soul, but) asserts + that from the 'flying off of the surfaces of bodies, these surfaces + or cases, like the coats of an onion, are sometimes seen entire + when they are separated from it, so that the shapes and shadows of + both the dead and living are frequently beheld.' + + "But if they are, are their coats and waistcoats also seen? I do + not disbelieve that we may be two by some unconscious process, to a + certain sign, but which of these two I happen at present to be, I + leave you to decide. I only hope that _t'other me_ behaves like a + gemman. + + "I wish you would get Peel asked how far I am accurate in my + recollection of what he told me; for I don't like to say such + things without authority. + + "I am not sure that I was _not spoken_ with; but this also you can + ascertain. I have written to you such letters that I stop. + + "Yours, &c. + + "P.S. Last year (in June, 1819), I met at Count Mosti's, at + Ferrara, an Italian who asked me 'if I knew Lord Byron?' I told him + _no_ (no one knows himself, _you_ know). 'Then,' says he, 'I do; I + met him at Naples the other day.' I pulled out my card and asked + him if that was the way he spelt his name: he answered, _yes_. I + suspect that it was a blackguard navy surgeon, who attended a young + travelling madam about, and passed himself for a lord at the + post-houses. He was a vulgar dog--quite of the cock-pit order--and + a precious representative I must have had of him, if it was even + so; but I don't know. He passed himself off as a gentleman, and + squired about a Countess * * (of this place), then at Venice, an + ugly battered woman, of bad morals even for Italy." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 390. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Ravenna, 8bre 8 deg., 1820. + + "Foscolo's letter is exactly the thing wanted; firstly, because he + is a man of genius; and, next, because he is an Italian, and + therefore the best judge of Italics. Besides, + + "He's more an antique Roman than a Dane; + + that is, he is more of the ancient Greek than of the modern + Italian. Though 'somewhat,' as Dugald Dalgetty says, 'too wild and + sa_l_vage' (like 'Ronald of the Mist'), 'tis a wonderful man, and + my friends Hobhouse and Rose both swear by him; and they are good + judges of men and of Italian humanity. + + "Here are in all _two_ worthy voices gain'd: + + Gifford says it is good 'sterling genuine English,' and Foscolo + says that the characters are right Venetian. Shakspeare and Otway + had a million of advantages over me, besides the incalculable one + of being _dead_ from one to two centuries, and having been both + born blackguards (which ARE such attractions to the gentle living + reader); let me then preserve the only one which I could possibly + have--that of having been at Venice, and entered more into the + local spirit of it. I claim no more. + + "I know what Foscolo means about Calendaro's _spitting_ at Bertram; + _that's_ national--the objection, I mean. The Italians and French, + with those 'flags of abomination,' their pocket handkerchiefs, spit + there, and here, and every where else--in your face almost, and + therefore _object_ to it on the stage as _too familiar_. But we who + _spit_ nowhere--but in a man's face when we grow savage--are not + likely to feel this. Remember _Massinger_, and Kean's Sir Giles + Overreach-- + + "Lord! _thus_ I _spit_ at thee and at thy counsel! + + Besides, Calendaro does _not_ spit in Bertram's face; he spits _at_ + him, as I have seen the Mussulmans do upon the ground when they are + in a rage. Again, he _does not in fact despise_ Bertram, though he + affects it--as we all do, when angry with one we think our + inferior. He is angry at not being allowed to die in his own way + (although not afraid of death); and recollect that he suspected and + hated Bertram from the first. Israel Bertuccio, on the other hand, + is a cooler and more concentrated fellow: he acts upon _principle + and impulse_; Calendaro upon _impulse_ and _example_. + + "So there's argument for you. + + "The Doge _repeats_;--_true_, but it is from engrossing passion, + and because he sees _different_ persons, and is always obliged to + recur to the _cause_ uppermost in his mind. His speeches are + long:--true, but I wrote for the _closet_, and on the French and + Italian model rather than yours, which I think not very highly of, + for all your _old_ dramatists, who are long enough too, God + knows:--_look_ into any of them. + + "I return you Foscolo's letter, because it alludes also to his + private affairs. I am sorry to see such a man in straits, because I + know what they are, or what they were. I never met but three men + who would have held out a finger to me: one was yourself, the other + William Bankes, and the other a nobleman long ago dead: but of + these the first was the only one who offered it while I _really_ + wanted it; the second from good will--but I was not in need of + Bankes's aid, and would not have accepted it if I had (though I + love and esteem him); and the _third_ --------.[82] + + "So you see that I have seen some strange things in my time. As for + your own offer, it was in 1815, when I was in actual uncertainty of + five pounds. I rejected it; but I have not forgotten it, although + you probably have. + + "P.S. Foscolo's Ricciardo was lent, with the _leaves uncut_, to + some Italians, now in villeggiatura, so that I have had no + opportunity of hearing their decision, or of reading it. They + seized on it as Foscolo's, and on account of the beauty of the + paper and printing, directly. If I find it takes, I will reprint it + _here_. The Italians think as highly of Foscolo as they can of any + man, divided and miserable as they are, and with neither leisure at + present to read, nor head nor heart to judge of any thing but + extracts from French newspapers and the Lugano Gazette. + + "We are all looking at one another, like wolves on their prey in + pursuit, only waiting for the first falling on to do unutterable + things. They are a great world in chaos, or angels in hell, which + you please; but out of chaos came Paradise, and out of hell--I + don't know what; but the devil went _in_ there, and he was a fine + fellow once, you know. + + "You need never favour me with any periodical publication, except + the Edinburgh Quarterly, and an occasional Blackwood; or now and + then a Monthly Review; for the rest I do not feel curiosity enough + to look beyond their covers. + + "To be sure I took in the British finely. He fell precisely into + the glaring trap laid for him. It was inconceivable how he could be + so absurd as to imagine us serious with him. + + "Recollect, that if you put my name to 'Don Juan' in these canting + days, any lawyer might oppose my guardian right of my daughter in + Chancery, on the plea of its containing the _parody_;--such are the + perils of a foolish jest. I was not aware of this at the time, but + you will find it correct, I believe; and you may be sure that the + Noels would not let it slip. Now I prefer my child to a poem at any + time, and so should you, as having half a dozen. + + "Let me know your notions. + + "If you turn over the earlier pages of the Huntingdon peerage + story, you will see how common a name Ada was in the early + Plantagenet days. I found it in my own pedigree in the reign of + John and Henry, and gave it to my daughter. It was also the name of + Charlemagne's sister. It is in an early chapter of Genesis, as the + name of the wife of Lamech; and I suppose Ada is the feminine of + _Adam_. It is short, ancient, vocalic, and had been in my family; + for which reason I gave it to my daughter." + +[Footnote 82: The paragraph is left thus imperfect in the original.] + + * * * * * + +LETTER 391. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Ravenna, 8bre 12 deg., 1820. + + "By land and sea carriage a considerable quantity of books have + arrived; and I am obliged and grateful: but 'medio de fonte + leporum, surgit amari aliquid,' &c. &c.; which, being interpreted, + means, + + "I'm thankful for your books, dear Murray; + But why not send Scott's Monast_ery_? + + the only book in four _living_ volumes I would give a baioccolo to + see--'bating the rest of the same author, and an occasional + Edinburgh and Quarterly, as brief chroniclers of the times. Instead + of this, here are Johnny Keats's * * poetry, and three novels by + God knows whom, except that there is Peg * * *'s name to one of + them--a spinster whom I thought we had sent back to her spinning. + Crayon is very good; Hogg's Tales rough, but RACY, and welcome. + + "Books of travels are expensive, and I don't want them, having + travelled already; besides, they lie. Thank the author of 'The + Profligate' for his (or her) present. Pray send me _no more_ poetry + but what is rare and decidedly good. There is such a trash of Keats + and the like upon my tables that I am ashamed to look at them. I + say nothing against your parsons, your S * *s and your C * *s--it + is all very fine--but pray dispense me from the pleasure. Instead + of poetry, if you will favour me with a few soda-powders, I shall + be delighted: but all prose ('bating _travels_ and novels NOT by + Scott) is welcome, especially Scott's Tales of my Landlord, and so + on. + + "In the notes to Marino Faliero, it may be as well to say that + '_Benintende_' was not really of _the Ten_, but merely _Grand + Chancellor_, a separate office (although important): it was an + arbitrary alteration of mine. The Doges too were all _buried_ in + St. _Mark's before_ Faliero. It is singular that when his + predecessor, Andrea Dandolo, died, _the Ten_ made a law that _all_ + the _future Doges_ should be _buried with their families, in their + own churches,--one would think by a kind of presentiment_. So that + all that is said of his _ancestral Doges_, as buried at St. John's + and Paul's, is altered from the fact, _they being in St. Mark's. + Make a note_ of this, and put _Editor_ as the subscription to it. + + "As I make such pretensions to accuracy, I should not like to be + _twitted_ even with such trifles on that score. Of the play they + may say what they please, but not so of my costume and _dram. + pers._ they having been real existences. + + "I omitted Foscolo in my list of living _Venetian worthies, in the + notes_, considering him as an _Italian_ in general, and not a mere + provincial like the rest; and as an Italian I have spoken of him in + the preface to Canto 4th of Childe Harold. + + "The French translation of us!!! _oime! oime!_--the German; but I + don't understand the latter and his long dissertation at the end + about the Fausts. Excuse haste. Of politics it is not safe to + speak, but nothing is decided as yet. + + "I am in a very fierce humour at not having Scott's Monastery. You + are _too liberal_ in quantity, and somewhat careless of the + quality, of your missives. All the _Quarterlies_ (four in number) I + had had before from you, and _two_ of the Edinburgh; but no matter; + we shall have new ones by and by. No more Keats, I entreat:--flay + him alive; if some of you don't, I must skin him myself. There is + no bearing the drivelling idiotism of the manikin. + + "I don't feel inclined to care further about 'Don Juan.' What do + you think a very pretty Italian lady said to me the other day? She + had read it in the French, and paid me some compliments, with due + DRAWBACKS, upon it. I answered that what she said was true, but + that I suspected it would live longer than Childe Harold. '_Ah + but_' (said she). '_I would rather have the fame of Childe Harold + for three years than an_ IMMORTALITY _of Don Juan!_' The truth is + that _it is_ TOO TRUE, and the women hate many things which strip + off the tinsel of _sentiment_; and they are right, as it would rob + them of their weapons. I never knew a woman who did not hate _De + Grammont's Memoirs_ for the same reason: even Lady * * used to + abuse them. + + "Rose's work I never received. It was seized at Venice. Such is the + liberality of the Huns, with their two hundred thousand men, that + they dare not let such a volume as his circulate." + + * * * * * + +LETTER 392. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Ravenna, 8bre 16 deg., 1820. + + "The Abbot has just arrived; many thanks; as also for the + _Monastery--when you send it!!!_ + + "The Abbot will have a more than ordinary interest for me, for an + ancestor of mine by the mother's side, Sir J. Gordon of Gight, the + handsomest of his day, died on a scaffold at Aberdeen for his + loyalty to Mary, of whom he was an imputed paramour as well as her + relation. His fate was much commented on in the Chronicles of the + times. If I mistake not, he had something to do with her escape + from Loch Leven, or with her captivity there. But this you will + know better than I. + + "I recollect Loch Leven as it were but yesterday. I saw it in my + way to England in 1798, being then ten years of age. My mother, who + was as haughty as Lucifer with her descent from the Stuarts, and + her right line from the _old Gordons, not the Seyton Gordons_, as + she disdainfully termed the ducal branch, told me the story, always + reminding me how superior _her_ Gordons were to the southern + Byrons, notwithstanding our Norman, and always masculine descent, + which has never lapsed into a female, as my mother's Gordons had + done in her own person. + + "I have written to you so often lately, that the brevity of this + will be welcome. Yours," &c. + + * * * * * + +LETTER 393. TO MR. MURRAY. + + "Ravenna, 8bre 17 deg., 1820. + + "Enclosed is the Dedication of Marino Faliero to _Goethe_. + Query,--is his title _Baron_ or not? I think yes. Let me know your + opinion, and so forth. + + "P.S. Let me know what Mr. Hobhouse and you have decided about the + two prose letters and their publication. + + "I enclose you an Italian abstract of the German translator of + Manfred's Appendix, in which you will perceive quoted what Goethe + says of the _whole body_ of English poetry (and _not_ of me in + particular). On this the Dedication is founded, as you will + perceive, though I had thought of it before, for I look upon him as + a great man." + + * * * * * + +The very singular Dedication transmitted with this letter has never +before been published, nor, as far as I can learn, ever reached the +hands of the illustrious German. It is written in the poet's most +whimsical and mocking mood; and the unmeasured severity poured out in it +upon the two favourite objects of his wrath and ridicule compels me to +deprive the reader of some of its most amusing passages. + +DEDICATION TO BARON GOETHE, &c. &c. &c. + + "Sir,--In the Appendix to an English work lately translated into + German and published at Leipsic, a judgment of yours upon English + poetry is quoted as follows: 'That in English poetry, great genius, + universal power, a feeling of profundity, with sufficient + tenderness and force, are to be found; but that _altogether these + do not constitute poets_,' &c. &c. + + "I regret to see a great man falling into a great mistake. This + opinion of yours only proves that the '_Dictionary of ten thousand + living English Authors_' has not been translated into German. You + will have read, in your friend Schlegel's version, the dialogue in + Macbeth-- + + "'There are _ten thousand_! + _Macbeth_. _Geese_, villain? + _Answer_. _Authors_, sir.' + + Now, of these 'ten thousand authors,' there are actually nineteen + hundred and eighty-seven poets, all alive at this moment, whatever + their works may be, as their booksellers well know; and amongst + these there are several who possess a far greater reputation than + mine, although considerably less than yours. It is owing to this + neglect on the part of your German translators that you are not + aware of the works of * * *. + + "There is also another, named * * * * + + "I mention these poets by way of sample to enlighten you. They form + but two bricks of our Babel, (WINDSOR bricks, by the way,) but may + serve for a specimen of the building. + + "It is, moreover, asserted that 'the predominant character of the + whole body of the present English poetry is a _disgust_ and + _contempt_ for life.' But I rather suspect that, by one single work + of _prose_, _you_ yourself have excited a greater contempt for life + than all the English volumes of poesy that ever were written. + Madame de Stael says, that 'Werther has occasioned more suicides + than the most beautiful woman;' and I really believe that he has + put more individuals out of this world than Napoleon himself, + except in the way of his profession. Perhaps, Illustrious Sir, the + acrimonious judgment passed by a celebrated northern journal upon + you in particular, and the Germans in general, has rather + indisposed you towards English poetry as well as criticism. But you + must not regard our critics, who are at bottom good-natured + fellows, considering their two professions,--taking up the law in + court, and laying it down out of it. No one can more lament their + hasty and unfair judgment, in your particular, than I do; and I so + expressed myself to your friend Schlegel, in 1816, at Coppet. + + "In behalf of my 'ten thousand' living brethren, and of myself, I + have thus far taken notice of an opinion expressed with regard to + 'English poetry' in general, and which merited notice, because it + was YOURS. + + "My principal object in addressing you was to testify my sincere + respect and admiration of a man, who, for half a century, has led + the literature of a great nation, and will go down to posterity as + the first literary character of his age. + + "You have been fortunate, Sir, not only in the writings which have + illustrated your name, but in the name itself, as being + sufficiently musical for the articulation of posterity. In this you + have the advantage of some of your countrymen, whose names would + perhaps be immortal also--if any body could pronounce them. + + "It may, perhaps, be supposed, by this apparent tone of levity, + that I am wanting in intentional respect towards you; but this will + be a mistake: I am always flippant in prose. Considering you, as I + really and warmly do, in common with all your own, and with most + other nations, to be by far the first literary character which has + existed in Europe since the death of Voltaire, I felt, and feel, + desirous to inscribe to you the following work,--_not_ as being + either a tragedy or a _poem_, (for I cannot pronounce upon its + pretensions to be either one or the other, or both, or neither,) + but as a mark of esteem and admiration from a foreigner to the man + who has been hailed in Germany 'THE GREAT GOETHE.' + + "I have the honour to be, + + "With the truest respect, + + "Your most obedient and + + "Very humble servant, + + "BYRON. + + "Ravenna, 8bre 14 deg., 1820. + + "P.S. I perceive that in Germany, as well as in Italy, there is a + great struggle about what they call '_Classical_' and + '_Romantic_,'--terms which were not subjects of classification in + England, at least when I left it four or five years ago. Some of + the English scribblers, it is true, abused Pope and Swift, but the + reason was that they themselves did not know how to write either + prose or verse; but nobody thought them worth making a sect of. + Perhaps there may be something of the kind sprung up lately, but I + have not heard much about it, and it would be such bad taste that I + shall be very sorry to believe it." + + +END OF THE FOURTH VOLUME. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Life of Lord Byron, Vol. IV, by Thomas Moore + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE OF LORD BYRON, VOL. 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