The Works of Lord Byron: Letters and Journals Volume II Part 76

I really think the writer in most parts very right. The only mortifying thing is the accusation of imitation.

_Crabbe's pa.s.sage_ I never saw; and Scott I no further meant to follow than in his _lyric_ measure, which is Gray's, Milton's, and any one's who likes it. 'The Giaour' is certainly a bad character, but not dangerous: and I think his fate and his feelings will meet with few proselytes. I shall be very glad to hear from or of you, when you please; but don't put yourself out of your way on my account.

Yours ever,

B.

[Footnote 1: 'The British Review' (No. ix.) criticized 'The Giaour'

severely (pp. 132-145). "Lord Byron," it says, "has had the bad taste to imitate Mr. Walter Scott" (p. 135). Further on (p. 139) it charges him with borrowing a simile from Crabbe's 'Resentment'. The pa.s.sage to which the reviewer alludes will be found in lines 11-16 of that poem:

"Those are like wax--apply them to the fire, Melting, they take th' impressions you desire: Easy to mould, and fas.h.i.+on as you please, And again moulded with an equal ease: Like smelted iron these the forms retain; But, once impress'd, will never melt again."]

344.--To the Hon. Augusta Leigh.

(Monday), Nov'r. 8th, 1813.

My Dearest Augusta,--I have only time to say that I shall write tomorrow, and that my present and long silence has been occasioned by a thousand things (with which _you_ are not concerned). It is not L'y C.

nor O.; but perhaps you may _guess_, and, if you do, do not tell.

You do not know what mischief your being with me might have prevented.

You shall hear from me tomorrow; in the mean time don't be alarmed. I am in _no immediate_ peril.

Believe me, ever yours,

B.

345.--To John Murray.

(Nov. 12, 1813. With first proof of _Bride of Abydos_ correct.)

Dear Sir,--I have looked over--corrected--and added--_all_ of which you may do too--at least _certainly_ the _two_ first. There is more MS.

_within_. Let me know tomorrow at your leisure _how_ and _when_ we shall proceed! It looks better than I thought at first. _Look over_ again. I suspect some omissions on my part and on the printers'.

Yours ever,

B.

Always print "een" "even." I utterly abhor "een"--if it must be contracted, be it "ev'n."

346.--To William Gifford.

November 12, 1813.

My Dear Sir,--I hope you will consider, when I venture on any request, that it is the reverse of a certain Dedication, and is addressed, _not_ to "The Editor of the 'Quarterly Review'" but to Mr. Gifford. You will understand this, and on that point I need trouble you no farther.

You have been good enough to look at a thing of mine in MS.--a Turkish story, and I should feel gratified if you would do it the same favour in its probationary state of printing. It was written, I cannot say for amus.e.m.e.nt, nor "obliged by hunger and request of friends," [1] but in a state of mind, from circ.u.mstances which occasionally occur to "us youth," that rendered it necessary for me to apply my mind to something, any thing but reality; and under this not very brilliant inspiration it was composed. Being done, and having at least diverted me from myself, I thought you would not perhaps be offended if Mr. Murray forwarded it to you. He has done so, and to apologise for his doing so a second time is the object of my present letter.

I beg you will _not_ send me any answer. I a.s.sure you very sincerely I know your time to be occupied, and it is enough, more than enough, if you read; you are not to be bored with the fatigue of answers.

A word to Mr. Murray will be sufficient, and send it either to the flames or

"A hundred hawkers' load, On wings of wind to fly or fall abroad."

It deserves no better than the first, as the work of a week, and scribbled 'stans pede in uno' [2], (by the by, the only foot I have to stand on); and I promise never to trouble you again under forty cantos, and a voyage between each. Believe me ever,

Your obliged and affectionate servant,

BYRON.