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The Works of Lord Byron: Letters and Journals, Volume 2
The Works of Lord Byron Letters and Journals Volume 2 Author:Lord Byron Sir,--A domestic calamity in the death of a near relation [2] has — hitherto prevented my addressing you on the subject of this letter. My — friend, Mr. Dallas, [3] has placed in your hands a manuscript poem — written by me in Greece, which he tells me you do not object to — publishing. But he also informed me in London that you wished to send — the ... more »MS. to Mr. Gifford. [4] Now, though no one would feel more gratified
by the chance of obtaining his observations on a work than myself, there
is in such a proceeding a kind of petition for praise, that neither my
pride--or whatever you please to call it--will admit.
Mr. G. is not only the first satirist of the day, but editor of one of
the principal reviews. As such, he is the last man whose censure
(however eager to avoid it) I would deprecate by clandestine means. You
will therefore retain the manuscript in your own care, or, if it must
needs be shown, send it to another. Though not very patient of censure,
I would fain obtain fairly any little praise my rhymes might deserve, at
all events not by extortion, and the humble solicitations of a
bandied-about MS. I am sure a little consideration will convince you it
would be wrong.
If you determine on publication, I have some smaller poems (never
published), a few notes, and a short dissertation on the literature of
the modern Greeks (written at Athens), which will come in at the end of
the volume.--And, if the present poem should succeed, it is my
intention, at some subsequent period, to publish some selections from my
first work,--my Satire,--another nearly the same length, and a few other
things, with the MS. now in your hands, in two volumes.--But of these
hereafter. You will apprize me of your determination.
I am, Sir, your very obedient, humble servant,« less