“Lisboa is the Portuguese word, consequently the very best. Ulissipont is pedantic; and, as I have Hellas and Eros not long before, there would be something like an affectation of Greek terms, which I wish to avoid, since I shall have a perilous quantity of modern Greek in my notes, as specimens of the tongue; therefore Lisboa may keep its place. You are right about the ‘Hints;’ they must not precede the ‘Romaunt;’ but Cawthorn will be savage if they don’t; however, keep them back, and him in good humour, if we can, but do not let him publish.
“I have adopted, I believe, most of your suggestions, but
‘Lisboa’ will be an exception, to prove the rule. I have sent a quantity of
notes, and shall continue; but pray let them be copied; no devil can read my hand. By
the by, I do not mean to exchange the ninth verse of the ‘Good Night.’ I
have no reason to suppose my dog better than his
| A. D. 1811. | LIFE OF LORD BYRON. | 299 |
“I will be angry with Murray. It was a bookselling, back-shop, Paternoster-row, paltry proceeding, and if the experiment had turned out as it deserved, I would have raised all Fleet-street, and borrowed the giant’s staff from St. Dunstan’s church, to immolate the betrayer of trust. I have written to him as he never was written to before by an author, I’ll be sworn, and I hope you will amplify my wrath, till it has an effect upon him. You tell me always you have much to write about. Write it, but let us drop metaphysics;—on that point we shall never agree. I am dull and drowsy, as usual. I do nothing, and even that nothing fatigues me. Adieu.”
