verb--"Wer zuerst kommt mahlt zuerst"
(_First come first served_).

I for my part, that I might not lie so wholly at the mercy of this
tyrant--_Haste_, struck out a fresh path--in which you, Sir, were so
obliging as to assist me. But see what new troubles arise out of this
to the unhappy translator. The world pretends to doubt whether the novel
is really yours:[1] people actually begin to talk of your friend Washington
Irving as the author, and God knows whom beside. As if any man, poets out
of the question, could be supposed capable of an act of self-sacrifice so
severe as that of writing a romance in 3 vols. under the name of a friend.

All this tends to drive us translators to utter despair. However I, in
my garret, comfort myself by exclaiming "Odi profanum--," if I cannot
altogether subjoin--"et arceo." From your obliging disposition, Sir
Walter, I anticipate the gratification of a few lines by the next post
establishing the authenticity of Walladmor. Should these lines even not
be duly certified "coram notario duobusque testibus," yet if
transmitted through the embassy--they will sufficiently attest their
own legitimacy as well as that of your youngest child Walladmor.

Notwithstanding what I have said about _haste_, I fear that haste has
played me a trick here and there. The fact is--we are in dread of three
simultaneous translations of Walladmor from three different publishers:
and you will hardly believe how much the anxiety lest another
translation should get the start of us can shake the stoutest of
translating hearts. The names of Lindau--Methusalem Mueller--Dr.
Spieker--Von Halem--and Loz[2] sound awfully in the ears of us
gentlemen of the trade. And now, alas! as many more are crowding into
this Quinquevirate.

Should it happen that the recent versions of your works had not
entirely satisfied your judgment, and that mine of Walladmor _had_,--I
would in that case esteem myself greatly flattered by your _again_
sending me through the house of B---- a copy of the manuscript of your
next romance; in provision for which case I do here by anticipation
acknowledge my obligations to you; and in due form of law bind myself
over:

1. To the making good all expenses of "copy," &c.;

2. To the translation of both prose and verse according to the best of
my poor abilities; that your eminent name may not fall into discredit
through the translator's incompetence;

3. To all possible affection, friendship, respect