[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 the