espise our arch-Goth, Theodoric. I must leave it to these
worthies to entertain you all the fore part of the day, seeing that
I have none at all myself--the lark that rouses me from my
slumbers, being an afternoon bird. But, then, all your evenings,
and as much as you can give me of your nights, will be mine. Ay!
and you will find me eating flesh, too, like yourself or any other
cannibal, except it be upon Fridays. Then, there are more Cantos
(and be d----d to them) of what the courteous reader, Mr. S----,
calls Grub Street, in my drawer, which I have a little scheme to
commit to your charge for England; only I must first cut up (or cut
down) two aforesaid Cantos into three, because I am grown base and
mercenary, and it is an ill precedent to let my Mecaenas, Murray,
get too much for his money. I am busy, also, with
Pulci--translating--servilely translating, stanza for stanza, and
line for line--two octaves every night,--the same allowance as at
Venice.

"Would you call at your banker's at Bologna, and ask him for some
letters lying there for me, and burn them?--or I will--so do not
burn them, but bring them,--and believe me ever and very
affectionately Yours,

"BYRON.

"P.S. I have a particular wish to hear from yourself something
about Cyprus, so pray recollect all that you can.--Good night."

* * * * *

LETTER 357. TO MR. MURRAY.

"Ravenna, February 21. 1820.

"The bull-dogs will be very agreeable. I have only those of this
country, who, though good, have not the tenacity of tooth and
stoicism in endurance of my canine fellow-citizens: then pray send
them by the readiest conveyance--perhaps best by sea. Mr. Kinnaird
will disburse for them, and deduct from the amount on your
application or that of Captain Tyler.

"I see the good old King is gone to his place. One can't help being
sorry, though blindness, and age, and insanity, are supposed to be
drawbacks on human felicity; but I am not at all sure that the
latter, at least, might not render him happier than any of his
subjects.

"I have no thoughts of coming to the coronation, though I should
like to see it, and though I have a right to be a puppet in it; but
my division with Lady Byron, which has drawn an equinoctial line
between me and