the despot at our feet,
And dye it deep in the gore he has pour'd.

"Though black as his heart its hue,
Since his veins are corrupted to mud,
Yet this is the dew
Which the tree shall renew
Of Liberty, planted by Ludd!

"There's an amiable _chanson_ for you--all impromptu. I have
written it principally to shock your neighbour * * * *, who is all
clergy and loyalty--mirth and innocence--milk and water.

"But the Carnival's coming,
Oh Thomas Moore,
The Carnival's coming,
Oh Thomas Moore,
Masking and humming,
Fifing and drumming,
Guitarring and strumming,
Oh Thomas Moore.

The other night I saw a new play,--and the author. The subject was
the sacrifice of Isaac. The play succeeded, and they called for the
author--according to continental custom--and he presented himself,
a noble Venetian, Mali, or Malapiero, by name. Mala was his name,
and _pessima_ his production,--at least, I thought so, and I ought
to know, having read more or less of five hundred Drury Lane
offerings, during my coadjutorship with the sub-and-super
Committee.

"When does your poem of poems come out? I hear that the E.R. has
cut up Coleridge's Christabel, and declared against me for praising
it. I praised it, firstly, because I thought well of it; secondly,
because Coleridge was in great distress, and, after doing what
little I could for him in essentials, I thought that the public
avowal of my good opinion might help him further, at least with the
booksellers. I am very sorry that J * * has attacked him, because,
poor fellow, it will hurt him in mind and pocket. As for me, he's
welcome--I shall never think less of J * * for any thing he may say
against me or mine in future.

"I suppose Murray has sent you, or will send (for I do not know
whether they are out or no) the poem, or poesies, of mine, of last
summer. By the mass! they are sublime--'Ganion Coheriza'--gainsay
who dares! Pray, let me hear from you, and of you, and, at least,
let me know that you have received these three letters. Direct,
right _here, poste restante_.

"Ever and ever, &c.

"P.S. I heard the other day of a pretty trick of a bookseller, who
has published some d----d nonsense, swearing the bast