Memoir of John Murray
Lord Byron to William Richard Beckford Miller, 30 July 1811
I am perfectly aware of the justice of your remarks, and am
convinced that if ever the poem is published the same
206 | MEMOIRS OF JOHN MURRAY | |
objections will be made in much stronger terms. But, as it was intended to be a
poem on Ariosto’s plan, that is
to say on no plan at all, and, as is usual in similar
cases, having a predilection for the worst passages, I shall retain those
parts, though I cannot venture to defend them. Under these circumstances I
regret that you decline the publication, on my own account, as I think the book
would have done better in your hands; the pecuniary part, you know, I have
nothing to do with . . . But I can perfectly conceive, and indeed approve your
reasons, and assure you my sensations are not Archiepiscopal enough as yet to regret the rejection of my Homilies.
I am, Sir, your very obedient, humble
servant,
Ludovico Ariosto (1474-1533)
Italian poet, author of the epic romance
Orlando Furioso
(1532).