[Footnote 49:  It will be observed, from this and a few other instances, that notwithstanding the wonderful purity of English he was able to preserve in his writings, while living constantly with persons speaking a different language, he had already begun so far to feel the influence of this habit as to fall occasionally into Italianisms in his familiar letters.—­“I am in the case to know”—­“I have caused write”—­“It regrets me,” &c.]

[Footnote 50:  An anonymous letter which he had received, threatening him with assassination.]

[Footnote 51:  In this note, so highly honourable to the fair writer, she says, “Remember, my Byron, the promise you have made me.  Never shall I be able to tell you the satisfaction I feel from it, so great are the sentiments of pleasure and confidence with which the sacrifice you have made has inspired me.”  In a postscript to the note she adds, “I am only sorry that Don Juan was not left in the infernal regions.”—­“Ricordati, mio Byron, della promessa che mi hai fatta.  Non potrei mai dirti la satisfazione ch’ io ne provo!—­sono tanti i sentimenti di piacere e di confidenza che il tuo sacrificio m’inspira.”—­“Mi reveresce solo che Don Giovanni non resti all’ Inferno.”

In enclosing the lady’s note to Mr. Murray, July 4th, Lord B. says, “This is the note of acknowledgment for the promise not to continue Don Juan.  She says, in the postscript, that she is only sorry that D.J. does not remain in Hell (or go there)".]

* * * * *

LETTER 451.  TO MR. MURRAY.

     “Ravenna, September 12. 1821.

“By Tuesday’s post, I forwarded, in three packets, the drama of Cain in three acts, of which I request the acknowledgment when arrived.  To the last speech of Eve, in the last act (i.e. where she curses Cain), add these three lines to the concluding one—­

        “May the grass wither from thy foot! the woods
        Deny thee shelter! earth a home! the dust
        A grave! the sun his light! and Heaven her God!

“There’s as pretty a piece of imprecation for you, when joined to the lines already sent, as you may wish to meet with in the course of your business.  But don’t forget the addition of the above three lines, which are clinchers to Eve’s speech.

     “Let me know what Gifford thinks (if the play arrives in safety);
     for I have a good opinion of the piece, as poetry; it is in my gay
     metaphysical style, and in the Manfred line.

“You must at least commend my facility and variety, when you consider what I have done within the last fifteen months, with my head, too, full of other and of mundane matters.  But no doubt you will avoid saying any good of it, for fear I should raise the price upon you:  that’s right:  stick to business.  Let me know what your other ragamuffins are writing,