ueen's men at bottom. But there is no resisting a clinch--it is so
clever! Apropos of that--we have a 'diphthong' also in this part of
the world--not a _Greek_, but a _Spanish_ one--do you understand
me?--which is about to blow up the whole alphabet. It was first
pronounced at Naples, and is spreading; but we are nearer the
Barbarians; who are in great force on the Po, and will pass it,
with the first legitimate pretext.

"There will be the devil to pay, and there is no saying who will or
who will not be set down in his bill. If 'honour should come
unlooked for' to any of your acquaintance, make a Melody of it,
that his ghost, like poor Yorick's, may have the satisfaction of
being plaintively pitied--or still more nobly commemorated, like
'Oh breathe not his name.' In case you should not think him worth
it, here is a Chant for you instead--

"When a man hath no freedom to fight for at home,
Let him combat for that of his neighbours;
Let him think of the glories of Greece and of Rome,
And get knock'd on the head for his labours.

"To do good to mankind is the chivalrous plan,
And is always as nobly requited;
Then battle for freedom wherever you can,
And, if not shot or hang'd, you'll get knighted.

"So you have gotten the letter of 'Epigrams'--I am glad of it. You
will not be so, for I shall send you more. Here is one I wrote for
the endorsement of 'the Deed of Separation' in 1816; but the
lawyers objected to it, as superfluous. It was written as we were
getting up the signing and sealing. * * has the original.

"_Endorsement to the Deed of Separation, in the April of 1816._

"A year ago you swore, fond she!
'To love, to honour, and so forth:
Such was the vow you pledged to me,
And here's exactly what 'tis worth.

"For the anniversary of January 2. 1821, I have a small grateful
anticipation, which, in case of accident, I add--

"_To Penelope, January 2. 1821._

"This day, of all our days, has done
The worst for me and you:--
'Tis just _six_ years since we were _one_,
And _five_ since we were _two_.

"Pray excuse all this nonsense; for I must talk nonsense just now,
for fear of wandering to more serious topics, which, in the present
state of th