2447. Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 19 June 1814 ⁠* 

Sunday. 19 June 1814

My dear Grosvenor

I need not say how fully I can xx understand your present feelings. [1]  Under all circumstances this is one of those events <cases> in which we must think not of hope, but of resignation. The daily probability of its occurrence for some years past will not have lessened the shock. Remember that few of us in these days have their parents spared to them so long as it has been your lot to enjoy them, – remember also that still fewer have performed their duty to them so entirely as yourself.

Let me hear from you immediately. Tho it may be an effort to take the pen, – you will find it a relief before you lay it down.

I write to Longman  [2]  to hurry thro the press before the Kings leave England: – & if this be impossible, still to publish making only a slight alteration of title. In the latter case I may probably add some other odes –  [3] 

God bless you my dear Grosvenor

RS.