2461. Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 17 July 1814 ⁠* 

17 July 1814.

My dear Grosvenor

The two concluding books of Roderick [1]  go off this evening in a parcel to the Docstor. Laus Deo! [2]  The Printer used xxx in old times to put this at the end of a book, & I am sure I have reason to do so now, having compleated a poem of 7000 lines. The press is now waiting for the books in your hands, [3]  – Croker would direct them to me at any time. Pray do not detain them longer than is necessary. This is the first thing which I have to say. The next is concerning the Dedication. You know very well that the thought of addressing it to the Prince would never have entered my head, had it not seemed proper that as a Poet I should pay offer him some mark of respect & this has been sufficiently done by beöding him. [4]  Any thing farther would be doing too much, & you know me well enough to be certain that I should rather err on the other side. Roderick therefore will go into the world with a dedication much more accordant to my feelings. It is in Latin because a man may promise himself immortality with a better grace in that language than he can do in English, but I was never expert in Latin composition, & for twenty years have entirely disused it, [5]  so that I may very <well> distrust myself now in attempting that wherein I should at no time have felt confident. However a man in his senses cannot xxxxxxxx be drownd in shallow water, & before this gets to the press I shall see Knox [6]  & ask him if it can be mended.

Grosvenori Carolo Bedford

hocce poema

in perpetuam amicitiæ memorium

Licat

Robertus Southey [7] 

I am not quite sure about the second line, nor whether the fourth ought not rather to be dicat dedicat qui. [8]  Tell me if you can. Had Elmsley been in England I should have applied to him.

These last books are tragedy of a peculiar kind, – mournful but not distressing, – for you acquiesce in the catastrophe, & wish for it. Admire Orelio [9]  I charge you, & if you name your next horse after him I shall not be offended, provided it be a good horse, & milk. The reason for his colour is that Santiago rides a white horse. [10] 

I hear of the Bust [11]  from all quarters except from three persons to whom I should give it. Neither Tom nor John May, have received it, – mine is not arrived, – & I suppose my Uncle may also be still looking for his. I have desired the Docstor, living near, to make enquiry about them, & expedite their delivery

I have been looking very anxiously to hear of your own health & of your mother

God bless you

RS.