2769. Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 24 April [1816]⁠* 

Wednesday 24 April.

My dear Grosvenor

You remember the two remedies for grief of which Pelayo speaks. [1]  I practise what I preach, & have employed x myself with a power of exertion at which I myself wonder; – taking care so to vary my employments as not for any one to possess my mind too fully. – I take regular exercise, – I take tonics – I eat, drink & sleep. See if this be not doing well. I converse as usual, – or nearly as usual, – & can at times be chearful, – but my happiness can never again be what it has been. Many blessings do I possess – but the prime blessing – the flower of my hopes – the central jewel of the ring – is gone. – An early admiration of what is good in the Stoical philosophy, & an active & elastic mind have doubtless been great means of supporting me, – but they would have been insufficient without a deeper principle – & I verily believe that were no it not for the consolations which religion afford – consolations which in time will ripen into hope & joy, – I should sink under an affliction, – which is greater than any man can conceive. – You best can judge what the privation must be, – & you can but judge imperfectly.

Enough of this. I shall soon find a better mode of at once indulging & regulating these feelings. Upon this subject I have thoughts in my head which will, by Gods blessing, produce good & lasting fruit.

At present one of my daily employments is the Carmen Nuptiale, – which is now nearly compleated. It will extend to about xx 110 stanzas – the same metre as the Pilgrimage, [2]  – which printed in the same manner may run to 70 pages – say three sheets. Its English title The Lay of the Laureate, – which is not only a taking title for an advertisement, – but a remarkably good one. It is for Longman to determine in what form he will print it, & what number of copies – quarto pamphletts I think are not liked for their inconvenient size. [3] 

There must be a presentation copy bound for the Princess. Thro what channel shall I convey it? Lord W^m Gordon [4]  would deliver it for me if I were to ask him – can you put me in a better way? Would Herries like to do it, – or is it proper to ask him?

In a few days I shall send you the mss, – the printing will be done presently. It comes too close upon the Pilgrimage – but – whatever may be thought of it at court – it will xx do me credit now & hereafter. I am very desirous of having compleated it that I may have leisure for what lies nearer my heart.

I will have a copy for Edith, bound exactly like the Court-copy. [5]  What would it cost to have both these printed upon vellum? – more I suspect than the fancy x is worth.

Press upon Gifford my earnest desire that the article of which the first portion accompanies this note, may appear in the present number. [6]  It is of consequence to me, – & the subject is in danger of becoming stale if it be delayed – dwell upon this point. It will be as interesting a paper as he has ever received from me

God bless you

RS.