2776. Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 1 May 1816⁠* 

1 May. 1816

My dear G.

You have here the Lay of the Laureate, [1]  concerning which you know my indifference, – an indifference perhaps proceeding from a state of mind which feels little interest in any thing. [2]  The Senhora here threatens to quarrel with you fiercely if you disadvise the publication, & she abuses me bravely for having suggested such a thought. This however will not intimidate you. I have only to say that if it be published Longman will use his own judgement in every respect as to form, & number of the edition. I rather think it had better be in the small size like the Pilgrimage, [3]  – in which it will make three sheets; – to which a note or two may be added merely indicating the passages which I have imitated, or referred to, in Spenser, & another poet of the same age. [4]  It will be very thin, – but still might be put in boards to give it a local habitation on the shelf. When my devoir was done by publishing it separately, hereafter I might print it with the Carmen Tr. the Carmina Aulica or Congratulatory Odes, – & the Inscriptions in one volume with the title of Poems upon public occasions – or some such thing to the same purport. [5] Pople must send me the proofs, & the relative advantages of expedition for the occasion, or delay for the sake of the Pilgrimage, Longman must determine. The vellum is not worth thinking of, – unless you think otherwise. But I sho would have two copies bound precisely alike, – one for presentation, – & the other for Edith, as a state-copy, & an heir-loom. [6] 

Edith May compleats her twelfth year, this day.

I gain strength, – but rather lose spirits. To employ myself without intermission is impossible, – but in the intervals I can scarcely refrain from tears. Conversation does me no good, – on the contrary, it exhausts me more than study, – Koster takes me out daily for an hours walk & I never feel myself so deprest as on my return, – bodily weakness is not the cause of this, for certainly I am much recovered.

It is better that these feelings should have a channel opened for them I think of beginning a poem as desultory as the Task, & containing my mind as that contains Cowpers. [7]  Consolation might be a proper title, – & if it be not fit for publication while I live, it will af hereafter. My scenery would be here, & Nash or the Senhora would make me some drawings for it. But this is a kind of thing whereof you can form no conception unless I entered into longer details, – you will probably I shall soon begin, –

God bless you

RS.