"Byron[20], while you make gay what circle fits ye, Bandy Venetian slang with the Benzon, Or play at company with the Albrizzi, The self-pleased pedant, and patrician crone, Grimanis, Mocenigos, Balbis, Rizzi, Compassionate our cruel case,--alone, Our pleasure an academy of frogs, Who nightly serenade us from the bogs," &c. &c. ] [Footnote 20: "I have _hunted_ out a precedent for this unceremonious address."] * * * * * LETTER 315. TO MR. MURRAY. "Venice, April 17. 1818. "A few days ago, I wrote to you a letter, requesting you to desire Hanson to desire his messenger to come on from Geneva to Venice, because I won't go from Venice to Geneva; and if this is not done, the messenger may be damned, with him who mis-sent him. Pray reiterate my request. "With the proofs returned, I sent two additional stanzas for Canto fourth: did they arrive? "Your Monthly reviewer has made a mistake: _Cavaliere_, alone, is well enough; but '_Cavalier' servente_' has always the _e_ mute in conversation, and omitted in writing; so that it is not for the sake of metre; and pray let Griffiths know this, with my compliments. I humbly conjecture that I know as much of Italian society and language as any of his people; but, to make assurance doubly sure, I asked, at the Countess Benzona's last night, the question of more than one person in _the office_, and of these 'cavalieri serventi' (in the plural, recollect) I found that they all accorded in pronouncing for 'cavalier' servente' in the _singular_ number. I wish Mr. * * * * (or whoever Griffiths' scribbler may be) would not talk of what he don't understand. Such fellows are not fit to be intrusted with Italian, even in a quotation. "Did you receive two additional stanzas, to be inserted towards the close of Canto fourth? Respond, that (if not) they may be sent. "Tell Mr. * * and Mr. Hanson that they may as well expect Geneva to come to me, as that I should go to Geneva. The messenger may go on or return, as he pleases; I won't stir: and I look upon it as a piece of singular absurdity in those who know me imagining that I should;--not to say _malice_, in attempting unnecessary torture. If, on the occasion, my interests should suffer, it is their neglect that is to blame; and they may all be d----d together. "It is ten o'clock and time to dress. "Yours," &c. * * * * * LETTER 316. TO MR. MURRAY. "April 23. 1818.