momenti per certo più _tragici_ per me come _uomo_ che come _autore_,--perchè _voi_ eravate in affanno ed in pericolo. Intanto sento dalla vostra Gazetta che sia nata una cabala, un partito, e senza ch' io vi abbia presa la minima parte. Si dice che _l'autore ne fece la letlura!!!_--quì forse? a Ravenna?--ed a chi? forse a Fletcher!!!--quel illustre litterato,'" &c. &c.] * * * * * LETTER 428. TO ME. MOORE. "Ravenna, May 20. 1821. "Since I wrote to you last week I have received English letters and papers, by which I perceive that what I took for an Italian _truth_ is, after all, a French lie of the Gazette de France. It contains two ultra-falsehoods in as many lines. In the first place, Lord B. did _not_ bring forward his play, but opposed the same; and, secondly, it was _not_ condemned, but is continued to be acted, in despite of publisher, author, Lord Chancellor, and (for aught I know to the contrary) of audience, up to the first of May, at least--the latest date of my letters. You will oblige me, then, by causing Mr. Gazette of France to contradict himself, which, I suppose, he is used to. I never answer a foreign _criticism_; but this is a mere matter of fact, and not of _opinions_. I presume that you have English and French interest enough to do this for me--though, to be sure, as it is nothing but the _truth_ which we wish to state, the insertion may be more difficult. "As I have written to you often lately at some length, I won't bore you further now, than by begging you to comply with my request; and I presume the 'esprit du corps' (is it 'du' or 'de?' for this is more than I know) will sufficiently urge you, as one of '_ours_,' to set this affair in its real aspect. Believe me always yours ever and most affectionately, "BYRON." * * * * * LETTER 429. TO MR. HOPPNER. "Ravenna, May 25. 1821. "I am very much pleased with what you say of Switzerland, and will ponder upon it. I would rather she married there than here for that matter. For fortune, I shall make all that I can spare (if I live and she is correct in her conduct); and if I die before she is settled, I have left her by will five thousand pounds, which is a fair provision _out_ of England for a natural child. I shall increase it all I can, if circumstances permit me; but, of course (like all other human things), this is very uncertain. "You will oblige me very much by interfering to have the FACTS of the play-acting stated, as these scoundrels appear to be organising a system of abuse against me, because I am in their '_list_.' I care nothing for _their criticism_, but the matter of fact. I have written _four_ acts of another tragedy, so you see they _can't_ bully me.