My unfortunate box! it contained a chaos of the elements of Charles I. If the idea of the _creator_ had been packed up with them, it would have shared the same fate; and that, I am afraid, has undergone another sort of shipwreck. * * * * * Very faithfully and affectionately yours, S. TO MR. JOHN GISBORNE. _Pisa, Saturday, (June 16, 1821.)_ My dear Friend, I have received the heart-rending account of the closing scene of the great genius whom envy and ingratitude scourged out of the world.[33] I do not think that if I had seen it before, I could have composed my poem. The enthusiasm of the imagination would have overpowered the sentiment. As it is, I have finished my Elegy;[34] and this day I send it to the press at Pisa. You shall have a copy the moment it is completed. I think it will please you. I have dipped my pen in consuming fire for his destroyers; otherwise the style is calm and solemn. Pray, when shall we see you? Or are the streams of Helicon less salutary than sea-bathing for the nerves? Give us as much as you can before you go to England, and rather divide the term than not come soon. Mrs. * * * wishes that none of the books, desk, &c., should be packed up with the piano; but that they should be sent, one by one, by Pepi. Address them to _me_ at her house. She desired me to have them addressed to _me_, why I know not. A droll circumstance has occurred. Queen Mab, a poem written by me when very young, in the most furious style, with long notes against Jesus Christ, and God the Father, and the king, and bishops, and marriage, and the devil knows what, is just published by one of the low booksellers in the Strand, against my wish and consent, and all the people are at loggerheads about it. H. S.[35] gives me this account. You may imagine how much I am amused. For the sake of a dignified appearance, however, and really because I wish to protest against all the bad poetry in it, I have given orders to say that it is all done against my desire, and have directed my attorney to apply to Chancery for an injunction, which he will not get. I am pretty ill, I thank you, just now; but I hope you are better. Most affectionately yours, P. B. S. FOOTNOTES: [33] John Keats. [34] Adonais. [35] Horace Smith. TO MR. AND MRS. GISBORNE. _Bagni, Friday Night_, (_July 13th, 1821._) My dear Friends,