'
to Lady Caroline Lamb,
May 1,
1812
My Dear Lady Caroline, -
I have read over the few
poems of Miss Milbank with attention. They display fancy, feeling, and
little practice would very soon induce facility of expression. Though I
have an abhorrence of Blank Verse, I like the lines of Dermody so much that I
wish they were in rhyme. The lines in the Cave at Seaham have a turn of
thought which I cannot sufficiently commend, and here I am at least candid as my
own opinions differ upon such subjects. The first stanza is very good
indeed, and the others, with a few slight alterations might be rendered equally
excellent. The last are smooth and pretty. But these are all, has
she no others? She certainly is a very extraordinary girl; who would
imagine so much strength and variety of thought under that placid
Countenance? It is is not necessary for Miss M. to be an authoress, indeed
I do not think publishing at all creditable either to men or women, and (though
you will not believe me) very often feel ashamed of it myself; but I have no
hesitation in saying that she has talents which, were it proper or requisite to
indulge, would have led to distinction.
A friend of mine
(fifty years old, and an author, but not Rogers) has just been here. As
there is no name to the MSS I shewed them to him, and he was much more
enthusiastic in his praises than I have been. He thinks them beautiful; I
shall content myself with observing that they are better, much better, than
anything of Miss M.'s protégé Blacket. You will say as much of this to
Miss M. as you think proper. I say all this very sincerely. I have
no desire to be better acquainted with Miss Milbank; she is too good for a
fallen spirit to know, and I should like her more if she were less perfect.
Believe me, yours ever most truly,
B
In this letter to his tempestuous mistress, Byron discusses the poetry of Caroline's cousin and his future wife, Annabella Milbanke. His relationships with both women are discussed at their respective pages. The last sentence of this letter 'I have no desire....' is quite prophetic.
portrait of Lady Caroline Lamb,
Byron's
lover during the spring of 1812