to Thomas Moore,
Venice, February 2, 1818
***I don’t much care what the wretches of the world think of me – all that’s past. But I care a good deal what you think of me, and, so say what you like. You know that I am not sullen; and, as to being savage, such things depend on circumstances. However, as to being in good humor in your society, there is no great merit in that, because it would be an effort, or an insanity, to be otherwise.
I don’t know what Murray may have been saying or quoting. I called Crabbe and Sam the fathers of present Poesy; and said what I thought – except them – all of ‘us youth’ were on a wrong tack. But I never said that we did not sail well. Our fame will be hurt byadmiration and imitation. When I say our, I mean all (Lakers included), except the postscript of the Augustans. The next generation (from the quantity and facility of imitation) will tumble and break their necks off our Pegasus, who runs away with us; but we keep the saddle, because we broke the rascal and can ride. But though easy to mount, he is the devil to guide; and the next fellow must go back to the riding-school and the manege, and learn to ride the ‘great horse.’***
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Link will appear as Hanson, Marilee. "Thomas Moore, Venice, February 2, 1818" https://englishhistory.net/byron/selected-letters/thomas-moore-venice-1818/, March 3, 2016