Here’s to her who long
Hath waked the poet’s sigh!
The girl who gave to song
What gold could never buy.
My dear Moore, –.
I am going to be married – that is, I am accepted, and one usually hopes the rest will follow. My mother of the Gracchi (that are to be),you think too strait-laced for me, although the paragon of only children, and invested with “golden opinions of all sorts of me,” and of “most blest conditions” as Desdemona herself. Miss Milbanke is the lady, and I have her father’s invitation to proceed there in my elect capacity, – which, however, I cannot do till I have settled some business in London, and got a blue coat.
She is said to be an heiress, but of that I really know nothing certainly, and shall not enquire. But I do know, that she has talents and excellent qualities; and you will not deny her judgment, after having refused six suitors and taken me.
Now, if you have anything to say against this, pray do; my mind’s made up, positively fixed, determined, and therefore I will listen to reason, because now it can do no harm. Things may occur to break it off, but I will hope not. In the meantime, I tell you (a secret, by the by, – at least, till I know she wishes it to be public) that I have proposed and am accepted. You need not be in a hurry to wish me joy, for one mayn’t be married for months. I am going to town tomorrow: but expect to be here, on my way there, within a fortnight.
If this had not happened, I should have gone to Italy. In my way down, perhaps, you will meet me at Nottingham, and come over with me here. I need not say that nothing will give me greater pleasure. I must, of course, reform thoroughly; and, seriously, if I can contribute to her happiness, I shall secure my own. She is so good a person, that – that – in short, I wish I was a better.
Ever, etc.
BYRON
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Link will appear as Hanson, Marilee. "Thomas Moore September 1814" https://englishhistory.net/byron/selected-letters/thomas-moore-september-1814/, March 3, 2016