Lady Byron Vindicated: A History of the Byron Controversy

by Harriet Beecher Stowe

'A. Byron.

'To Lord Byron.'

Lord Byron, writing for the public, as is his custom, makes reply:—

'Ravenna: April 3, 1820.

'I received yesterday your answer, dated March 10. My offer was an honest one, and surely could only be construed as such even by the most malignant casuistry. I could answer you, but it is too late, and it is not worth while. To the mysterious menace of the last sentence, whatever its import may be—and I cannot pretend to unriddle it—I could hardly be very sensible even if I understood it, as, before it can take place, I shall be where "nothing can touch him further".... I advise you, however, to anticipate the period of your intention, for, be assured, no power of figures can avail beyond the present; and if it could, I would answer with the Florentine:—

'"Ed io, che posto son con loro in croce
... e certo
La fiera moglie, più ch' altro, mi nuoce[15]."

'Byron.

'To Lady Byron.'

Two things are very evident in this correspondence: Lady Byron intimates that, if he publishes his story, some consequences must follow which she shall regret.