To do good to mankind is the chivalrous plan,
And is always as nobly requited;
Then battle for freedom wherever you can,
And, if not shot or hang'd, you'll get knighted.
So you have gotten the letter of "Epigrams"—I am glad of it. You will not be so, for I shall send you more. Here is one I wrote for the endorsement of "the Deed of Separation" in 1816; but the lawyers objected to it, as superfluous. It was written as we were getting up the signing and sealing. * * has the original.
Endorsement to the Deed of Separation, in the April of 1816.
A year ago you swore, fond she!
"To love, to honour," and so forth:
Such was the vow you pledged to me,
And here's exactly what 'tis worth.
For the anniversary of January 2, 1821, I have a small grateful anticipation, which, in case of accident, I add—
To Penelope, January 2, 1821.
This day, of all our days, has done
The worst for me and you:—
'Tis just six years since we were one
And five since we were two.
Pray excuse all this nonsense; for I must talk nonsense just now, for fear of wandering to more serious topics, which, in the present state of things, is not safe by a foreign post.
I told you in my last, that I had been going on with
