180 LETTERS OF WILLIAM BLAKE
grand bulk of your literary property. Truly proud I am to be in possession of this beautiful little estate; for that it will be highly productive, I have no doubt, in the way now proposed ; and I shall consider myself a robber to retain any more than you at any time please to grant. In short, I am tenant at will, and may write over my door, as the poor barber did, "Money for live here."
I entreat your immediate advice what I am to do, for I would not for the world injure this beautiful work, and cannot answer for P.'s proposal till I have your directions and commands concerning it; for he wishes to set about it immediately, and has desired that I will give him my proposal concerning it in writing.—I remain, dear Sir, your
obliged and affectionate
Will. Blake.
45.
To William Hayley.
25th April 1805.
Dear Sir,—This morning I have been with Mr. Phillips, and have entirely settled with him the plan of engraving for the new edition of the Ballads. The prints, five in number, I have engaged to finish by 28th May. They are to be as highly finished as I can do them, the size the
