LETTER 129.  TO MR. CROKER.

     “Bt.  Str., August 2. 1813.

     “Dear Sir,

“I was honoured with your unexpected[74] and very obliging letter, when on the point of leaving London, which prevented me from acknowledging my obligation as quickly as I felt it sincerely.  I am endeavouring all in my power to be ready before Saturday—­and even if I should not succeed, I can only blame my own tardiness, which will not the less enhance the benefit I have lost.  I have only to add my hope of forgiveness for all my trespasses on your time and patience, and with my best wishes for your public and private welfare, I have the honour to be, most truly, your obliged and most obedient servant,

     “BYRON.”

[Footnote 74:  He calls the letter of Mr. Croker “unexpected,” because, in their previous correspondence and interviews on the subject, that gentleman had not been able to hold out so early a prospect of a passage, nor one which was likely to be so agreeable in point of society.]

* * * * *

So early as the autumn of this year, a fifth edition of The Giaour was required; and again his fancy teemed with fresh materials for its pages.  The verses commencing “The browsing camels’ bells are tinkling,” and the four pages that follow the line, “Yes, love indeed is light from heaven,” were all added at this time.  Nor had the overflowings of his mind even yet ceased, as I find in the poem, as it exists at present, still further additions,—­and, among them, those four brilliant lines,—­

    “She was a form of life and light,
    That, seen, became a part of sight,
    And rose, where’er I turn’d mine eye,
    The Morning-star of memory!”

The following notes and letters to Mr. Murray, during these outpourings, will show how irresistible was the impulse under which he vented his thoughts.

“If you send more proofs, I shall never finish this infernal story—­’Ecce signum’—­thirty-three more lines enclosed! to the utter discomfiture of the printer, and, I fear, not to your advantage.

     “B.”

* * * * *

     “Half-past two in the morning, Aug. 10. 1813.

     “Dear Sir,

     “Pray suspend the proofs, for I am bitten again, and have
     quantities for other parts of the bravura.

     “Yours ever, B.

     “P.S.—­You shall have them in the course of the day.”

* * * * *

LETTER 130.  TO MR. MURRAY.

     “August 26. 1813.