The request of the Committee for his aid having been, still more urgently, repeated, he, at length, notwithstanding the difficulty and invidiousness of the task, from his strong wish to oblige Lord Holland, consented to undertake it; and the quick succeeding notes and letters, which he addressed, during the completion of the Address, to his noble friend, afford a proof (in conjunction with others of still more interest, yet to be cited) of the pains he, at this time, took in improving and polishing his first conceptions, and the importance he wisely attached to a judicious choice of epithets as a means of enriching both the music and the meaning of his verse.  They also show,—­what, as an illustration of his character, is even still more valuable,—­the exceeding pliancy and good humour with which he could yield to friendly suggestions and criticisms; nor can it be questioned, I think, but that the docility thus invariably exhibited by him, on points where most poets are found to be tenacious and irritable, was a quality natural to his disposition, and such as might have been turned to account in far more important matters, had he been fortunate enough to meet with persons capable of understanding and guiding him.

The following are a few of those hasty notes, on the subject of the Address, which I allude to:—­

TO LORD HOLLAND.

     “September 22. 1812.

     “My dear Lord,

“In a day or two I will send you something which you will still have the liberty to reject if you dislike it.  I should like to have had more time, but will do my best,—­but too happy if I can oblige you, though I may offend a hundred scribblers and the discerning public.  Ever yours.

     “Keep my name a secret; or I shall be beset by all the
     rejected, and, perhaps, damned by a party.”

* * * * *

LETTER 97.  TO LORD HOLLAND.

     “Cheltenham, September 23. 1812.

“Ecco!—­I have marked some passages with double readings—­choose between them—­cut—­add—­reject—­or destroy—­do with them as you will—­I leave it to you and the Committee—­you cannot say so called ‘a non committendo.’  What will they do (and I do) with the hundred and one rejected Troubadours?  ’With trumpets, yea, and with shawms,’ will you be assailed in the most diabolical doggerel.  I wish my name not to transpire till the day is decided.  I shall not be in town, so it won’t much matter; but let us have a good deliverer.  I think Elliston should be the man, or Pope; not Raymond, I implore you, by the love of Rhythmus!

     “The passages marked thus ==, above and below, are for you to
     choose between epithets, and such like poetical furniture.  Pray
     write me a line, and believe me ever, &c.