373. Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 21 January 1799 ⁠* 

My dear Grosvenor

You ask me why the Devil rides on horseback – “The Prince of Darkness is a gentleman. & that would be reason enough. but moreover the history doth aver that he came on horseback for the Old Woman, [1]  & rode before her, & that the colour of the horse was black. should I falsify the history & make Apollyon a pedestrian? besides Grosvenor, Apollyon is cloven footed, & I humbly conceive that a biped – & I never I understood his damnable majesty to be otherwise – that a biped I say would walk clumsily upon cloven feet. neither hath Apollyon wings according to the best representations & indeed how should he? for were they of feathers like the Angels – they would be burnt in the everlasting fire. & were they of leather like a bats they would be shrivelled. I conclude therefore that wings he hath not. yet do we find from sundry reputable authors & divers histories that he transporteth himself from place to place with exceeding rapidity. now as he cannot walk fast or fly, he must have some conveyance stage coaches to hell there are none tho the road be much frequented. balloons would burst at setting out, the air would be so xxx rarified by the heat. but horses x he may have & of a particular breed.

I am learned in Dæmonology & could say more but this sufficeth. I should advise you not to copy the ballad because the volume will soon be finished. I expect to bring it with me on Ash Wednesday [2]  to town. Wynn furnished me with the subject of an excellent parody. [3] 

I know not whether I should say any thing or not upon the first part of your letter. it was never my intention to give you pain. I saw you was offended by the note that accompanied Berchtold’s book [4]  but noticed it not, thinking it would pass away. forget it.

I am better – but they tell me that constant exercise is indispensable – & that at my age & with my constitution I must either shake off the complaint now, or it will stick to me for ever. Ediths health requires care, our medical friend dreads the effect of London upon both. when my time is out in our present house (at Midsummer) we must go to the sea awhile. I thought I was like a Scotch fir – could grow anywhere – but I am sadly altered & my nerves in a vile state. I am almost ashamed of my own feelings – but they depend not upon volition. these things throw such a joy over the prospect of life! I cannot see my way – it is time to be in an office – but the confinement would be ruinous. you know not the alteration I feel. I could once have slept with the seven sleepers [5]  without a miracle – now – the least sounds wakes me & with alarm. however I am better.

I should like to pass a day with you when I come to town. Thursday Fr. & Sat. I dine at the inn. if you are in town Saturday I will walk over with you after dinner – & return with you Monday & to Bristol that night. otherwise I will leave town by Saturdays mail. let me know where you shall be then. is Duppa in town? –

Ediths remembrance.

God bless you

yrs affectionately

R Southey.

I had almost forgot. do you know anything of [MS torn] Alfred? [6]  what progress he has made in it? & what metre? perhaps Miss Miles [7]  knows. I am curious – because I think, in spite of the sack & the laurel [8]  – that our Bristol poem will be the best. this I know, that it will be the better for competition. [9]  the Naucratia [10]  is very heavy, & Pye too old to improve.

Monday 21 Jan^y 1799.