827. Robert Southey to John May, [24 August 1803] ⁠* 

My dear friend

I thank you for your affectionate letter. all is over & my poor child is in her grave. Edith is in a deplorable state of slow silent lasting melancholy. it is the character of her feelings to be all more chronic than acute. time & Gods mercy will heal her – but it is a heart breaking blow. & I think I shall never again dare to love earthly object so dearly.

We hope to remove on Friday. I am bearing up well & have compelled myself to my customary employments with unusual exertion. some little time hence its effects will break out in the shape of disease, & I expect with certainty the renewal of old nervous seizures. but I am on my guard. You shall hear on my arrival.

God bless you.

RS.