Flaxman-1-13

[page 1]

September 30th—1797

Dear Bard !

Accept our Acknowledgment & thanks for your kind present of Birds & Venison, which you should in right have had illeg [overwritten] by now but Indolence withheld my Pen, Flaxman is in a Rage at the Delay – – not so Titania ! She knows and feels, "a grateful Mind by Giving, owes not, but still pays, at once indebted & discharg'd" — I have at your request tried my poor influence (as Fairy Queen) over the rainy Regions, but Oh ! I fear Queen Juno's wrath has shewn itself more powerful than my good wishes in your behalf, and Eolus has obey'd her high behest – If I had had a beauteous Anna to present him with, perhaps not even Juno's power nor the proffer'd charms of a Deiopea would have prevail'd, but alas ! — – nothing

[page 2]

but Hope remains — Seek her on Felpham's Sands, "She seems a form out of some fairy sprite, in her right hand she holds a budding Spray, and like a Sea Maid sings her sweetly warbled Lay —" May She become your bosom Friend from the first moment of your Residence in the new Hermitage & remain so to a late old age then guide you to the realms of Day –

Flaxman is my Hope his presence chears me, his good Will's my Anchor – he is just now giving the Promethean touch to his Minerva when that is done he may perhaps assail you about My Robin, to whom give my Love with kind remembrance to our affectionate & worthy friend Romney —

Your grateful Titania

[page 4]

W^m Hayley Esq^re
Eartham
Near— Chichester—