257—to Lord Holland

September 29, 1812.

Shakespeare certainly ceased to reign in one of his kingdoms, as George III. did in America, and George IV.  ³² may in Ireland? Now, we have nothing to do out of our own realms, and when the monarchy was gone, his majesty had but a barren sceptre. I have cut away, you will see, and altered, but make it what you please; only I do implore, for my own gratification, one lash on those accursed quadrupeds—"a long shot, Sir Lucius, if you love me."  ³³

I have altered "wave," etc., and the "fire," and so forth for the timid.

Let me hear from you when convenient, and believe me, etc.

P.S.—Do let that stand, and cut out elsewhere. I shall choke, if we must overlook their damned menagerie.