357—to John Murray

November 24, 1813.

You must pardon me once more, as it is all for your good: it must be thus:

He makes a Solitude, and calls it Peace.

"Makes" is closer to the passage of Tacitus ⁶⁰ , from which the line is taken, and is, besides, a stronger word than "leaves."

Mark where his carnage and his conquests cease—
He makes a Solitude, and calls it—peace.

You will perceive that the sense is now clearer, the "He " refers to "Man" in the preceding couplet.

Yours ever,

B.