Anna Beddoes to Davies Giddy, written after the other letter dated 22 March 1808
My sheep I neglected, I left my sheep hook — &c, [1] but the whole I could by no means make out, not so, what you sent me yesterday — I hope you will find mine intelligible [2] — I am very anxious my dear friend to hear a better account of your health pray take as much care as possible of it, and do not say such naughty things — Do take some rest, it is from over fatigue that you suffer so much more than you otherwise would — I fear you have had a great deal of trouble about that little contrivance, which answers perfectly well — Do not think so much of me, but consider that your time is far too precious to squander — Even on my own selfish account, I want things settled — I have seen you unhappy long enough, could I once see you with a happy chearful countenance as I certainly should were all once over, then indeed I should be well pleased — your affectionately
AMB
March the 22nd
1808
DG [3]
Address: D G
Endorsement: 1808 / March the 22nd
Notes
[1] Anna is quoting the first line of Sir Gilbert Elliot’s (1722–1777), poem, ‘Amynta’, first printed in 1749. Evidently Giddy had referred to it as being apposite to his feelings about her:
My sheep I neglected, I lost my sheep-hook
And all the gay haunts of my youth I forsook,
No more for Amynta fresh garlands I wove;
For ambition, I said, would soon cure me of love.
O! what had my youth with ambition to do!
Why left I Amynta, why broke I my vow?
O! give me my sheep, and my sheep-hook restore,
I’ll wander from love and Amynta no more.
Through regions remote in vain do I rove,
And bid the wide ocean secure me from love;
O fool! to imagine that aught can subdue
A love so well founded, a passion so true.
O! what had my youth with ambition to do! etc.
Alas! ’tis too late my fate to repine:–
Poor shepherd, Amynta no more can be thine:
Thy tears are all fruitless, thy wishes are vain,
The moments neglected return not again!
O! what had my youth with ambition to do! Etc
[2] Giddy had sent Anna a letter in code, and here Anna is referring to her coded reply.
[3] This date has been added by Giddy.