6.--To his Mother. [1]


Southwell, [Sept. 1803].

MY DEAR MOTHER,--I have sent Mealey [2] to day to you, before William
came, but now I shall write myself. I _promise_ you, upon my _honour_,
I will come over tomorrow in the _Afternoon_. I was not wishing to
resist your _Commands_, and really seriously intended coming over
tomorrow, ever since I received your last Letter; you know as well as
I do that it is not your Company I dislike, but the place you reside
in. I know it is time to go to Harrow. It will make me _unhappy_; but
I will _obey_. I only desire, entreat, this one day, and on my
_honour_ I will be over tomorrow in the evening or afternoon. I am
sorry you disapprove my Companions, who, however, are the first this
County affords, and my equals in most respects; but I will be
permitted to chuse for myself. I shall never interfere in your's and I
desire you will not molest me in mine. If you grant me this favour,
and allow me this one day unmolested, you will eternally oblige your

Unhappy Son,

BYRON.


I shall attempt to offer no excuse as you do not desire one. I only
entreat you as a Governor, not as a Mother, to allow me this one day.
Those that I most love live in this County; therefore in the name of
Mercy I entreat this one day to take leave, and then I will join you