Very warm & fine all day ― light clouds.
But, I did not go out at all.
Anzi[1] ― I worked hard at the Spezzia, Constantinople, Baalbec ― & 2 Dead Sea drawings of the larger 30 Tyrants.
Hard, & odious work ― but it must be done.
This lasted till 5.
The steamers brought no letters ― 2 papers only.
Steφανιτζι at 6 ― parà τεταρτοω.[2] ― till ¼ to 7.
Dinner ― ἔτζι κ’ ἔτζι.[3]
Penned out ――― a Lefchimo drawing till 12.
G. came back from Καστράδες at 10/30. Χριστὸς remains the same ― only weaker.
It seems, Spiro has taken the rooms at S. Rocco for 2 ― 3 or 5 years !!!!!!! ―
It is very dreadful=sad for the rest of this poor family ― but as G. says ―Spiro is padrone.[4] ―
If the miseries of this family were in “high life” ― what a novel might be made: but being as they are ― who cares? ― Their stedfast [sic] helping each other will last ― if other world there be ― beyond this.
[1] On the contrary.
[2] A quarter to (NB).
[3] So and so (NB).
[4] Master.
[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3. Image.]
“If the miseries of this family were in “high life” ― what a novel might be made: but being as they are ― who cares? ― Their stedfast [sic] helping each other will last ― if other world there be ― beyond this.”
Flashes like this, among his aches and pains, make Lear special.