'My father was fond of asking Joachim [celebrity violinist] to play to him in his own house. One particular evening I remember, at 86, Eaton Square. My father had been expressing his wonder at Joachim's mastery of the violin, -- for Joachim had been playing to us and our friends numberless Hungarian dances, -- and by way of thanks for the splendid music I asked him to read one of his poems to Joachim. Accordingly after the guests had gone he took the great musician to smoke with him in his "den" at the top of the house [...] my father read "The Revenge." On reaching the line 'And the sun went down, and the stars came out far over the summer sea, he asked Joachim, "Could you do that on your violin?" -- the peace of nature after the thunder of battle. There was no more reading however that night, for he suddenly turned round to me, saying, "I must not read any more, else I shall wake up the cook who is sleeping next door."'