1100. EBB to Hugh Stuart Boyd

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 6, 243.

[London]

Dec 28– 1842–

My very dear friend,

I am the worst riddle-guesser in the world– If I had been in Œdipus’s case the Sphinx wd have put an abrupt end to me– [1] Some poet whom I never praised—never spoke of to you!!! Why who can he be? [2] Did you never hear me praise Shelley? Can it be Shelley? What you say of the cadencial music might perfectly apply to him––& he was very capable of the pathetic, altho’ he did not keep near enough to Humanity to communicate largely & warmly with its emotions. Can it be Shelley—or Keats even? Suppose it to be either, & my not having recognized them as poets in your presence, was a mere accident of omission—I love & admire them as poets–

Who else can this poet be? And I missed him from my papers on the English poets——did I indeed? And he deserves all you say of him?—does he really?– Behold me puzzled–

Earnestly praying for your solution I remain most affectionately & ignorantly

Your She-Davus [3]

EBB–

I hope you received my letter acknowledging the parody? [4]

Publication: EBB-HSB, p. 257.

Manuscript: Wellesley College.

1. See letter 627, note 2.

2. For the answer to the riddle, see letter 1114.

3. Davus was a comic character in Terence’s Andria (166 B.C.). EBB may have had in mind Horace’s advice: “Act the Davus of the comedy and stand with head bowed, much like one overawed” (Satires, II, 5, 91–93).

4. i.e., letter 1096.

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