Correspondence

1179.  EBB to John Kenyon

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 7, 11.

[London]

Tuesday Night. [mid-March 1843] [1]

.... ‘O angels! let your flood of bitter scorn dash on me!’ [2]

I empower you my dear cousin to alter it so if you like it so better upon reconsideration. I have a sort of leaning towards the old reading for the sake of the double expressiveness of the word ‘salt’ which suits both ‘flood’ & ‘scorn’—but you are ‘empowered’ .. and I wont be “perverse” even with this pen– Is the rest clear?–

My heart is full, dearest Mr Kenyon, when I think of your kindness!

Ever affectely yours

EBB–

Address: John Kenyon Esqr / 4 Harley Place.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Wellesley College.

1. See letter 1178, note 1.

2. Lines 11–12 of “An Apprehension,” in Poems (1844) appeared thus, as did EBB’s earlier fair copy (see Reconstruction, D37), but her draft (see Reconstruction, D34) read: “O angels, let the flood of your full scorn dash upon me!”

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