2280. EBB to RB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 12, 191–192.
[London]
Monday. [30 March 1846] [1]
Dearest I send you back the two parts of the Soul’s Tragedy, & the proof. On a strip of paper are two or three inanities in the form of doubts I had in reading the first part– I think upon the whole that you owe me all gratitude for the help of so much high critical wisdom—of which this paper is a fair proof & expression– [2]
The proof .. the printed Luria .. I mean .. has more than pleased me. It is noble & admirable,—& grows greater, the closer seen. The most exceptionable part, it seems to me, is Domizia’s retraction at the last, for which one looks round for the sufficient motive. But the impression of the whole work, goes straight to the soul—it is heroic in the best sense.
I write in such haste– Oh—I should have liked to have read again the Second part of the Tragedy, but dare not keep it though you give me leave—. I think of the printers—& you will let me have the proof, in this case also.
Your letter shall be answered presently– Your sister’s word about the picture proves very conclusively how wonderfully like it must be as a portrait! That would settle the question to any ‘Royal Commission’ in the world—only we need not go so far–
Dearest I end here—to begin again in another half hour. Ah—and you promise, you promise–
No time—but ever your own.
Address: Robert Browning Esqre
Postmark: None. Letter was enclosed with proofsheets and manuscript under a separate cover sheet.
Docket, in RB’s hand: 141.
Publication: RB-EBB, p. 573.
Manuscript: Wellesley College.
1. Dated by references to A Soul’s Tragedy and Luria.
2. For EBB’s notes on A Soul’s Tragedy and the printer’s proof of Luria, see vol. 11, pp. 399–400.
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