392. EBB to Hugh Stuart Boyd
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 2, 273–274.
[Hope End]
[1831] [1]
I cannot find the fine passage of which I spoke to you; as being in the second oration on the Son. You know I looked for it in your room at Malvern, & I have looked for it here, in vain. Did I dream of it? I have gone thr’o the five Theological orations. [2] The first is generally eloquent,—but I cannot select any particular passage, which I could fancy your having very much pleasure in reading. The conclusion reminds me of a passage in the orations against Julian—a favorite one of yours & mine.
In the 2d Theol: orat: p 538, beginning at και μικρον [3] down to βριθοντος κραματος. All the finest things in this oration are marked in your copy of Gregory. The 3d & 4th Theol: orat: (always excepting the conclusion of the 3d) appear to me the inferior ones.
In the 5th Theol: orat: p 597 nearly half down, beginning τις ουν down to φυσεως.
In the oration on the hail, [4] I still think that there is a great deal which sounds magnificently. Begin from οιδα στιλβουμενην on p 229, & read down to ασεβων επιτιμια.The prayer beginning ῾ημαρτομεν, rather more than half way down p 232, is beautiful. The 9th orat: [5] p 151, a quarter down the page ῾υιοι ανθρωπων, to επεκτεινεσθαι, a quarter down p 153
The 17th orat: on Love to the poor. [6] p. 247, 2 thirds down—beginning λεγω γαρ ουν, to φιλανθρωπιαν, two thirds down the next page. It is eloquent. Nearly at the bottom of page 250, beginning φυσει μεν, to χρηστοτητα a third down the next page.
The 22d orat: [7] a quarter down the 401st page, beginning τινες ουν, to επιζημια—a quarter down the next page. This is a fine passage. The succeeding speech of the martyrs’ mother is also beautiful, tho’ the “linked sweetness” is too much “drawn out”. [8]
The 30th oration. [9] Is not the passage on its first page, beginning τοιγαρουν ασατε to απολεμως on the second page, very majestic? So is the winding up of the whole oration, beginning εα ληρειν. There may be no originality of conception; but if you could hear the waves of the sea at this instant, you would not think their sound more noble. [10]
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Wellesley College.
1. The subject of this letter places it in this period.
2. Gregory Nazianzen’s five theological orations are: “De theologia,” I and II; “De filio Dei,” I and II; and “De spiritu sancto.” These five discourses, held to be the clearest exposition of the doctrine of the Trinity, earned St. Gregory the appellation “Theologus.” All the page references that follow are to Jacques de Billy’s 1690 edition belonging to Boyd, subsequently given to EBB (see letter 306, note 1).
3. As these and the following Greek words and phrases are intended only to focus Boyd’s attention, and have little significance taken out of their context, we feel it unnecessary to offer a translation.
4. “In plagam grandinis.”
5. “De suis sermonibus.”
6. “De pauperum amore” (the 16th oration, not the 17th).
7. “In Machabæorum laudem.”
8. Milton, “L’Allegro,” line 140.
9. “In electione Eulalii Doarensium episcopi.”
10. As the letter stops abruptly at the top of the second page, it is quite possible that EBB took it with her when she visited Boyd, and discussed it in person.
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