1142. Benjamin Robert Haydon to EBB

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 6, 311.

London

Jan 31, 1843 at Night

My dearest Friend,

Chaucer shall be as surely in my Cartoon as the black Prince and I have a great mind to beat my own head for not thinking of him before you.

I introduce the Fool also quizzing the whole human triumph! and that’s as good as your Chaucer—I shall send for the Bust the moment I want it. [1]

Between us both we will make a fine thing—but don’t you be frightened at others——

Yours ever & ever

B R Haydon

Address: Miss B. Barrett / 50, Wimpole Street.

Publication: EBB-BRH, p. 28.

Manuscript: University of Vermont.

1. Haydon did add Chaucer to the spectators watching the entry of the Black Prince with the captive French king, recording in his diary on 4 March 1843: “put Chaucer gloriously in my Cartoon” (Pope, V, 251). EBB had apparently suggested that he borrow the bust of Chaucer by Brucciani, given her by her father (see letter 636).

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