1187.5. John Kenyon to EBB

Addendum to The Brownings’ Correspondence, vol. 7.

[London]

Past Midnight Saturday [25 March 1843]

I love your deep sincerity—your logic—your eloquence—My dear Cousin—I cannot say that they convert me to your opinions on the matter, but they convince me that you must be allowed to write your own high poetry your own way. I still think that the facts as to the reception of such poetry by the two classes of readers—the more religious and the less religious—are so—I do not say that they ought to be so– Be assured that as long as you continue to write poetry of this class I shall strive might and main to tolerate it—And now will you forgive me for having excited you to all this trouble. I do not forgive myself and am writing to you with all the feelings of a penitent, and am vexed that you cannot receive my repentance till half past nine tomorrow morning, when I shall—God willing—leave this scrap at your door—And pray let me have (I will transcribe it) the Poem—as soon as it is in order– Mind I do not quarrel with the text—and should very unwillingly give up the word “honest”—It is such racy English—albeit not Saxon—and so now keep your own proud perverse conscience—for which assure yourself I am only the more affectionately and admiringly yours– JK—

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.

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