2085.5. RB to John Kenyon
Addendum to The Brownings’ Correspondence, vol. 11.
New Cross, Hatcham,
Nov. 6. [1845] [1]
Dear Mr Kenyon,
With the memory of your kindness that I have, I can hardly fancy your denying me any very considerable pleasure, even if it should be conceded at a little discredit to yourself—that is, to the good taste which is part of you– So, I have ventured, you will observe, to secure at least one piece of good fortune for this new literary adventure, [2] —which shall leave harbour with a good flag flying, at all events, whatever be the plight of the craft when winds come on to blow in the middle-passage. Besides, there is one poem,—the “Duchess”—for which I had long ago your good word– And, last of all, not one in the collection but has received every amendment of which it was, in its produced form, susceptible—from that good & great genius yourself gave me the privilege to know more nearly: after such a gift, this seems no such formidable a matter—to ask at your hands—for
Ever yours faithfully,
Robert Browning.
I must not forget to say,— .. how shall I bring it in? “No penny no pater noster”, [3] —“point d’argent, point de Suisse,” [4] —“no dedication, no presentation-copy”,—or whatever they call the same in these Islands: but the poor seven numbers make up so sorrowful a volume (as you very well know) that I mean to wait till the next number or two shall save me from being out-shouldered by those full-grown “tall copies” on all respectable book shelves! [5]
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.
1. Year provided by RB’s referring to the publication of Dramatic Romances and Lyrics (see note 2).
2. Dramatic Romances and Lyrics, number seven of RB’s Bells and Pomegranates series, published 6 November 1845 and dedicated to John Kenyon (see letter 2069, note 3).
3. W. Tyndale, The Obedience of a Christian Man (1528), fo. lxxvii.
4. “No money, no Swiss.” Jean Racine, The Litigants (1668), I, 1, Little John.
5. RB inscribed only the eighth and last part of Bells and Pomegranates (Luria and A Soul’s Tragedy) to Kenyon; see Reconstruction, C233.
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