5690. RB to Virginia Gabriel

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 32, 43.

19 Warwick Crescent,

Upper Westbourne Terrace, W.

Jan: 23. ’66.

Dear Miss Gabriel, [1]

“How good are you, and how unworthy am I”—subject for a Perpetual Canon by Contrary Motion! Indeed I am more stupid than ungrateful, and even (I hope) more luckless than stupid,—for it is hardly my fault that I can so seldom do what I like. Here, however, may Spring be coming, for anything I know, and with it a chance of better fortune—and meanwhile and always I am

Yours very gratefully

Robert Browning.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.

1. Mary Ann Virginia Gabriel (1825–77); see letter 5367, note 2.

___________________