1558. EBB to Richard Hengist Horne

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 8, 237–238.

[London]

Monday morning. [4 March 1844] [1]

My dear Mr Horne,

I answer your note, before you can answer mine—& it is the best so.

Whatever may be said or unsaid about me & mine in your work, do not give a second thought to any imagination of discontent as applicable to me. I shall know that you meant the kindest—& understand away everything not the pleasantest. My head will not go round, as yours did.

For the rest, or rather under the whole, if I myself am not “tame” about the “Seraphim,” it is because I am the person interested. I wonder to myself sometimes in a climax of dissatisfaction how I came to publish it. It is a failure in my own eyes—& if it were not for the poems of less pretension in its company, would have fallen, both probably & deservedly, a dead weight from the press.

Something I shall do hereafter in poetry, I hope. Hopes which have fallen dead from all things, are thrown in a heap there .. perhaps like withered leaves!. We must hope in something however, if we must live.

Which I did not mean to say in beginning this note.

Only you will see that I shall not be discontented at the effects of your head turning round. It is better too perhaps so. The book will be in better odour for it with the million.

Ever truly yours

EBB.

I heard from Miss Mitford this morning. She appears resolved to go to Jersey—as you know probably.

Publication: EBB-RHH, I, 197–199 (as [ca. 1843]).

Manuscript: British Library.

1. This letter is in answer to no. 1557.

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