1684. EBB to Hugh Stuart Boyd
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 9, 96–97.
[London]
Tuesday. [13 August 1844] [1]
My very dear friend,
I must thank you for the great kindness with which you have responded to a natural expression of feeling on my part,—and for all the pleasure of finding you pleased with the inscription of ‘Cyprus Wine.’ [2] Your note has given me much true pleasure. Yes! If my verses survive me, I should wish them to relate the fact of my being your debtor for many happy hours.
And now I must explain to you that most of the “incorrectnesses” you speak of, may be “incorrectnesses,” but are not negligences. I have a theory about double rhymes for which I shall be attacked by the critics, but which I cd justify perhaps on high authority or at least analogy. In fact, these volumes of mine have more double rhymes than any two books of English poems that ever to my knowledge were printed, [3] —I mean, of English poems not comic. Now, of double rhymes in use, which are perfect rhymes, you are aware how few there are—and yet you are also aware of what an admirable effect in making a rhythm various & vigorous, double rhyming is, in English poetry. Therefore I have used a certain license,—& after much thoughtful study of the Elizabethean writers, have ventured it with the public. And do you tell me, you who object to the use of a different vowel in a double rhyme, .. why you rhyme (as everybody does, without blame from anybody) “given” to “Heaven,” when you object to my rhyming “remember” and “chamber”? [4] The analogy surely is all on my side—and I believe that the spirit of the English language is, also.
I write all this, because you will find many other sins of the sort, besides those in the “Cyprus Wine”,—& because I wish you to consider the subject as a point for consideration, seriously, & not to blame me as a writer of careless verses. If I deal too much in licenses, it is not because I am idle, but because I am speculative for freedom’s sake. It is possible you know, to be wrong conscientiously,—& I stand up for my conscience only.
I thank you earnestly for your candour hitherto, and I beseech you to be candid to the end.
“It is tawny as Rhea’s lion”. [5]
I know (although you dont say so) you object to that line. Yet consider its structure. Does not the final “y” of “tawny” suppose an apostrophe & apocope? Do you not run “tawny as” into two syllables naturally? I want you to see my principle–
With regard to blank verse, the great Fletcher admits sometimes seventeen syllables into his lines.
I hope Miss Heard received her copy [6] and that you will not think me arrogant in writing freely to you. Believe me, I write only freely—& not arrogantly—& I am impressed with the conviction that my work abounds with far more faults than you, in your kindness, will discover .. notwithstanding your acumen.
Always your affectionate
& grateful Elibet.
Address: H S Boyd Esqr / 24 (a) Grove End Road / St John’s Wood.
Publication: LEBB, I, 183–184.
Manuscript: Wellesley College.
1. This letter is postmarked 14 August 1844, a Wednesday.
2. The poem “Wine of Cyprus” bore the following dedication: “Given to me by H.S. Boyd, Esq., author of ‘Select Passages from the Greek Fathers,’ etc., to whom these stanzas are addressed.”
4. “Wine of Cyprus,” lines 165 and 167.
5. “Wine of Cyprus,” line 51.
6. See letter 1729, in which EBB thanks Boyd for sharing the letter wherein Mary Eliza Heard indicates that she received her copy (see Reconstruction, C70, present whereabouts unknown).
___________________
