1901. EBB to John Kenyon
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 10, 189–190.
[London]
Thursday night. [1 May 1845] [1]
Dearest Mr Kenyon,
I send you the ‘Radical’ at last—more ashamed of myself than he can ever be, for all his show of remorse.
Also, I send the whole Adonis elegy, [2] —of which, of course, only parts can be used,—but they must be selected with reference to the works of art in question: and much the same is to be said for the ‘Cyclops’ who opens his whole large eye on you .. & stares.
The paraphrases from Apuleius I have copied out again, altering one or two things by the way. The word you cd not read, was ‘scythes,’ & must not be altered,—because the reference is to the sacred scythes &c in the temple of Ares.
There is a beautiful passage in Theocritus somewhere about Adonis,—& I feel half inclined to try whether it might not be used together with a scrap from Bion’s elegy. But so much depends, of course on the ‘pictures!’ If the art-subject suited Theocritus’s verses better than Bion’s, Miss Thomson wd choose Theocritus,—would’nt she? The grouping of Loves is exquisite in both poets.
You will observe that I have used a new metre for the elegy. It is much nearer to the cadence of Hexameters,—& yet I am doubtful myself, without waiting for you to be wrathful.
The Radical is delightful. The vision of the wind (where he thinks he sees it) in the second volume, particularly pleased me– The descriptions, generally, make you feel as if you cd catch cold from them, they are so fresh & dewy. And altogether, I forgive him his vanity, which is egregious.
Now I entreat you not to say “thank you,” as if I were not pleased (when I am) with being trusted to do this little Greek business for your friend Miss Thomson. Only I trust to your sense of honour to order it so that nothing be used but what is useful.
Your ever affectionate
EBB.
N.B.
‘Psyche & the Eagle’ which I send, completes the list of subjects from Apuleius.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Wellesley College.
1. Dated by EBB’s return of the “Radical,” as promised in letter 1891.
2. This translation and the others mentioned in this letter were intended for Miss Thomson’s “classical album” (see Appendix IV).
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