2420. EBB to RB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 13, 56.
[London]
Tuesday. 6 oclock. [16 June 1846] [1]
Beloved, this weather, which makes Flush cross, perhaps helped to make me depressed this morning. I had not slept well, & ought not to have written to you till the effect of it had gone off—. Now I feel more as if I had been with you yesterday. Ah well!– I dont, cant remember what I wrote .. & some of it was wise .. for I ought not to have promised that, .. & you must loose me, that I may be loosed in Heaven, [2] from the bands of it. Only you are not to go to Greenwich (you go to Greenwich tomorrow, do you not?) thinking that I wanted to teaze you. There is just one meaning to all my words, let them be sad or gay .. & it is, that your happiness is precious—. For myself, if we were to part now & for ever, I should still owe you the only happiness of my life. But nobody is talking of parting, you know– I am yours, & cannot be put away from you except by your own hand. Which is decided! What I ask of you, is to spare me the pang of causing you to suffer on my account, .. & you may suffer sometimes I fear, through all your affection for me, .. & indirectly, if not directly.
Two visitors I have had today—dear Mr Kenyon, & Lady Margaret Cocks. She is going to Italy—(oh, of course!—) to Rome. He came to tell me that the books came to me from Landor himself, [3] & that I must write to him to thank him properly. Mrs Jameson I do not see,—nor Miss Bayley.
How hot it will be for you tomorrow! Try to be amused & not too tired dearest beloved, & tell me in your letters how the head is.
While the heart beats (mine!) I am your own.
I am going in the carriage presently & shall write again tonight. Wont that be three times in a day according to order?
Address: Robert Browning Esqre / New Cross / Hatcham / Surrey.
Postmarks: 1846 JU17 8Mg8 A; 10FN10 JU17 1846 A.
Docket, in RB’s hand: 199.
Publication: RB-EBB, p. 788.
Manuscript: Wellesley College.
1. Date provided by postmark.
2. Cf. Matthew 16:19.
3. See letter 2415, note 2.
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