2584. RB to EBB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 13, 341–342.
[London]
Saturday. [Postmark: 5 September 1846]
Dearest Ba, I feel your perfect goodness at my heart– I can say nothing–
—Nor write very much more: my head still teazes, rather than pains me. Don’t lay more of it to the dinner than necessary: I got my sister to write a letter deprecatory of all pressing to eat and drink and such mistaken hospitality—to the end that I might sit unpitied, uncondoled with, and be an eyesore to nobody—which succeeded so well that I eat some mutton and drank wine & water without let or molestation: our party was reduced to three, by a couple of defections—but there was an immense talking and I dare say this continuance of my ailment is partly attributable to it– —I shall be quiet now—I tell you the simple truth, that you may believe—and this also believe, that it would have done me great good to go to you this morning: if I could lean my head on your neck, what could pain it, dear—dear Ba?
I am sorry poor Flush is not back again—very sorry. But no one would hurt him, be quite sure .. his mere value prevents that–
Shall I see you on Monday then? This is the first time since we met at the beginning, that a whole week, from a Sunday to a Saturday, has gone by without a day for us. [1] Well—I trust you are constant .. nay, you are constant to your purpose of leaving at the end of this month– When we meet next, let us talk of our business, like the grave man and woman we are going to become. Mr K. will be away—how fortunate that is! We need implicate nobody. And in the end the reasonableness of what we do will be apparent to everybody—if I can show you, well, and happy,—which God send!
Kiss me as I kiss you, my own Ba—I am all one wide wonder at your loving nature: I can only give it the like love in return, and as much limited as I am limited. But I seem really to grow under you,—my faculties extend toward yours.
May God bless you, and enable me to make you as happy as your dear, generous heart will be contented to be made. I am your own
RB
Address: Miss Barrett, / 50. Wimpole Street.
Postmark: 8NT8 SP5 1846 O.
Publication: RB-EBB, p. 1047.
Manuscript: Wellesley College.
1. RB is mistaken; on one other occasion—from Sunday, 14 September, through Saturday, 20 September 1845—the poets did not meet.
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