2673. RB to Arabella & Henrietta Moulton-Barrett
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 14, 194–196.
Florence,
May 6, ’47.
My two dear sisters’ notes have been left for too long without acknowledgment—but I know Ba could not have written those long letters wherein I see her put her very heart & soul, without saying something of my gratitude and delight—indeed, she always promises me to do so—but when I watch the little rapid fingers working, I can never flatter myself so far as to say—“now she is delivering my message”! So, this time, there shall be a word from myself—a word of sincerest thanks for all your kindness, from those first days which Henrietta reminds me of so charmingly and unnecessarily, down to that last letter of hers which came to Pisa, and this very pretty purse of Arabel’s which arrived two days ago. How perfectly good of you both! You do, indeed, deserve Ba for a sister—and she also, deserves you,—if the truest, warmest affection can deserve anything. And do you not conceive what a happiness it is to me that I can so entirely sympathize with Ba in this bestowal of her love, and feel that instead of losing by it, I gain infinitely? Henrietta speaks of the early discoveries which you both made—but neither of you has yet to discover, I hope, that all that delicacy and considerateness was quite understood and appreciated then and now—altho’ I could not, certainly, know the full value of your behaviour at the time. I earnestly trust you may yourselves find such friends as you have been to me—such admirable, perfect friends!
Let me say no more of this now, when I can please you more certainly by speaking of Ba– She will have told you about our arrangements at Florence—how happy we are, and hope to continue. She is fast recovering health and strength, and, I doubt not, will be in a few weeks better than ever. Henrietta asks me to say candidly if she is “always obedient”; this Ba, who is my wife;—very disobedient she is—for all my commanding, and imploring to boot, will not make her eat a little more at dinner, or supper—nor fancy something she would like me to get her from this gay Florence—nor otherwise occupy her thoughts with herself for one moment. The serious truth is, that I no more believe her to be capable of one selfish feeling than of— .. but the comparison breaks down altogether,—or, rather, I can find nothing to compare with her entire generosity and elevation of character—and when I solemnly affirm that I have never been able to detect the slightest fault, failing or shadow of short-coming in her,—recollect that we have lived constantly together for eight months: I certainly never believed such a creature to be possible, and am full of thankfulness to God for blessing me with such a priceless gift. I can hardly talk after this fashion to all the world, you will easily conceive—but it is my privilege to be able to make such confidences to you—quite inadequate as they are!
I delight myself by thinking that one day you will see Ba again, and hear all the things never to be written—I cannot help thinking, also, that your eyes would detect many particularities in which we go wrong, like beginners as we are—(or rather, as I am—for Ba never sets me right—I can only guess what tends to her good—and therefore to mine)– But whether we meet sooner or later, be very sure of one thing—that I am now and shall ever be attached to you by every feeling of gratitude and affection. This is just a line for the present—but I will soon write at greater length, when we fairly settle. God bless you—dearest Sisters, as you are to your
RB.
Address, on integral page: Miss Barrett.
Publication: TTUL, pp. 46–48.
Manuscript: British Library.
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