3386. EBB to Isa Blagden

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 20, 183.

[Rome]

[mid-April 1854] [1]

Dearest Isa I never thought you X since I was born—any more than I thought myself O, [2] —Heaven & my bones knowing how little reason I have had to think the latter!

But you must be reasonable, & not rush away with the curse of Evans [3] on your knee, & the sun burning hot to help it—the curse I mean—not the knee.

Here’s a dress of Peni’s, which would suit a child of any age I think, if adapted to proper proportions.

Your ever affectionate Ba

Publication: B-IB, p. 50.

Manuscript: Fitzwilliam Museum.

1. Dating based on EBB’s reference to Isa’s knee and her “rush away,” presumably from Rome to Florence. Other letters of this period indicate that Isa arrived in Florence on 22 April.

2. EBB is punning on naughts and crosses.

3. A liquid medicine or a plaster, manufactured by the firm of Evans Sons & Co., Liverpool.

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