Correspondence

3510.  EBB & RB to William Page

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 21, 55–56.

Jan. 13. ’55.

My dear Page,

This is only a word for my own sake—don’t think it wants or needs answer of any kind: but there can be nothing wrong or officious in doing what is so natural,—I may say, inevitable, as wish you well and assure you of my constant remembrance and affection. I have heard very little about you, but fear you are harassed & out of health. How little we can do for each other in such conjunctures! [1] Let me say what I feel, & understand why I say it. I have turned over in my mind the possibilities & prudence of a run up to Rome, just that I might see you—but it can hardly be. At the same time, I am not in apprehension as I should be did I know you less. No more is laid on any of us than he can bear. You must be an example to weaker men: and what gifts you have and will ever have! I shall write no more now,—out of the fulness of heart, this word would come, as I said.

God bless you, dear Page!

Yours ever faithfully & gratefully,

R Browning.

[Continued by EBB]

My dear Mr Page I must hang on to Robert as usual, to say poor words, such as human beings can say to one another in any trouble .. but I cant suffer him to say his alone– If we could both send you our hearts, you would be satisfied of the depth & entireness of their painful sympathy– Great spirits are greatly tried in this world– There must be a proportion in faculty & trial. By the sweat of the brain & of the heart, do they eat spiritual bread [2] & there is no other way– You see, even our sorrows have a spiritual “correspondence” [3] which is glorious & beautiful– May the vision be kept clear to your eyes.

I am sure that when we shall have attained to the end we never shall grudge the most bitter of the means– Indeed, no!

Dear Mr Page, it would be great comfort to us to have a letter from you some time when it shall not irk you to write it to tell us that you are getting on with your next works, for which Robert & I have reverence & hope– Also, we long to hear that you are tolerably well, & that the fever has not recurred this winter. My picture is so exquisite [4] —though the slow Florentines have’nt finished the gilding of the new frame– It must be in England for the exhibition, you know– I have written about it already–

May God bless you. It must be a great thought for true artists, that His work at least goes on uninterrupted towards the eternal perfection.

Believe in the truth of your grateful & affectionate friend

Elizabeth B Browning

Publication: Joshua C. Taylor, William Page: The American Titian (Chicago, [1957]), pp. 136 and 140 (in part).

Source: Microfilm at Smithsonian Institution.

1. RB alludes to Sara Page’s desertion of her husband, see letter 3504, note 2.

2. Cf. Genesis 3:19.

3. An allusion to the Swedenborgian notion of “correspondences” between material and spiritual phenomena.

4. Page’s portrait of RB, presented to EBB by the artist.

___________________