4056. EBB to Sophia Eckley
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 24, 148–149.
[Bagni di Lucca]
Saturday. [26 September 1857] [1]
I have the best good news, dearest Sophie,—an excellent night, no fever to speak of—and this morning, a cry from the patient of “Oh, how very well I do feel. I think I never in my life felt so well! Pulse at seventy four.
I am very thankful, yet I feel that no thankfulness of mine is enough.
Thank God for us, my dear kindest friend.
For the rest, all you write, all you say, all you do, touches me beyond my poor expression. I should have been touched, even if I had been happy,—but as it is, when light touches are felt deeply … What shall I say?
He was charmed with dear David’s present– He had a new paper put on “to keep out the dust,” & when he gives some grand “party” in Florence, of which he is dreaming, he means to have an illumination of lamps arranged round this treasure of a box that the public attention may be directed to it properly– Tell David.
Our care now must be to prevent another relapse, & to this end he is permitted to take nothing in the way of nourishment except ten des[s]ert spoonfuls of broth at a time. We are quite satisfied with our medical adviser.
Yet this doctor would not use the warm bath– He said that if a chill occurred in the process, it might have bad effects. I suppose he must work in his own way.
Let me thank you once more, yes, & bless you for all your goodness to me.
Robert feels it too. We have one heart to you.
May God bless you. Have you had any sign from the spirits? You do not say. You are afraid of naming them now to such a traitor as you have found me– Is it so?– When you pass, let me see you–
Ever your affectionate EBB–
Where did the verses come from?
Address: Madame Eckley.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Berg Collection.
1. Dated by EBB’s references to Pen’s improving health and the gift from David Eckley mentioned in letter 4055.
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