4166. EBB to Isa Blagden
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 25, 100–101.
[Florence]
[?16] [April 1858] [1]
My dearest Isa I know you will understand & forgive me for not receiving you this evening (my own great loss) when I tell you that I continue very unwell & that Robert goes out again to M. Mignaty in order to keep himself clear for Salvini. Sitting up at night just now is pain & grief to me, & I do want to get right again, if possible.
Now, dear, I propose to you another arrangement instead. Come to us tomorrow & dine, so as to reconcile Perkins & Salvini. That wont hurt me or tire me at all, dearest Isa—& I particularly entreat you to do it. (Unless you are afraid of our dinner.)
Robert thanks you much for his box [2] —but not at all for the scudi– Woe to you– And as to him, it was enough to bring on another bilious attack.
On your side, dont think me unkind about tonight– You see I go to bed as soon as possible after Robert has gone. When he is at home I struggle to keep up that he may not be alone,—but even then, I dont overstay nine oclock. The eye is better on the whole, & will be better, with patience, I dare say– And so for the rest ..
Your ever loving, Ba–
Address, on integral page: Miss Blagden.
Publication: B-IB, pp. 150–151.
Manuscript: Fitzwilliam Museum.
1. Conjectural date suggested by EBB’s reference to her eye ailment, which lasted from 12 April to about 24 April, and to RB’s “box” (see note 2 below).
2. Doubtless a box at the Cocomero theatre for a performance of Othello with Tommaso Salvini in the title role. An advertisement for Otello, to be played by “La Drammatica Compagnia Italiana di Cesare Dondini” on 17 April 1858, appeared in the Monitore Toscano of the 17th (p. 4). RB’s account book of this period records a purchase of a “Box at Cocomero” on 16 April for 5 francesconi (see Appendix IV). Two other payments for boxes at the Cocomero are listed in the account book: 23 April (2 francesconi, 1 paul) for another performance of Otello on 24 April (see Monitore of that date, p. 4); and 28 April (2 francesconi) for a performance of Edipo by Giovanni Battista Niccolini (1782–1861) on 29 April (see Monitore of that date, p. 4). Isa Blagden and evidently the Perkinses joined RB in his box on the 17th (see letter 4167). The editors wish to thank Elena Capolino, of Florence, Italy, for her assistance in tracing performance dates in the Monitore Toscano.
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