4084. EBB to Sophia Eckley

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 24, 196.

Casa Guidi.

Thursday [?22] [October 1857] [1]

I write this line my dearest Sophie to tell you in the midst of the seas [2] that I love you & shall always love you, .. & that I thank God for all your pure loving kindness such as I have received out of your heart. May God love you, dear, (you & yours, ..) He who knows best to love– Your face & your voice & the touch of your hand have been a true [3] refreshment to me—and for the gift of this cup of pure water may you have your reward, [4] .. better than what I have to give back again in the grateful affection of your friend

EBB.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Berg Collection.

1. Conjectural dating based on EBB’s reference to Mrs. Eckley’s being “in the midst of the seas.” The Eckleys sailed from Leghorn for Egypt on 25 October 1857. But it seems likely that this note was sent to Leghorn before they embarked. In letter 4106 EBB expresses guilt for having written only one letter to Mrs. Eckley’s four, since the latter’s departure, the “one” being letter 4092.

2. Ezekiel 27:4.

3. Altered from “pure.”

4. Cf. Matthew 10:42.

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