4177. EBB to Sophia Eckley

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 25, 121.

[Florence]

[?mid-May 1858] [1]

There’s a line in Thompson ..

“In a shower

Of opening roses, on our plains descend.” [2]

But that was only May—(& not true in England!) and this is you & May together, .. & Italy–

How can I thank you? In the poor way I use to thank you for love—Dearest Sophie.

Your loving & grateful

EBB—

Your messenger has gone without my answer. But I send it.

Nothing but good from yesterday.

Address: À Madame / Madame David Eckley.

Docket, in recipient’s hand: Casa / Aretini / Florence / Mai / 1858.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Berg Collection.

1. Conjectural dating based on the docket and EBB’s references to roses in this letter and in letter 4176.

2. Cf. James Thomson, “Spring” (The Seasons, 1730), lines 3–4: “… veil’d in a Shower / Of shading Roses, on our Plains descend.”

___________________