4399. EBB to Sophia Eckley

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 26, 138.

[Rome]

[?8 May 1859] [1]

I am a shade better, dearest Sophie, but still so heavy headed that I shall scarcely be fit to drag myself, or even to be dragged, to St Peter’s today– Woe to me if I should not be able to go to you tomorrow evening?– Would you ever forgive me or I forgive myself– Let me try to be able– But I shall see you, shant I? Hatty is here talking——

& I am here loving you

Ba–

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Berg Collection.

1. Conjectural dating based on EBB’s reference to St. Peter’s. She often attended Sunday mass at St. Peter’s during the spring of 1859 (see the sixth to last paragraph in letter 4438). 8 May 1859 was the Sunday before EBB wrote of a reception at the Eckleys (see letter 4405), which may have occurred on 9 May 1859.

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