4336. EBB to Sophia Eckley
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 26, 64–65.
[Rome]
[late February 1859] [1]
Your messengers had the “wings” at least of a dove, [2] & would flee away & be at rest from the weight of my notes, both last night & this morning. Also as I was reading your last note, dearest Sophie, Mr Talfourd came in, so I could only “sit” & brood over it, not write & answer it– This I bade Peni explain–
And you were unwell yesterday? Was it the heat of the room, do you think, and going out suddenly into the cold? How wise and kind you would have been to stay a little, & not be startled by Miss Ogle. And how wise & kind Mr Eckley is, in not allowing you to come to me today,—in influencing you to lie quietly on the sofa & prepare for the evening! That is right. I approve entirely, even while I miss you. It is wise & kind–
But the visitor yesterday would not have hurt you. She was very interesting, and opened herself, & pleased me much. Not many people are worth reading through, but I think I should like to have all the volumes of her—the ‘collected works.’
Happily Robert got away in time from his first engagement last evening, to attend to the second.
Now for tonight it seems to me you wont have a crowd, .. for everybody seems going everywhere, & there are private theatricals, & receptions & the stars know what else– Now dont you be tired– Keep lying down, & when you get up be content to look beautiful, & let that be enough for the people who come. It wont be hard for you, & will be generally satisfactory.
Which reminds me of my photograph. Why should I put it into the bedroom? what better shall I ever have or hope to have? Indeed I will hold it fast, with both hands, & persist in my possession.
May God bless you dearest Sophie. I had no proper last word nor kiss yesterday, & am without any today–
Yet am ever your loving
Ba.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Berg Collection.
1. Approximate dating based on EBB’s mention of “my photograph,” evidently a likeness of Mrs. Eckley that in letter 4337 has “vanished.”
2. Cf. Psalm 55:6.
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