4463. EBB to Sophia Eckley
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 26, 244–245.
Villa Alberti. Siena.
August 9. [1859] [1]
My dearest Sophie, here I am again, you see! on the right side of the earth.
Dear, I spoke to you—but my voice was so hoarse & inwards that you did not hear– I said, God bless you, Sophie–
Indeed I have been very ill—& it was doubtful at one time to my own mind how it would turn– If the same sort of attack had come on in the winter or in the north, it would have gone very hard with me certainly.
I have not written before because every sort of effort has been followed by suffering– Absolute repose has been a necessity. To say ‘yes’ & ‘no’ seemed difficult sometimes–
But now I am infinitely better– Cough no longer vexing– Sleep little disturbed– Only, of course, I am very weak—so weak that to walk across the room without an arm, sets me reeling & liable to fall– But I keep perfectly quiet, see nobody, speak to nobody––(even to Robert & Pen as little as possible–)–& rely on the beautiful sights & breathings of nature as they blow in through all these open windows for my daily improvement in strength– Robert, who has been perfect to me sitting up night after night .. has taken to hear Pen his lessons,—& Pen is perfectly good—& I am patient that the trouble shd pass from me for a little, since God wills it so.
As to Lucca, dear, I could not have borne the journey to Lucca—the seven miles of carriage at the end– It required immense courage to come even here– If you had seen the state in which I was deposited in the railroad!– Then the valley shut up air & the damp of Lucca would have been less favorable to me than this open country which leaves room for all the sky.
Of course I have not left these two adjoining rooms yet—but the purple hills & vineyards look beautiful through the open windows, & we shall have drives presently.
The Storys have been very, very kind– But you—you have suffered from indigestion?– I am sorry– You should take more exercise—did you not agree it was better?– I shall long to see the new work in clay– My love to the subject of it … Fanny, .. meanwhile.
Our united love to dear Mr Eckley & dear Doady–
May God bless you & love you dear dearest Sophie– I do from my low plane—only that helps so little.
Lovingly yours Ba–
Will you tell Mrs Bruen [2] that I had her letter, & some comfort from it .. at a time when I could not write. When I am stronger she shall hear from me, & learn how much I thank her.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Berg Collection.
1. Year provided by EBB’s references to her health.
2. Mary Ann Bruen and her daughter Mary Lundie Bruen were residing at Casa Nobile, Bagni di Lucca.
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