4519. EBB to Isa Blagden
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 27, 36.
[Florence]
[mid-November 1859] [1]
Dearest Isa, your cap is a miracle of ‘cheapness’– If the woman belonging to it, could come here directly, she might try to do something for me.
I like the card too very much. Thank you, very dear–
What wretched weather– Enough to make one ‘despond’. Ferdinando has put up Penini to a horrible conception of the risks of Rome. Said he at breakfast this morning to Robert,—“If mama gets a cannon-ball in her stomach it will be worse than cold air in her chest.” Is it undeniable?
I will send the cap back tomorrow by Peni–
I do wish, dearest Isa, you had sent me word how your cold was this morning– May you not have suffered from your kindness last night! Robert is better—doing honor to nux– [2]
Your ever affectionate & true
Ba.
True, true! is any one true I wonder?– Except you? except me when I love you? Except one or two besides?– It sounds to my own senses almost conceited of me to make myself such an exception–
Publication: B-IB, p. 253.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
1. Dating based on EBB’s reference to Rome and the “wretched weather.” The Brownings delayed their departure for Rome until 28 November 1859, by which time the weather had improved.
2. i.e., nux vomica (see letter 4148, note 8).
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