4568. RB to Charles Stephen Francis

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 27, 129–130.

Rome, Via del Tritone 28

Jan. 6. ’60.

Dear Sir,

According to my promise, I write to apprise you that my wife will publish immediately a small collection of poems bearing on the political questions just now agitating Europe—“Poems before Congress.” It is so small that you can easily get it up & out, in case you incline to do so, on receiving the proofs which shall be sent at least a week before the publication in England. [1] It will be unnecessary, I think .. or rather, you will think,—to retain the last poem, which, though unprinted in England, has been already circulated extensively in America—it rests with you, of course. We leave you to make us whatever remuneration you think right. My wife’s best respects go with those of

Yours faithfully

Robert Browning

C. S. Francis Esq.

Address: C. S. Francis Esq. / 554 Broadway / New York. U.S.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Yale University.

1. Francis issued the work in April 1860 under the title Napoleon III in Italy, and Other Poems. He included “the last poem,” “A Curse for a Nation.”

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