4572. RB to Edward Chapman

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 27, 137.

Rome, Via del Tritone 28

Jan. 12. ’60:

Dear Chapman,

I hope you got the two letters [1] with their contents which I sent to London by the govt courier some days ago: here’s another poem [2] to add to the collection. I am anxious to know what you think about the plan.

Ever yours faithfully

Robert Browning.

I don’t pay, for safety’s sake.

Address: Angleterre. / E. Chapman Esq. / Messrs Chapman & Hall, / 193. Piccadilly, / London.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.

1. These letters have not surfaced. Doubtless, they contained printer’s copy for five of the eight poems in Poems Before Congress (1860). The three other poems were sent later: the one mentioned here (see note 2 below), “The Dance” (see letter 4582, note 9), and “The Court Lady” (see letter 4588, note 3).

2. This is either “An August Voice” or “Christmas Gifts”; the six other poems are accounted for in the correspondence.

___________________