4601. Unidentified Correspondent to EBB

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 27, 178.

[Oxford] [1]

Feb, 9. 1860.

To E. Barrett Browning.

——

Sister, to whom Death’s dim domains are not

A dark Waste only;—nor the dreary tomb

The limit of dear longings;—nor a Gloom

All that thou knowest of God;—thy chosen lot

*To sit with Mary at His feet,—and blot

All from thy heart, save Him, with tears that come,

Not scorching, as the World’s,—be there thy home;

Grow to His likeness, perfect, without spot;

His love above thee, as the sky, extend!

Who did’st not find His words a weariness,

As worldlings do, but dost. adoring tend

His love, thyβ. choked voice vainly would express;—

—O, Sister now,—but, soon, sweet Angel-friend!

Thee, midst the worlds, shall thy dear Lord confess!

_________

I.R.V.

(* Sonnet. “Comfort.”)

(β. Sonnets. “The two Sayings.” “The Look.”) [2]

Address, on integral page: Mrs E. Barrett Browning / Casa Guidi / Florence / Italy. Redirected: Roma.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Scripps College.

1. Location provided by postmark.

2. These three sonnets by EBB were first published in Poems (1844).

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