5064. Robert Bulwer Lytton to RB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 30, 76–78.
Grand Hôtel le l’Europe
Dirigé par Marseille
Venise [1]
May 4 [1862] [2]
The date of this letter will I hope, my dear Browning partly explain why I have suffered so many days to pass since I recd from Chapman the ‘Last Poems’, without writing to you– [3] And I must also trust to it to suggest some explanation better than I can offer in any other form of why these words written in all the hurry & confusion of departure, are utterly inadequate to give expression to what I had, & have, in my heart to say to you–
Indeed I cannot attempt to say more about this Cabinet of gems which I open and close & open again with a sad & reverent hand than that I have laid up from the study of it all the pain and all the pride of conviction than that the life which was so long like a light upon the future of my own life, was to the last growing & greatening, & passing upward and onward in beauty & power.
Even now—and I think it will be always so my thoughts of her and you seem to turn their faces forwards rather than backwards– She was to me always a presence beyond, and so I think of her still. There are some things in this book which I cannot speak of, because they speak to me, so strangely & so strongly I can only listen to them– And you will not doubt, I think, how much more than praise I would say if I could– I cannot say ‘I like this more’, or ‘that less’ I love all too much– Only there are some utterances so intense that they are like oracles & apparitions & leave me wondering and overpowered—others that bring back .. But take all I cannot say dear Browning as more reverent & grateful than any attempt to say it. I thank you for this book as best I can– I cannot turn over the leaves of it before you.
I have been at Venice for a few days & return to morrow to Vienna—where I have taken a Country House on the Danube—among the trees & fields, with a large garden—and a spare room for any friend– How I wish that friend might be yourself– What are your summer plans? I must write again when I get back to Vienna, for I feel, I know not why, unable to write now, or here—and I had much to say to you– I cant help inclosing this end of a letter which I recd a few days ago from my father—about yourself–
Do not forget me, or ever doubt that I love you with all my heart & honour you with all my mind: & am
Your ever affect friend
R Lytton
My best love to Pen.
Publication: BBIS-10, pp. 199–201.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.
Enclosure:
[London]
[ca. 15 April 1862]
<***> If you get the permission I will return you the letter; with some observations[.]
Browning dined with me tete a tête & staid some hours– I am delighted with him: a truly noble & grand creature. Sound as a bell—of gold! I derived much instruction as well as pleasure from his talk.
Direct to the P. Office[,] Buxton Derbyshire
Yrs in haste
E B Lytton
Weather here infernal.
1. Embossed return address.
2. Year provided by Lytton’s reference to EBB’s Last Poems (1862).
3. This presentation copy has not been located.
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