5117. Walter Savage Landor to RB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 30, 131.
[Florence]
[ca. October 1862] [1]
Kindest of all kind friends! how can I ever thank you sufficiently! Winter is coming, and I am going. Perhaps we may go together, but perhaps I may lead the way.– One of the pictures will bring little—the other has few equals in England, or elsewhere. Had I known the London auctioneers, or their names, I would not have troubled you with the heavy package: Boxall will think of one. Let them go at any rate—no reservation. All I wish is to have the 20 or 30£ reading [sic] to the coffin and the voyage of Walter and Charles. Once in England they will get money from their elder brother’s agent. My expenses are small. I never eat for dinner four ounces– I drink the third of Florence pint, sometimes a fourth more. This, as you know, is worth about 3 pence. I would have no new cloathes: mine have lasted three winters– If you really are coming back to Florence—quod divôm promittere nemo est ausus– [2] I will keep back the Cicero and some other classics, which I intend to Robert. My own trash and sweepings will not see the light for six or seven weeks. [3] As many months have elapst since the second sheet, in which I have as much misplaced, irrevocably.– Blessings on you and Robert—more will descend on you from those who are better than your affectiona[te] W. Landor
Pray forward the enclosed in an envelope. Arthur Walker Esq, 21 Langham Place London.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Yale University.
1. Approximate dating based on Landor’s reference to the “heavy package,” which contained the paintings sent to England.
2. “What no god is to have dared to promise.” Cf. Vergil, Æneid, IX, 6–7, trans H. Rushton Fairclough, rev. G.P. Goold: “Quod optanti divum promittere nemo auderet, volvenda dies en attulit ultro” (“What no god dared to promise to your prayers, see—the circling hour has brought unasked”).
3. Another reference to Heroic Idyls, which remained unpublished for another year.
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