5402. RB to Francis Turner Palgrave
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 31, 72.
19. Warwick Crescent,
June 15. ’64
Dear Palgrave,
How I wish I could go to you to-morrow! I dine so far away from York Gate [1] that the case is hopeless. Thank you, however, for remembering me whenever you are in the enjoyment of a visit from the Professor [2] I should so like to see.
Thank Mrs Palgrave also & believe me heartily yours
R Browning.
By the way—here is a fancy of mine: ask the Professor to read or recall this verse–
ἡ γλωσσα μικρον μελος εςι αγ μεγαλαυχει. 'Ιδυ, ολιγον πυς ἡλικην ὑλην αναπτει· αγ ἡ γλωσσα πνρ. [3]
—and say whether the Apostle may not have had this passage running in his head
Ιςω δε μηδεις ταυθ' ἁ σιγιασθα. χρεων μικρου γαρ εκ λαμπτηρος Ιδαιον λεπας Πρησειεν αν τις, κ.τ.λ. [4] one of the fragments of the lost Ino of Euripides, and quoted by three authors.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.
1. Palgrave’s address at this time was 5 York Gate, Regent’s Park.
2. Presumably Benjamin Jowett (see letter 5316).
3. “The tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire.” James 3:5–6.
4. Cf. Euripides, Ino, 411, trans. Christopher Collard and Martin Cropp: “And let no one know these things which ought to be kept quiet. Just as one could set fire to the slopes of Ida from a small torch, etc.” In this and subsequent quotations from, or references to, Greek and Latin classical authors, citations are from the Loeb Classical Library unless otherwise noted.
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