52. EBB to James Graham-Clarke

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 44.

Hope End

Sep: 20th 1817

My dear James:

I am indeed astonished to hear h<ow> [1] ill you have treated the Muse; she has just threat<ened> to leave you, if you continue your conduct. I therefore think it is but friendly to warn you of the precipice, which, unknown to yourself, you are on the brink of: it puts me in mind of the manner they catch elephants in, who when they tumble into the pit prepared for them bewail in vain their fallen majesty– Believe me, you do not only incur the displeasure of the Muse, but that also of Apollo, who is now sharpening his fiery darts to put you to confession; the Cyclops do not take your part for I believe they are now forging thunder bolts to revenge the Imperial Master of the lyre– Nay, his anger may pursue you soon—to the door of the |Fen| [2] house in spite of the scent which is I suppose still governing JC– most likely Hermes will furnish him (as Ulysses) with the herb Moly, [3] with this difference, that instead of repulsing the enchantments of Circe, it should vanquish the tyrant of the nose– I now beg you my dear James to open your desk & to beg pardon of the Nine Sisters whom you have so seriously offended. It is indeed an insult to sacrifice Minerva <a>t the suit of Momus, [4] whose inexorable decrees are exorbitant upon men, who still persevere to kiss their chains because they are of gold——

E.B.

Publication: None traced.

Source: Copy in Mary Moulton-Barrett’s hand, Berg Collection.

1. Ink blot.

2. Handwriting unclear; possibly a reference to Fenham Hall.

3. The mythical antidote to Circe’s sorceries.

4. The son of Nox. He was driven out of heaven for his carping criticisms of the gods.

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