5882. RB to Lady Hobart
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 32, 185–186.
19. Warwick Crescent,
Upper Westbourne Terrace, W.
March 25. ’67.
Dear Lady Hobart,
I quite agree with you that few things in my experience match the prettiness of Mr. Bright’s care about copying and sending those verses. [1] I have just written to thank him: and only now thank you—(to whom I am indebted, amongst other good things, for one of the pleasantest dinners I was ever privileged to enjoy) because I had hoped to call and say, rather than write, my thanks: I was unluckily prevented,—but shall endeavour again to find you at home in the course of the week.
With repeated thanks to you, and all kind regards to Lord Hobart, pray believe me,
Most truly yours ever
Robert Browning.
The poem is very musical, and right both in feeling and expression,—but wants, I venture to think, the depth and subtlety of Wordsworth’s. [2] Observe that the main objection I took was to the word “Songster”—which Mr Bright substituted for “stranger,” it would appear. [3]
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.
2. “To the Cuckoo” (1807).
3. RB refers to the first line in John Logan’s “Ode to the Cuckoo.”
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