SD2179. Diary Entry of Sophia Hawthorne
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 25, 356–357.
Florence
Friday 25th [June 1858]
This day was made memorable by spending the evening at Casa Guidi with Una, and a small party. I saw Mrs Browning better, and she grows ever lovelier on farther knowing. Mr Browning is very charming and Pennini is a fit child for them. Mr Browning gave me a pomegranate bud from “Casa Guidi windows” to press in my memorial book. The finest light gleams from Mrs Browning’s arched eyes—for she has those arched eyes so unusual [here is a sketch of EBB’s eye] so flickering and remote, a fine, intellectual, spiritual radiance blue, beneath dark lashes, and from out a bower of raven curls. I wish such deep pain were not ploughed into her face—such pain that the great happiness of her married life cannot smooth it out. In moments of rest from speaking, her countenance reminds one of those mountain sides, furrowed deep with spent water-torrents. Water-torrents have also worn channels in her face—so much grief, so much suffering. The angelic spirit, triumphing, at moments restores the even surface. How has any thing so delicate braved so much storm? It is plain, however, that a great love has kept her feet on earth a season longer.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Berg Collection.
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