“…You will not believe what a luxury I feel in not having to fear your [father’s] displeasure—nor having to doubt the reality of your affection. My own beloved, there never was a moment when I ceased to love you: never a moment when I didn’t feel that I must come back to you, make myself known to you as no one else can. But I think I never loved you so well, never so worshipfully, as now.”
Robert and Elizabeth Browning were two famous poets who fell in love through their letters. They wrote many beautiful and heartfelt letters to each other, expressing their feelings and thoughts. Elizabeth Barrett Browning also wrote a set of 44 poems for Robert Browning, called the “Sonnets from the Portuguese,” which are very romantic and poetic. Their love story is very inspiring and touching, and has influenced many people who admire love and poetry. Here are some few excerpts from Robert Browning’s letters to Elizabeth Barrett Browning:
Letter dated January 10, 1845:
My own dearest,
I get more and more, if possible, affected by your simplicity and your delicate thoughts—I do assure you, you are to me the most admirable and adorable woman that ever was or ever can be. I was made and meant to look for you and wait for you and become yours forever. And to be yours forever I will.
With my whole heart, I am yours.
R.B.
The love story between these two famous and romantic tales in literary history. The two poets met in 1845 and began corresponding through letters. At the time, Elizabeth was already famous but sick and stayed at home most of the time, despite her seclusion, she and Robert developed a deep connection through their letters, sharing their thoughts, feelings, and literary interests.
Letter dated January 18, 1846:
I love your verses with all my heart, dear Miss Barrett,—and this is no off-hand complimentary letter that I shall write,—whatever else, no prompt matter-of-course recognition of your genius and there a graceful and natural end of the thing: since the day last week when I first read your poems, I quite laugh to remember how I have been turning and turning again in my mind what I should be able to tell you of their effect upon me—For in the first flush of delight I thought I would this once get out of my habit of purely passive enjoyment, when I do really enjoy, and thoroughly justify my admiration—perhaps even, as a loyal fellow-craftsman should, try and find fault and do you some little good to be proud of hereafter!—but no, I will keep quite away from you and not interfere at all, you are too much above me and too far above me: and since I can do nothing to lower you to my level, I must behave as humbly as usual, and say that you have done a great deal to elevate me to yours. The peculiar tone of your mind I feel sure in some degree coloring my own thoughts: I have not seen a trace of bitterness or even asperity in what you last wrote: and if I have never seen energy of thoughts and clearness of expression carried further, I have also never seen the strong common sense of life and manners, the quick recognition of the ridiculous or unseemly in human actions, the quick tact and generous full-heartedness. Take all in all, I have never met (nor, it is evident to me, can I ever meet) any woman so worthy to be loved as you, and to be loved by me.
From the first moment I started off, full gallop, into the dark, I felt perfectly certain, if I never returned to say so, that you were worthy to be loved; and now I find you all that, and more: indeed I do know you better than you do know me, and so, take the truth, and set it to some sweet music, and use it, and it will get into your head somehow, and turn out to be, I believe, what it at least represents to you.
My whole heart goes with this beautiful letter of yours. Your last book has indeed added many crowns to your crown—no other woman could have written it in the present age, none but you in the age that is to come, I believe after reading it. I need not say how my judgments confirm me in the old views and ways, or how your book has brought me to feel the world outside and inside me, and before me and after me, as a whole. Now I am sure that your good wishes and good opinion will accompany me through all and any conditions of my life.
Do let me have a word soon.
Ever your most affectionate friend,
Robert Browning.
Elizabeth Barrett was born in 1806 and was one of the most prominent poets of the Victorian era. By the time she met Robert, she was already a respected and successful poet. Robert Browning, born in 1812, was also a poet of note, although not as widely recognized at the time.
Their courtship through letters was a discreet and intimate exchange of emotions and ideas. Elizabeth’s father was known for being strict and disapproving of potential suitors, which made their relationship challenging. Eventually, Robert and Elizabeth decided to marry in secret in 1846, and they eloped to Italy, where they lived for the rest of their lives.
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