New Cross, Hatcham, Surrey.
Jan. 13, 1845.
Dear Miss Barrett, – – I just shall say, in as few words as I can, that you make me very happy, and that, now the beginning is over, I dare say I shall do better, because my poor praise, number one, was nearly as felicitously brought out, as a certain tribute to no less a personage than Tasso, which I was amused with at Rome some weeks ago, in a neat pencilling on the plaister-wall by his tomb at Sant’Onofrio – – ‘Alla cara memoria – – di – – (please fancy solemn interspaces and grave capital letters at the new lines) di – – Torquato Tasso – – il Dottore Bernardini – – offriva – – il seguente Carme – – O tu‘ – – and no more, – – the good man, it should seem, breaking down with the overload of love here! But my ‘O tu’ – – was breathed out most sincerely, and now you have taken it in gracious part, the rest will come after. Only, – – and which is why I write now – – Continue reading “#3”