From The Writer's Almanac, and just in time for Valentine's Day:
Poets Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Browning carried out one of the most famous romantic correspondences in literary history. They first introduced themselves by epistolary means, and fell in love even before they had met in person. The letter that began their relationship was written by Robert in January 1845; it was essentially a piece of fan mail to esteemed poet Elizabeth Barrett. He wrote:
"I love your verses with all my heart, dear Miss Barrett — and this is no offhand 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 ..."
Barrett responded right away: "I thank you, dear Mr Browning, from the bottom of my heart. ... Such a letter from such a hand!"
They continued writing to each other, clandestinely, for a year and a half, and then they secretly got married in 1846. Right before the wedding, Robert mailed off to Elizabeth a letter that said: "Words can never tell you, however, — form them, transform them anyway, — how perfectly dear you are to me — perfectly dear to my heart and soul. I look back, and in every one point, every word and gesture, every letter, every silence — you have been entirely perfect to me — I would not change one word, one look. I am all gratitude — and all pride (under the proper feeling which ascribes pride to the right source) all pride that my life has been so crowned by you."
And then, the day after the wedding, she wrote to him:
"What could be better than [your] lifting me from the ground and carrying me into life and the sunshine? ... All that I am, I owe you — if I enjoy anything now and henceforth, it is through you."
During their courtship, she was composing sonnets for him, which she presented to him as a wedding gift. The sonnets were published in 1850 and include one of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's most famous love poems ever:
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right.
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints — I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! — and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
Have you written a love letter today?
For many years my dad gave my mom the same valentine every year (not just the a repeat of the same card -- the actual same one). It's a little goofy, but he did it to do something unique, just for her, and that's very romantic.
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's Day!
Audrey - Aww, what a lovely story! Thanks so much for sharing :-)
DeleteMy love note for today said, "your turn to load the dishwasher" -- I'm guessing you might think Elizabeth Barrett Browning is more romantic! LOL (but she probably had a maid!)
ReplyDeleteSuch a perfect Valentine post! I so enjoyed it. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteOh, I loved this. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLove this story and the poem.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful story!!! And no, I haven't written a love letter lately but now think I should!
ReplyDeleteI read the Sonnets a couple of years ago and found it so interesting to be able to see how the relationship developed through reading them.
ReplyDeleteLisa - I'd love to read through them, too. I'm sure it's much more memorable than reading one here and there.
Delete