November 4, 1845

The letters are a bit thin this week because Browning is busy with his book being published, but he sends Miss Barrett a short note today:

"Tuesday–

Only a word to tell you Moxon promises the books for to-morrow, Wednesday—so towards evening yours will reach you—'parve liber, sine me ibis [Little book, will you go without me?]' .. would I were by you, then and ever! You see, and know, and understand why I can neither talk to you, nor write to you now, as we are now;—from the beginning, the personal interest absorbed every other, greater or smaller—but as one cannot well,—or should not,—sit quite silently, the words go on, about Horne, or what chances—while you are in my thought.

But when I have you .. so it seems .. in my very heart,—when you are entirely with me—oh, the day!—then it will all go better, talk and writing too–

Love me, my own love,—not as I love you—not for—but I cannot write that: nor do I ask anything, with all your gifts here, except for the luxury of asking. Withdraw nothing, then, dearest from your RB"

 

Browning asks Miss Barrett to love him. I wonder why he thought he had to ask her to love him. Hmmm.....