17 December 1846. Browning, Elizabeth Barrett to Lowell, James Russell.

              Pisa.

Decr 17– 1846.

Dear Mr Lowell,

Certainly I have every reason to fear for myself in approaching you at last– I come up “with my lesson” like a lagging schoolboy, with a sidelong glance at the shelf where the rod lies. Extend your pardon to me at once, that I may take courage & speak.

I believe you had my letter about your ‘Conversations’ while I was having yours on the subject of the Slave poem,—but being haunted by a dreadful doubt even upon that point, I must mention it .. not to pass with you for a monster of ingratitude. Did you get that letter? The book was so interesting, that if my name had not been in it, I should have had reasons for thanking you with ever so much earnestness. It has the beauty & fancy, which a poet’s book talking of poets, is apt to have.

And now for this Slave-poem, which at the eleventh hour, I enclose to you. I ought to have at once