New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-14
MRS. BROWNING'S MARRLAGE.
rrom rinsieIs lIaaas.ne.


"Ladv Geraldircs Courtship" Was written IN
twelve days by the invalid. 1t contained several
illusions to living poets ana aons o, and Pome
granaIes was referred to in these lines
or from Browning some Pomegranates which, II cut
s,o Geey @f" WitbIn boodtnctured Of yened hu-
mainly
Pleased with this compliment. the poet called upon
Elizabeth Barrett i'll order TO have an opportunity
Of thanking her nersona I roetess was never at
home save to "A few intimate friends, ana ne" scr
want. who opened the door for Me- Browhlhg, ms,
taking him for one of these unhestatln1ly ushesu
him into the nvalids room, where they met TOT iic
first time Previously. when she had hhlsheu lhdb
mapniGcent poem, " The Dead Tan, when teaches
rs strange mysteries OF melodies ana HoWS ioIN
free and pure like a great crystal stream down tDe
swift sweet current OF sound INTO INC vast Nocelul
sea of profound thought, Elizabeth Barrett sent the
manuscript to a friend, in order 10 nave MS citl-
clsn who in turn showed 1t 10 Robert Browning.
The poet was much impressed by IT, anu "IVtc d
letter to his friend full OF enthusiastic appfGcatu'
which found It's way into EllZaDetn DdlI.t'o
hands This incident no doubt paved the way 10
friendship between them which alterward resulted
i'm ono of the happiest of nnons This port OF hei
ife's story reads moro like fiction than tact, DuC
fiction were cOl0rless Veside such reality. -,..,
Mr. Barrett refused his consent TO ms 1au9ntetl:
marriage. She was his iavorite, the ppect ol us t
pride rs well rs his love; he IL was VINO helpeu "
form her mind. and store 1t with the riches IL con-
taned lie could not endure the idea OF severance
Altogether the idea of her union was palhiul 70 nm,
life he refused to be recOnced to her, NOTWITHSTANDING
ING her appeals to his affection. However, she now
loved in her thirty-ninth year. and icr tne HrsI
time and for a conception OF the great uepUn auu
sublime feTvOr OF this new auction WhlGIi pioAo
over her still lie, and suddenly woke her 10
nobler convention OF humanity, to n clearer Vision
Of that subtle sOul-pOwer which DlndS heatt 10
heart we have only to turn to those most glorious
" Sonnets from the Portuguese. In these we see
and feel that her heart has overlown from very
force of its happiness, and has broken out IN rap
turous songs which chain us with the unOreakaDle
and unbroken spell of deepest harmony, tremuious
with all the glow and tire OF ardent ana pure auec-
ton fresh as morning sublime and sweet as me
direct aspirations of n mind rapt and Overwhelmed
nv the first ecstasy of virgin love, and fuI' OF
n,Susic never before equaed, never since eXcelled
Perhaps there are no two lines In the Engilsh OF
anv other language which with such simplicity ana
force express so much as these
Iyield the grave for thy sake and EXCHANGE .o
NY near sweet view OF heaven Tor eafth Win tnee'
And they help to show us and make us comprehend
avoke in her Two years after her first interview
with Mr. Browning, Elizabeth Barrett was inter-
ally assisted from her couch and married to the
poet and immediate " after the ceremony they de-
nortpd for italy "Our plans were made up at the
last and in the utmost haste and agitation. precln-
tated beyond all intention" she writes to friend
and further adds " Perhaps 1t has struck you tlat
q woman might act more generously IMAM 10 Tcpay
n generous attachment with such Il lueslohaDle
Gift and possible burden as that OF uncertain
health and broken spirits; to which can only say
that I have been overcome IN generosity as Ill all
else though not without a long struggle III TINS
snpciic case also there the experience tnat all
NV maladies come from without ANA the nope tnat,
ifunoroyol1cd by English winters they would cease
TO come at all. The mlldness OF the iast eXcep,
tioual winter has lett me different creature ana
the physicians hepe lie TO hope every tllhg from
Italy; 80 you see how it all ended"