Nor is it your fault
that you do a hero's work, nor do we love you less if we cannot
help you in it. Pity me, O strong man! I am of a puny
constitution half made up, and as I from childhood knew,--not a
poet but a lover of poetry, and poets, and merely serving as
writer, &c. in this empty America, before the arrival of the
poets. You must not misconstrue my silences, but thank me
for them all, as a true homage to your diligence which I love
to defend...
She* had such reverence and love for Landor that I do not know
but at any moment in her natural life she would have sunk in the
sea, for an ode from him; and now this most propitious cake is
offered to her Manes. The loss of the notes of Browning and of
Mazzini, which you confirm, astonishes me.
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* Margaret Fuller. The break in continuity is in the rough draft.
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CL. Carlyle to Emerson
Chelsea, 25 June, 1852
Dear Emerson...... You are a born _enthusiast,_ as quiet as you
are; and it will continue so, at intervals, to the end. I
admire your sly low-voiced sarcasm too;--in short, I love the
sternly-gentle close-buttoned man very well, as I have always
done, and intend to continue doing!--Pray observe therefore, and
lay it to heart as a practical fact, that you are bound to
persevere in writing to me from time to time; and will never get
it given up, how sulky soever you grow, while we both remain in
this world.
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