Marceline DESBORDES VALMORE sends her first poems.

Marceline DESBORDES VALMORE (1786.1859)

Autographed letter signed to the publisher François Louis.

Three pages in-8°. No place. August 25, 1818.

"I have been very distressed, sir. Heaven never tires of testing my heart."

A very moving letter from the poet, written at the dawn of her literary fame.

Struck by the death of her daughter Junie, Marceline Desbordes Valmore sent her verses to the publisher Louis who would publish a few months later her first collection of verses Elegies, Marie and Romances.

________________________________________________________

“Sir. If the work I have just undertaken does not entirely meet your expectations, you will at least see in it proof of my desire to acknowledge your kind words. I have been deeply overwhelmed, sir. Heaven never tires of testing my heart —I have only glimpsed an angel… you can imagine, sir, that the title of mother costs me many tears [the poetess had just lost her first daughter, Junie, who died in infancy]. Judge how difficult it has been for me to focus my troubled thoughts on a work necessary for you—I will not dwell on your thoughts about what it has cost me— it is painful even to live when one is struck to the core.”

Since I can't write much, my husband [Prosper Lanchantin, known as Valmore] did it at my dictation. I'm taking this opportunity to send you these papers. Mr. ^Dupavillon , the artist who made the little drawings, is delivering them to you. If you choose " Winter Night" for your almanac this year, then you have the finished drawing.

Mr. Alibert ^doctor Jean-Louis Alibert, Marceline's supporter] just wrote to me. I hesitate to tell you that he finds the verses of Elegies and Romances enchanting, since he hasn't read them; he must have believed what you said. If you want to submit Marie to him, that's your prerogative, but he won't have the time either, because, it must be admitted, he's too busy.

I have a favor to ask of you: would you please give Mr. ^William fifty francs, which he says he needs at the moment? You may see him often. If you would be so kind as to give me the address of your correspondent in Brussels, I will have this sum delivered there, as I feel I am spending too freely with you. The difficulty of sending money to Paris makes me this bold. I haven't a moment to myself to write to Mr. ^William . Please accept my apologies to him by wishing him every happiness.

I am also awaiting a reply, and ask you to believe me, Sir, your most devoted Mrs. ^Desb . Valmore .

The third page of the letter is fascinating: it reveals Desbordes Valmore's meticulousness, her precision, her choice of the perfect word, the perfect verse. She returns to the publisher, discussing the perfect arrangement of three of her poems: La Nuit d'hiver, L'Orpheline , and Clémentine à Marie.

I am completely convinced about Louise Lavalière . I will keep the humble violet for the three verses—but save that romance for your songwriter—I will arrange it according to your advice, and in its place, I am sending you another for the collection *La Nuit d'hiver*: " Naïvement je vais…" (Naively I will…). She doesn't say she is naive; she says she will speak frankly, without disguise, without constraint, naively. She believes herself abandoned by everything in the world, and the world is for her her little deserted room.

Here we are, alone in the universe. She believes it – the world is a desert for the unfortunate.

It is winter that overwhelms him – winter does not overwhelm, it is the heat – the cold oppresses – it seems to me.

I leave you with regret – she doesn't leave, it's poetry that flies out the window, just as it came in. So I prefer it this way: I cannot stop you. One can easily guess that poetry was exiled by love.

The orphan : Harming is wrong, I agree. I'll remove it (...) I'd rather leave the future vague; Pauline would be more interesting that way, you'll see.

Prayer to Mary . (If you prefer, replace it with:)

Clementine on her knees

In his melancholy

And the title is Clementine to Marie.  

I have just sent the Orphan. You will see two verses changed , and twelve omitted.

Be my brother and save your sister!

Lise, if we follow your logic.

________________________________________________________

For easier reading, we have corrected and translated some of Mr. Desbordes Valmore's words into French.