Emily Dickinson - Letter 271 (August 1862) T. W. Higginson lyrics

Dear friend - Are these more orderly? I thank you for the Truth - I had no Monarch in my life, and cannot rule myself, and when I try to organize - my little Force explodes - and leaves me bare and charred - I think you called me "Wayward." Will you help me improve? I suppose the pride that stops the Breath, in the Core of Woods, is not of Ourself - You say I confess the little mistake, and omit the large - Because I can see Orthography - but the Ignorance out of sight - is my Preceptor's charge - Of "shunning Men and Women" - they talk of Hallowed things, aloud - and embarra** my Dog - He and I dont object to them, if they'll exist their side. I think Carlo would please you - He is dumb, and brave - I think you would like the Chestnut Tree, I met in my walk. It hit my notice suddenly - and I thought the Skies were in Blossom - Then there's a noiseless noise in the Orchard - that I let persons hear - You told me in one letter, you could not come to see me, "now," and I made no answer, not because I had none, but did not think myself the price that you should come so far - I do not ask so large a pleasure, lest you might deny me - You say "Beyond your knowledge." You would not jest with me, because I believe you - but Preceptor - you cannot mean it? All men say "What" to me, but I thought it a fashion - When much in the Woods as a little Girl, I was told that the Snake would bite me, that I might pick a poisonous flower, or Goblins kidnap me, but I went along and met no one but Angels, who were far shyer of me, than I could be of them, so I hav'nt that confidence in fraud which many exercise. I shall observe your precept - though I dont understand it, always. I marked a line in One Verse - because I met it after I made it - and never consciously touch a paint, mixed by another person - I do not let go it, because it is mine. Have you the portrait of Mrs Browning? Persons sent me three - If you had none, will you have mine? Your Scholar -