276 - VERLAINE (Paul), 1844–1896.

VERLAINE (Paul), 1844–1896. Autograph letter signed “P.V.,” [Bichat Hospital], Thursday, December 6, 1894, [to Philomène Boudin], 2 pp., square in-12. A beautiful letter from Verlaine, who was hospitalized at Bichat, to Philomène Boudin, known as Esther, one of the two companions who shared the poet’s final years. Having been hospitalized for a few days, Verlaine invites his lover to come see him and, with his usual meticulousness, gives her detailed directions: “Why don’t you come tomorrow, Friday? Take the Odéon-Clichy line, get off at La Fourche, and head down Avenue de Saint-Ouen, at the end of which the hospital is located.” He directs her all the way to his room, “at the end of the large Jarjavay ward,” and specifies that he is in “a small two-bed room.” He has “some things to tell [him], some good and some funny,” and hopes to soon be “a little more up to the task.” He also promises her “two little things for Deschamps,” likely a reference to texts intended for Léon Deschamps, founder and editor of *La Plume*, a magazine to which Verlaine contributed. The letter ends with a health update of touching simplicity: “I’m not doing too badly, but I can’t sleep anymore. My heart is heavy, you know!”” He looks forward to seeing Philomène and “kisses her with all his heart,” before adding this postscript, which is particularly amusing given the hospital setting: “Put on a hat, will you?”” This letter bears witness to the tumultuous relationship Verlaine maintained in his final years with Philomène Boudin, known as Esther, and, at times, with Eugénie Krantz. Despite their repeated quarrels, Philomène remained very close to the poet at that time: the very next day, December 7, 1894, Verlaine wrote from Bichat Hospital to his publisher Léon Vanier, asking him to give “Mrs. Esther” the prize money for the poems he had just sent her.