Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 337: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq. explained
Belford writes early in the morning after receiving a messenger from Lovelace.
What happens
Belford writes early in the morning after receiving a messenger from Lovelace. He mocks Lovelace's imagined torments and insists that Clarissa must be free from Lovelace's visits, threatening to end their correspondence if Lovelace does not keep his promise.
Themes in this chapter
Friendship and Loyalty
Belford threatens to end his friendship and correspondence with Lovelace if he does not keep his promise to leave Clarissa alone.
Suffering and Redemption
Belford delights in Lovelace's imagined torments and aims to drive remorse into his heart for his barbarous actions.
Characters to notice
- John Belford
Writes to Lovelace, mocking his suffering and insisting on Clarissa's freedom from his visits.
- Robert Lovelace
Addressed by Belford; described as experiencing rage and impatience, with Belford delighting in his imagined torments.
- Clarissa Harlowe
Mentioned as determined to move to new lodgings to avoid Lovelace; Belford has assured her she will be free from his visits.
Key passages
“I am disturbed before I wished to have risen, by the arrival of thy second fellow, man and horse in a foam.”
I was woken up earlier than I wanted by the arrival of your second messenger, who came with his horse covered in foam.
Belford describes being disturbed by Lovelace's urgent messenger.
“How much does the idea thou givest me of thy deserved torments, by thy upright awls, bodkins, pins, and packing-needles, by thy rolling hogshead with iron spikes, and by thy macerated sides, delight me!”
I am greatly delighted by the picture you paint of your deserved suffering, with your awls, bodkins, pins, and packing-needles, your rolling barrel with iron spikes, and your bruised sides.
Belford mocks Lovelace's self-inflicted torments.
“That the lady was determined to remove to new lodgings, where neither you nor I should be able to find her, had I not solemnly assured her, that she might depend upon being free from your visits.”
The lady was resolved to move to new lodgings where neither you nor I could find her, if I had not solemnly promised her that she could rely on being free from your visits.
Belford explains that Clarissa planned to disappear unless assured of Lovelace's absence.