# Letter 337: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq. explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

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