Explain literary allusions in short story, "The Writer's Child" (unboxed SPOILERS)

Cafe Society
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My favorite short story from the complilation *Sandman: Book of Dreams * (which I bought for 50 cents at a used book shop) is Tad Williams’ “Writer’s Child”, a charming tale about a little girl, Princess Jessica, and how the ghost of Lord Byron lives in her teddy bear. Well, charming with a side of creepy and a hint of shivers-up-your-spine, but whatever.

Anyway, in this story, Mister George the bear takes Princess Jessica on a journey into the magical realm of dreams to find Morpheus, the Player King. On this journey they meet a scarecrow named Ezra (Ezra Pound), and a barmaid named Emily, who’s identity is unknown to me. I can’t decide if she’s meant to be Emily Bronte or Emily Dickinson or someone else I’m not aware of. If I may quote a short passage from the story:

Then, later on…

This perplexes me. Who is “Poor Old Rob”? And who is Miss Emily? Any ideas?

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“Miss Emily” is a traditional way of referring to Emily Dickinson, who was a lifelong spinster (so is “Emily Dick,” but that’s a student thing and not worthy). She had bad eyesight, so that fits just right. Emily Bronte may have written some poetry, but that is not what she is most known for, so she wouldn’t fit as well.

Robert Browning wrote a poem called Andrea del Sarto which contains the famous lines: A man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s heaven for?

I don’t suppose the short story is out of copyright and linkable?

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Most excellent, thanks Humble Servant! Robert Browning occured to me as well, but I didn’t know enough about him to positively identify him. No, I don’t think Williams’ story is online anywhere, but I very much recommend picking up the compilation if you’ve any interest – it’s marvelous.