Correspondence

105.  EBB to Edward Moulton-Barrett (father)

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 93–94.

To my dearest

Papa

on

his welcome birthday [1]

May 28th 1820—Hope End.

_________

 

The young Morn breathes her first soft sigh

So low so plaintive and so sweet

And breathing from the thin grey sky

The light airs kiss her fairy feet.

The smiles, engagingly serene

The burst of joy but half supprest

Danced in that throbbing breast

In vivid flashes seen–

Oh why’s her airy footstep lighter

Her smile more cloudless and serene

Why is that eye of radiance brighter

Today, than it has been?——

Yes!! tis his welcome birth who blest

Her eyes, with this delightful scene

Who bade her sight enraptured rest

On rocks—and hills of verdant green–

For half her beauties does she owe

To him for whom those pillars rise

Who bade perlucid waters flow

And waving foliage seek the skies!

His birth, no brazen trumps proclaim,

No sounds which gladness’ self annoy

No meanless clang, no noisy fame,

But heartfelt mirth, and smiling joy

Murmur to the listening gale

And laughing echo tells the welcome tale!!

And thou my Father ever ever dear

So fondly loved and cherished as thou art!

Accept my lines unstudied, but sincere,

The simple offering of a grateful heart!

Majestic verse the deeply learn’d may pay

The noble offspring of an ample mind—

Affections fondest tide impels my lay,

Natures own strain unskilled, & unrefined!

This pledge of love, of gratitude receive

(But how can words that gratitude express?)

Accept my verse!! the all I have to give—

But when the pen is still the heart shall bless!!

 

Your most affecte child

Ba

Address, on integral page: E M Barret Esqr / Hope End.

Publication: SBHC, 9 (Fall, 1981), 26–27 (in part).

Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.

1. His 35th birthday.

___________________

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