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.
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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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