111. EBB to Henry Moulton-Barrett
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 100–101.
Ode
On my sweet Henry’s
birthday
Hope End August 1820. [1]
Goddess of the gentle eye
Meekest nymph, Humility
To thee belong
The modest burden of my song—!
In vain Euterpe’s fingers
Would strike the echoing lyre,—
The purest best note lingers
Mutely on the trembling wire
The powerless tones would die away
Like Eve’s resigned & faintest ray
Or like the bubble on the River
Which dances now—then bursts for ever!
Without thine aid
Divinest Maid!!!.
For at the magic of thy sway
The lowly unassuming lay
Triffling, may please affections ear
And Taste perhaps may list, & not disdainful hear!
And thou dear Boy let one sweet smile
Upon thy Sisters efforts beam
And tho unconsciously beguile
The labours of her humble theme
And let not Pats, or Turncoats deem
Those labours unrepaid;
If from those laughing lashes play
One sweet rewarding ray
Of glad applause .. or kindred pleasure
Or joy unceasing, without measure,
To glad her lowly lay!!
Your ever affectionate
Ba.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.
1. His second birthday fell on 27 July 1820.
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