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.

___________________