98. EBB to Arabella Graham-Clarke (aunt)
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 87.
[Hope End]
[ca. December 1819] [1]
A Welcome
for sweetest
Bum
To Hope End
_________
1
My Muse twice Welcome to this happy day
Welcome to her for whom I strike the lyre
Who raises in my breast celestial fire
Oh Muse benignant listen to her sway
2
Tis thou oh Virgin Fancy pure and bright
This thou I woo thou balmy nurse of love
Through flowerets wild and thorny paths I rove
To catch a glance of sweet affections light
3
And may these groves this prospects wide extent
Smile welcome to thee Mistress of my heart
For from my breast affections greetings start
And oh how joyfully on thee their [sic] bent
_________
Elizabeth Barrett
Address, on integral page: A Welcome / To dear dearest Mrs Bum / To / Hope End.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Lady Elisabeth Cooper.
1. EBB’s aunt is known to have visited Hope End during the Christmas season of 1819.
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