108. EBB to Arabella Moulton-Barrett

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 95–96.

Ode to my beloved Arabel

On her birthday

Hope End July 4th 1820 [1]

Sweet month again with joy returning

And breathing from the pure blue sky!!

Thy warmth congenial, incense burning

Smiles these wat’ry mists away

Which oer the silent azure fly

And veil the loveliness of day!

Hail sweetest month! be it thine to bless

Our clime—with gentle sway presiding

O’er the soft and beautiful scene,

Earths glories—and that blue serene

In the Heav’n of radiance gliding

So silent, still, and motionless!!

Delightful Month! the loveliest, fairest,

Most grateful of the circling year—

Within thy course her birth thou bearest

her birth to us so fondly dear!

Oh oft upon this thrice blest day

The smile has mingled with the tears

Which joys self could not laugh away—

For she to whom belong

The birthdays jest the birthday song

she was not here!! [2]

But now no more the pensive sigh

Disturbs the joyful hour

And the live long day beams happily

Where never now afflictions lower–

The shadowy form of mournful sadness

Fades neath the fairy touch of gladness

And young eyed Peace like the soft breath of even

Smiles sweetly from the mild blue Heav’n

Accept my verse my dearest Arabel

The little all that verse can thus express

Accept the lay from her who loves thee well

Accept the off’ring that would strive to bless!

My Babes, my sister gentlest, dearest

Accept my lowly lay

For thou inspirest me and cheerest!

I ask not glory or a name

I sigh not for the wreaths of fame

But––one sweet smile of thine!!

Your ever affectionately attached

Ba–

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Pierpont Morgan Library.

1. Her seventh birthday.

2. A reference to Arabella’s absence from Hope End on previous birthdays.

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