121. EBB to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 117–118.
[Hope End]
Ode
To my dearest Addles
On her birthday
March 4th 1821– [1]
The Minstrels harp was quickly strung
And o’er those wires my ready fingers
In melancholy sadness hung!—!
The first sweet pensive note yet lingers
Within the silent snare of air!
My eye was raised to Heavens pure vale
Expectant, lest some Spirit there
Might breathe a sweet inspiring tale.!
It came at last! that heavenly lay
Upon my soul melodious state;—
So wild, so beauteous, it might seem
The memory of a Poets dream!
Bright as the dewy tears of day
The glorious numbers roll!!–
“Why Minstrel is thy harp so mute?–
Nay! strike once more a bolder strain!
Let not Urania’s pensive lute
(Tho’ deemed the fairest of the Nine)
Oerwhelm with sighing tones again
The splendid harmony of thine!
Crown the red bowl! and let the swelling note
Winged on the pinions of triumphant mirth
Upon the brilliant Heavens superior float
Proclaiming Hope End’s joy and Addles’ birth”.
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And thou my Addles, while th’ awakened strings
Break into rapture, fired by smiling Bliss!
Thou, while Affections Muse untutored sings
The welcome of a day so dear as this,
Accept my verse! accept the humble line,
The prayer for thee, which moves thy Sisters breast!
May health, content, joy happiness be thine,
And may Heav’n smile while young Hope speaks the rest
Your always affecte
Ba—
Address, on integral page: Miss H Barrett––
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Pierpont Morgan Library.
1. Her twelfth birthday.
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