1530. EBB, Arabella & Henrietta Moulton-Barrett to Georgiana Elizabeth Barrett

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 8, 200.

[London]

[Postmark: 14 February 1844]

What is under the rose [1]

You will find in my heart;

Though the petals may close,

And we sojourn apart.

And the little dove takes you

This stanza, to say,

That the love in it, makes you

My Lady today.

So crown all my doings

With garlands more rich

Than this columbine which

Would grow well on ruins.

But a love true as mine, that can never decay

Like a ruin, and fall,

Deserves the best word that the Fairest can say

And a smile that means ‘yea’, ..

For columbine’s nothing, and Valentine’s all.

Address: Miss E Barrett / [continued in Arabella’s hand] 20 York Buildings / New Road.

Publication: The New York Times, 13 February 1971.

Manuscript: Eton College Library.

1. This document is written in EBB’s hand on a folded sheet, the top leaf of which has been die-cut to imitate lace. It bears three decorations by Arabella and Henrietta: a hinged rose, under which there is the word “love”; a dove with a folded letter in its beak; and a columbine—all of which are referred to in the verse. See the illustration facing p. 210. The recipient later (1855) married Alfred Moulton-Barrett.

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