Correspondence

150.  Samuel Moulton-Barrett (brother) to EBB

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 148.

[Hope End]

Jan 3d 1822.

My dearest Ba,

Who shines like a star,

And as bright as a piece of spa[r].

But no more compliments must I pay,

Or else I will waste all my head away

But Arabel’s bird is dead,

For want of being bled.

O poor, unfortunate bird,

It died without saying a word.

Arabel’s pocket hankerchief is quite wet,

And she is in a little bit of a pet.

And her tears do fall

Exactly like a ball.

So therefore I wish you good bye,

My ever dear little fly.

Your ever affectionate Sam,

Who likes nothing better than a dram.

(not physic!)

Address, on integral page: For the lady in the crib, / With a pain in the rib, / And without a wig.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Eton College Library.

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