17. EBB to Edward Moulton-Barrett (father)
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 14–15.
Fenham
August 22d 1814
An Epistle to my dearest Papa in London
_________
As in the shady shrubbery I sit
With insects buzzing round my head
I call my Muse her silence now to quit
And my few thoughts to thee in Verse are led.
For absent is my Parent dear
I wish he would to Fenham come
For dull it makes the house appear
When thou art fled, when thou art gone
Happily we went to the play
“Revenge” excited our delight
When Young in Zanga [1] on Thursday
Kept sleep away, tho’ by lamp light.
It was a Tragedy so deep
And Ba and Bro so much amused
We could not then have fallen asleep
Leonora only we abused. [2]
There’s Mr Butler [3] stole two pound
From off Bum’s painted table
And then he beat her fairly round
As long as he was able.
So Mr Sheriff, [4] if you please
Send Constables to take him
To put this party more at ease,
For he’s the rogue who plagues them.
Now they are all gone to dinner
Alone I’m left to write to thee
For I should think myself a sinner
Had any thing such charms for me.
My love to Grandmama I send
And love to Trepsack too,
My kindest thoughts them e’er attend,
But best of loves to you!——
Publication: HUP, I, 53–55 (from copy in Mary Moulton-Barrett’s hand, Huntington Library).
Source: Copy in Mary Moulton-Barrett’s hand in “Poems by EBB,” Berg Collection.
1. The Revenge, a tragedy featuring a captive Moor named Zanga, was written by Edward Young (1683–1765) in 1721.
2. Copy includes footnote: “The part of Leonora badly performed.” Leonora was the heroine of Young’s play.
3. Thomas Butler married Frances Graham-Clarke in 1812.
4. A reference to EBB’s father’s current position as High Sheriff of Herefordshire.
___________________
