190. Henrietta Moulton-Barrett to EBB

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 191.

[Hope End]

To dearest Ba

on her birthday

March 6th 1824

No aid Apollo I need ask of thee.

Nor thou Minerva, thou e’er scorneth me,

Thy presence e’en today thou wilt not give

Although I write to one you so much love;

Yes she is loved by you, and that I know

On her, thy bounty thou doest e’er bestow;

But is she loved by none but you

Oh no, she’s loved by many many too

And why? is it because to her thy aid is given

No, not that alone, for she is loved by Heaven,

Yes, she is good, I love her well,

How much I do, I feel, to you I need not tell–

May I be allowed to wish dearest Ba most perfect health and happiness for many years and may I flatter myself that I am her dearest

Henrietta–

Address, on integral page: To / Miss Barrett.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Berg Collection.

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