208. EBB to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 212.

[Hope End]

“Fortune-telling”

To my dearest Henrietta

On her birthday. March 4th 1825. [1]

Whose Fancy would turn Trappist, and go slave

At digging her own grave? Who would not cope

At hide & seek with Hope? Albeit the time

In youth’s sweet concord chime, and Happiness

Shew her sunshiney face– Albeit the hour

Be pleasant with the power of merry hearts,

Playing their laughing parts—and musical

Voices which freshen all, making life gay!

Yes! Fancy steals away, when Thoughts asleep,

Trying to over-peep the shoulder of Time,

And read the Sybil rhyme of future years.

While thus my Spirit dreams,—looking upon

Thy face, oh dearest one! I fondly guess

That thy words of tenderness, and actions mild,

And goodness undefil’d, and gentle eyes

Tell us thy destinys … to be belov’d!

Your always attached Ba.

Address, on integral page: Miss Henrietta Barrett.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: In private collection.

1. Her 16th.

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