218. EBB to Edward Moulton-Barrett (father)
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 219–220.
[London]
[28 May] 1825
To my beloved Papa.
On his birthday. 1825. [1]
If every thought of love could find a sound
To speak its life—if Tenderness might steal
A touch from Orphean harps, pulsing around—
Yea! if the heart were music, [2] to reveal
In most melodious tones, what hearts, in fondness, feel—
Then might Affection, like the Bulbul, [3] be,
When every gadding bird is hush’d on spray,
Keeping to Heaven her holy minstrelsy—
Oh! then nor Chiron’s art, [4] nor Loxian sway [5]
Would match these simple rhymes .. eclipse my artless lay.
But if, as Poets write, Feeling be dumb,
And can alone by gesture show her meed;
If, to fond thoughts, Expression seldom come,—
No wonder tho’ my song be rough indeed—
Nor shall my Father’s ear a sweeter cadence need.!
He’ll think my broken measures sound more soft
Than all the pomp, sublimer themes inspire!
For tender words are never heard too oft,
Tho breathed as thickly from the murmuring lyre,
As wild Ogygian tales [6] at Gossip’s evening fire.
Albeit the sound be harsh, the image dim,
Grateful Affection writes her language here—
And her true language makes it all to him!
Let me aread thee right, oh! fondly dear!
For what no tongue can speak, a Parent’s heart may hear.
Yours always attached Ba
Publication: HUP, II, 48–49.
Manuscript: University of Texas.
1. His 40th.
2. Underscored three times.
3. A member of the thrush family, sometimes called the nightingale of the East.
4. Chiron was the centaur who taught music, hunting and medicine to Achilles and other heroes.
5. Loxias (Interpreter) was a title bestowed on Apollo, in recognition of his prophetic knowledge of the will of Zeus.
6. Odysseus was shipwrecked on the island of Ogygia, the abode of Calypso, under whose spell he remained for seven years.
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