22. EBB to Samuel Moulton-Barrett (brother)

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 17–18.

[Hope End]

To little Sam on his birth day Jany. 13th 1815 [1]

Oh Come fair Muse, Oh raise thy fondest strain

Come let us hear thy plaintive Voice again

Now haste, & Celebrate this jovial day

Throw out our merry strains, let’s jump & play.

Three years have flown now o’er thy glossy head,

Three years! And Ah! how quickly have they fled.

The fourth—be early wise, and truly good,

Ask of thy bounteous Maker, sense & food

Accept sweet Sam, these wishes on thy birth,

From her, who loves thee well, as any on the Earth;

A Brothers [2] sent—Most sweetly to beguile

And cheer thy birth day, with his infant smile

O welcome little Babe; I welcome thee

And trust thou’lt some time give thy love to me!

May we live happy in each others love

And bless our Parents ’till we rise above!

Here pause my Muse! here hush thy golden lyre

For Currant wine [3] must quench celestial fire!

Publication: HUP, I, 80–81 (from copy in Mary Moulton-Barrett’s hand, Huntington Library).

Source: Copy in Mary Moulton-Barrett’s hand, Eton College Library.

1. His third birthday.

2. A reference to Charles John Moulton-Barrett, born 28 December 1814.

3. In a footnote to both her copies, Mary Moulton-Barrett describes currant wine as “A Customary birth day treat.”

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