24. EBB to Edward Moulton-Barrett (father)
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 18–19.
Hope End
during the improvements there
On Papa’s birth day
May 28th 1815. [1] —
Hail dear Papa! I hail thy natal day
The Muses speak, my hidden thoughts of love
That love is more than e’en the Muse can say
That love, shall reign, untill we rise above:
Sweet Philomel [2] enchants the listening grove
While musics warblings twitter in her throat
By murmuring streams, mute silence roves
Echo scarce dares repeat the Heavenly note:
’Tis thus these hills declare their bounteous Sire
As on thy birth, to thee, His gifts they pay
Sweet Philomella tends the tuneful choir
And all is joy to see this happy day.
On thy fair birth the meadows smile
How brightly on this day, the prospects rise!
May they, all painful care beguile
And humble Sorrow as it flies!
The smile of hope illumes thy Soul
Amidst these vales, where Philomel doth sing,
Where beauty reigns without control,
Through out His works, God’s praises ring!
These polished walls, raised by yr tasteful hand,
These smiling shrubs, these tangled walks & hills;
These rising rocks,—hewn by your active band
And drooping flow’rets washed by murmuring rills:
These waters by your hand are taught to glide
And wild ducks strain their soaring wing
Far on the limpid wave they ride
While sweets the gathering zephyrs fling–
An useful farm, now owns thy generous sway
And oxen fatten fast at thy command
A pleasure comes with each untasted day
Thou reap’st the fruit—& nurstles [sic] all thy land.
Long may’st thou live, as on this happy day
Amidst thy smiling little Family
And may we grateful, e’er thy cares repay
And play about the shilling gallery!–
And may we ever, bless this smiling home,
And live united, by a tender love,
Secluded from that world, where vices roam,
Then hand in hand, proceed to God above!–
Your most affecte child
Elizabeth B. Barrett.
Publication: HUP, I, 88–90 (from copy in Mary Moulton-Barrett’s hand, Armstrong Browning Library).
Source: Copy in Mary Moulton-Barrett’s hand in “Poems by EBB,” Berg Collection.
1. His 30th birthday.
2. Poetic name for the nightingale.
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