28. EBB to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 22.

To dearest Henrietta

On her birthday

Hope End March 4th 1816 [1]

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Come forth my Muse, from the dark shades of night,

Haste to illume the lyre, with cheering light;

Thy penance ended, on this joyous day,

Arouse from silence, and invoke our play;

And thou, awaker of the new tuned lyre,

’Tis thou, who breath’st afresh celestial fire;

Oh Henrietta! may, to thee be given,

Fair Truth and Virtue, riches ta’en from Heaven;

May they subdue all trials that await,

And shed their lustre on thy happy fate;

Long may this little circle smiling meet,

In love and joy this happy day to greet!

Elizabeth Barrett.

Address, on integral page: To Henrietta / at Breakfast / With wishes for her good / appetite.

Publication: HUP, I, 99 (from copy in Mary Moulton-Barrett’s hand, University of Texas).

Manuscript: Berg Collection.

1. Her seventh birthday.

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