29. EBB to Edward Moulton-Barrett (father)

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 22–23.

Hope End

May 28th 1816

To My Dearest Papa

On His Birthday [1]

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Oh brilliant glory, I invoke not thee

Nor soar to please save by simplicity

Wrapt in its truth, my Parent kind I see

Then come my Muse, with joy I call for thee

From bowers of bliss!—Come strike Apollo’s lyre

Mingle sweet blessings with celestial fire!

Hail Father dear! Who taught me virtuous truth

Who guidst me, thro’ the thorny way of youth;

Oh say my Muse!—interpret in thy song

The praise of him who chides me when I’m wrong

Whose judgement gentle, kind applause does give

Wins grateful love, while Memory shall live

Thy birth is welcomed by thy childrens smiles

This day so dear, their every care beguiles

And Oh may o’er thy head, Gods blessing wave

Long years of joy conduct thee to the grave!

But ah! my loves beyond the Muses art—

She cannot paint the feelings of my heart

Then go sweet poetry, go lovely spell

My Muse, and Parent dear, both fare ye well!–

EBB.

Publication: HUP, I, 101–102.

Source: Copy in Mary Moulton-Barrett’s hand, Scripps College and University of Texas.

1. His 31st birthday. At the end of the ode, Mary Moulton-Barrett noted that EBB also gave her father a nosegay of flowers (comprised mainly of heart’s ease, viola tricolor), accompanied by this verse: “Accept my gift! for loves sweet couch is flowers / By Nature’s hand, strewn o’er lifes fragrant bowers, / May heart’s ease which thy child can give / Shed peace for thee, while thou shalt live!–” (See Reconstruction, D4.)

It is also recorded that, at the same time, EBB gave her father a letter in Latin, “the first ever attempted,” with the following written on the back: “May flowery gales, which waft this pledge of love / Breathing affection from a heart Sincere / To thee my fond attachment prove / My love and verse accept, O Parent dear!–” (See Reconstruction, D520.)

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