34. EBB to Edward Moulton-Barrett (father) & Mary Moulton-Barrett
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 26.
[Hope End]
Sept. 1816
To Mama & Papa.
An Answer if you please.–
I hail thee sweet Affection, loves abode
The true and safest path to Virtues God!
Then Parents hail, both dear, both always kind,
Who rear with care, my ever grateful mind,
But pleasures golden beak, molests the store,
Of Truth,—which love wd add to, daily more,
And as a hen that guards her chickens dear
Shrinks at the sight of the grim giant Fear
Sees a huge hawk with pouncing talons rise
And bear her offspring to the vaulted skies;
Yet grant a little favor, Parents dear
Tho’ your refusal, I must greatly fear, [1]
But if a hungry chicken wants to eat
The hen throws victuals close before its feet.
Then let me to the Music Meeting go
The pleasure it would give me none can know;
If you are troubled for my nights repose,
Half of Bells bed is open to my woes,
I pray you grant what I have asked of you
So cheered with hope, I fondly bid Adieu!–
Publication: HUP, I, 105–106 (from copy in Mary Moulton-Barrett’s hand, Wellesley College).
Source: Copy in Mary Moulton-Barrett’s hand in “Poems to EBB,” Berg Collection.
1. The source used for the HUP text bore the notation “The petition refused.”
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