480. Unidentified Correspondent to EBB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 3, 82–83.
June. 1833.
To the last Translator of Prometheus Bound. &c &c.
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Records of Visions, Writers, Fables state
The somewhat wond’rous tale I thus translate.–
A potter once there was, and since another;
Each marr’d [1] his work in making, like his brother.
A Fairy passing, diffidently thought,
As they were droning o’er the work they wrought,
She’d try her hand; and now, as all must feel,
Perfections model rises on the wheel.
As poets need some kind protecting wing
To Her I dedicate the song I sing.
Fair Friend in need, who sad Prometheus found,
Remote from vulgar gaze, securely bound
In chains of Greek—unlock’d at length by thee
We hail the prowess which has set him free:
Yet, with some modest indignation, ask
How thou could’st undertake the graceless task,
As though of virtue and of Heaven left,
T’emblazon Cunning, impudence and theft?
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Alas! we see Angelic Woman can
Show frailty, like that fallen creature Man:
E’en she can look with soft complacence down
On monst’rous deeds when kindred to her own.
Say—What ignited Jove’s relentless ire?—
Invading Heaven,—stealing sacred fire—
Abstracting virtue from the Solar ray
To quicken and illumine mortal clay.
Was this Promethean crime? Man who in thee
Sees not a guiltier criminal than he!
What then can Earth, astounded, do but wait
Heav’ns fierce decision which shall seal thy fate!
But what if such Immortals disagree,
And leave the fixing of thy fate to me?––
‘This then’, I’d cry, ‘shall be the verdict found—
Let her be anything, ye Gods, but bound;—
At least allow her hands their wonted play
Till yours can write, amuse and charm as they!’
Methinks they murmur—“Heav’n need not reveal—
That hands which virtuous write can sometimes steal—
Thus, after matchless eulogies on “Mind”,
Body perchance may leave the soul behind”.
O! had I Hercules’ unerring dart,
I’d pierce these sky-bred Vultures to the heart:
Like him, my zeal on mercy’s work intent,
Not Force nor Strength nor Vulcan should prevent
The blow that would annihilate thy chain,
And set thee soaring Heavenwards again.
Then if my kindness thou must needs requite—
Transgress again—go climb the blazing height—
Bring oh, thy former fire, so pure, so bright:
And pardon if we kiss the hand conveying such delight.
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Docket, on integral page, in an unidentified hand: Written of E.B.B–
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Berg Collection.
1. An asterisk appears above “marr’d,” and another appears at the bottom of the page, accompanied by these lines: “If it be not presumption thus to speak / In one who could not say the same in Greek.”
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