44. EBB to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 35–36.
To my dearest Henrietta
On her birthday
Hope End March 4th 1817 [1]
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My Muse with joy come forth and breathe the sacred fire
With joy unceasing strike the Heaven born lyre
And thou my Sister dear the Muses strain
To paint thy virtues would I—but in vain
Spring and affection gladly meet this day
Sacred to happiness and noisy play
Thy dimpled cheeks be clad with dancing smiles
And thy sweet birth be spread with laughing wiles
Then may a hand divine defend thy feeble yout<h>
And keep thy spotless soul for Virtue and for Truth
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Your affecte Sister
Elizth Barrett.
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Address, on integral page: To my dearest Henrietta / Eating her good Breakfast / On her birthday.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Berg Collection.
1. Her eighth birthday.
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