58. EBB, Edward, Henrietta & Samuel Moulton-Barrett to Edward Moulton-Barrett (father)
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 50–51.
[Hope End]
[ca. 1818] [1]
My dear old Gentleman
I hope you will make the best use of your spectacles and your good humour to read this you require both.– With the most sanguine expectations your answer is expected—by four people who have need of your consent to crown them with joy say inexorable monarch of Hope End can no intreaties mortal or immortal prevail upon you to command the crested chariot to be linked to the four high mettled steeds to bear us to Kinnersly[.] Remember the hearts of oaks are not far distant it is the sejour [2] of Whigs where Ministers are buried in oblivion[.] Do not knit your brows your glass eyes may tumble off– This is not the thought of a moment it is not a seed droped in the midle of Winter from which we can derive no advantage it is an April flower who dares to raise his beautiful head to meet the rays of the sun in scratching this note I have wished to compare you to Phebus [3] throw out then your benignant beams and do not turn away your head among the black clouds & leave our poor flower to the mercy of killing frosts– with phebes [4] consent we have penned this her healing showers has contributed not a little to strenghten [sic] our hopes we have desired long for you to put the signet on them it will be to us “the stamp of Fate”. Now then compleat our Happiness fix the day for her coronation let it not be long a few days & that bliss will partly be withered[.] How many hours of disapointment will follow[.] With the sincere hope your countenance will not be ruffled with a frown (for it spoils the natural beauty of your face) we must close this epistle– Hasten to answer it propitiously let it be soon every minute seems a day every day a month & every month a year with the hope the I hope not flattering hope we must remain with the greatest love
The suitors of Hope and of your smiles
Elizabeth B Barrett
Edward Barrett
Henrietta Barrett
Sam Barrett
Address, on integral page: E M Barrett Esqr / Hope End / Ledbury.
Publication: SBHC, 9 (Fall, 1981), 23.
Manuscript: Berg Collection.
1. Apparently their mother, in response to the preceding letter, advised the children to send this appeal to their father. EBB wrote the text, and the three others added their signatures.
2. “Abode.”
3. Phœbus or Apollo, the sun god.
4. Phœbe or Diana, goddess of the moon.
___________________
