81. EBB to Samuel Moulton-Barrett (brother)
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 71–72.
To
Our dear Sam
On his birthday Jany 13th 1819 [1]
Hope End.
Again oh Goddess sweep the lyre
A sisters thoughts declare
Light up my soul, my bosom fire
Oh hear my prayer!
And if the tenour of my lay
Might times least course beguile
Or cheer one pleasure of to-day
Or gain a smile
For this I ply my humble strain
For this my heart aspires
For this I strike those chords again
And sweep those wires
I sigh not for the wreaths of fame
Nor for such joys I soar
To please is all my only aim
I ask no more
And those for whom benignant Heav’n
Its choisest gifts combines
To whom are days the happiest given
Accept my lines!
And as old Time returning brings
Thy birth, to us so dear,
By us so loved, upon his wings
And turns the year
May he ever find us thus elate
To meet with social mirth
Unhurt amidst the storms of fate
To hail that birth
Farewell may Heaven its blessings shed
With sweet returning joy
Dear Sam upon thy youthful head
Without alloy.
Your affectionate Sister
E B Barrett
Address, on integral page: S M Barrett Esqr Junior. / Hope End / nr Ledbury / Herefordshire.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Berg Collection.
1. His seventh birthday.
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