88. EBB to Samuel Moulton-Barrett (uncle)

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 77–78.

To my dearest Sam [1]

On his birthday.

Hope End March 31st 1819.

_________

Again, Euterpe, and again

Rouse the accustomed strain

Wake every Muse whose fairy shadow strays

Near purest Helicons benignant waters

And bid them each confine their several lays

And dream no more of battles & of slaughters!

And those on sunny glades midst flowers reclining

For mortal pangs in heavenly pity weeping

With myrtle wreaths their floating locks confining

Those pensive musing, and these softly sleeping!

Thou! with thy magic numbers

Awake them from their slumbers!

Euterpe now their souls inspire!

And strike the deep toned lyre!

With one accord they rise they spring

They snatch each warbling lute

E’en echo lingers while they sing

And Heaven and Natures mute!

Then hail dear Sam we strive once more

For thee our strains to raise

May Heaven have gifts & joys in store

To gild thy coming days!

And may each wish thy heart declares

That might to Man be given

Be granted to our supliant prayers

(What e’er it be) by Heaven!

May every joy that mortals own

Prolong thy destined years

And may thy life be still unknown

To sorrow & to tears!

Yr affecte Child

E B Barrett

Address, on integral page: S M Barrett Esqr / Hope End– / or London!

Publication: HUP, I, 143–144 (from unknown source, as to her brother Sam).

Manuscript: Pierpont Morgan Library.

1. The date written by EBB in the heading indicates that the poem was for her uncle Sam, not her brother as stated in HUP. The uncle was born on 31 March 1787.

___________________