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.
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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.
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