SD162. James Graham-Clarke & Edward Moulton-Barrett (father) to Mary Moulton-Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 312 (in part).
Somerset St [London]
[Postmark: 18 April 1812]
I think dear love, I’ve heard you say,
You like things out of common way,
Nor do I wonder since ’tis true,
That oddities go two & two,
And you, you know are odd by Nature
And I myself the self same Creature
And thus it is, no reason better,
That you receive this curious Letter,
And then this very reason shews,
I write in Verse, instead of Prose.
After all the hurley, burley,
Of jolting Coach, & Coachman surly
After bumping, thumping past,
Here we are arriv’d at last.
In this full, gay, & noisy City
From whence I date this Grub sheet ditty.
Nay start not, since love, Ill engage
You thought me lodg’d in Learnings Cage.
The Bird is flown; but he’l to nest
Ee’r Fridays Sun has sunk to rest.
He’l go with utmost haste to School,
And learn to live, & die by Rule.
Then prithee, Molly, hush those fears
And ope your gazetteering Ears,
But first, of all those Ladies gay
Their Characters I will display.
I’ll pour to them a votive strain
And then to London News again.
The first let on the list appear
Her, whom my heart & Soul holds dear,
Whose glossy locks of raven dye
Whose laughing looks, & speaking eye.
Whose beautious from, of matchless grace
Where Nature’s finer hand we trace.
Still to my joyous Mem’ry rise
I see her looks, & beaming eyes.
And as I oft in rapture hung
And caught each accent from her tongue
Delusion rings then in my ears,
And all my Bliss renew’s appears
Yet hush, my fluttering heart, be still,
You must not speak, what ee’r you will,
In every blessing Life can give
In every joy may she long live.
Amid gay Fashions glittering Crowd
Amid the World that’s stern & proud.
May ne’er her spotless, purest Mind,
One single pang of sorrow find
May she in envied state long live
Tis all I wish, all I have to give.
Hark! where the Notes of music sound,
And breathe sweet Harmony around.
When her swift Fingers touch the notes
And shrill Cadence in wild Measure floats.
And ’tis a Republican might sing
Long live King George, God save the King.
See there a girl, high Pride above
Whom een a Parson, or his Clerk might love.
And if tis true as Shakespeare says
In one or other of his moral plays;
That music speaks a noble mind
Oh! where her equal shall we find
And yonder by her side, there see
A Girl, the child of Mirth, & Glee
None fitter for to row, & prance
To let a pun, to lead the dance.
A lively, funny, sprightly Creature
Good in heart, & kind in Nature
And be not Lotty in a Pother
Remember, love, that I’m yr. Brother
And modesty wont let me trace
The beauties of thy Form, or Face
But be assur’d, I do not flatter
A better ne’er drunk Cheltenham Water.
There is such a noise in the room, I cannot continue my Poetry my Muse is quite stun’d. Mrs. Moulton appears a good deal better, and begs you will send one of Ba’s Shoes up immediately. We have called on Sam and have not been able to find him at home, he has started a new Barouch & four, & dashes away in a most splendid Manner. Tell Miss Whinyates, I deliver’d her parcel quite safe, her Sisters, were much surprised to see me, & we walk’d together all the Morng. I think Captain Younghusband has been very handsome & am quite delighted with his Brother Major Younghusband. I told them every thing about Letitia & gave an alarming account of all our Gaieties. I have seen quantities of Cheltenham People. Mr |Adamson| Northey. Finch & many more. Remember me to all Friends & kiss the young Ladies for me. “I am as it was in the beginning, & ever shall be.”
Yr. affectionate Brother J.G.C.
[Continued in the hand of Edward Moulton-Barrett] Pray send up one of your Rings that fits you exactly. EMB–
Address, on integral page: Mrs. Barrett / High Street / 351. Cheltenham.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Berg Collection.
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