SD428. Edward Moulton-Barrett (brother) to Mary Moulton-Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 332 (in part).
Charter H–
May 1st 1822.
To
My dearest Mama
on
her birthday
_________
1
From where old flibs and boners rule, [1]
And broken heads I come,
From all thats horrible at school,
To all thats dear at home.
2
From Charter House’s sequestered towers
I’ve just arrived in time,
To deck affections shrine with flowers
And greet thy birth in rhime.
3
And will you smile upon my lay
O yes I know you will
Though four long months I’ve been away
You love your Edward still.
_________
Address, on cover sheet: Mrs Barrett / Hope End / Ledbury.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Berg Collection.
1. Mary Moulton-Barrett has written an explanation for two words as follows: “‘flibs’—grammar /‘boners’—blow on the arms.“
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