SD43. Arabella Graham-Clarke (grandmother) to Mary Graham-Clarke
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 306.
[Newcastle-upon Tyne]
1 May [ca. 1805]
Winter no more with Storms & piercing Cold
Presides o’er Natures comfortless domain
No more each object drooping we behold
No more with Snow is white each hill & plain!
The trees which frost o’er hung with Icy Spires
Shoot forth in buds & form a leafy Seat
Involving warblers from the feathered choirs
To join harmonious in their Carol sweet
Well pleased his verdant fields the farmer Views
That promise fair to yield the grateful corn
While round the Sheperd [sic] play his tender Ewes
And play as if more bligth [sic] by his return
Tied to the rural Scenes & flowing Meads
By gentle Spring is Every infant band
Oh happy throng! Tis you that pleasure leads
With Mirth bestowing health now hand in hand–
And say Maria, say dear little Fair
If Kenton’s trees & shrubs of various hues
Its chearful breezes & its fragrant Air
Which give delight to All can fail with you
Ah No– Each View that pleasure can impart
And each delight that Nature has to give
Each gen’rous plant, which warms a feeling heart
Improved in yours must flourish, shoot, & live
Then haste to Kenton form a little group
And take two Brothers sprightly as they’re young
Whom taught by you to cull each sweet shall stoop
And note each beauty as they trip along!
Yet well yon flower may hang with modest bend
That you Maria, little think how faint
Appears its bloom, unequal to contend
With cheeks whose blushes baffle Flora’s paint.
Sweet girl thus blessed with every Native grace–
While days succeeding yet new graces bring
Still may your mind grow lovely as your face
With both may every season prove a Spring!
Then shall a Father gaze with glistening Eye
His Wifes loved Image you shall then Display
The Mother fond, but justly Vain, shall cry
Exalting, Welcome happy First of May!——
Publication: None traced.
Source: Copy in Mary Moulton-Barrett’s hand at Berg Collection.
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