by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806 - 1861)
The little friend
Language: English
The book thou givest, dear as such, Shall bear thy dearer name; And many a word the leaves shall touch, For thee who form'dst the same ! And on them, many a thought shall grow 'Neath memory's rain and sun, Of thee, glad child, who dost not know That thought and pain are one ! Yes ! thoughts of thee, who satest oft, A while since, at my side So wild to tame, to move so soft, So very hard to chide: The childish vision at thine heart, The lesson on the knee; The wandering looks which would depart, Like gulls, across the sea ! The laughter, which no half-belief In wrath could all suppress: The falling tears, which looked like grief, And were but gentleness: The fancies sent, for bliss, abroad, As Eden's were not done -- Mistaking still the cherub's sword For shining of the sun ! The sportive speech with wisdom in 't -- The question strange and bold -- The childish fingers in the print Of God's creative hold: The praying words in whispers said, The sin with sobs confest; The leaning of the young meek head Upon the Saviour's breast ! The gentle consciousness of praise, With hues that went and came; The brighter blush, a word could raise. Were that -- a father's name ! The shadow on thy smile for each That on his face could fall ! So quick hath love been, thee to teach, What soon it teacheth all. Sit still as erst beside his feet ! The future days are dim, -- But those will seem to thee most sweet Which keep thee nearest him ! Sit at his feet in quiet mirth, And let him see arise A clearer sun and greener earth Within thy loving eyes ! Ah, loving eyes ! that used to lift Your childhood to my face -- That leave a memory on the gift I look on in your place -- May bright-eyed hosts your guardians be From all but thankful tears, -- While, brightly as you turn on me, Ye meet th' advancing years !
G. Binkerd sets stanzas 6-7
Authorship:
- by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806 - 1861), "The little friend", appears in The Seraphim, and Other Poems, first published 1838 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Gordon Ware Binkerd (1916 - 2003), "The little friend", published 1976, stanzas 6-7 [SATB chorus a cappella], from Two Browning Choruses, Oceanside : Boosey & Hawkes [text not verified]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2010-04-29
Line count: 56
Word count: 344