Two Poems
These are headed, in the writing of Rev Walter B Harris “Poems by my great-uncle, Ernest Birch, to his sister, my grandmother”; however, the name at the foot of each poem is “Ellen Birch”, and the content also suggests her authorship. They are both addressed to Lillian Garland Birch, wife of Thomas Walter Moores.
My dear Lilly,
I rejoice to be here, this Jubilee year,
To give you your birthday greeting
May the day be one of joy, with your girl and your boy
And your husband, occasionally meeting.
As this Jubilee year does not often appear
We want to do something rare
So have sent for your view and to be of use too
A Jubilee cushion for chair.
As I do not forget the sweet little ????
I send a Jubilee dress
To wear to the beach when so far she can reach
For much she loves it, I guess.
May your Jubilee boy grow up a great joy
To you both, is my earnest prayer;
May you all happy be, live your own jubilee to see
The mother will not be there.
But we will not be sad, but rather be glad
And thankful, that I am still here
To greet you today, and for happiness pray,
All thro’ the Jubilee year.
Southsea, June 1887 Ellen Birch
Dear Lilly,
Tomorrow is your Wedding Day[1]
But I do not think that you will care
To drive as old John Gilpin[2] did,
But in a chaise and pair.
Though your beloved, like John Gilpin,
Is a tradesman of renown,
Yet you are down at Southsea
And he is up in Town.
So he cannot kiss his loving wife
Tho’ glad enough to find
That while on pleasure he is bent
His wife the shop can mind.
Well, do not fret if he’s not home;
No doubt but he will pray
That you and his two bonny bairns
May spend a happy day.
Should he forget midst London sights
The day to him most dear
‘Tis not because he loves you less
To all that is most dear.
Your Mother, tho’, will ne’er forget
Should she grow old and silly
That Oct – month – and day 14[3]
Deprived her of her Lilly.
Then thank the Lord she’s here today
To write this little sonnet
And send to you, as wedding gift,
For Mabel dear, a bonnet.
Ellen Birch Southsea, Oct 1888