Poems (Frances Elizabeth Browne)/Metrical letter to miss N———
My very dear friend,
In your absence I send a few lines to remind you of those left behind you. I hear that to Derry you journeyed quite merry, and your brother to greet you had hastened to meet you; to whom, by the way, I my compliments pay, with his friend and your own, now no longer unknown, for ere this, I dare say, they have stolen you away from the town and its noise, to the country's sweet joys. Apropos to your city; my heart throbbed with pity, as I yesterday read, in the history by Reid, of the right noble stand of the patriot band by whom in the siege London-derry was manned. Such sufferings and zeal to our feelings appeal, and make Derry shine bright in fair virtue's sweet light.
It surprised me to hear, that her walls still appear, complete as they were in that notable year, their breadth though so great, so much strength might create, as might cause them to last to so distant a date. O my dear, to look down on the river and town in so sacred a spot, must not every thought be with past recollections of chivalry fraught? No wonder your mind caught a tone more refined, and the scene which you drew bore so vivid a hue!
But, as my vagrant Muse no such prospect now views, she must beg you her errors and faults to excuse. And, wishing you every joy and delight, and hoping (when leisure permits) you will write,
My dear Mary Ann,
Pray believe me to be,
Sincerely affectionate,
Yours,—F. E. B.