I thought once how Theocritus had sung

But only three in all God’s universe

Unlike are we, unlike, o princely heart

Thou hast thy calling to some palace floor

I lift my heavy heart up solemnly

Go from me. Yet I feel that I shall stand

The face of all the world is changed, I think

What can I give thee back, O liberal

Can it be right to give what I can give?

Yet, love, mere love, is beautiful enough

And therefore if to love can be desert

Indeed this very love which is my boast

And wilt thou have me fashion into speech

If thou must love me, let it be for nought

Accuse me not, beseech thee, that I wear

And yet, because thou overcomest so

My poet, thou canst touch on all the notes

I never gave a lock of hair away

The soul’s Rialto hath its merchandise

Beloved, my beloved, when I think

Say over again, and yet once over again

When our two souls stand up erect and strong

Is it indeed so? If I lay here dead

Let the world’s sharpness, like a clasping knife

A heavy heart, Beloved, have I borne

I lived with visions for my company

My own Beloved, who has lifted me

My letters! all dead paper, mute and white!

I think of thee!–my thoughts do twine and bud

I see thine image through my tears tonight

Thou comest! All is said without a word

The first time that the sun rose on thine oath

Yes, call me by my pet-name! Let me hear

With the same heart, I said, I’ll answer thee

If I leave all for thee, wilt thou exchange

When we first met and loved, I did not build

Pardon, oh, pardon that my soul should make

First time he kissed me, he but only kissed

Because thou hast the power and own’st the grace

Oh yes! they love all through this world of ours!

I thank all who have loved me in their hearts

My future will not copy fair my past

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways

Beloved, thou hast brought me many flowers

Sonnets from the Portuguese is a collection of 44 sonnets written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning during the years 1845-1846 and first published in 1850. The sonnets are a passionate and intimate record of the romance between Barrett Browning and her husband, poet Robert Browning.

fiction

romance

poetry

Sonnets from the Portuguese