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Sonnets from the Portuguese


 1 I thought once how Theocritus had sung
 2 But only three in all God's universe
 3 Unlike are we, unlike, O princely Heart!
 4 Thou hast thy calling to some palace-floor
 5 I lift my heavy heart up solemnly
 6 Go from me. Yet I feel that I shall stand
 7 The face of all the world is changed, I think
 8 What can I give thee back, O liberal
 9 Can it be right to give what I can give?
 10 Yet, love, mere love, is beautiful indeed
 11 And therefore if to love can be desert
 12 Indeed this very love which is my boast
 13 And wilt thou have me fashion into speech
 14 If thou must love me, let it be for nought
 15 Accuse me not, beseech thee, that I wear
 16 And yet, because thou overcomest so
 17 My poet, thou canst touch on all the notes
 18 I never gave a lock of hair away
 19 The soul's Rialto hath its merchandize
 20 Beloved, my Beloved, when I think
 21 Say over again, and yet once over again
 22 When our two souls stand up erect and strong
 23 Is it indeed so? If I lay here dead
 24 Let the world's sharpness like a clasping knife
 25 A heavy heart, Beloved, have I borne
 26 I lived with visions for my company
 27 My own Beloved, who hast lifted me
 28 My letters! all dead paper, mute and white!
 29 I think of thee! -- my thoughts do twine and bud
 30 I see thine image through my tears to-night
 31 Thou comest! all is said without a word
 32 The first time that the sun rose on thine oath
 33 Yes, call me by my pet-name! let me hear
 34 With the same heart, I said, I'll answer thee
 35 If I leave all for thee, wilt thou exchange
 36 When we met first and loved, I did not build
 37 Pardon, oh, pardon, that my soul should make
 38 First time he kissed me, he but only kissed
 39 Because thou hast the power and own'st
      the grace
 40 Oh, yes! they love through all this world of ours!
 41 I thank all who have loved me in their hearts
 42 My future will not copy fair my past
 43 How do I love thee? Let me count the ways
 44 Beloved, thou hast brought me many flowers

29 I think of thee! -- my thoughts do twine and bud
by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
From Sonnets from the Portuguese


XXIX[]


I think of thee!--my thoughts do twine and bud
About thee, as wild vines, about a tree,
Put out broad leaves, and soon there's nought to see
Except the straggling green which hides the wood.
Yet, O my palm-tree, be it understood
I will not have my thoughts instead of thee
Who art dearer, better! Rather, instantly
Renew thy presence; as a strong tree should,
Rustle thy boughs and set thy trunk all bare,
And let these bands of greenery which insphere thee,
Drop heavily down,--burst, shattered everywhere!
Because, in this deep joy to see and hear thee
And breathe within thy shadow a new air,
I do not think of thee--I am too near thee.





PD-icon This work published before January 1, 1923 is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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