Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)
Sonnets from the Portuguese: XXI
1Say over again, and yet once over again,
2That thou dost love me. Though the word repeated
3Should seem a “cuckoo-song,” as thou dost treat it.
4Remember, never to the hill or plain,
5Valley and wood, without her cuckoo-strain
6Comes the fresh Spring in all her green completed.
7Belovèd, I, amid the darkness greeted
8By a doubtful spirit-voice, in that doubt’s pain
9Cry, “Speak once more—thou lovest!” Who can fear
10Too many stars, though each in heaven shall roll,
11Too many flowers, though each shall crown the year?
12Say thou dost love me, love me, love me—toll
13The silver iterance!—only minding, Dear,
14To love me also in silence with thy soul.
Online text copyright © 2009, Ian Lancashire (the Department of English) and the University of Toronto.
Published by the Web Development Group, Information Technology Services, University of Toronto Libraries.
Original text: A Selection from the Poetry of Elizabeth Barrett Browning. First Series. New Edition. London: Smith, Elder, & Co., 1886. 1: 181-202.
First publication date:
1850
RPO poem editor: Marc R. Plamondon
RP edition: 2007
Recent editing: 2:2007/11/24
Composition date:
1846
Form: sonnet
Other poems by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
