Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)
Sonnets from the Portuguese: XXII
1When our two souls stand up erect and strong,
2Face to face, silent, drawing nigh and nigher,
3Until the lengthening wings break into fire
4At either curvèd point,—what bitter wrong
5Can the earth do to us, that we should not long
6Be here contented? Think! In mounting higher,
7The angels would press on us and aspire
8To drop some golden orb of perfect song
9Into our deep, dear silence. Let us stay
10Rather on earth, Belovèd,—where the unfit
11Contrarious moods of men recoil away
12And isolate pure spirits, and permit
13A place to stand and love in for a day,
14With darkness and the death-hour rounding it.
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
