Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)
Sonnets from the Portuguese: XXIX
1I think of thee!—my thoughts do twine and bud
2About thee, as wild vines, about a tree,
3Put out broad leaves, and soon there’s nought to see
4Except the straggling green which hides the wood.
5Yet, O my palm-tree, be it understood
6I will not have my thoughts instead of thee
7Who art dearer, better! Rather, instantly
8Renew thy presence; as a strong tree should,
9Rustle thy boughs and set thy trunk all bare,
10And let these bands of greenery which insphere thee,
11Drop heavily down,—burst, shattered everywhere!
12Because, in this deep joy to see and hear thee
13And breathe within thy shadow a new air,
14I do not think of thee—I am too near thee.
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
