Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)
Sonnets from the Portuguese: XXXIV
1With the same heart, I said, I’ll answer thee
2As those, when thou shalt call me by my name—
3Lo, the vain promise! is the same, the same,
4Perplexed and ruffled by life’s strategy?
5When called before, I told how hastily
6I dropped my flowers or brake off from a game,
7To run and answer with the smile that came
8At play last moment, and went on with me
9Through my obedience. When I answer now,
10I drop a grave thought, break from solitude;
11Yet still my heart goes to thee—ponder how—
12Not as to a single good, but all my good!
13Lay thy hand on it, best one, and allow
14That no child’s foot could run fast as this blood.
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
