Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)
Sonnets from the Portuguese: XXXVI
1When we met first and loved, I did not build
2Upon the event with marble. Could it mean
3To last, a love set pendulous between
4Sorrow and sorrow? Nay, I rather thrilled,
5Distrusting every light that seemed to gild
6The onward path, and feared to overlean
7A finger even. And, though I have grown serene
8And strong since then, I think that God has willed
9A still renewable fear . . . O love, O troth . . .
10Lest these enclaspèd hands should never hold,
11This mutual kiss drop down between us both
12As an unowned thing, once the lips being cold.
13And Love, be false! if he, to keep one oath,
14Must lose one joy, by his life’s star foretold.
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
