Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)
Sonnets from the Portuguese: XXXVIII
1First time he kissed me, he but only kissed
2The fingers of this hand wherewith I write;
3And ever since, it grew more clean and white,
4Slow to world-greetings, quick with its “O, list,”
5When the angels speak. A ring of amethyst
6I could not wear here, plainer to my sight,
7Than that first kiss. The second passed in height
8The first, and sought the forehead, and half missed,
9Half falling on the hair. O beyond meed!
10That was the chrism of love, which love’s own crown,
11With sanctifying sweetness, did precede.
12The third upon my lips was folded down
13In perfect, purple state; since when, indeed,
14I have been proud and said, “My love, my own.”
Notes
9] meed: reward, prize, praise (archaic)
10] chrism: a scented oil used for anointing in the Catholic church and sometimes in the Church of England
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
