Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)
Sonnets from the Portuguese: XXXIX
1Because thou hast the power and own’st the grace
2To look through and behind this mask of me
3(Against which, years have beat thus blanchingly
4With their rains,) and behold my soul’s true face,
5The dim and weary witness of life’s race,—
6Because thou hast the faith and love to see,
7Through that same soul’s distracting lethargy,
8The patient angel waiting for a place
9In the new Heavens,—because nor sin nor woe,
10Nor God’s infliction, nor death’s neighbourhood,
11Nor all which others viewing, turn to go,
12Nor all which makes me tired of all, self-viewed,—
13Nothing repels thee, . . . Dearest, teach me so
14To pour out gratitude, as thou dost, good!
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
