Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)
Sonnets from the Portuguese: XLI
1I thank all who have loved me in their hearts,
2With thanks and love from mine. Deep thanks to all
3Who paused a little near the prison-wall
4To hear my music in its louder parts
5Ere they went onward, each one to the mart’s
6Or temple’s occupation, beyond call.
7But thou, who, in my voice’s sink and fall
8When the sob took it, thy divinest Art’s
9Own instrument didst drop down at thy foot
10To harken what I said between my tears, . . .
11Instruct me how to thank thee! Oh, to shoot
12My soul’s full meaning into future years,
13That they should lend it utterance, and salute
14Love that endures, from Life that disappears!
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
