Sonnets from the Portuguese: XVII
Sonnets from the Portuguese: XVII
Original Text
A Selection from the Poetry of Elizabeth Barrett Browning. First Series. New Edition. London: Smith, Elder, & Co., 1886. 1: 181-202.
1My poet, thou canst touch on all the notes
2God set between His After and Before,
3And strike up and strike off the general roar
4Of the rushing worlds a melody that floats
5In a serene air purely. Antidotes
6Of medicated music, answering for
7Mankind’s forlornest uses, thou canst pour
8From thence into their ears. God’s will devotes
9Thine to such ends, and mine to wait on thine.
10How, Dearest, wilt thou have me for most use?
11A hope, to sing by gladly? or a fine
12Sad memory, with thy songs to interfuse?
13A shade, in which to sing—of palm or pine?
14A grave, on which to rest from singing? Choose.
Publication Start Year
1850
RPO poem Editors
Marc R. Plamondon
RPO Edition
2007
Form