Sonnets from the Portuguese: XXXVIII
Sonnets from the Portuguese: XXXVIII
Original Text
A Selection from the Poetry of Elizabeth Barrett Browning. First Series. New Edition. London: Smith, Elder, & Co., 1886. 1: 181-202.
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,
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) Back to Line
10] chrism: a scented oil used for anointing in the Catholic church and sometimes in the Church of England Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1850
RPO poem Editors
Marc R. Plamondon
RPO Edition
2007
Form