So 26 - I lived with visions for my pany
XXVI
I lived with visions for my pany
Instead of men and women, years ago,
And found them gees, nor thought to know
A sweeter music than they played to me.
But soorailing purple was not free
Of this worlds dust, their lutes did silent grow,
And I myself grew faint and blind below
Their vanishing eyes. Then THOU didst e—to be,
Beloved, what they seemed. Their shining fronts,
Their songs, their splendors (better, yet the same,
As river-water hallowed into fonts),
Met in thee, and from out thee overcame
My soul with satisfa of all wants:
Because Gods gifts put ma dreams to shame.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
So 27 - My own Beloved, who hast lifted me
XXVII
My own Beloved, who hast lifted me
From this drear flat of earth where I was thrown,
And, iwixt the languid ris, blown
A life-breath, till the forehead hopefully
Shines out again, as all the angels see,
Before thy saving kiss! My own, my own,
Who camest to me when the world was gone,
And I who looked for only God, found thee!
I find thee; I am safe, and strong, and glad.
As one who stands in dewless asphodel
Looks backward oedious time he had
In the upper life,—so I, with bosom-swell,
Make witness, here, between the good and bad,
That Love, as strong as Death, retrieves as well.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
So 28 - My letters! all dead paper, mute and white!
XXVIII
My letters! all dead paper, mute and white!
Ahey seem alive and quivering
Against my tremulous hands which loose the string
Ahem drop down on my ko-night.
This said,—he wished to have me in his sight
Once, as a friend: this fixed a day in spring
To e and touch my hand . . . a simple thing,
Yet I wept for it!—this, . . . the papers light . . .
Said, Dear, I love thee; and I sank and quailed
As if Gods future thundered on my past.
This said, I am thine—and so its ink has paled
With Iying at my heart that beat too fast.
And this . . . O Love, thy words have ill availed
If, what this said, I dared repeat at last!
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
So 29 - I think of thee!—my thoughts do twine and bud
XXIX
I think of thee!—my thoughts do twine and bud
About thee, as wild vines, about a tree,
Put out broad leaves, and soon there s nought to see
Except the straggling green which hides the wood.
Yet, O my palm-tree, be it uood
I will not have my thoughts instead of thee
Who art dearer, better! Rather, instantly
Rehy presence; as a strong tree should,
Rustle thy boughs ahy trunk all bare,
Ahese bands of greenery whisphere thee
Drop heavily do;mdash;burst, shattered, everywhere!
Because, in this deep joy to see ahee
And breathe within thy shadow a new air,
I do not think of thee—I am too hee.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
So 30 - I see thine image through my tears to-night
XXX
I see thine image through my tears to-night,
Ao-day I saw thee smiling. How
Refer the cause?—Beloved, is it thou
Or I, who makes me sad? The acolyte
Amid the ted joy and thankful rite
May so fall flat, with pale ie brow,
Oar-stair. I