So XLI
I thank all who have loved me in their hearts,
With thanks and love from mine. Deep thanks to all
Who paused a little he prison-wall
To hear my musi its louder parts
Ere they went onward, eae to the marts
Or temples occupation, beyond call.
But thou, who, in my voices sink and fall
When the sob took it, thy divi Arts
Own instrument didst drop down at thy foot
To hearken what I said between my tears, . . .
Instruct me how to thank thee ! Oh, to shoot
My souls full meaning into future years,
That they should lend it utterance, and salute
Love that endures, from Life that disappears !
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
So XLI: I Thank All
I thank all who have loved me in their hearts,
With thanks and love from mine. Deep thanks to all
Who paused a little he prison-wall
To hear my musi its louder parts
Ere they went onward, eae to the marts
Or temples occupation, beyond call.
But thou, who, in my voices sink and fall
When the sob took it, thy divi Arts
Own instrument didst drop down at thy foot
To hearken what I said between my tears,...
Instruct me how to thank thee! Oh, to shoot
My souls full meaning into future years,
That they should lend it utterance, and salute
Love that endures, from Life that disappears!
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
So XLII
My future will not copy fair my past--
I wrote that once; and thinking at my side
My ministering life-angel justified
The word by his appealing look upcast
To the white throne of God, I tur last,
And there, instead, saw thee, not unallied
To angels in thy soul ! Then I, long tried
By natural ills, received the fort fast,
While budding, at thy sight, my pilgrims staff
Gave out green leaves with m dews impearled.
I seek no copy now of lifes first half:
Leave here the pages with long musing curled,
And write me new my futures epigraph,
New angel mine, unhoped for in the world !
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
So XLII: My Future
My future will not copy fair my past -
I wrote that once; and thinking at my side
My ministering life-angel justified
The word by his appealing look upcast
To the white throne of God, I tur last,
And there, instead, saw thee, not unallied
To angels in thy soul! Then I, long tried
By natural ills, received the fort fast,
While budding, at thy sight, my pilgrims staff
Gave out green leaves with m dews impearled.
I seek no copy now of lifes first half:
Leave here the pages with long musing curled,
And write me new my futures epigraph,
New angel mine, unhoped for in the world!
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
So XLIII
How do I love thee ? Let me t the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth a
My soul reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everydays
Most quiet need, by sun and dle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive fht;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhoods faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints,--I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my l