Sonnets from the Portuguese v

By Elizabeth Barrett Browning

1806-1861

WHEN our two souls stand up erect and strong,
         Face to face, silent, drawing nigh and nigher,
         Until the lengthening wings break into fire
At either curving point,--what bitter wrong
Can the earth do us, that we should not long
         Be here contented? Think! In mounting higher,
         The angels would press on us, and aspire
To drop some golden orb of perfect song
Into our deep, dear silence. Let us stay
         Rather on earth, Beloved--where the unfit
Contrarious moods of men recoil away
         And isolate pure spirits, and permit
A place to stand and love in for a day,
         With darkness and the death-hour rounding it.

DayPoems Poem No. 638
<a href="http://www.daypoems.net/poems/638.html">Sonnets from the Portuguese v by Elizabeth Barrett Browning</a>

The DayPoems Poetry Collection, www.daypoems.net
Timothy Bovee, editor

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