Sonnets from the Portuguese is a sequence of forty-four love sonnets by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Written during her courtship with Robert Browning, it traces devotion, longing and spiritual transformation in intimate lyric form. Its musical language and emotional candour make it rewarding to hear aloud.
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Cover of the original edition (Project Gutenberg, public domain).
Text source: gutenberg.org · The work is in the public domain.
Opening of the book
SONNETS FROM THE PORTUGUESE BY ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING Decorative graphic THE CARADOC PRESS BEDFORD PARK CHISWICK LONDON MDCCCCVI INDEX OF FIRST LINES I I thought once how Theocritus had sung II But only three in all God’s universe III Unlike are we, unlike, O princely Heart! IV Thou hast thy calling to some palace-floor V I lift my heavy heart up solemnly VI Go from me. Yet I feel that I shall stand
VII The face of all the world is changed, I think VIII What can I give thee back, O liberal IX Can it be right to give what I can give? X Yet, love, mere love, is beautiful indeed XI And therefore if to love can be desert XII Indeed this very love which is my boast XIII And wilt thou have me fashion into speech XIV If thou must love me, let it be for nought XV Accuse me not, beseech thee, that I wear XVI And yet, because thou overcomest so XVII My poet thou canst touch on all the notes XVIII I never gave a lock of hair away XIX The soul’s Rialto hath its merchandize XX Beloved, my beloved, when I think XXI Say over again, and yet once over again XXII When our two souls stand up erect and strong XXIII Is it indeed so? If I lay here dead XXIV Let the world’s sharpness like a clasping knife XXV A heavy heart, Beloved, have I borne XXVI I lived with visions for my company XXVII My own Beloved, who hast lifted me XXVIII My letters! all dead paper, mute and white! XXIX I think of thee!—my thoughts do twine and bud XXX I see thine image through my tears to-night XXXI Thou comest! all is said without a word
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