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XXIV

XXIV


Let the world's sharpness, like a clasping knife,
Shut in upon itself and do no harm
In this close hand of Love, now soft and warm,
And let us hear no sound of human strife
After the click of the shutting. Life to life--
I lean upon thee, Dear, without alarm,
And feel as safe as guarded by a charm
Against the stab of worldlings, who if rife
Are weak to injure. Very whitely still
The lilies of our lives may reassure
Their blossoms from their roots, accessible
Alone to heavenly dews that drop not fewer,
Growing straight, out of man's reach, on the hill.
God only, who made us rich, can make us poor.
910

XXII

XXII


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 curved point,--what bitter wrong
Can the earth do to 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.
1,034

What was he doing, the great god Pan, Down in the reeds by the river?

The New Yale Book of Quotations

3
Men get opinions as boys learn to spell, / By reiteration chiefly.
3
May the good God pardon all good men.
3
Every age, / Through being beheld too close, is ill- discerned / By those who have not lived past it.
3
The English have a scornful insular way / Of calling the French light.
2
We have hearts within, / Warm, live, improvident, indecent hearts.
4
Earth’s crammed with heaven, / And every common bush afire with God.
1
Books succeed, / And lives fail.
1

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Identification and basic context

Elizabeth Barrett Browning was an influential English poet of the Victorian era. She is best known for her collection 'Sonnets from the Portuguese' and her long poem 'Aurora Leigh'.

Childhood and education

Born into a wealthy family, Elizabeth received an extensive education, including classical languages, which was unusual for women at the time. She was a precocious reader and writer from a young age, though her health was often delicate.

Literary trajectory

Barrett Browning began publishing poetry in her youth. Her 'Poems' (1844) brought her considerable attention. Her marriage to Robert Browning in 1846 marked a new phase, and they moved to Italy. Her masterpiece, 'Aurora Leigh', a novel in verse, was published in 1857, solidifying her reputation.

Works, style, and literary characteristics

Her major works include 'Sonnets from the Portuguese', 'Aurora Leigh', 'A Drama of Exile', and 'Casa Guidi Windows'. Her poetry often explored themes of love, religion, social justice, and politics. Her style is characterized by intellectual depth, emotional intensity, and a rich, often complex, use of language and imagery. She engaged with contemporary social issues, such as slavery and child labor.

Cultural and historical context

She lived during a period of significant social and political change in Britain, the height of the Victorian era. She was part of a literary circle that included figures like Alfred Tennyson and John Ruskin. Her sympathetic views towards Italian unification (Risorgimento) are evident in some of her works.

Personal life

Her relationship with her father was strained, particularly after he disapproved of her engagement to Robert Browning. Their clandestine marriage and subsequent move to Italy were significant events. Her health issues, including chronic respiratory problems, profoundly impacted her life and possibly her poetry.

Recognition and reception

Barrett Browning was one of the most famous and respected poets of her time, even considered by some as a contender for the Poet Laureateship. Her work was widely read and admired by critics and the public alike.

Influences and legacy

She was influenced by poets like John Milton and William Wordsworth. Her 'Sonnets from the Portuguese' are considered among the greatest love poems in the English language. 'Aurora Leigh' was groundbreaking for its blend of social commentary and poetic narrative, influencing later female writers.

Interpretation and critical analysis

Her work is often studied for its feminist undertones, its engagement with political issues, and its exploration of personal and spiritual themes.

Curiosities and lesser-known aspects

She was addicted to laudanum for much of her adult life, initially prescribed for her health problems.

Death and memory

She died in Florence, Italy, and is buried in the English Cemetery there. Her legacy is cemented as one of the most important poets of the 19th century.