English poem
Sonnet 32 - The first time that the sun rose on thine oath
The first time that the sun rose on thine oath To love me, I looked forward to the moon To slacken all those bonds which seemed too soon And quickly tied to make a lasting troth. Quick-loving hearts, I thought, may quickly loathe; And, looking on myself, I seemed not one For such man's love!—more like an out-of-tune Worn viol, a good singer would be wroth To spoil his song with, and which, snatched in haste, Is laid down at the first ill-sounding note. I did not wrong myself so, but I placed A wrong on thee. For perfect strains may float 'Neath master-hands, from instruments defaced,— And great souls, at one stroke, may do and doat.
More by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
- Sonnet 21 - Say over again, and yet once over again
- Sonnet 22 - When our two souls stand up erect and strong
- Sonnet 23 - Is it indeed so? If I lay here dead
- Sonnet 30 - I see thine image through my tears to-night
- Sonnet 33 - Yes, call me by my pet-name! let me hear
- Sonnet 34 - With the same heart, I said, I'll answer thee
- Sonnet 38 - First time he kissed me, he but only kissed
- Sonnet 40 - Oh, yes! they love through all this world of ours!