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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


MONNA INNOMINATA, A SONNET OF SONNETS: 4 by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI

Poet Analysis

First Line: I LOVED YOU FIRST: BUT AFTERWARDS YOUR LOVE
Last Line: BOTH OF US, OF THE LOVE WHICH MAKES US ONE.
Subject(s): POETRY & POETS; WOMEN - HEROES;

I loved you first: but afterwards your love
Outsoaring mine, sang such a loftier song
As drown'd the friendly cooings of my dove.
Which owes the other most? my love was long,
And yours one moment seem'd to wax more strong;
I lov'd and guess'd at you, you construed me --
And lov'd me for what might or might not be
Nay, weights and measures do us both a wrong.
For verily love knows not "mine" or "thine;"
With separate "I" and "thou" free love has done,
For one is both and both are one in love:
Rich love knows nought of "thine that is not mine;"
Both have the strength and both the length thereof,
Both of us, of the love which makes us one.




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