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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SONNETS FROM THE PORTUGUESE: 18, by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I never gave a lock of hair away Last Line: The kiss my mother left here when she died. Subject(s): Love - Marital; Wedded Love; Marriage - Love | |||
I NEVER gave a lock of hair away To a man, Dearest, except this to thee, Which now upon my fingers thoughtfully, I ring out to the full brown length and say 'Take it.' My day of youth went yesterday; My hair no longer bounds to my foot's glee, Nor plant I it from rose or myrtle-tree, As girls do, any more: it only may Now shade on two pale cheeks the mark of tears, Taught drooping from the head that hangs aside Through sorrow's trick. I thought the funeral-shears Would take this first, but Love is justified, -- Take it thou, -- finding pure, from all those years, The kiss my mother left here when she died. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO MY WIFE by GEORGE WASHINGTON BETHUNE VARIATION ON THE WORD SLEEP by MARGARET ATWOOD IN THE MONTH OF MAY by ROBERT BLY A CHILD'S THOUGHT OF GOD by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING |
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