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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
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.
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