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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING by JOHN LAURENCE RENTOUL

First Line: SOUL OF THE SOUL OF WOMAN, BROW OF MAN
Last Line: FIGHTS KNIGHTLIER FAR THAN BOW OF AMAZON.
Subject(s): BROWNING, ELIZABETH BARRETT (1806-1861);

SOUL of the soul of Woman, brow of Man,
And heart's blood of the Cross were blent in thee!
The spirit of all moods of land and sea
Breathed in thy being. Sappho's passion ran
Quick in thy veins, but virgin-vowed to Christ,
Pale with Prayer's vigil and the kiss of Pain
Till Man's love kissed thy lips red-ripe again.
O Poet-lover, that strong kiss sufficed,
And stamped thee Prophet on the mouth and brow,
With ampler tidings for the great World's strife!
For child, for woman, for crushed Peoples now
Thy wild Pan-pipe, with passionate pleadings rife,
Thrilled through the Nations. Thy frail strength has won
Fights knightlier far than bow of Amazon.



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