Elizabeth Barrett Browning's "Sonnets from the Portuguese" was
originally published in 1850 in a two volume  publication entitled
_Poems_.  This work was prepared for electronic distribution by the
inforM staff.  Questions or comments should be directed to
inform-editor@umail.umd.edu.



Sonnets from the Portuguese

          XI

And therefore if to love can be desert,
I am not all unworthy. Cheeks as pale
As these you see, and trembling knees that fail
To bear the burden of a heavy heart,--
This weary minstrel-life that once was girt
To climb Aornus, and can scarce avail
To pipe now 'gainst the valley nightingale
A melancholy music,--why advert
To these things ? O Beloved, it is plain
I am not of thy worth nor for thy place !
And yet, because I love thee, I obtain
From that same love this vindicating grace,
To live on still in love, and yet in vain,--
To bless thee, yet renounce thee to thy face.