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

          XXIV

Let the world's sharpness, like a clasping knife,
Shut in upon itself and do no harm
In this close hand of Love, now soft and warm,
And let us hear no sound of human strife
After the click of the shutting. Life to life--
I lean upon thee, Dear, without alarm,
And feel as safe as guarded by a charm
Against the stab of worldlings, who if rife
Are weak to injure. Very whitely still
The lilies of our lives may reassure
Their blossoms from their roots, accessible
Alone to heavenly dews that drop not fewer,
Growing straight, out of man's reach, on the hill.
God only, who made us rich, can make us poor.