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

          XXXVI

When we met first and loved, I did not build
Upon the event with marble. Could it mean
To last, a love set pendulous between
Sorrow and sorrow ? Nay, I rather thrilled,
Distrusting every light that seemed to gild
The onward path, and feared to overlean
A finger even. And, though I have grown serene
And strong since then, I think that God has willed
A still renewable fear . . . O love, O troth . . .
Lest these enclasped hands should never hold,
This mutual kiss drop down between us both
As an unowned thing, once the lips being cold.
And Love, be false ! if he, to keep one oath,
Must lose one joy, by his life's star foretold.