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

          XXXIV

With the same heart, I said, I'll answer thee
As those, when thou shalt call me by my name--
Lo, the vain promise ! is the same, the same,
Perplexed and ruffled by life's strategy ?
When called before, I told how hastily
I dropped my flowers or brake off from a game,
To run and answer with the smile that came
At play last moment, and went on with me
Through my obedience. When I answer now,
I drop a grave thought, break from solitude;
Yet still my heart goes to thee--ponder how--
Not as to a single good, but all my good !
Lay thy hand on it, best one, and allow
That no child's foot could run fast as this blood.