Sonnets from the Portugese by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Poetry lovers and lovers themselves would certainly know and remember these lines: “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.....” These and other sublime verses are contained in this collection of tender, mystical, philosophical poems Sonnets from the Portuguese, published originally in 1850. The poet herself was part of one of the most famous literary love-stories of all time – a saga filled with romance, danger and severe opposition from her family. Born into a prominent and extremely wealthy family in Durham, England, she began writing as a child and her father encouraged her talent by getting a collection of poems published when she was only twelve. Schooled in Latin and Greek, she undertook serious scholarly work as well. An undiagnosed illness rendered her a life-long invalid. Elizabeth Barrett was already a well-known poet when she began corresponding with the brilliant writer and poet Robert Browning. Robert Browning who had read and admired her poems began writing to her and their romance began soon afterwards. The couple eloped to Italy, and as feared by her, she was disinherited by her father and her brothers, who felt Browning was a social climber who married Elizabeth for her wealth. However, the couple spent a blissful but short life together and their social circle included all the prominent writers and poets of the day. This collection takes its title from Browning's pet-name for his beloved - “my little Portugee” since she admired the works of Luiz Vaz de Camoes, a 16th century Portuguese bard. Though she thought the poems too personal to publish, her husband encouraged her to do so. They were experimental in form and content at that time. The poems are sequential and must be read in order to trace the development of love and the evolution of the poet, in an era when women shied away from expressing their deepest feelings. A keepsake collectible indeed!Podcasts
01 I thought once how Theocritus had sung
Published: Jan. 2, 2024, midnightDuration: 1 minute 11 seconds
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02 But only three in all Gods universe
Published: Jan. 1, 2024, midnightDuration: 1 minute 6 seconds
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03 Unlike are we, unlike, o princely heart
Published: Dec. 31, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 4 seconds
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04 Thou hast thy calling to some palace floor
Published: Dec. 30, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 6 seconds
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05 I lift my heavy heart up solemnly
Published: Dec. 29, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 8 seconds
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06 Go from me. Yet I feel that I shall stand
Published: Dec. 28, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 6 seconds
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07 The face of all the world is changed, I think
Published: Dec. 27, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 6 seconds
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08 What can I give thee back, O liberal
Published: Dec. 26, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 7 seconds
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09 Can it be right to give what I can give?
Published: Dec. 25, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 4 seconds
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10 Yet, love, mere love, is beautiful enough
Published: Dec. 24, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 12 seconds
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11 And therefore if to love can be desert
Published: Dec. 23, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 5 seconds
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12 Indeed this very love which is my boast
Published: Dec. 22, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 6 seconds
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13 And wilt thou have me fashion into speech
Published: Dec. 21, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 6 seconds
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14 If thou must love me, let it be for nought
Published: Dec. 20, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 5 seconds
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15 Accuse me not, beseech thee, that I wear
Published: Dec. 19, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 3 seconds
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16 And yet, because thou overcomest so
Published: Dec. 18, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 3 seconds
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17 My poet, thou canst touch on all the notes
Published: Dec. 17, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 9 seconds
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18 I never gave a lock of hair away
Published: Dec. 16, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 6 seconds
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19 The souls Rialto hath its merchandise
Published: Dec. 15, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 7 seconds
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20 Beloved, my beloved, when I think
Published: Dec. 14, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 5 seconds
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21 Say over again, and yet once over again
Published: Dec. 13, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 10 seconds
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22 When our two souls stand up erect and strong
Published: Dec. 12, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 3 seconds
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23 Is it indeed so? If I lay here dead
Published: Dec. 11, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 4 seconds
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24 Let the worlds sharpness, like a clasping knife
Published: Dec. 10, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 1 second
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25 A heavy heart, Beloved, have I borne
Published: Dec. 9, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 2 seconds
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26 I lived with visions for my company
Published: Dec. 8, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 5 seconds
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27 My own Beloved, who has lifted me
Published: Dec. 7, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 6 seconds
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28 My letters! all dead paper, mute and white!
Published: Dec. 6, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 8 seconds
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29 I think of thee!my thoughts do twine and bud
Published: Dec. 5, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 5 seconds
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30 I see thine image through my tears tonight
Published: Dec. 4, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 4 seconds
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31 Thou comest! All is said without a word
Published: Dec. 3, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 1 second
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32 The first time that the sun rose on thine oath
Published: Dec. 2, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 3 seconds
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33 Yes, call me by my pet-name! Let me hear
Published: Dec. 1, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 3 seconds
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34 With the same heart, I said, Ill answer thee
Published: Nov. 30, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 1 second
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35 If I leave all for thee, wilt thou exchange
Published: Nov. 29, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute
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36 When we first met and loved, I did not build
Published: Nov. 28, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 6 seconds
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37 Pardon, oh, pardon that my soul should make
Published: Nov. 27, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 1 second
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38 First time he kissed me, he but only kissed
Published: Nov. 26, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 13 seconds
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39 Because thou hast the power and ownst the grace
Published: Nov. 25, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 4 seconds
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40 Oh yes! they love all through this world of ours!
Published: Nov. 24, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 5 seconds
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41 I thank all who have loved me in their hearts
Published: Nov. 23, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 2 seconds
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42 My future will not copy fair my past
Published: Nov. 22, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 5 seconds
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43 How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
Published: Nov. 21, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 9 seconds
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44 Beloved, thou hast brought me many flowers
Published: Nov. 20, 2023, midnightDuration: 1 minute 9 seconds
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