Sonnet 22 - When Our Two Souls Stand Up Erect And Strong

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

XXII

When our two souls stand up erect and strong,
Face to face, silent, drawing nigh and nigher,
Until the lengthening wings break into fire
At either curved point,—what bitter wrong
Can the earth do to us, that we should not long
Be here contented? Think. In mounting higher,
The angels would press on us and aspire
To drop some golden orb of perfect song
Into our deep, dear silence. Let us stay
Rather on earth, Beloved,—where the unfit
Contrarious moods of men recoil away
And isolate pure spirits, and permit
A place to stand and love in for a day,
With darkness and the death-hour rounding it.

Next 10 Poems

• Elizabeth Barrett Browning : Sonnet 23 - Is It Indeed So? If I Lay Here Dead
• Elizabeth Barrett Browning : Sonnet 24 - Let The World's Sharpness, Like A Clasping Knife
• Elizabeth Barrett Browning : Sonnet 25 - A Heavy Heart, Beloved, Have I Borne
• Elizabeth Barrett Browning : Sonnet 26 - I Lived With Visions For My Company
• Elizabeth Barrett Browning : Sonnet 27 - My Own Beloved, Who Hast Lifted Me
• Elizabeth Barrett Browning : Sonnet 28 - My Letters! All Dead Paper, Mute And White!
• Elizabeth Barrett Browning : Sonnet 29 - I Think Of Thee! - My Thoughts Do Twine And Bud
• Elizabeth Barrett Browning : Sonnet 30 - I See Thine Image Through My Tears To-night
• Elizabeth Barrett Browning : Sonnet 31 - Thou Comest! All Is Said Without A Word
• Elizabeth Barrett Browning : Sonnet 32 - The First Time That The Sun Rose On Thine Oath

Previous 10 Poems

• Elizabeth Barrett Browning : Sonnet 21 - Say Over Again, And Yet Once Over Again
• Elizabeth Barrett Browning : Sonnet 20 - Beloved, My Beloved, When I Think
• Elizabeth Barrett Browning : Sonnet 19 - The Soul's Rialto Hath Its Merchandise
• Elizabeth Barrett Browning : Sonnet 18 - I Never Gave A Lock Of Hair Away
• Elizabeth Barrett Browning : Sonnet 17 - My Poet, Thou Canst Touch On All The Notes
• Elizabeth Barrett Browning : Sonnet 16 - And Yet, Because Thou Overcomest So
• Elizabeth Barrett Browning : Sonnet 15 - Accuse Me Not, Beseech Thee, That I Wear
• Elizabeth Barrett Browning : Sonnet 14 - If Thou Must Love Me, Let It Be For Nought
• Elizabeth Barrett Browning : Sonnet 13 - And Wilt Thou Have Me Fashion Into Speech
• Elizabeth Barrett Browning : Sonnet 12 - Indeed This Very Love Which Is My Boast