Elizabeth Barrett Browning - Portuguese XIX lyrics
[Elizabeth Barrett Browning - Portuguese XIX lyrics]
The soul's Rialto hath it's merchandise
I barter curl for curl upon that mart
And from my poet's forehead to my heart
Receive this lock which outweighs argosies, -
As purply black, as erst to Pindar's eyes
The dim purpureal tresses gloomed athwart
The nine white Muse-brows
For this counterpart
The bay-crown's shade, Belovèd, I surmise
Still lingers on thy curl, it is so black!
Thus, with a fillet of smooth-kissing breath
I tie the shadows safe from gliding back
And lay the gift where nothing hindereth
Here on my heart, as on thy brow, to lack
No natural heat till mine grows cold in death
I barter curl for curl upon that mart
And from my poet's forehead to my heart
Receive this lock which outweighs argosies, -
As purply black, as erst to Pindar's eyes
The dim purpureal tresses gloomed athwart
The nine white Muse-brows
For this counterpart
The bay-crown's shade, Belovèd, I surmise
Still lingers on thy curl, it is so black!
Thus, with a fillet of smooth-kissing breath
I tie the shadows safe from gliding back
And lay the gift where nothing hindereth
Here on my heart, as on thy brow, to lack
No natural heat till mine grows cold in death