Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume II. Love. 1904. | | | | VIII. Wedded Love | Sonnets from the Portuguese
XXXVIII. First time he kissed me, he but only kissed | | Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806–1861) |
| | | FIRST time he kissed me, he but only kissed | |
| The fingers of this hand wherewith I write; | |
| And, ever since, it grew more clean and white, | |
| Slow to world-greetings, quick with its “O list!” | |
| When the angels speak. A ring of amethyst | 5 |
| I could not wear here, plainer to my sight | |
| Than that first kiss. The second passed in height | |
| The first, and sought the forehead, and half missed, | |
| Half falling on the hair. O, beyond meed! | |
| That was the chrism of love, which love’s own crown, | 10 |
| With sanctifying sweetness, did precede. | |
| The third upon my lips was folded down | |
| In perfect, purple state; since when, indeed, | |
| I have been proud, and said, “My love, my own!” | | | | |
|
|
