dots-menu
×

Home  »  The Book of the Sonnet  »  Mrs. Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806–1861)

Hunt and Lee, comps. The Book of the Sonnet. 1867.

VIII. Flush or Faunus

Mrs. Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806–1861)

YOU see this dog. It was but yesterday

I mused, forgetful of his presence here,

Till thoughts on thoughts drew downward tear on tear;

When from the pillow, where wet-cheeked I lay,

A head, as hairy as Faunus, thrust his way

Right sudden against my face; two golden-clear

Large eyes astonished mine; a drooping ear

Did flap me on either cheek, to dry the spray!

I started first, as some Arcadian,

Amazed by goatly god in twilight grove.

But as my bearded vision closelier ran

My tears off, I knew Flush, and rose above

Surprise and sadness; thanking the true Pan,

Who, by low creatures, leads to heights of love.