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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SONNET TO GEORGE SAND: 1. A RECOGNITION by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: TRUE GENIUS, BUT TRUE WOMAN! DOST DENY
Last Line: WHERE UNINCARNATE SPIRITS PURELY ASPIRE.
Subject(s): SAND, GEORGE (1804-1876); DUPIN, AMANDA. BARONNE DUDEVANT;

TRUE genius, but true woman! dost deny
Thy woman's nature with a manly scorn,
And break away the gauds and armlets worn
By weaker women in captivity?
Ah, vain denial! that revolted cry
Is sobbed in by a woman's voice forlorn;
Thy woman's hair, my sister, all unshorn,
Floats back dishevelled strength in agony.
Disproving thy man's name; and while before
The world thou burnest in a poet-fire,
We see thy woman-heart beat evermore
Through the large flame. Beat purer, heart, and
higher,
Till God unsex thee on the heavenly shore,
Where unincarnate spirits purely aspire.



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