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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SONNETS FROM THE PORTUGUESE: 30 by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING

Poet Analysis

First Line: I SEE THINE IMAGE THROUGH MY TEARS TONIGHT
Last Line: AS NOW THESE TEARS COME -- FALLING HOT AND REAL?
Subject(s): GRIEF; SORROW; SADNESS;

I SEE thine image through my tears tonight,
And yet to-day I saw thee smiling. How
Refer the cause? -- Beloved, is it thou
Or I, who makes me sad? The acolyte
Amid the chanted joy and thankful rite
May so fall flat, with pale insensate brow,
On the altar-stair. I hear thy voice and vow,
Perplexed, uncertain, since thou art out of sight,
As he, in his swooning ears, the choir's Amen.
Beloved, dost thou love? or did I see all
The glory as I dreamed, and fainted when
Too vehement light dilated my ideal,
For my soul's eyes? Will that light come again,
As now these tears come -- falling hot and real?



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