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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING, IN 1851 by DORA GREENWELL

Poem Explanation

First Line: I LOSE MYSELF WITHIN THY MIND - FROM ROOM
Last Line: I FEEL AS IF I NE'ER COULD SING AGAIN
Subject(s): BROWNING, ELIZABETH BARRETT (1806-1861);
I lose myself within thy mind - from room
To goodly room thou leadest me, and still
Dost show me of thy glory more, until
My soul, like Sheba's Queen, faints, overcome,
And all my spirit dies within me, numb,
Sucked in by thine, a larger star, at will;
And hasting like thy bee, my hive to fill,
I " swoon for very joy" amid thy bloom;
Till - not like that poor bird (as poets feign)
That tried against the Lutanist's her skill,
Crowding her thick precipitate notes, until
Her weak heart break above the contest vain -
Did not thy strength a nobler thought instil,
I feel as if I ne'er could sing again!





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