Elizabeth Barrett Browning (6 March 1806 - 29 June 1861)

My final posting for this month is a tribute to Elizabeth Barrett Browning in view of the fact that 6th March, 2006 marks the bicentenary of the birth of this great Victorian poet who has been widely acclaimed "A Woman of Real Genius". More could be read about her from this link.

One of Elizabeth Browing's most popular works is the sonnet which begins with the well-known line, 'How do I love thee? Let me count the ways’ which was featured in one of my earlier posting.

Another work which leaves a great impression on me is her Sonnet XIV

If thou must love me, let it be for nought
Except for love's sake only. Do not say
I love her for her smile--her look--her way
Of speaking gently,--for a trick of thought
That falls in well with mine, and certes brought
A sense of ease on such a day--
For these things in themselves, Belovèd, may
Be changed, or change for thee,--and love, so wrought,
May be unwrought so. Neither love me for
Thine own dear pity's wiping my cheek dry,--
A creature might forget to weep, who bore
Thy comfort long, and lose thy love thereby!
But love me for love's sake, that evermore
Thou may'st love on, through love's eternity.