Customer Reviews

Sonnets from the Portuguese and Other Poems (Dover Thrift Editions)

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These poems were written by Elizabeth Barret Browning for her husband, the poet Robert Browning. They were not meant to be published but they have become her most well- known work. They contain one of the finest love poems ever written, the much anthologized , " How do I love thee? Let me count the ways." and other poems reflecting her love for her husband and her views on life.
The poems are written in a very explicit and clear way,in a style which had great appeal to the common reader of their day. And despite a certain archaic quality in the diction they speak to us today.

Here is one example.
"If thou must love me , let it be for naught,
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 pleasant ease on such aday"-
For these things in themselves. Beloved, 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 cheeks dry-
A creature might forget to wep, 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."

The early death of Elizabeth Barrett Browning underlines the intense and tragic quality of her and her husband's great love.

Dover Thrift Editions are the college student's [and teacher purchasing en masse] best friends. While they tend to lack footnotes, they do include thoughtful, decent introductions. Recommended.

I do not like many 19th-century English poets, but Elizabeth Barrett Browning is one that I do. Her Sonnets from the Portuguese are some of the most honest love poems I have read, and the other poems in this selection are a good reminder that she tackled many social issues as well. However, as a dog person, my favorite poem has to be To Flush, My Dog, a tribute to her faithful companion.

These poetry books are absolutely wonnerful to have on your bedside table. It don't make no difference what poetry book just as long as it is romantic sounding. Chicks dig it and will attack like a wolverine after a tuna. EEEHAAA!