poetry texts, poem archive at plagiarist.com

Read more poems by Elizabeth Barrett Browning: Elizabeth Barrett Browning Poems at Poetry X.

XXVI


I lived with visions for my company
Instead of men and women, years ago,
And found them gentle mates, nor thought to know
A sweeter music than they played to me.
But soon their trailing purple was not free
Of this world's dust, their lutes did silent grow,
And I myself grew faint and blind below
Their vanishing eyes. Then THOU didst come—to be,
Beloved, what they seemed. Their shining fronts,
Their songs, their splendors (better, yet the same,
As river-water hallowed into fonts),
Met in thee, and from out thee overcame
My soul with satisfaction of all wants:
Because God's gifts put man's best dreams to shame.

Added: 12 Aug 2002 | Last Read: 3 Sep 2026 5:54 AM | Viewed: 5432 times

A PoetryNotes™ Analysis of Sonnet 26 - I lived with visions for my company by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, is Available!

A PoetryNotes™ eBook is available for this poem for delivery within 24 hours, and usually available within minutes during normal business hours.

ON SALE - only $29.95 19.95!

For more information...