Sonnet 19 - The soul's Rialto hath its merchandise
XIX
The soul's Rialto hath its merchandise;
I barter curl for curl upon that mart,
And from my poet's forehead to my heart
Receive this lock which outweighs argosies,—
As purply black, as erst to Pindar's eyes
The dim purpureal tresses gloomed athwart
The nine white Muse-brows. For this counterpart, . . .
The bay-crown's shade, Beloved, I surmise,
Still lingers on thy curl, it is so black!
Thus, with a fillet of smooth-kissing breath,
I tie the shadows safe from gliding back,
And lay the gift where nothing hindereth;
Here on my heart, as on thy brow, to lack
No natural heat till mine grows cold in death.
poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!
Also see the following:
- quotes about purple
- quotes about kiss
- quotes about receiving
- quotes about black
- quotes about writers
- quotes about poetry
- quotes about white
- quotes about death
- quotes about heart
No comments until now.