English Poetry II: From Collins to Fitzgerald.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
606. Sonnets from the Portuguese
XXIXI
About thee, as wild vines, about a tree,
Put out broad leaves, and soon there’s nought to see
Yet, O my palm-tree, be it understood
I will not have my thoughts instead of thee
Who art dearer, better! Rather, instantly
Renew thy presence; as a strong tree should,
Rustle thy boughs and set thy trunk all bare,
And let these bands of greenery which insphere thee
Drop heavily down,—burst, shattered, everywhere!
Because, in this deep joy to see and hear thee
And breathe within thy shadow a new air,
I do not think of thee—I am too near thee.