Mrs. Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806–1861)

(From Sonnets from the Portuguese)

YET, love, mere love, is beautiful indeed,

And worthy of acceptation. Fire is bright,

Let temple burn or flax! An equal light

Leaps in the flame from cedar-plant or weed.

And love is fire: and when I say at need,

I love thee—Mark!—I love thee!—in thy sight

I stand transfigured, glorified aright,

With conscience of the new rays that proceed

Out of my face toward thine. There’s nothing low

In love, when love the lowest. Meanest creatures

Who love God, God accepts while loving so.

And what I feel, across the inferior features

Of what I am, doth flash itself, and show

How that great work of Love enhances Nature’s.