Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Elizabeth Barrett was born March 6 1806, and spent her youth in England. In 1844 she published her first poems. Robert Browning, a struggling young poet (born in 1812) read these poems and developed strong feelings for their creator. He wrote a letter to her praising her work and expressing his love to her. They exchanged letters during 1844 and in 1845 finally arranged to meet. Elizabeth had experienced a back injury when she was young, which, combined with an anxiety problem and the deaths of family members, had lead her to become an invalid, staying in her family home.
She was amazed that this young healthy man would be so truly in love with her, but as time
went on she accepted and thrived in this love. In September of 1846, against her
father's wishes, Elizabeth and Robert eloped and moved to Florence. Although
Elizabeth's father disinherited her over the move, the southern climate and the loving
attention of her husband improved her health and undoubtedly prolonged her life. The
two developed deep emotional and intellectual ties, and each influenced and nurtured the
work of the other. In 1849, they had a baby boy. Elizabeth wrote for her
husband her Sonnets from the Portuguese, which are some of her most famous work.
Sonnett XLIII How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight For the ends of being and ideal Grace. I love thee to the level of everyday's Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light. I love thee freely, as men strive for Right; I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise. I love thee with the passion put to use In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith. I love thee with a love I seemed to lose With my lost saints,--I love thee with the breath, Smiles, tears, of all my life!--and, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death. |
First Time He Kissed Me, He but Only Kissed First time he kissed me, he but only kiss'd The fingers of this hand wherewith I write; And ever since, it grew more clean and white, Slow to world-greetings, quick with its "Oh, list," When the angels speak. A ring of amethyst I could not wear here, plainer to my sight, Than that first kiss. The second pass'd in height The first, and sought the forehead, and half miss'd, Half falling on the hair. Oh, beyond meed! That was the chrism of love, which love's own crown, With sanctifying sweetness, did precede. The third upon my lips was folded down In perfect, purple state; since when, indeed, I have been proud, and said, "My love, my own!" |
Elizabeth died June 29, 1861, in her husband's arms
after 15 years of happy marriage.
Robert Browning loved his wife very much and was devastated by her death. He and his son returned to England after she died and he continued his literary career. He also dedicated poems to his wife, such as the famous Rabbi Ben Ezra:
Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be, The last of life, for which the first was made: Our times are in his hand Who saith, "A whole I planned, Youth shows but half; trust God: see all, nor be afraid!" |
Robert Browning lived to be 77 years old, and died in 1889.
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