POEMS OF 1844: SONNETS


AN APPREHENSION

IF all the gentlest-hearted friends I know
Concentred in one heart their gentleness,
That still grew gentler till its pulse was less
For life than pity,--I should yet be slow
To bring my own heart nakedly below
The palm of such a friend, that he should press
Motive, condition, means, appliances,

My false ideal joy and fickle woe,
Out full to light and knowledge; I should fear
Some plait between the brows, some rougher chime
In the free voice. O angels, let your flood
Of bitter scorn dash on me ! do ye hear
What I say who hear calmly all the time
This everlasting face to face with GOD ?


These poems are selections from the 1844 work originally entitled
_Poems. By Elizabeth Barrett Barrett, Author of The Seraphim, etc. In two
volumes_. They were prepared for electronic distribution by the inforM
staff. Questions or comments should be directed to inform-editor@umail.umd.edu.