Selected Poems

by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Margaret Forster (Introduction)

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.

Bloomsbury Poetry Classics are selections from the work of some of our greatest poets. The series is aimed at the general reader rather than the specialist and carries no critical or explanatory apparatus. This can be found elsewhere. In the series the poems introduce themselves, on an uncluttered page and in a format that is both attractive and convenient. The selections have been made by the distinguished poet, critic, and biographer Ian Hamilton.

Genres: Poetry, Classics, Victorian, Fiction, British Literature, Womens, Poetry Plays

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1902

About the author

Elizabeth Barrett Browning was one of the most respected poets of the Victorian era.

Born in County Durham, the eldest of 12 children, Browning was educated at home. She wrote poetry from around the age of six and this was compiled by her mother, comprising what is now one of the largest collections extant of juvenilia by any English writer. At 15 Browning became ill, suffering from intense head and spinal pain for the rest of her life, rendering her frail. She took laudanum for the pain, which may have led to a lifelong addiction and contributed to her weak health.

In the 1830s Barrett's cousin John Kenyon introduced her to prominent literary figures of the day such as William Wordsworth, Mary Russell Mitford, Samuel Taylor Coleridge; Alfred, Lord Tennyson, and Thomas Carlyle. Browning's first adult collection The Seraphim and Other Poems was published in 1838. During this time she contracted a disease, possibly tuberculosis, which weakened her further. Living at Wimpole Street, in London, Browning wrote prolifically between 1841 and 1844, producing poetry, translation and prose. She campaigned for the abolition of slavery and her work helped influence reform in child labour legislation. Her prolific output made her a rival to Tennyson as a candidate for poet laureate on the death of Wordsworth.

Browning's volume Poems (1844) brought her great success. During this time she met and corresponded with the writer Robert Browning, who admired her work. The courtship and marriage between the two were carried out in secret, for fear of her father's disapproval. Following the wedding she was disinherited by her father and rejected by her brothers. The couple moved to Italy in 1846, where she would live for the rest of her life. They had one son, Robert Barrett Browning, whom they called Pen. Towards the end of her life, her lung function worsened, and she died in Florence in 1861. A collection of her last poems was published by her husband shortly after her death.

Browning was brought up in a strongly religious household, and much of her work carries a Christian theme. Her work had a major influence on prominent writers of the day, including the American poets Edgar Allan Poe and Emily Dickinson. She is remembered for such poems as "How Do I Love Thee?" (Sonnet 43, 1845) and Aurora Leigh (1856).

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of the emphasis on her poems of love, such as "how do I love you, let me count the ways" are offensive to me because this is a woman who was much more than a wife and lover to her poet-husband. I think that the emphasis on these writings to her husband, was a mechanism in her time for relegating her to the "proper" role for a woman poet, rather than recognizing that she stands alone at that time period (and I believe even greater than her husband Robert Brownning) as a great poet among both the sexes.

Her grasp of language, emotion, the spiritual is sharp, and when I read her poetry, sometimes her words affect me so that I can't help but audibly gasp. Case in point:

"God answers sharp and sudden on some prayers, And thrusts the thing we have prayed for in our face, A gauntlet with a gift in it."

I hope some day her true contribution to the great body of poetry is recognized... sadly, it is still not.

[Angelique · Rating 3 out of 5]

(This is not exactly my edition - mine is brown but otherwise looks identical.)

While most literary histories exclude Elizabeth Barret Browning while praising her husband, Robert Browning, it was interesting to discover that he only became famous after getting to know and to love her. It is sad that Elizabeth today stands in his shadow - or so it seems to me at least - because there are some fine poems in this collection that showed me that she really was great woman. I especially liked the excerpts of Aurora Leigh which surprised me with Mrs Browning's feminist attitude - after all she lived in the Victorian Age.
Nevertheless, I cannot give this volume of selected poetry more than 3 stars because there were just too many poems I didn't get, too many that didn't speak to me, didn't leave anything other than questions like "what does she want to say?" Compared to Emily Dickinson, Elizabeth Barret Browning's work simply didn't fascinate me as much.
With poetry as with every other kind of literature, everyone has to decide for their own but I am glad I gave this book a try because this poet sure has something to tell us and in some parts her work is revolutionary for her time.

[Nathan Albright · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a relatively short compilation of some of the more notable poems by Victorian poetess Elizabeth Barrett Browning. While in her own lifetime she was a very famous and well-regarded writer of whom there was an immense appetite for new writing that forced her to write more than she might have been inclined to do had she been left to her own devices, the contemporary period is not particularly fond of her writing. It is difficult to account for this entirely, but there are some reasons why this is the case. At any rate, as a writer who is known and recognized at least in part, this book makes the case for a memory of more of her works than have been remembered thus far, and it contains a goodly amount of very excellent poetry although it focuses on those poems that are the most accessible to the reader. By and large I think this to be a sound approach, as Barrett Browning wrote a lot of writings and not all of them are easy for contemporary readers to understand, much less appreciate and enjoy, and what is included here is very good and very easy to enjoy, and thus comes with a high degree of recommendation for those who are willing to read it.

This book is a bit less than 200 pages long and it consists of a selection of the poetic writings of Elizabeth Barrett Browning that go from her early works as a budding poetess in the 1830's to her late works that were published after her death in 1861. This particular book takes its samples from different aspects of her writings. Four early poems are included: "Song," "The Sea-Mew," "A Seaside Walk," and "Cowper's Grave." After that a few poems are included from "Poems of 1844." After that a few more poems are chosen from "Poems of 1850." The editors include the entirety of the Sonnets of the Portuguese, which is a sound decision as these poems are the most familiar of the poetess' work to contemporary readers and the easiest to appreciate for their emotional intimacy, a quality that can be a bit elusive in some of her writings. After that there are some short selections from the author's later work, including brief selections from her Italian work Casa Guidi Windows and selections from three of the nine works of her ambitious and controversial poetic novel Aurora Leigh, as well as a handful of poems from her Last Poems that were published after her death thanks to the efforts of her widower, the poet Robert Browning. Together they represent a fair sample of the authoress' poetic achievement.

It is worthwhile to ponder what aspects of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's writings today are the most accessible to readers. The most obvious poems of hers that are easy to appreciate are the Sonnets From The Portuguese, which are the poems she wrote about her feelings for her husband over the course of their relationship from its beginning to their marriage, showing how someone who was a recluse became invigorated by the passion of love, something that she had scarce hoped to enjoy for herself. This is very relatable and intimate and these are the sorts of feelings that other people can understand and get a grasp of and appreciate. Similarly, Amy's Cruelty and De Profundis, relating to different kinds of love, whether one is talking about the casual way in which someone disregards the interest of another and struggles with the grief and guilt of feeling responsible for a sibling's death, are also poems that can be easily appreciated today. Among the earlier poems, Cowper's Grave, To Flush, My Dog, A Sabbath Morning At Sea, and A Woman's Shortcomings and A Man's Requirements are all poems whose virtue is easy to recognize as well without requiring a lot of knowledge about the context of the poetess' times and other writers, and it makes sense that they are included here. "To Flush, My Dog" in particular is a poem that should be much better known among pet parents.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think poetry can be as exciting as a novel. It can also be confusing and dull. I am fascinated by it. I want to enjoy and appreciate it. There were many of these poems that stood out to me. They touched me in a way that I am sure they were meant to. These poems were chosen to be easy to follow and understand. I will slowly introduce myself to more literature because I enjoy a good challenge.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection is the first I've read by EBB and I'm hooked! Looking forward to reading more about her and more of her work.

[blake (remus variant) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a read for my 19th century literature module, so I only read “Cry of the Children”, “Hiram Powers’ of Greek Slaves”, and “The Runaway Slave at Pilgrim’s Point”. Even though it is so little, I’m counting this as a whole read.

And the little I did read was quite interesting. I admire Barrett Browning for trying to give a voice to the voiceless poor of the eighteen hundreds. Although, I do feel like her own voice interrupts a bit with the message she’s trying to convey. The children doesn’t sound like children, they’re too mature, but that may be intentional to show how they’ve lost their playfulness and childishness by working in the factories: how industrialism have stolen their innocence. Still, can’t ignore the fact that she came from a privileged and wealthy family, therefore only being able to convey the poor through her filtered lens, no matter how much interviews she’s done. She hasn’t lived through the experience, plain and simple.

There’s lots of ways to analyse it, but the matter of the fact is that I find her writing is quite interesting. It’s worth a read.

[Sayantan Dasgupta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful!

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5🌟
Poems included:
Early Poems
- Song
- The Sea-Mew
- A Seaside Walk
- Cowper’s Grave
From Poems of 1844
- The Soul’s Expression
- Lady Geraldine‘s Courtship
- The Lady’s Yes
- The Lost Bower
- The Cry of the Children
- To Flush, my Dog
- That Day
- Loved Once
- Catarina to Camoens
- The Romance of the Swan’s Nest
- The Dead Pan
From Poems of 1850
- Hector in the Garden
- Flush or Faunus
- Mountaineer and Poet
- Hiram Power’s Greek Slave
- Life
- A Sabbath Morning at Sea
- A Woman’s Shortcomings
- A Man’s Requirements
- Change Upon Change
- A Denial
- Question and Answer
Sonnets from the Portuguese
Part I and II from Casa Guidi Windows
Book II, VII, and IX from Aurora Leigh
From Last Poems
- A False Step
- Lord Walter’s Wife
- Bianca Among the Nightingales
- Amy’s Cruelty
- De Profundis

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hadn't read much EBB overall--some in college. At that time she was thought of less favorably than Robert Browning, of whose work we read more. But I have to say, just from this sampling, I find her work enjoyable and clever. Most of what I read holds up very well for a modern reader. I especially liked the juxtaposition of A Woman's Shortcomings and A Man's Requirements. She was obviously a keen observer of human behavior with a piercing wit and what the old folks might call a b.s. detector. I will seek out and read more of her.

[Cameron Barham]

“Men set between themselves and actual wrong,
To catch the weight of pity, meet the stress
Of conscience,—since ‘tis easier to gaze long
On mournful masks, and sad effigies,
Than on real, live, weak creatures crushed by strong.”,
p. 236, from “Casa Guidi Windows”

[M Soltis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I jumped around in this collection to get a feel for Barrett Browning's poetry. I did like the traditional form but a steady diet of it would make me irritated. I can take an occasional poem but a full collection was a bit too much at one time.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was somewhat dated and old fashioned but very likable.

[Heidi Goehmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Structurally intricate and impressive, verbose vocabulary, contemplative, yet kind of tedious.

[Nikaty · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I enjoyed the storytelling in these poems, some definitely stood out more compared to the others. A fine collection.

[isabel mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read: ‘To George Sand: A Desire’, ‘To George Sand: A Recognition’, ‘The Runaway Slave at Pilgrim’s Point’, ‘Hiram Powers’ Green Slave’, ‘A Musical Instrument’, ‘Mother and Poet’

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

This right here is my favorite book of poems in my possession. If I'm having a particularly dull day and feel in need of beauty or inspiration, I flip to "The Romaunt of Margret," my favorite of the poems included within. It is a beautifully tragic story of a young girl's despair so deep that she throws herself into the river to drown, for love lost and lack of support. The bard addressing the reader gets involved in the story, helping it feel real, and all the more tragic. I feel like to focus on the breezy love poems Barrett Browning wrote, though they are beautiful as well, would be an injustice to her work, though that is pretty much what happens. There are other poems, with much sadness in them, many a deep passage that does not speak of love or does not have a happy ending. They're amazing and so very well-worded. And even if people come to this book solely because they enjoy "How Do I Love Thee?" I'm glad, because they get to read what else this talented poet had to say.

[Daniel2 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just not that good. I was looking forward to reading her stuff, because of the high esteem many have of her, but I found her work stunted and clumsy. Not that there weren't highlights of course, but poetry is supposed to be all highlights right? It's the thing that makes it poetry. Instead I found myself waiting for a "let me count the ways" moment, which I did once or twice a poem, but that's just not enough to make it good, or interesting, or worth reading another compendium of your droll poetry.

I'll admit the two-star rating is partly based on my unfulfilled expectation, but that's how I dooz, as you know, because fuck you, that's why.

[James Rinker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book in the library whilst browsing for a quick read, and I am so happy that I did.
Elizabeth B. Browning has always been a favorite poet of mine since I was young, and discovering this book made my passion and love for her work grow all the more stronger, especially through my discovery of my now number one favorite poem of all time by Elizabeth B. Browning, "The Soul's Expression". It might even perhaps be my single most favorite poem ever, regardless of the poet.
Otherwise, I fell in love with her works all over again because of this book and the collection of some of her works within.

[Karoliina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Probably about ninety-eight percent of the symbolism was lost on me. I might have gotten more out of her poems if I had read an edition with footnotes, but I doubt that would have made me like them much more.

There are a lot of Victorian writers I love, and sentimentality isn't something I shy away from easily, but here it was so extreme I just found it off-putting. The language is almost aggressively Victorian, so so mushy, sugary and sweet. I liked Sonnets from the Portuguese better than the rest but I didn't really fall in love with them either.

[Sharon Gaines · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not the exact copy I am reading but basically the same. I am not a big poem reader. But I am really enjoying her poems and the short write-up on her life. I knew some of the things but not all. She really is a wonderful example of perseverance in the face of many obstacles and seeing her pour the pain and worry about her future and what "might have been" and then her self-chastisement into her poetry rings a little close to home!

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Early copy of this. Elizabeth Barrett Browning is probably among my favorite (female) poets, and poets overall. She had both fire and verve in her words; I put her not only above Robert, but find her to be somewhat the anti-thesis to Keats. She both embraced the strength of her femininity, and challenged man's idea thereof (despite health, and various other issues). In the end, she should be labeled as among the premiere poets.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Few finer sonnets than Barrett-Browning's existence in the English "canon", and this book was a lovely reintroduction to a poet I've neglected to read for well-nigh a decade, to my sincere regret. Perhaps next I'll finally commit to reading all of 'Aurora Leigh'?

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Victorian poetry on suffering and love. Oddly, the poems that touched me the most were not the ones I was expected to read for my class. Barrett's ability to cloak pain with love is quite amazing and her insight on gender relations is equally awesome. Glad I read this selection!

[Sean Chick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found Browning often flat and turgid. I would say her reputation rests upon Sonnets from the Portuguese. That said, I have read few poems as powerful and heart-rending as "De Profundis." That poem alone made this slog worth it.

[Monica]

Also available in audio format.

[Skynectar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this for only a few dollars and will treasure it forever. Her language flows like a delicate Victorian fountain and curls you up.

[Lise · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the most popular women poets of the Victorian era.

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really have no clue why I had never heard of her before, because I read quite a bit of poetry, but I enjoyed discovering a little part of her work now.

#Victober2019
#FemaleAuthorNewToMe

[vicky · Rating 2 out of 5]

i like browning's poetry but this edition felt more like annotations on and information about her works than her actual poetry it became rather annoying and excessive to read through.