Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Knowledge by suffering entereth,
And life is perfected by Death.

Knowledge by suffering entereth,
And life is perfected by Death.

Women know
The way to rear up children (to be just);
They know a simple, merry, tender read more

Women know
The way to rear up children (to be just);
They know a simple, merry, tender knack
Of tying sashes, fitting baby-shoes,
And stringing pretty words that make no sense,
And kissing full sense into empty words;
Which things are corals to cut life upon,
Although such trifles.

Life treads on life, and heart on heart;
We press too close in church and mart
To read more

Life treads on life, and heart on heart;
We press too close in church and mart
To keep a dream or grave apart.

A worthless woman! mere cold clay
As all false things are! but so fair,
She takes the read more

A worthless woman! mere cold clay
As all false things are! but so fair,
She takes the breath of men away
Who gaze upon her unaware:
I would not play her larcenous tricks
To have her looks!

I wish I were the lily's leaf
To fade upon that bosom warm,
Content to wither, pale read more

I wish I were the lily's leaf
To fade upon that bosom warm,
Content to wither, pale and brief,
The trophy of thy paler form.