Sonnets From The Portuguese XXXIV
By Elizabeth Barrett Browning
With the same heart, I said, Ill answer thee
As those, when thou shalt call me by my name,
Lo, the vain promise! is the same, the same,
Perplexed and ruffled by lifes strategy?
When called before, I told how hastily
I dropped my flowers or brake off from a game.
To run and answer with the smile that came
At play last moment, and went on with me
Through my obedience. When I answer now,
I drop a grave thought, break from solitude;
Yet still my heart goes to thee, ponder how,
Not as to a single good, but all my good!
Lay thy hand on it, best one, and allow
That no childs foot could run fast as this blood.