Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806 - 1861) was one of the most prominent poets of the Victorian era. Born in County Durham, Browning was educated at home. She was an intensely studious, precocious child; writing her first known poem “On the Cruelty of Forcement to Man” between the ages of 6-8. Her first collection of poems “An Essay on Mind, with Other Poems” was published in 1826 and reflected her passion for Byron and Greek politics. In 1849, after the birth of her son and at her husbands insistence, Browning published her second edition of Poems, including her love sonnets; as a result, her popularity increased, as well as critical regard, and her position was confirmed.

O Rose! who dares to name thee?
No longer roseate now, nor soft, or sweet;
But pale, and hard, and dry, as stubble - wheat, -
Kept seven years in a drawer - thy titles shame thee.

The breeze that used to blow thee
Between the hedgegrow thorns, and take away
An odour up the lane to last all day, -
If breathing now, - unsweetened would forego thee.

The sun that used to smile thee,
And mix his glory in thy goregous urn,
Till beam appeared to bloom, and flower to burn,
- If shining now, - would darken where it met thee,

The fly that lit upon thee,
To stretch the tendrils of its tiny feet,
Along thy leaf ’s pure edges, after heat, -
If lighting now, - would coldly overrun thee.

The bee that once did suck thee,
And build thy perfumed ambers up his hive,
And swoon in thee for joy, till scarce alive, -
If passing now, - would blindly overlook thee.

The heart doth recognise thee,
Alone, alone! The heart doth smell thee sweet,
Doth view thee fair, doth judge thee most complete, -
Though seeing now those changes that disguise thee.

Yes, and the heart doth owe thee
More love, dead rose! than to such roses bold
As Julia wears at dances, smiling cold! -
Lie still upon this heart - which breaks below thee!