Elizabeth Barrett Browning — The Poets Vow Showing How The Vow Was Kept

I. He dwelt alone, and sun and moon        &nbspWere witness that he made Rejection of his humanness        &nbspUntil they seemed to fade; His face did so, for he did grow        &nbspOf his own soul afraid. II. The self-poised God may dwell alone        &nbspWith inward glorying, But God's chief angel waiteth for        &nbspA brother's voice, to sing; And a lonely creature of sinful nature        &nbspIt is an awful thing. III. An awful thing that feared itself;        &nbspWhile many years did roll, A lonely man, a feeble man,        &nbspA part beneath the whole, He bore by day, he bore by night That pressure of God's infinite        &nbspUpon his finite soul. IV. The poet at his lattice sate,        &nbspAnd downward lookèd he. Three Christians wended by to prayers,        &nbspWith mute ones in their ee; Each turned above a face of love        &nbspAnd called him to the far chapèlle With voice more tuneful than its bell:        &nbspBut still they wended three. V. There journeyed by a bridal pomp,        &nbspA bridegroom and his dame; He speaketh low for happiness,        &nbspShe blusheth red for shame: But never a tone of benison        &nbspFrom out the lattice came. VI. A little child with inward song,        &nbspNo louder noise to dare, Stood near the wall to see at play        &nbspThe lizards green and rare— Unblessed the while for his childish smile        &nbspWhich cometh unaware.