An Apprehension Poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
An Apprehension
IF all the gentlest-hearted friends I know
Concentred in one heart their gentleness,
That still grew gentler till its pulse was less
For life than pity,--I should yet be slow
To bring my own heart nakedly below
The palm of such a friend, that he should press
Motive, condition, means, appliances,
My false ideal joy and fickle woe,
Out full to light and knowledge; I should fear
Some plait between the brows, some rougher chime
In the free voice. O angels, let your flood
Of bitter scorn dash on me ! do ye hear
What I say who hear calmly all the time
This everlasting face to face with GOD ?
A wonderful work, it sounds so joyous but when read there is a deeper sense of sadness evoked behind the meaning of the words. My favorite part is the last bit O angels, let your flood Of bitter scorn dash on me! do ye hear What I say who hear calmly all the time This everlasting face to face with GOD? Sad but also warming, her words still have everlasting power.
Gentlest-hearted friends! ! Thanks for sharing this poem with us.
Sadness and joy. What a beautiful poem from a great poet.
That still grew gentler till its pulse was less For life than pity, - I should yet be slow, ........ well done
Another magnificent poem from one of the most accomplished poets of all time.
My false ideal joy and fickle woe, Out full to light and knowledge; I should fear Some plait between the brows, some rougher chime In the free voice. O angels, let your flood Of bitter scorn dash on me! do ye hear What I say who hear calmly all the time This everlasting face to face with GOD? - - - - - -It is faith in divine power or the true knowledge that makes one calm in the face of all hurdles.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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1/15/2025 12:56:46 PM # 1.0.0
Awesome poem.....Loved it.