The lady’s yes
Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s poem “The Lady’s Yes” was first published in 1844, in her two-volume collection titled “Poems”.
Born Elizabeth Barrett Moulton-Barrett, Browning was born on 6 March 1806 in Coxhoe, County Durham, England, and she died on 29 June 1861 in Florence, Kingdom of Italy, at the age of 55.Browning was an English poet of the Victorian era, popular in Britain and the United States during her lifetime. Her first adult collection of poems was published in 1838, and she wrote prolifically between 1841 and 1844, producing poetry, translation, and prose. Her prolific output made her a rival to Tennyson as a candidate for poet laureate on the death of Wordsworth.
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“Yes!” I answered you last night; “No!” this morning, Sir, I say! Colours, seen by candle-light, Will not look the same by day.
When the tabors played their best, Lamps above, and laughs below — Love me sounded like a jest, Fit for Yes or fit for No!
Call me false, or call me free — Vow, whatever light may shine, No man on your face shall see Any grief for change on mine.
Yet the sin is on us both — Time to dance is not to woo — Wooer light makes fickle troth — Scorn of me recoils on you!
Learn to win a lady’s faith Nobly, as the thing is high; Bravely, as for life and death — With a loyal gravity.
Lead her from the festive boards, Point her to the starry skies, Guard her, by your truthful words, Pure from courtship’s flatteries.
By your truth she shall be true — Ever true, as wives of yore — And her Yes, once said to you, SHALL be Yes for evermore.