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A Denial Lyrics by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

The Poetical Works of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Vol. IV

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I.
We have met late—it is too late to meet,
       &nbspO friend, not more than friend!
Death’s forecome shroud is tangled round my feet,
And if I step or stir, I touch the end.
       &nbspIn this last jeopardy
Can I approach thee, I, who cannot move?
How shall I answer thy request for love?
       &nbspLook in my face and see.
II.
I love thee not, I dare not love thee! go
       &nbspIn silence; drop my hand.
If thou seek roses, seek them where they blow
In garden-alleys, not in desert-sand.
       &nbspCan life and death agree,
That thou shouldst stoop thy song to my complaint?
I cannot love thee. If the word is faint,
       &nbspLook in my face and see.
III.
I might have loved thee in some former days.
       &nbspOh, then, my spirits had leapt
As now they sink, at hearing thy love-praise!
Before these faded cheeks were overwept,
       &nbspHad this been asked of me,
To love thee with my whole strong heart and head,—
I should have said still ... yes, but smiled and said,
       &nbsp“Look in my face and see!”
IV.
But now ... God sees me, God, who took my heart
       &nbspAnd drowned it in life’s surge.
In all your wide warm earth I have no part—
A light song overcomes me like a dirge.
       &nbspCould Love’s great harmony
The saints keep step to when their bonds are loose,
Not weigh me down? am I a wife to choose?
       &nbspLook in my face and see—
V.
While I behold, as plain as one who dreams,
       &nbspSome woman of full worth,
Whose voice, as cadenced as a silver stream’s,
Shall prove the fountain-soul which sends it forth;
       &nbspOne younger, more thought-free
And fair and gay, than I, thou must forget,
With brighter eyes than these ... which are not wet ...
       &nbspLook in my face and see!
VI.
So farewell thou, whom I have known too late
       &nbspTo let thee come so near.
Be counted happy while men call thee great,
And one belovèd woman feels thee dear!—
       &nbspNot I!—that cannot be.
I am lost, I am changed,—I must go farther, where
The change shall take me worse, and no one dare
       &nbspLook in my face and see.
VII.
Meantime I bless thee. By these thoughts of mine
       &nbspI bless thee from all such!
I bless thy lamp to oil, thy cup to wine,
Thy hearth to joy, thy hand to an equal touch
       &nbspOf loyal troth. For me,
I love thee not, I love thee not!—away!
Here’s no more courage in my soul to say
       &nbsp“Look in my face and see.”
Credits
Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

About “A Denial” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Read the complete lyrics to "A Denial" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning from the album "The Poetical Works of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Vol. IV". On Lyrks you can follow along with the full text, explore the artist's discography, and discover related songs. The track is often categorized under Non-Music, Literature.

"A Denial" is performed by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. from the album "The Poetical Works of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Vol. IV" This page provides the full lyric text for fans who want to sing along, study the songwriting, or compare versions across releases. Lyrks organizes lyrics by artist and song slug so you can bookmark and share a stable URL. Music lyrics help listeners connect with emotion, narrative, and rhythm in a track. Whether you are learning English, researching a favorite chorus, or preparing for karaoke, having accurate line breaks and section labels (verse, chorus, bridge) makes the experience easier. We link to the official artist profile on Lyrks where available, including biography snippets, top songs, and chart placements when we have that data. If you enjoy "A Denial", explore more songs by Elizabeth Barrett Browning using the links below. Chart and trending pages on Lyrks highlight what listeners are searching for this week. For copyright or correction requests, see our DMCA and contact pages.

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Frequently asked questions

"A Denial" is credited to Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Songwriting credits may include additional writers listed on the release; check the credits section on this page for linked collaborators.

"A Denial" appears on "The Poetical Works of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Vol. IV".

Visit the Elizabeth Barrett Browning artist page at /artist/elizabeth-barrett-browning for biography, popular tracks, and links to more lyric pages.