To George Sand: A Recognition

Portrait of Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Elizabeth Barrett Browning 1806–1861

TRUE genius, but true woman ! dost deny The woman's nature with a manly scorn And break away the gauds and armlets worn By weaker women in captivity? Ah, vain denial ! that revolted cry Is sobbed in by a woman's voice forlorn, _ Thy woman's hair, my sister, all unshorn Floats back dishevelled strength in agony Disproving thy man's name: and while before The world thou burnest in a poet-fire, We see thy woman-heart beat evermore Through the large flame. Beat purer, heart, and higher, Till God unsex thee on the heavenly shore Where unincarnate spirits purely aspire !

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