Browning

OF ALL THE THOUGHTS OF GOD

by

Of all the thoughts of God that are
Borne inward into souls afar,
Along the psalmist’s music deep,
Now tell me if there any is,
For gift or grace surpassing this:
“He giveth His beloved sleep”?

What would we give to our beloved?
The hero’s heart to be unmoved,
The poet’s star tuned harp, to sweep,
The patriot’s voice, to teach and rouse,
The monarch’s crown, to light the brows?
He giveth His beloved sleep.

His dews drop mutely on the hill,
His cloud above it saileth still,
Though on its slope men sow and reap;
More softly than the dew is shed,
Or cloud is floated overhead,
He giveth His beloved sleep.

About the writer: Elizabeth Barrett Browning, scarcely less famous as a poet than her illustrious husband, Robert Browning, was born in London in 1809. In 1846 she and her husband moved to Italy where she lived until her death in 1861. In all literature there is no parallel case where husband and wife have each attained such distinction as poets. Beginning at eight years of age to write, she produced during the forty years of her literary life countless poems of artistic beauty that reflected her Christian faith.

Key Verse: Afterward he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. –Psalm 127:2

Browning, Elizabeth Barrett

by

Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1809-1861) was scarcely less famous as a poet than her illustrious husband, Robert Browning. She was born in London. In 1846 she and her husband moved to Italy where she lived until her death. In all literature, there is no parallel case where husband and wife have each attained such distinction as poets. Beginning at eight years of age to write, she produced during the forty years of her literary life countless poems of artistic beauty that reflected her Christian faith. Her literary stature greatly influenced other Christian writers, hymnists, and poets.