Sonnets from the Portuguese v

WHEN our two souls stand up erect and strong
Face to face silent drawing nigh and nigher
Until the lengthening wings break into fire
At either curving point ¡ªwhat bitter wrong
Can the earth do us that we should not long 5
Be here contented? Think! In mounting higher
The angels would press on us and aspire
To drop some golden orb of perfect song
Into our deep dear silence. Let us stay
Rather on earth Belov¨¨d¡ªwhere the unfit 10
Contrarious moods of men recoil away
And isolate pure spirits and permit
A place to stand and love in for a day
With darkness and the death-hour rounding it.