CONFESSION. 



Can I (each thee, my beloved? 



Can I teach thee ? 

 Caii J bless t/iee, my beloved ? 



Can I bless thee ? 

 Alas . I can but love thee. 



MRS. BROWNING. 



THOU hast taught me, my beloved, 

 Thou hast taught me: 

 Taught me life s profounder meaning, 

 Taught me honor, virtue weaning 

 Me from all ignoble things; 

 On imagination s wings 

 Taught me how to soar, and find 

 Rarest pleasures in the mind; 

 Taught me life s dull incompleteness, 

 Without Love s renewing sweetness; 

 From the height of thy pure soul 

 Taught me passion to control; 



And hast brought me 

 At thy gentle feet to learn 

 What thy clearer eyes discern. 



Thou hast blessed me, my beloved, 



Thou hast blessed me: 

 Blessed me with thy tender eyes, 

 Which look on me in such a wise 

 My faint soul grows strong again, 

 As the flowers after rain, 



And they rest me, 



While they more and more enchain. 

 Thou hast blessed me with thy words; 

 Sweeter than the song of birds, 

 They have soothed my weary brain, 

 Banished every care and pain 



That distressed me, 



