if thou must love me let it be for naught (sonnet 14)

Elizabeth Barrett Elizabeth Barrett Browning Browning (March 1806 – June 1861) one of the most prominent poets of the Victorian era. No female poet was held in higher esteem among cultured readers in both United States and England than her during the 19th

century

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Elizabeth Barrett Elizabeth Barrett Browning Browning

The Seraphim and Other Poems Aurora Leigh Sonnets From The Portuguese Casa Guidi Windows Poems Before Congress A Dead rose

Some Literary Works

If thou must love me, let it be for naughtExcept for love's sake only. Do not say'I love her for her smile -her look -her wayOf speaking gently -for a trick of thoughtThat falls in well with mine, and certes broughtA sense of pleasant ease on such a day' -

If Thou Must Love Me, Let It Be for If Thou Must Love Me, Let It Be for NaughtNaught

For these things in themselves, Beloved, mayBe changed, or change for thee, -and love, so wrought,May be unwrought so. Neither love me forThine own dear pity's wiping my cheeks dry - A creature might forget to weep, who boreThy comfort long, and lose thy love thereby!But love me for love's sake, that evermoreThou may'st love on, through love's eternity.

If Thou Must Love Me, Let It Be for If Thou Must Love Me, Let It Be for NaughtNaught

Naught nonexistence; nothingness. Certes certainly; in truth. Wrought made delicately or elaborately.

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Symbolism and meaningSymbolism and meaningThe Poem symbolizes the love of Elizabeth to her husband, Robert Browning.

It suggests a love beyond death, something not tied to the mortal limitations tied with the flesh. She want's to be loved only with loves sake and nothing else.