Sonnet X

Yet, love, mere love, is beautiful indeed
and worthy of acceptation. Fire is bright,
let temple burn, or flax; an equal light
leaps in the flame from cedar-plank or weed:
and love is fire. And when I say at need
I love thee…mark!...I love thee—in thy sight
I stand transfigured, glorified aright,
with conscience of the new rays that proceed
out of my face toward thine. There's nothing low
in love, when love the lowest: meanest creatures
who love God, God accepts while loving so.
And what I feel, across the inferior features
of what I am, doth flash itself, and show
how that great work of Love enhances Nature's.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)