To George Sand: A Recognition

To George Sand: A Recognition

TRUE genius, but true woman ! dost deny

The womans nature with a manly scorn

And break away the gauds and armlets worn

By weaker women in captivity?

Ah, vain denial ! that revolted cry

Is sobbed in by a womans voice forlorn, _

Thy womans hair, my sister, all unshorn

Floats back dishevelled strength in agony

Disproving thy mans name: and while before

The world thou burnest in a poet-fire,

We see thy woman-heart beat evermore

Through the large flame. Beat purer, heart, and higher,

Till God unsex thee on the heavenly shore

Where unincarnate spirits purely aspire !

Elizabeth Barrett Browning