The Best Thing in the World

Elizabeth Barrett Browning 1806 (Kelloe) – 1861 (Florence)



What's the best thing in the world?
June-rose, by May-dew impearled;
Sweet south-wind, that means no rain;
Truth, not cruel to a friend;
Pleasure, not in haste to end;
Beauty, not self-decked and curled
Till its pride is over-plain;
Love, when, so, you're loved again.
What's the best thing in the world?
--Something out of it, I think.

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on May 02, 2023

18 sec read
385

Quick analysis:

Scheme AabccabdAe
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 335
Words 60
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 10

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Elizabeth Barrett Browning was one of the most prominent English poets of the Victorian era. more…

All Elizabeth Barrett Browning poems | Elizabeth Barrett Browning Books

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