Poetry Collection

Monna Innominata, 4

by Christina Rossetti

Christina Rossetti Love Poem

I loved you first: but afterwards your love,

...Outsoaring mine, sang such a loftier song

As drowned the friendly cooings of my dove.

...Which owes the other most? My love was long,

...And yours one moment seemed to wax more strong;

I loved and guessed at you, you contrued me

And loved me for what might or might not be--

...Nay, weights and measures do us both a wrong.

For verily love knows not 'mine' or 'thine';

With separate 'I' and 'thou' free love has done,

...For one is both and both are one in love:

Rich love knows nought of 'thine that is not mine';

...Both have the strength and both the length thereof,

Both of us, of the love which makes us one.

.....Monna Innominata, 4 by Christina Rossetti