Sonnets from the Portuguese

Sonnets from the Portuguese (1850) is a collection of 44 love sonnets by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, one of the most respected poets of the Victorian era. The sequence chronicles her romantic relationship with fellow poet Robert Browning. Despite the title’s suggestion of translation, the sonnets are original and deeply personal. They chart the development of love—from initial insecurity and vulnerability to deep spiritual connection. The most famous sonnet, “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways,” remains one of the most quoted poems in English literature. The work is lauded for its emotional honesty, lyrical beauty, and philosophical depth.