The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations Preface

Her ball-dress seemed a breathing mist,
From the fair form exhaled and shed,
Raised in the dance with arm and wrist
All warmth and light unbraceleted.
‘The County Ball’
Ah, none but I discerned her looks,
When in the throng she passed me by,
For love is like a ghost, and brooks
Only the chosen seer’s eye.
‘The County Ball’
Hope’s self, when we were far apart,
With lonely feeling, like the smell
Of heath on mountains, filled my heart.
To see her seemed delight’s full scope,
And her kind smile, so clear of care,
Even then, though darkening all my hope,
Gilded the cloud of my despair.
‘Sahara’
Kind souls, you wonder why, love you,
When you, you wonder why, love none.
We love, Fool, for the good we do,
Not that which unto us is done!
‘A Riddle Solved’ in ‘The Angel in the House’ (1854-62) bk. 1, canto 6, prelude 4 (1904 ed.)
I drew my bride, beneath the moon,
Across my threshold; happy hour!
But, ah, the walk that afternoon
We saw the water-flags in flower!
‘The Spirit’s Epochs’ in ‘The Angel in the House’ (1854-62) bk. 1, canto 8, prelude 3 (1904 ed.)
‘I saw you take his kiss!’ ‘’Tis true.’
‘O modesty!’ ‘’Twas strictly kept:
He thought me asleep; at least, I knew
He thought I thought he thought I slept.’
‘The Kiss’ (1856)
Some dish more sharply spiced than this
Milk-soup men call domestic bliss.
‘Olympus’, l. 15
So, till to-morrow eve, my Own, adieu!
Parting’s well-paid with soon again to meet,
Soon in your arms to feel so small and sweet,
Sweet to myself that am so sweet to you!