Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806–1861), English poet and wife of the poet Robert Browning, is perhaps best known for her remarkable series of 44 love poems Sonnets from the Portuguese. Published in 1850, they were written by Mrs. Browning to her husband during the early years of their relationship. Their obvious sincerity, gentleness, and passion and the devotion and gratitude they express have made the poems popular favorites with generations of readers.

Mrs. Browning, however, addressed a wide range of other concerns, and this rich selection also includes poems dealing with religion, art, social problems, and political events. Among such works included here are: ''Cheerfulness Taught by Reason,'' ''A Curse for a Nation,'' ''The Forced Recruit,'' ''Grief,'' ''A Musical Instrument,'' ''The Cry of the Human,'' and many others.