这位女诗人想象力奔放,多产,曾经是丁尼生角逐英国桂冠诗人的强劲对手。远在大洋彼岸的美国女诗人艾米莉·狄金森都曾是她的粉丝,在世时的声名可以想见。但是,一个半世纪以来,使她在诗史上长盛不衰的,还是她的情诗,尤其是《译自葡萄牙语的十四行诗(Sonnets from the Portuguese》这本集子,长久受到好评。集子的名字,给人的印象是其中的诗是从葡萄牙语翻译的,这是夫妇俩为保护隐私而使用的障眼法。下面的一首《我有多爱你?》,即摘自这本集子(编号第43),在英美流传最广,几乎家喻户晓。
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight For the ends of Being and ideal Grace. I love thee to the level of everyday's Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight. I love thee freely, as men strive for Right; I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise. I love thee with the passion put to use In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith. I love thee with a love I seemed to lose With my lost saints,—I love thee with the breath, Smiles, tears, of all my life!—and, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death.