Great Regulars: She reports that she sought "only God,"

before her belovèd's arrival, but then unexpectedly she "found thee!" However, in earlier sonnets, this speaker has made it clear that she is thankful to God for sending her belovèd and that God knows what is appropriate for His children.

from Linda Sue Grimes: Suite101.com: Barrett Browning's Sonnet 27

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The speaker looks down "in despair." He reports, "There is no peace on earth." Because there is such strong hatred in the world, the song of peace is mocked by the contrast with the brutality of war. The speaker experiences a moment of hopelessness that there is no truth in chanting, "Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

from Linda Sue Grimes: Suite101.com: Longfellow's Christmas Bells

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