I've been searching everywhere for an analysis of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnet #22, which begins "When our two souls stand up erect and strong." Any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks!

When our two souls stand up erect and strong,
(Phallic imagery? Or merely standing up to her father's disapproval?)
Face to face, silent, drawing nigh and nigher,
Until the lengthening wings break into fire
(I don't follow the [mythological?] reference here.)
At either curved point,—what bitter wrong
Can the earth do to us, that we should not long
Be here contented? Think. In mounting higher,
The angels would press on us and aspire
To drop some golden orb of perfect song
(Golden orb - the mythological apples?)
Into our deep, dear silence. Let us stay
Rather on earth, Beloved,—where the unfit
Contrarious moods of men recoil away
And isolate pure spirits, and permit
A place to stand and love in for a day,
With darkness and the death-hour rounding it.


(Let's stay focused on ourselves, and not be distracted by outside influences?)

"Until the lengthening wings break into fire"

refering to the icarus myth maybe?

I would say, let's not try to be too romantic and fly to high. Let's stay with both feet on earth where we can enjoy each other in peace.

For me, there is also the imagery of greek hubris (if you stand out of the crowd the gods will be jealous and cut you down).