Introduction to Robert Browning [142]
but he might speak." [20] This did not happen in the outer cave, Nor in the secret chamber of the rock, Where, sixty days since the decree was out, We had him, bedded on a camel-skin, And waited for his dying all the while; [25] But in the midmost grotto: since noon's light Reached there a little, and we would not lose The last of what might happen on his face.
-- 23. the decree: of persecution of the Christians, perhaps that under Domitian. The poet probably did not think of any particular persecution. --
I at the head, and Xanthus at the feet, With Valens and the Boy, had lifted him, [30] And brought him from the chamber in the depths, And laid him in the light where we might see: For certain smiles began about his mouth, And his lids moved, presageful of the end.
Beyond, and half way up the mouth o' the cave, [35] The Bactrian convert, having his desire, Kept watch, and made pretence to graze a goat That gave us milk, on rags of various herb, Plantain and quitch, the rocks' shade keeps alive: So that if any thief or soldier passed [40] (Because the persecution was aware), Yielding the goat up promptly with his life, Such man might pass on, joyful at a prize, Nor care to pry into the cool o' the cave. Outside was all noon and the burning blue. [45]
-- 36. the Bactrian convert: in vv. 649, 650, he is spoken of as "but a wild childish man, and could not write nor speak, but only loved." Bactria was a kingdom in Central Asia; the modern name is Balkh {a district in northern Afghanistan as of 1995}. having his desire: as a new convert, the simple man was eager to serve, even unto death.
41. aware: on the lookout; exercising a strict espionage. --
"Here is wine", answered Xanthus, -- dropped a drop; I stooped and placed the lap of cloth aright, Then chafed his right hand, and the Boy his left: But Valens had bethought him, and produced And broke a ball of nard, and made perfume. [50] Only, he did -- not so much wake, as -- turn And smile a little, as a sleeper does If any dear one call him, touch his face -- And smiles and loves, but will not be disturbed.
Then Xanthus said a prayer, but still he slept: [55] It is the Xanthus that escaped to Rome, Was burned, and could not write the chronicle.
Then the Boy sprang up from his knees, and ran, Stung by the splendor of a sudden thought, And fetched the seventh plate of graven lead [60] Out of the secret chamber, found a place, Pressing with finger on the deeper dints, And spoke, as 'twere his mouth proclaiming first, "I am the Resurrection and the Life."
-- 60. the seventh plate of graven lead: one of the plates on which John's Gospel was graven. It contained, it appears, the 11th chapter, in which Jesus says to Martha, 25th verse, "I am the Resurrection and the Life." The Boy uttered the words with such expression as 'twere HIS mouth first proclaiming them. --
Whereat he opened his eyes wide at once, [65] And sat up of himself, and looked at us; And thenceforth nobody pronounced a word: Only, outside, the Bactrian cried his cry Like the lone desert-bird that wears the ruff, As signal we were safe, from time to time. [70]
-- 69. the lone desert-bird: the ruff may possibly be referred to. See Webster, s.v. --
First he said, "If a man declared to me, This my son Valens, this my other son, Were James and Peter, -- nay, declared as well This lad was very John, -- I could believe! -- Could, for a moment, doubtlessly believe: [75] So is myself withdrawn into my depths, The soul retreated from the perished brain Whence it was wont to feel and use the world Through these dull members, done with long ago. Yet I myself remain; I feel myself: [80] And there is nothing lost. Let be, awhile!"
-- 76. withdrawn into my depths: into the depths of his absolute being, of the "what Is"; see the doctrine of the trinal unity of man which follows. --
[This is the doctrine he was wont to teach, How divers persons witness in each man, Three souls which make up
-- 23. the decree: of persecution of the Christians, perhaps that under Domitian. The poet probably did not think of any particular persecution. --
I at the head, and Xanthus at the feet, With Valens and the Boy, had lifted him, [30] And brought him from the chamber in the depths, And laid him in the light where we might see: For certain smiles began about his mouth, And his lids moved, presageful of the end.
Beyond, and half way up the mouth o' the cave, [35] The Bactrian convert, having his desire, Kept watch, and made pretence to graze a goat That gave us milk, on rags of various herb, Plantain and quitch, the rocks' shade keeps alive: So that if any thief or soldier passed [40] (Because the persecution was aware), Yielding the goat up promptly with his life, Such man might pass on, joyful at a prize, Nor care to pry into the cool o' the cave. Outside was all noon and the burning blue. [45]
-- 36. the Bactrian convert: in vv. 649, 650, he is spoken of as "but a wild childish man, and could not write nor speak, but only loved." Bactria was a kingdom in Central Asia; the modern name is Balkh {a district in northern Afghanistan as of 1995}. having his desire: as a new convert, the simple man was eager to serve, even unto death.
41. aware: on the lookout; exercising a strict espionage. --
"Here is wine", answered Xanthus, -- dropped a drop; I stooped and placed the lap of cloth aright, Then chafed his right hand, and the Boy his left: But Valens had bethought him, and produced And broke a ball of nard, and made perfume. [50] Only, he did -- not so much wake, as -- turn And smile a little, as a sleeper does If any dear one call him, touch his face -- And smiles and loves, but will not be disturbed.
Then Xanthus said a prayer, but still he slept: [55] It is the Xanthus that escaped to Rome, Was burned, and could not write the chronicle.
Then the Boy sprang up from his knees, and ran, Stung by the splendor of a sudden thought, And fetched the seventh plate of graven lead [60] Out of the secret chamber, found a place, Pressing with finger on the deeper dints, And spoke, as 'twere his mouth proclaiming first, "I am the Resurrection and the Life."
-- 60. the seventh plate of graven lead: one of the plates on which John's Gospel was graven. It contained, it appears, the 11th chapter, in which Jesus says to Martha, 25th verse, "I am the Resurrection and the Life." The Boy uttered the words with such expression as 'twere HIS mouth first proclaiming them. --
Whereat he opened his eyes wide at once, [65] And sat up of himself, and looked at us; And thenceforth nobody pronounced a word: Only, outside, the Bactrian cried his cry Like the lone desert-bird that wears the ruff, As signal we were safe, from time to time. [70]
-- 69. the lone desert-bird: the ruff may possibly be referred to. See Webster, s.v. --
First he said, "If a man declared to me, This my son Valens, this my other son, Were James and Peter, -- nay, declared as well This lad was very John, -- I could believe! -- Could, for a moment, doubtlessly believe: [75] So is myself withdrawn into my depths, The soul retreated from the perished brain Whence it was wont to feel and use the world Through these dull members, done with long ago. Yet I myself remain; I feel myself: [80] And there is nothing lost. Let be, awhile!"
-- 76. withdrawn into my depths: into the depths of his absolute being, of the "what Is"; see the doctrine of the trinal unity of man which follows. --
[This is the doctrine he was wont to teach, How divers persons witness in each man, Three souls which make up