Introduction to Robert Browning [88]
of sudden passion, or in which a resolution that changes the current of life has been taken in reliance upon that insight which vivid emotion bestows; and those periods of our history are charged most fully with moral purpose, which take their direction from moments such as these. . . . In such a moment the somewhat dull youth of `The Inn Album' rises into the justiciary of the Highest; in such a moment Polyxena with her right woman's-manliness, discovers to Charles his regal duty, and infuses into her weaker husband, her own courage of heart [`King Victor and King Charles']; and rejoicing in the remembrance of a moment of high devotion which determined the issues of a life, the speaker of `By the Fireside' exclaims, -- `How the world is made for each of us!'" etc. -- Edward Dowden.
50.
Be hate that fruit, or love that fruit, It forwards the general deed of man, And each of the Many helps to recruit The life of the race by a general plan; Each living his own, to boot.
51.
I am named and known by that moment's feat; There took my station and degree; So grew my own small life complete, As nature obtained her best of me -- One born to love you, sweet!
52.
And to watch you sink by the fireside now Back again, as you mutely sit Musing by fire-light, that great brow And the spirit-small hand propping it, Yonder, my heart knows how!
53.
So, earth has gained by one man the more, And the gain of earth must be heaven's gain too; And the whole is well worth thinking o'er When autumn comes: which I mean to do One day, as I said before.
Prospice.
-- * `Prospice' (look forward) is a challenge to spiritual conflict, exultant with the certainty of victory, glowing with the prospective joy of reunion with one whom death has sent before. -- Mrs. Orr. --
Fear death? -- to feel the fog in my throat, The mist in my face, When the snows begin, and the blasts denote I am nearing the place, The power of the night, the press of the storm, The post of the foe; Where he stands, the Arch Fear in a visible form, Yet the strong man must go: For the journey is done and the summit attained, And the barriers fall, [10] Though a battle's to fight ere the guerdon be gained, The reward of it all. I was ever a fighter, so -- one fight more, The best and the last! I would hate that death bandaged my eyes, and forbore, And bade me creep past. No! let me taste the whole of it, fare like my peers The heroes of old, Bear the brunt, in a minute pay glad life's arrears Of pain, darkness, and cold. [20] For sudden the worst turns the best to the brave, The black minute's at end, And the elements' rage, the fiend-voices that rave, Shall dwindle, shall blend, Shall change, shall become first a peace out of pain, Then a light, then thy breast, O thou soul of my soul! I shall clasp thee again, And with God be the rest!
-- 25. first a peace out of pain: original reading, "first a peace, then a joy".
Amphibian.
1.
The fancy I had to-day, Fancy which turned a fear! I swam far out in the bay, Since waves laughed warm and clear.
2.
I lay and looked at the sun, The noon-sun looked at me: Between us two, no one Live creature, that I could see.
3.
Yes! There came floating by Me, who lay floating too, Such a strange butterfly! Creature as dear as new:
4.
Because the membraned wings So wonderful, so wide, So sun-suffused, were things Like soul and naught beside.
5.
A handbreadth over head! All of the sea my own, It owned the sky instead; Both of us were alone.
6.
I never shall join its flight, For naught buoys flesh in air. If it touch the sea -- goodnight! Death sure and swift waits there.
7.
Can the insect feel the better For watching the uncouth play Of limbs that slip the fetter, Pretend as they were not clay?
8.
Undoubtedly I rejoice That the air comports so well With a creature which had the choice
50.
Be hate that fruit, or love that fruit, It forwards the general deed of man, And each of the Many helps to recruit The life of the race by a general plan; Each living his own, to boot.
51.
I am named and known by that moment's feat; There took my station and degree; So grew my own small life complete, As nature obtained her best of me -- One born to love you, sweet!
52.
And to watch you sink by the fireside now Back again, as you mutely sit Musing by fire-light, that great brow And the spirit-small hand propping it, Yonder, my heart knows how!
53.
So, earth has gained by one man the more, And the gain of earth must be heaven's gain too; And the whole is well worth thinking o'er When autumn comes: which I mean to do One day, as I said before.
Prospice.
-- * `Prospice' (look forward) is a challenge to spiritual conflict, exultant with the certainty of victory, glowing with the prospective joy of reunion with one whom death has sent before. -- Mrs. Orr. --
Fear death? -- to feel the fog in my throat, The mist in my face, When the snows begin, and the blasts denote I am nearing the place, The power of the night, the press of the storm, The post of the foe; Where he stands, the Arch Fear in a visible form, Yet the strong man must go: For the journey is done and the summit attained, And the barriers fall, [10] Though a battle's to fight ere the guerdon be gained, The reward of it all. I was ever a fighter, so -- one fight more, The best and the last! I would hate that death bandaged my eyes, and forbore, And bade me creep past. No! let me taste the whole of it, fare like my peers The heroes of old, Bear the brunt, in a minute pay glad life's arrears Of pain, darkness, and cold. [20] For sudden the worst turns the best to the brave, The black minute's at end, And the elements' rage, the fiend-voices that rave, Shall dwindle, shall blend, Shall change, shall become first a peace out of pain, Then a light, then thy breast, O thou soul of my soul! I shall clasp thee again, And with God be the rest!
-- 25. first a peace out of pain: original reading, "first a peace, then a joy".
Amphibian.
1.
The fancy I had to-day, Fancy which turned a fear! I swam far out in the bay, Since waves laughed warm and clear.
2.
I lay and looked at the sun, The noon-sun looked at me: Between us two, no one Live creature, that I could see.
3.
Yes! There came floating by Me, who lay floating too, Such a strange butterfly! Creature as dear as new:
4.
Because the membraned wings So wonderful, so wide, So sun-suffused, were things Like soul and naught beside.
5.
A handbreadth over head! All of the sea my own, It owned the sky instead; Both of us were alone.
6.
I never shall join its flight, For naught buoys flesh in air. If it touch the sea -- goodnight! Death sure and swift waits there.
7.
Can the insect feel the better For watching the uncouth play Of limbs that slip the fetter, Pretend as they were not clay?
8.
Undoubtedly I rejoice That the air comports so well With a creature which had the choice