Classic and Contemporary Poetry
RESPECTABILITY, by ROBERT BROWNING Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Dear, had the world in its caprice Last Line: Put forward your best foot! Subject(s): Love | ||||||||
DEAR, had the world in its caprice Deigned to proclaim "I know you both. Have recognized your plighted troth, Am sponsor for you: live in peace!" -- How many precious months and years Of youth had passed, that speed so fast, Before we found it out at last, The world, and what it fears! How much of priceless life were spent With men that every virtue decks, And women models of their sex, Society's true ornament, -- Ere we dared wander, nights like this, Through wind and rain, and watch the Seine, And feel the Boulevard break again To warmth and light and bliss! I know! the world proscribes not love; Allows my finger to caress Your lips' contour and downiness, Provided it supply a glove. The world's good word! -- the Institute! Guizot receives Montalembert! Eh? Down the court three lampions flare: Put forward your best foot! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE INVENTION OF LOVE by MATTHEA HARVEY TWO VIEWS OF BUSON by ROBERT HASS A LOVE FOR FOUR VOICES: HOMAGE TO FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN by ANTHONY HECHT AN OFFERING FOR PATRICIA by ANTHONY HECHT LATE AFTERNOON: THE ONSLAUGHT OF LOVE by ANTHONY HECHT A SWEETENING ALL AROUND ME AS IT FALLS by JANE HIRSHFIELD CHILDE ROLAND TO THE DARK TOWER CAME' by ROBERT BROWNING |
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