Classic and Contemporary Poetry
CALLS ON THE HEART, by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Free heart, that singest to-day Last Line: Broken hearts triumph so.' Subject(s): Hearts; Freedom; Independence; Liberty | ||||||||
I FREE Heart, that singest to-day Like a bird on the first green spray, Wilt thou go forth to the world Where the hawk hath his wing unfurled To follow, perhaps, thy way? Where the tamer thine own will bind, And, to make thee sing, will blind, While the little hip grows for the free behind? Heart, wilt thou go? -- 'No, no! Free hearts are better so.' II The world, thou hast heard it told, Has counted its robber-gold, And the pieces stick to the hand; The world goes riding it fair and grand, While the truth is bought and sold; World-voices east, world-voices west, They call thee, Heart, from thine early rest, 'Come hither, come hither and be our guest.' Heart, wilt thou go? -- 'No, no! Good hearts are calmer so.' III Who calleth thee, Heart? World's Strife, With a golden heft to his knife; World's Mirth, with a finger fine That draws on a board in wine Her blood-red plans of life; World's Gain, with a brow knit down; World's Fame, with a laurel crown Which rustles most as the leaves turn brown: Heart, wilt thou go? -- 'No, no! Calm hearts are wiser so.' IV Hast heard that Proserpina (Once fooling) was snatched away To partake the dark king's seat, And the tears ran fast on her feet To think how the sun shone yesterday? With her ankles sunken in asphodel She wept for the roses of earth which fell From her lap when the wild car drave to hell. Heart, wilt thou go? -- 'No, no! Wise hearts are warmer so' V And what is this place not seen, Where Hearts may hide serene? ''T is a fair still house well-kept Which humble thoughts have swept And holy prayers made clean. There I sit with Love in the sun, And we two never have done Singing sweeter songs than are guessed by one.' Heart, wilt thou go? -- 'No, no! Warm hearts are fuller so.' VI O Heart, O Love, -- I fear That Love may be kept too near. Hast heard, O Heart, that tale, How Love may be false and frail To a Heart once holden dear? -- 'But this true Love of mine Clings fast as the clinging vine, And mingles pure as the grapes in wine.' Heart, wilt thou go? -- 'No, no! Full hearts beat higher so.' VII O Heart, O Love, beware! Look up, and boast not there, For who has twirled at the pin? 'Tis the World, between Death and Sin, -- The World and the World's Despair! And Death has quickened his pace To the hearth, with a mocking face, Familiar as Love, in Love's own place. Heart, wilt thou go? 'Still, no! High hearts must grieve even so.' VIII The house is waste to-day, The leaf has dropt from the spray, The thorn, prickt through to the song: If summer doeth no wrong, The winter will, they say. Sing, Heart! What heart replies? In vain we were calm and wise, If the tears unkissed stand on in our eyes. Heart, wilt thou go? -- 'Ah, no! Grieved hearts must break even so.' IX Howbeit all is not lost. The warm noon ends in frost, And worldly tongues of promise Like sheep-bells die off from us On the desert hills cloud-crossed: Yet through the silence shall Pierce the death-angel's call, And 'Come up hither,' recover all. Heart, wilt thou go? -- 'I go! Broken hearts triumph so.' | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LOVE THE WILD SWAN by ROBINSON JEFFERS AFTER TENNYSON by AMBROSE BIERCE QUARTET IN F MAJOR by WILLIAM MEREDITH CROSS THAT LINE by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE EMANCIPATION by ELIZABETH ALEXANDER A CHILD'S THOUGHT OF GOD by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING |
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