Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE LOOK, by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE LOOK, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: The saviour looked on peter. Ay, no word
Last Line: And filled the silence, weeping bitterly.
Subject(s): Peter, Saint (c. 64 A.d.); Religion; Theology


THE Saviour looked on Peter. Ay, no word,
No gesture of reproach; the Heavens serene
Though heavy with armed justice, did not lean
Their thunders that way: the forsaken Lord
Looked only, on the traitor. None record
What that look was, none guess; for those who have seen
Wronged lovers loving through a death-pang keen,
Or pale-cheeked martyrs smiling to a sword,
Have missed Jehovah at the judgment-call.
And Peter, from the height of blasphemy --
'I never knew this man' -- did quail and fall
As knowing straight THAT GOD; and turned free
And went out speechless from the face of all,
And filled the silence, weeping bitterly.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net