Classic and Contemporary Poetry
BIFURCATION, by ROBERT BROWNING Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: We were two lovers; let me lie by her Last Line: The simple -- which holds sinner, which holds saint! Variant Title(s): Saint And Sinner Subject(s): Love | ||||||||
WE were two lovers; let me lie by her, My tomb beside her tomb. On hers inscribe -- "I loved him; but my reason bade prefer Duty to love, reject the tempter's bribe Of rose and lily when each path diverged, And either I must pace to life's far end As love should lead me, or, as duty urged, Plod the worn causeway arm-in-arm with friend. So, truth turned falsehood: 'How I loathe a flower, How prize the pavement!' still caressed his ear -- The deafish friend's -- through life's day, hour by hour, As he laughed (coughing) 'Ay, it would appear!' But deep within my heart of hearts there hid Ever the confidence, amends for all, That heaven repairs what wrong earth's journey did, When love from life-long exile comes at call. Duty and love, one broad way, were the best -- Who doubts? But one or other was to choose, I chose the darkling half, and wait the rest In that new world where light and darkness fuse." Inscribe on mine -- "I loved her: love's track lay O'er sand and pebble, as all travellers know. Duty led through a smiling country, gay With greensward where the rose and lily blow. 'Our roads are diverse: farewell, love!' said she: ''T is duty I abide by: homely sward And not the rock-rough picturesque for me! Above, where both roads join, I wait reward. Be you as constant to the path whereon I leave you planted!' But man needs must move, Keep moving -- whither, when the star is gone Whereby he steps secure nor strays from love? No stone but I was tripped by, stumbling-block But brought me to confusion. Where I fell, There I lay flat, if moss disguised the rock, Thence, if flint pierced, I rose and cried 'All's well! Duty be mine to tread in that high sphere Where love from duty ne'er disparts, I trust, And two halves make that whole, whereof -- since here One must suffice a man -- why, this one must!'" Inscribe each tomb thus: then, some sage acquaint The simple -- which holds sinner, which holds saint! | 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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