ROBERT BROWNING So shall crown thee the topmost, ineffablest, uttermost crown And thy love fill infinitude wholly, nor leave up nor down One spot for the creature to stand in! by no breath, It is Turn of eye, wave of hand, that salvation joins issue with death! As thy Love is discovered almighty, almighty be proved Thy power, that exists with and for it, of being Beloved! He who did most, shall bear most; the strongest shall stand the most weak. 'Tis the weakness in strength, that I cry for! my flesh, that I seek In the Godhead! I seek and I find it. O Saul, it shall be A Face like my face that receives thee; a Man like to me, 180 Thou shalt love and be loved by, forever: a Hand like this hand Shall throw open the gates of new life to thee! See the Christ stand!" Will't please you sit and look at her? I said "Fra Pandolf" by design, for never read Strangers like you that pictured countenance, The depth and passion of its earnest glance, But to myself they turned (since none puts by The curtain I have drawn for you, but I) 10 And seemed as they would ask me, if they durst, How such a glance came there; so, not the first Are you to turn and ask thus. Sir, 'twas not Her husband's presence only, called that spot Of joy into the Duchess' cheek: perhaps Fra Pandolf chanced to say, "Her mantle laps Over my lady's wrist too much,” or “Paint Must never hope to reproduce the faint Half-flush that dies along her throat:" such stuff Was courtesy, she thought, and cause enough For calling up that spot of joy. She had 21 A heart how shall I say? too soon made glad, Sir, 'twas all one! My favour at her breast, Would draw from her alike the approving Or blush, at least. good! but thanked She thanked men, - 31 as if she Somehow I know not how ranked My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name your will Quite clear to such an one, and say, “Just this 40 Or that in you disgusts me; here you miss, choose Never to stoop. Oh sir, she smiled, no doubt, out Much the same smile? This grew; I gave Was it not great? did not he throw on God, (He loves the burthen) God's task to make the heavenly period Perfect the earthen? Did not he magnify the mind, show clear Just what it all meant? 90 He would not discount life, as fools do here, Paid by instalment. He ventured neck or nothing - heaven's success Peace let the dew send! Lofty designs must close in like effects: Loftily lying, Leave him still loftier than the world suspects Living and dying. 'CHILDE 2 ROLAND TO THE DARK TOWER CAME" (See Edgar's song in Lear) My first thought was, he lied in every word, That hoary cripple, with malicious eye Askance to watch the working of his lie On mine, and mouth scarce able to afford Suppression of the glee, that pursed and scored Its edge, at one more victim gained thereby. What else should he be set for, with his staff? ¡ What, save to waylay with his lies, ensnare All travellers who might find him posted there, 1 minute but difficult problems of Greek grammar 2a young knight S |