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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ASOLANDO: POETICS by ROBERT BROWNING

Poet Analysis

First Line: SO SAY THE FOOLISH!' SAY THE FOOLISH SO, LOVE?
Last Line: WHAT IS SHE? HER HUMAN SELF, -- NO LOWER WORD WILL SERVE.

"So say the foolish!" Say the foolish so, Love?
"Flower she is, my rose" -- or else, "My very swan is she" --
Or perhaps, "You maid-moon, blessing earth below, Love,
That art thou!" -- to them, belike: no such vain words from me.

"Hush, rose, blush! no balm like breath," I chide it:
"Bend thy neck its best, swan, -- hers the whiter curve!"
Be the moon the moon: my Love I place beside it:
What is she? Her human self, -- no lower word will serve.



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