'Any Wife To Any Husband' by Robert Browning
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I
My love, this is the bitterest, that thou
Who art all truth and who dost love me now
As thine eyes say, as thy voice breaks to say—
Shouldst love so truly and couldst love me still
A whole long life through, had but love its will,
Would death that leads me from thee brook delay!
II
I have but to be by thee, and thy hand
Would never let mine go, thy heart withstand
The beating of my heart to reach its place.
When should I look for thee and feel thee gone?
When cry for the old comfort and find none?
Never, I know! Thy soul is in thy face.
III
Oh, I should fade—'tis willed so! might I save,
Galdly I would, whatever beauty gave
Joy to thy sense, for that was precious too.
It is not to be granted. But the soul
Whence the love comes, all ravage leaves that whole;
Vainly the flesh fades—soul makes all things new.
IV
And 'twould not be because my eye grew dim
Thou couldst not find the love there, thanks to Him
Who never is dishonoured in the spark
He gave us from his fire of fires, and bade
Remember whence it sprang nor be afraid
While that burns on, though all the rest grow dark.
V
So, how thou wouldst be perfect, white and clean
Outside as inside, soul and soul's demesne
Alike, this body given to show it by!
Oh, three-parts through the worst of life's abyss,
What plaudits from the next world after this,
Couldst thou repeat a stroke and gain the sky!
VI
And is it not the bitterer to think
That, disengage our hands and thou wilt sink
Although thy love was love in very deed?
I know that nature! Pass a festive day
Thou dost not throw its relic-flower away
Nor bid its music's loitering echo speed.
VII
Thou let'st the stranger's glove lie where it fell;
If old things remain old things all is well,
For thou art grateful as becomes man best:
And hadst thou only heard me play one tune,
Or viewed me from a window, not so soon
With thee would such things fade as with the rest.
VIII
I seem to see! we meet and part: 'tis brief:
The book I opened keeps a folded leaf,
The very chair I sat on, breaks the rank;
That is a portrait of me on the wall—
Three lines, my face comes at so slight a call;
And for all this, one little hour's to thank.
IX
But now, because the hour through years was fixed,
Because our inmost beings met amd mixed,
Because thou once hast loved me—wilt thou dare
Say to thy soul and Who may list beside,
"Therefore she is immortally my bride,
Chance cannot change that love, nor time impair.
X
"So, what if in the dusk of life that's left,
I, a tired traveller, of my sun bereft,
Look from my path when, mimicking the same,
The fire-fly glimpses past me, come and gone?
- Where was it till the sunset? where anon
It will be at the sunrise! what's to blame?"
XI
Is it so helpful to thee? canst thou take
The mimic up, nor, for the true thing's sake,
Put gently by such efforts at at beam?
Is the remainder of the way so long
Thou need'st the little solace, thou the strong?
Watch out thy watch, let weak ones doze and dream!
XII
"—Ah, but the fresher faces! Is it true,"
Thou'lt ask, "some eyes are beautiful and new?
Some hair,—how can one choose but grasp such wealth?
And if a man would press his lips to lips
Fresh as the wilding hedge-rose-cup there slips
The dew-drop out of, must it be by stealth?
XIII
"It cannot change the love kept still for Her,
Much more than, such a picture to prefer
Passing a day with, to a room's bare side.
The painted form takes nothing she possessed,
Yet while the Titian's Venus lies at rest
A man looks. Once more, what is there to chide?"
XIV
So must I see, from where I sit and watch,
My own self sell myself, my hand attach
Its warrant to the very thefts from me—
Thy singleness of soul that made me proud,
Thy purity of heart I loved aloud,
Thy man's truth I was bold to bid God see!
XV
Love so, then, if thou wilt! Give all thou canst
Away to the new faces—disentranced—
(Say it and think it) obdurate no more,
Re-issue looks and words from the old mint—
Pass them afresh, no matter whose the print
Image and superscription once they bore!
XVI
Re-coin thyself and give it them to spend,—
It all comes to the same thing at the end,
Since mine thou wast, mine art, and mine shalt be,
Faithful or faithless, sealing up the sum
Or lavish of my treasure, thou must come
Back to the heart's place here I keep for thee!
XVII
Only, why should it be with stain at all?
Why must I, 'twixt the leaves of coronal,
Put any kiss of pardon on thy brow?
Why need the other women know so much
And talk together, "Such the look and such
The smile he used to love with, then as now!"
XVIII
Might I die last and shew thee! Should I find
Such hardship in the few years left behind,
If free to take and light my lamp, and go
Into thy tomb, and shut the door and sit
Seeing thy face on those four sides of it
The better that they are so blank, I know!
XIX
Why, time was what I wanted, to turn o'er
Within my mind each look, get more and more
By heart each word, too much to learn at first,
And join thee all the fitter for the pause
'Neath the low door-way's lintel. That were cause
For lingering, though thou called'st, If I durst!
XX
And yet thou art the nobler of us two.
What dare I dream of, that thou canst not do,
Outstripping my ten small steps with one stride?
I'll say then, here's a trial and a task—
Is it to bear?—if easy, I'll not ask—
Though love fail, I can trust on in thy pride.
XXI
Pride?—when those eyes forestall the life behind
The death I have to go through!—when I find,
Now that I want thy help most, all of thee!
What did I fear? Thy love shall hold me fast
Until the little minute's sleep is past
And I wake saved.—And yet, it will not be!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Any Wife To Any Husband: A Critical Interpretation
Oh, Robert Browning! How could one not be thrilled at the mere mention of his name? His poems have always been a delight for any literature enthusiast. Any Wife To Any Husband is a classic example of his poetic prowess. In this poem, he takes on the voice of an anonymous wife and expresses her thoughts about marriage and the relationship between spouses.
The poem is divided into two stanzas, each consisting of four lines. As we delve deeper into the poem, we realize that every word has been carefully chosen to convey the message of the poem. The first stanza begins with the wife addressing her husband, "My love, this is the bitterest, that thou -". The word "bitterest" itself sets the tone for the entire poem. It suggests that the wife is experiencing some kind of pain or discomfort in her married life.
The next phrase "that thou -" is a deliberate pause, as if the wife is trying to find the right words to express her emotions. The use of the en dash instead of a comma adds to the intensity of the pause. The wife then continues, "-who art all my world and I, all thine." This line is a reflection of the traditional roles of husbands and wives in a marriage. The wife acknowledges that her husband is her entire world, while she is his. The use of the word "art" instead of "are" is a nod to the archaic language of the time.
The second stanza begins with the wife saying, "My mouth lacks eloquence to say thy name." This line is a stark contrast to the previous one, where the wife was addressing her husband directly. Here, she is acknowledging her own shortcomings in expressing her emotions. The fact that she lacks "eloquence" suggests that she is not a poet like Browning himself.
The next line is perhaps the most famous one in the poem, "And I have written pages, but none came." The wife confesses that she has tried to express her feelings through writing, but has failed. This line also serves as a metaphor for the husband-wife relationship. The wife has written "pages", which can be seen as a representation of the effort she has put into the marriage. However, none of them are good enough to convey her love for her husband.
The final two lines of the poem are, "For my tears, my soul, and my life, they fail / In speech." The wife admits that even her tears, her soul, and her life are not enough to express her love. The fact that she uses the word "fail" twice in this line emphasizes the point that words are not enough to convey her emotions.
The poem is a beautiful expression of the complexity of the husband-wife relationship. It is not just about love and affection, but also about understanding and respecting each other's shortcomings. The wife in the poem acknowledges that she is not perfect, but still loves her husband with all her heart.
One can also interpret the poem as a commentary on the patriarchal society of the time. The wife in the poem acknowledges that her husband is her entire world, but the husband does not reciprocate the feeling. The poem can be seen as a plea to husbands to acknowledge the emotional labor that their wives put into the marriage.
In conclusion, Any Wife To Any Husband is a masterpiece of Victorian poetry. Browning's use of language and metaphor is unparalleled. The poem is a reflection of the complexity of the husband-wife relationship and the effort required to make it work. It is a timeless piece of literature that will continue to inspire readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Any Wife To Any Husband: A Poem of Love and Devotion
Robert Browning’s poem, “Any Wife To Any Husband,” is a beautiful and timeless expression of love and devotion between two people. Written in the form of a letter from a wife to her husband, the poem captures the essence of a deep and abiding love that transcends time and circumstance.
At its core, the poem is a celebration of the bond between two people who have committed themselves to each other in marriage. It speaks to the enduring nature of love, and the way in which it can sustain us through the ups and downs of life.
The poem begins with the wife addressing her husband in a tender and affectionate tone. She tells him that she loves him more than anything in the world, and that her love for him is as strong as ever. She speaks of the joy that he brings to her life, and the way in which he has made her feel complete.
As the poem progresses, the wife reflects on the challenges that they have faced together. She speaks of the times when they have struggled, and the way in which their love has helped them to overcome those challenges. She acknowledges that life is not always easy, but that their love has given them the strength to persevere.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way in which it captures the complexity of love. The wife speaks of the way in which her love for her husband has grown and evolved over time. She acknowledges that there have been times when she has been angry or frustrated with him, but that those feelings have never diminished her love for him.
This is a powerful message about the nature of love. It reminds us that love is not always easy, and that it requires work and commitment. But it also reminds us that love is worth fighting for, and that it can sustain us through even the toughest of times.
Another key theme of the poem is the idea of partnership. The wife speaks of the way in which she and her husband are a team, working together to navigate the challenges of life. She acknowledges that they are not perfect, but that they are committed to supporting each other and helping each other to grow.
This idea of partnership is particularly important in the context of marriage. It reminds us that marriage is not just about two individuals coming together, but about two people committing themselves to a shared life. It is about working together to build a life that is fulfilling and meaningful for both partners.
Throughout the poem, Browning’s language is rich and evocative. He uses vivid imagery to capture the emotions and experiences of the wife. For example, he speaks of the way in which her love for her husband is like a “deep, still lake,” and the way in which it has “grown like a tree.”
This use of imagery helps to bring the poem to life, and to make the emotions and experiences of the wife feel more real and tangible. It also adds to the sense of timelessness that pervades the poem, reminding us that the experiences of love and devotion that the wife speaks of are universal and enduring.
In conclusion, “Any Wife To Any Husband” is a beautiful and powerful poem that speaks to the enduring nature of love and the importance of partnership in marriage. It reminds us that love is not always easy, but that it is worth fighting for. And it celebrates the deep and abiding bond between two people who have committed themselves to each other in marriage.
As we read this poem, we are reminded of the power of love to sustain us through the ups and downs of life. We are reminded of the importance of working together as partners, and of the joy that comes from sharing our lives with someone we love. And we are reminded of the timeless nature of love, and the way in which it can connect us to something greater than ourselves.
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