'Lost Leader, The' by Robert Browning
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I.
Just for a handful of silver he left us,
Just for a riband to stick in his coat---
Found the one gift of which fortune bereft us,
Lost all the others she lets us devote;
They, with the gold to give, doled him out silver,
So much was theirs who so little allowed:
How all our copper had gone for his service!
Rags---were they purple, his heart had been proud!
We that had loved him so, followed him, honoured him,
Lived in his mild and magnificent eye,
Learned his great language, caught his clear accents,
Made him our pattern to live and to die!
Shakespeare was of us, Milton was for us,
Burns, Shelley, were with us,---they watch from their graves!
He alone breaks from the van and the free-men,
---He alone sinks to the rear and the slaves!
II.
We shall march prospering,---not thro' his presence;
Songs may inspirit us,---not from his lyre;
Deeds will be done,---while he boasts his quiescence,
Still bidding crouch whom the rest bade aspire:
Blot out his name, then, record one lost soul more,
One task more declined, one more foot-path untrod,
One more devils'-triumph and sorrow for angels,
One wrong more to man, one more insult to God!
Life's night begins: let him never come back to us!
There would be doubt, hesitation and pain,
Forced praise on our part---the glimmer of twilight,
Never glad confident morning again!
Best fight on well, for we taught him---strike gallantly,
Menace our heart ere we master his own;
Then let him receive the new knowledge and wait us,
Pardoned in heaven, the first by the throne!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Robert Browning's "The Lost Leader": A Study in Betrayal and Disillusionment
As I read Robert Browning's "The Lost Leader," I couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment and betrayal. The poem, written in 1845, was a direct response to the resignation of William Wordsworth from the position of Poet Laureate, a role that he had held since 1843. In the poem, Browning expresses his disillusionment with Wordsworth's decision to support the Tory government and abandon his earlier radical ideals.
The poem is structured in six stanzas, each consisting of eight lines. The first five stanzas describe the speaker's idealized vision of the lost leader, while the final stanza reveals the speaker's disappointment and disillusionment with the leader's betrayal.
The poem opens with a series of rhetorical questions that serve to emphasize the speaker's admiration for the lost leader. "Just for a handful of silver he left us," the speaker asks, "Just for a ribbon to stick in his coat?" These questions suggest that the lost leader has sold out his principles for personal gain, and that his actions have caused great disappointment and disillusionment among his followers.
The second stanza continues in a similar vein, with the speaker describing the lost leader as "a saintly soul" who was "loved by God." The use of religious language here suggests that the lost leader was seen as a moral and spiritual guide by his followers, someone who embodied the highest ideals of humanity.
The third stanza introduces a note of nostalgia, as the speaker recalls the lost leader's past achievements. "He had the passion and the power/ To make his vengeful enemies obey," the speaker recalls, suggesting that the lost leader was once a force to be reckoned with, a charismatic figure who inspired loyalty and admiration.
The fourth stanza shifts focus slightly, as the speaker describes the lost leader's ability to connect with ordinary people. "He could not stay their spirits when they were gay," the speaker notes, suggesting that the lost leader was not only a political figure, but also a cultural one, someone who could lift people's spirits and inspire them to greater things.
The fifth stanza is perhaps the most poignant of the poem, as the speaker laments the lost leader's moral decline. "We that had loved him so, followed him, honoured him," the speaker says, "Lived in his mild and magnificent eye." The use of the past tense here suggests that the speaker and his fellow followers had once seen the lost leader as a moral and spiritual guide, someone who embodied the highest ideals of humanity. But now, that vision has been shattered, and the lost leader has become a mere shadow of his former self.
The final stanza of the poem reveals the speaker's disappointment and disillusionment with the lost leader. "We shall march prospering," the speaker says, "Not through his presence; Songs may inspirit us, not from his lyre." This final stanza suggests that the speaker and his fellow followers have given up on the lost leader, and are now seeking inspiration elsewhere.
Overall, "The Lost Leader" is a powerful and poignant poem that explores the theme of betrayal and disillusionment. Through its vivid imagery and powerful language, the poem paints a picture of a leader who has sold out his principles and disappointed his followers. It is a poem that speaks to the universal experience of disappointment and disillusionment, and reminds us of the importance of remaining true to our ideals and values, even in the face of adversity.
As I read this poem, I couldn't help but think of the many leaders throughout history who have betrayed the trust of their followers. From political leaders who have abandoned their promises to religious leaders who have been exposed as frauds, the world is full of examples of lost leaders. And yet, despite these disappointments, we continue to look for leaders who can inspire us and guide us towards a better future.
In the end, "The Lost Leader" is a poem that speaks to the human condition, reminding us of our capacity for both greatness and betrayal. It is a poem that asks us to be vigilant in our search for leadership, and to remain true to our principles and values, even in the face of disappointment and disillusionment. And it is a poem that reminds us that, even when we feel lost and betrayed, there is always hope for a better future.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Lost Leader: A Masterpiece of Robert Browning
Robert Browning, one of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian era, is known for his dramatic monologues that explore the complexities of human nature. Among his many works, "The Lost Leader" stands out as a powerful critique of political betrayal and the corruption of power. This poem, published in 1845, is a scathing attack on William Wordsworth, a former mentor and friend of Browning, who had abandoned his radical political beliefs and become a conservative figurehead. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of "The Lost Leader" and how they contribute to its enduring relevance.
The poem begins with a direct address to Wordsworth, whom Browning describes as a "lost leader." The term "lost leader" refers to a person who has betrayed their principles and followers for personal gain or political expediency. Browning accuses Wordsworth of abandoning his radical beliefs and becoming a "traitor" to the cause of liberty and progress. The opening lines of the poem set the tone for the rest of the work, which is a passionate denunciation of Wordsworth's betrayal.
The first stanza of the poem is structured as a series of rhetorical questions that challenge Wordsworth's authority and integrity. Browning asks, "Just for a handful of silver he left us, / Just for a riband to stick in his coat." These lines suggest that Wordsworth has sold out his principles for material gain and social status. The use of the word "just" emphasizes the triviality of the rewards that Wordsworth has received in exchange for his betrayal. The riband referred to in the poem is likely the Order of the Bath, a prestigious honor that Wordsworth received in 1843. Browning's use of this detail underscores the idea that Wordsworth has traded his political beliefs for personal gain.
The second stanza of the poem shifts from rhetorical questions to direct accusations. Browning accuses Wordsworth of being a "traitor" to the cause of liberty and progress. He describes Wordsworth as a "sneaking, snivelling, cold-hearted man," who has abandoned his radical beliefs and become a "dullard" and a "coward." These accusations are particularly harsh, given that Wordsworth was once a leading figure in the Romantic movement and a champion of radical politics. Browning's use of such strong language underscores the depth of his disappointment and anger at Wordsworth's betrayal.
The third stanza of the poem is a lament for the loss of Wordsworth's leadership and the ideals that he once represented. Browning describes Wordsworth as a "star" that has fallen from the sky, leaving his followers lost and adrift. He mourns the loss of Wordsworth's "voice" and "guiding hand," which he believes were essential to the cause of liberty and progress. The use of the metaphor of the fallen star emphasizes the idea that Wordsworth's betrayal has had a profound impact on the movement that he once led.
The fourth stanza of the poem is a call to action. Browning urges his readers to reject Wordsworth's example and to continue the struggle for liberty and progress. He encourages his readers to "be true to the best you know," and to "keep fighting" for the cause. The use of the imperative mood in these lines emphasizes the urgency of Browning's message and his belief in the importance of continuing the struggle for social justice.
The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the nature of leadership and the role of the poet in society. Browning suggests that true leadership comes not from material gain or social status, but from a commitment to the ideals of liberty and progress. He argues that the poet has a special role to play in society, as a voice for the oppressed and a champion of social justice. The final lines of the poem, "Our Browning shall be Browning still, / And his words be true," suggest that Browning sees himself as a successor to Wordsworth, and that he intends to continue the struggle for social justice through his poetry.
In terms of language, "The Lost Leader" is notable for its use of repetition, alliteration, and metaphor. The repetition of the word "just" in the first stanza emphasizes the triviality of the rewards that Wordsworth has received for his betrayal. The alliteration in lines such as "sneaking, snivelling, cold-hearted man" and "dullard, coward" emphasizes the harshness of Browning's accusations. The metaphor of the fallen star in the third stanza is particularly powerful, as it suggests that Wordsworth's betrayal has had a profound impact on the movement that he once led.
In conclusion, "The Lost Leader" is a powerful critique of political betrayal and the corruption of power. Browning's use of language, structure, and metaphor contribute to the poem's enduring relevance and its status as a masterpiece of Victorian poetry. The poem's message, that true leadership comes not from material gain or social status, but from a commitment to the ideals of liberty and progress, remains as relevant today as it was in Browning's time.
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