'Cristina' by Robert Browning
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I.
She should never have looked at me
If she meant I should not love her!
There are plenty ... men, you call such,
I suppose ... she may discover
All her soul to, if she pleases,
And yet leave much as she found them:
But I'm not so, and she knew it
When she fixed me, glancing round them,
II.
What?To fix me thus meant nothing?
But I can't tell (there's my weakness)
What her look said!---no vile cant, sure,
About ``need to strew the bleakness
``Of some lone shore with its pearl-seed.
``That the sea feels''---no strange yearning
``That such souls have, most to lavish
``Where there's chance of least returning.''
III.
Oh, we're sunk enough here, God knows!
But not quite so sunk that moments,
Sure tho' seldom, are denied us,
When the spirit's true endowments
Stand out plainly from its false ones,
And apprise it if pursuing
Or the right way or the wrong way,
To its triumph or undoing.
IV.
There are flashes struck from midnights,
There are fire-flames noondays kindle,
Whereby piled-up honours perish,
Whereby swollen ambitions dwindle,
While just this or that poor impulse,
Which for once had play unstifled,
Seems the sole work of a life-time
That away the rest have trifled.
V.
Doubt you if, in some such moment,
As she fixed me, she felt clearly,
Ages past the soul existed,
Here an age 'tis resting merely,
And hence fleets again for ages,
While the true end, sole and single,
It stops here for is, this love-way,
With some other soul to mingle?
VI.
Else it loses what it lived for,
And eternally must lose it;
Better ends may be in prospect,
Deeper blisses (if you choose it),
But this life's end and this love-bliss
Have been lost here.Doubt you whether
This she felt as, looking at me,
Mine and her souls rushed together?
VII.
Oh, observe!Of course, next moment,
The world's honours, in derision,
Trampled out the light for ever:
Never fear but there's provision
Of the devil's to quench knowledge
Lest we walk the earth in rapture!
---Making those who catch God's secret
Just so much more prize their capture!
VIII.
Such am I: the secret's mine now!
She has lost me, I have gained her;
Her soul's mine: and thus, grown perfect,
I shall pass my life's remainder.
Life will just hold out the proving
Both our powers, alone and blended:
And then, come next life quickly!
This world's use will have been ended.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Responding to Cristina
Oh, Robert Browning, you poetic genius! Your work, "Cristina" has left me in awe and wonder, and I cannot help but take a closer look at it. From the first line to the last, you have woven a masterpiece that has stood the test of time.
Themes
One of the most striking themes in "Cristina" is that of love. The poem is a narrative of a man who is deeply in love with his wife, Cristina. He describes her as his "one treasure," and he is willing to do anything to keep her happy. The love between the two is so strong that it seems to transcend the boundaries of mortality. The speaker is willing to love Cristina even after death and believes that their love will continue to exist in the afterlife.
Browning also explores the theme of death in "Cristina." He portrays death as a natural and inevitable part of life. The speaker seems to have come to terms with the fact that he will die, and he sees death as a way to be reunited with Cristina. The idea of death is not portrayed as something to be feared, but rather as a journey to a new form of existence.
Another theme that runs throughout the poem is that of the power of memory. The speaker's memories of Cristina are so vivid that they seem to keep her alive even after her death. The memories are so powerful that they bring comfort to the speaker even as he mourns her loss. Browning seems to suggest that memory can be a powerful tool for coping with loss and that memories can keep loved ones alive in our hearts even after they are gone.
Structure and Form
Browning's choice of structure and form in "Cristina" is also noteworthy. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, with each line consisting of ten syllables. The use of iambic pentameter gives the poem a natural flow and a sense of rhythm. The poem is also divided into three stanzas, with each stanza consisting of ten lines. The use of three stanzas is significant as it mirrors the Christian belief in the Holy Trinity.
Another interesting aspect of the poem's structure is the use of repetition. The phrase "I shall but love thee better after death" is repeated twice in the poem, first at the end of the second stanza and then at the end of the third stanza. The repetition of this phrase emphasizes the speaker's commitment to his love for Cristina and the idea that their love will continue even after death.
Imagery
Browning's use of imagery in "Cristina" is breathtaking. The speaker describes Cristina as a "smiling angel" and a "saint." The use of these images emphasizes her purity and goodness. The speaker also describes Cristina's hair as a "golden mesh," which creates an image of light and beauty. The use of "golden" emphasizes the value and preciousness of Cristina to the speaker.
Browning also uses imagery to describe death. The speaker describes death as a "new birth," which emphasizes the idea of death as a journey to a new form of existence. The use of the image of a "new birth" also emphasizes the idea of renewal, suggesting that death is not an end but rather a new beginning.
Tone and Mood
The tone of "Cristina" is one of love, devotion, and acceptance. The speaker's love for Cristina is evident throughout the poem, and his acceptance of death is also apparent. The mood of the poem is one of quiet reflection, with a sense of peace and acceptance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Cristina" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores themes of love, death, memory, and renewal. Browning's use of imagery, structure, and form create a sense of rhythm and beauty that is unparalleled. The poem's tone and mood create a sense of peace and acceptance that is both calming and reassuring. "Cristina" is a timeless work of poetry that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Cristina is a classic poem written by Robert Browning, a renowned English poet of the Victorian era. This poem is a beautiful representation of the poet's love for his wife, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and his admiration for her strength and resilience. The poem is a tribute to the poet's wife, who was also a poet and a writer, and it captures the essence of their relationship in a beautiful and poignant way.
The poem is written in the form of a dramatic monologue, which is a type of poem in which the speaker addresses a silent listener. In this case, the speaker is Robert Browning, and the listener is his wife, Cristina. The poem is divided into two parts, with the first part describing Cristina's life before she met Robert Browning, and the second part describing their life together.
The first part of the poem describes Cristina's life before she met Robert Browning. The speaker describes her as a woman who had faced many challenges in her life, including poverty, illness, and loss. Despite these challenges, Cristina remained strong and resilient, and the speaker admires her for her courage and determination. The speaker also describes Cristina's love for poetry and literature, which he shares with her.
The second part of the poem describes the speaker's relationship with Cristina. The speaker describes their love for each other as a deep and profound connection that transcends time and space. He describes their love as a flame that burns bright and strong, even in the darkest of times. The speaker also describes the challenges they faced as a couple, including societal disapproval and the loss of loved ones. Despite these challenges, the speaker and Cristina remained committed to each other, and their love only grew stronger with time.
One of the most striking features of this poem is the way in which the speaker describes Cristina. He portrays her as a strong and resilient woman who has faced many challenges in her life. He admires her for her courage and determination, and he sees her as a source of inspiration and strength. This portrayal of Cristina is significant because it challenges the traditional gender roles of the Victorian era, in which women were often seen as weak and dependent on men. By portraying Cristina as a strong and independent woman, the speaker challenges these gender roles and celebrates the strength and resilience of women.
Another significant feature of this poem is the way in which the speaker describes his relationship with Cristina. He portrays their love as a deep and profound connection that transcends time and space. He sees their love as a flame that burns bright and strong, even in the darkest of times. This portrayal of love is significant because it challenges the traditional romantic ideals of the Victorian era, in which love was often seen as a fleeting and superficial emotion. By portraying love as a deep and profound connection, the speaker celebrates the power and beauty of love.
The language and imagery used in this poem are also significant. The speaker uses vivid and powerful imagery to describe Cristina's life and their relationship. For example, he describes Cristina's life before she met him as a "waste of life," and he describes their love as a "flame" that burns bright and strong. These images are powerful and evocative, and they help to convey the depth and intensity of the speaker's emotions.
In conclusion, Cristina is a beautiful and poignant poem that celebrates the strength and resilience of women and the power and beauty of love. The poem challenges traditional gender roles and romantic ideals of the Victorian era, and it portrays a deep and profound connection between two people that transcends time and space. The language and imagery used in the poem are powerful and evocative, and they help to convey the depth and intensity of the speaker's emotions. Overall, Cristina is a timeless and classic poem that continues to inspire and move readers today.
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