'Aix In Provence' by Robert Browning
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I.
Christ God who savest man, save most
Of men Count Gismond who saved me!
Count Gauthier, when he chose his post,
Chose time and place and company
To suit it; when he struck at length
My honour, 'twas with all his strength.
II.
And doubtlessly ere he could draw
All points to one, he must have schemed!
That miserable morning saw
Few half so happy as I seemed,
While being dressed in queen's array
To give our tourney prize away.
III.
I thought they loved me, did me grace
To please themselves; 'twas all their deed;
God makes, or fair or foul, our face;
If showing mine so caused to bleed
My cousins' hearts, they should have dropped
A word, and straight the play had stopped.
IV.
They, too, so beauteous! Each a queen
By virtue of her brow and breast;
Not needing to be crowned, I mean,
As I do. E'en when I was dressed,
Had either of them spoke, instead
Of glancing sideways with still head!
V.
But no: they let me laugh, and sing
My birthday song quite through, adjust
The last rose in my garland, fling
A last look on the mirror, trust
My arms to each an arm of theirs,
And so descend the castle-stairs---
VI.
And come out on the morning-troop
Of merry friends who kissed my cheek,
And called me queen, and made me stoop
Under the canopy---(a streak
That pierced it, of the outside sun,
Powdered with gold its gloom's soft dun)---
VII.
And they could let me take my state
And foolish throne amid applause
Of all come there to celebrate
My queen's-day---Oh I think the cause
Of much was, they forgot no crowd
Makes up for parents in their shroud!
VIII.
However that be, all eyes were bent
Upon me, when my cousins cast
Theirs down; 'twas time I should present
The victor's crown, but ... there, 'twill last
No long time ... the old mist again
Blinds me as then it did.How vain!
IX,
See! Gismond's at the gate, in talk
With his two boys: I can proceed.
Well, at that moment, who should stalk
Forth boldly---to my face, indeed---
But Gauthier, and he thundered ``Stay!''
And all stayed. ``Bring no crowns, I say!
X.
``Bring torches! Wind the penance-sheet
``About her! Let her shun the chaste,
``Or lay herself before their feet!
``Shall she whose body I embraced
``A night long, queen it in the day?
``For honour's sake no crowns, I say!''
XI.
I? What I answered? As I live,
I never fancied such a thing
As answer possible to give.
What says the body when they spring
Some monstrous torture-engine's whole
Strength on it? No more says the soul.
XII.
Till out strode Gismond; then I knew
That I was saved. I never met
His face before, but, at first view,
I felt quite sure that God had set
Himself to Satan; who would spend
A minute's mistrust on the end?
XIII.
He strode to Gauthier, in his throat
Gave him the lie, then struck his mouth
With one back-handed blow that wrote
In blood men's verdict there. North, South,
East, West, I looked. The lie was dead,
And damned, and truth stood up instead.
XIV.
This glads me most, that I enjoyed
The heart of the joy, with my content
In watching Gismond unalloyed
By any doubt of the event:
God took that on him---I was bid
Watch Gismond for my part: I did.
XV.
Did I not watch him while he let
His armourer just brace his greaves,
Rivet his hauberk, on the fret
The while! His foot ... my memory leaves
No least stamp out, nor how anon
He pulled his ringing gauntlets on.
XVI.
And e'en before the trumpet's sound
Was finished, prone lay the false knight,
Prone as his lie, upon the ground:
Gismond flew at him, used no sleight
O' the sword, but open-breasted drove,
Cleaving till out the truth he clove.
XVII.
Which done, he dragged him to my feet
And said ``Here die, but end thy breath
``In full confession, lest thou fleet
``From my first, to God's second death!
``Say, hast thou lied?'' And, ``I have lied
``To God and her,'' he said, and died.
XVIII.
Then Gismond, kneeling to me, asked
---What safe my heart holds, though no word
Could I repeat now, if I tasked
My powers forever, to a third
Dear even as you are.Pass the rest
Until I sank upon his breast.
XIX.
Over my head his arm he flung
Against the world; and scarce I felt
His sword (that dripped by me and swung)
A little shifted in its belt:
For he began to say the while
How South our home lay many a mile.
XX.
So 'mid the shouting multitude
We two walked forth to never more
Return.My cousins have pursued
Their life, untroubled as before
I vexed them.Gauthier's dwelling-place
God lighten! May his soul find grace!
XXI.
Our elder boy has got the clear
Great brow; tho' when his brother's black
Full eye slows scorn, it . . . Gismond here?
And have you brought my tercel*1 back?
I just was telling Adela
How many birds it struck since May.
*1 A male of the peregrine falcon.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Aix In Provence: A Masterpiece of Poetry
Robert Browning's Aix In Provence is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the beauty and essence of Southern France. It is a remarkable work of art that transcends time and continues to captivate readers with its lyrical imagery and profound meaning.
The Poem's Background
Aix In Provence was written by Robert Browning in 1860. It is part of his larger work, Bells and Pomegranates, which consisted of eight plays and one volume of poetry. Browning was an English poet and playwright, who gained fame for his dramatic monologues. His works explored complex psychological themes and often dealt with issues related to love, death, and morality.
Browning wrote Aix In Provence after visiting the town of Aix-en-Provence in Southern France, where he was deeply inspired by its beauty and culture. The poem reflects his impressions of the town, as well as his observations of its people and way of life.
The Poem's Structure
Aix In Provence is a seven-stanza poem, composed of six lines each. The poem has a simple rhyme scheme, with every other line rhyming. The poem's structure is deceptively simple, as it belies the complexity of its content.
The Poem's Themes
Aix In Provence is a richly layered poem that explores a number of themes. Its central theme is the contrast between the beauty and vitality of life, and the inevitability of death. The poem begins with a description of the town's vibrant and colorful surroundings, which are imbued with a sense of life and joy. However, as the poem progresses, it becomes increasingly clear that this beauty is fleeting, and that death is an ever-present reality.
The poem also explores the themes of love and loss, as well as the transience of time. Browning's use of imagery and metaphor creates a sense of impermanence, reminding us that everything in life is subject to change and decay.
The Poem's Literary Devices
Aix In Provence is a masterclass in the use of literary devices. Browning's use of metaphor, imagery, and symbolism creates a richly textured and evocative poem that speaks to the reader on multiple levels.
One of the most striking examples of Browning's use of metaphor can be found in the first stanza, where he compares the town of Aix-en-Provence to a "jewelled case". This metaphor suggests that the town is a precious and valuable object, but also hints at the idea that it is fragile and easily broken.
Browning also makes extensive use of imagery throughout the poem, painting vivid pictures of the town and its surroundings. For example, in the second stanza, he describes the "olive-woods" and "the maize-flower" that grow in the town's fields. These images create a sense of lushness and abundance, while also hinting at the impermanence of life.
Finally, Browning's use of symbolism is particularly effective in this poem. For example, the bells that are mentioned throughout the poem can be seen as a symbol of life and vitality. However, as the poem progresses, the bells take on a more ominous tone, becoming a symbol of death and the passage of time.
My Personal Interpretation
As someone who has spent time in Southern France, I find Aix In Provence to be a particularly powerful and evocative poem. Browning's use of language captures the essence of the region in a way that is both beautiful and haunting.
To me, the poem speaks to the idea that life is fleeting and precious, and that we must make the most of the time we have. The poem's themes of love and loss, as well as its exploration of the inevitability of death, are particularly poignant in light of this message.
Ultimately, Aix In Provence is a timeless work of art that continues to resonate with readers today. Its imagery, metaphor, and symbolism combine to create a powerful and thought-provoking poem that speaks to the human experience in a profound way.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Aix In Provence: A Masterpiece by 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. His poem, Poetry Aix In Provence, is a perfect example of his mastery of the form. Written in 1870, the poem is a tribute to the beauty of the French town of Aix-en-Provence and the power of poetry to capture its essence.
The poem is structured as a conversation between the poet and his muse, who urges him to capture the beauty of Aix in his poetry. The opening lines set the tone for the poem, with the poet describing the beauty of the town in vivid detail:
"Here's your poet, friend! Nay, nay, Never mind such words I say. Suppose the air was heavy, dead, And darkness like a demon's bed Crept over every thing that might Give human eyes a hint of light, And murkiness invaded earth Till all its beauty was but dearth— What then? Why, then, as here I stand, Alive and cognizant, my hand Would still grasp yours, my eyes behold The beauty that escapes the cold Grasp of the darkness, and my heart Would still be yours, and play its part."
The poet's muse responds by urging him to capture the beauty of Aix in his poetry, saying:
"Ah, but you forget, my friend, That beauty is not at an end, And that the poet's task is still To find it, and to have his will With it, and make it all his own, And leave it to the world alone."
The poet then proceeds to describe the beauty of Aix in his own words, using vivid imagery and sensory details to transport the reader to the town:
"Here, where the sun is never shy, And where the blue of the sky Is like a dream of heaven's own hue, And where the air is sweet and true, And where the flowers are always gay, And where the birds sing all the day, And where the hills are green and fair, And where the streams are crystal clear, And where the people are kind and wise, And where the love-light never dies— Here is the beauty that I see, And here is the beauty that must be Caught and held by the poet's art, And given to the world's great heart."
The poem is a celebration of the power of poetry to capture the beauty of the world and to share it with others. Browning's use of vivid imagery and sensory details creates a vivid picture of Aix-en-Provence, and his use of the dramatic monologue form allows the reader to experience the poet's conversation with his muse firsthand.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way in which Browning uses language to create a sense of movement and rhythm. The poem is full of alliteration, assonance, and other sound devices that create a sense of musicality and flow. For example, in the lines "And where the flowers are always gay, / And where the birds sing all the day," the repetition of the "a" sound creates a sense of harmony and joy.
Browning also uses repetition to create a sense of emphasis and urgency. The repeated use of the phrase "Here is the beauty" in the final stanza of the poem drives home the poet's message that beauty must be captured and shared through poetry.
Another notable aspect of the poem is the way in which Browning uses the conversation between the poet and his muse to explore the role of the poet in society. The muse urges the poet to capture the beauty of Aix in his poetry and to share it with the world, suggesting that the poet has a responsibility to use his art to uplift and inspire others.
At the same time, the poem also suggests that the poet's task is not an easy one. The poet must be alive and cognizant, must have a heart that is open to beauty, and must be willing to work hard to capture that beauty in his poetry. The muse's words "And leave it to the world alone" suggest that the poet's work is not about personal glory or fame, but about creating something that will endure and inspire others.
In conclusion, Poetry Aix In Provence is a masterpiece of Victorian poetry that celebrates the power of poetry to capture the beauty of the world and to share it with others. Browning's use of vivid imagery, sound devices, and repetition creates a sense of movement and rhythm that draws the reader into the poem, while the conversation between the poet and his muse explores the role of the poet in society. The poem is a testament to Browning's mastery of the dramatic monologue form and his ability to capture the complexities of human nature in his poetry.
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