'Up At A Villa- Down In The City' by Robert Browning
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(As Distinguished by an Italian Person of Quality)IHad I but plenty of money, money enough and to spare,
The house for me, no doubt, were a house in the city-square;
Ah, such a life, such a life, as one leads at the window there!IISomething to see, by Bacchus, something to hear, at least!
There, the whole day long, one's life is a perfect feast;
While up at a villa one lives, I maintain it, no more than a beast.IIIWell now, look at our villa! stuck like the horn of a bull
Just on a mountain's edge as bare as the creature's skull,
Save a mere shag of a bush with hardly a leaf to pull!
- I scratch my own, sometimes, to see if the hair's turned wool.IVBut the city, oh the city-the square with the houses! Why?
They are stone-faced, white as a curd, there's something to take the eye!
Houses in four straight lines, not a single front awry!
You watch who crosses and gossips, who saunters, who hurries by:
Green blinds, as a matter of course, to draw when the sun gets high;
And the shops with fanciful signs which are painted properly.VWhat of a villa? Though winter be over in March by rights,
'Tis May perhaps ere the snow shall have withered well off the heights:
You've the brown ploughed land before, where the oxen steam and wheeze,
And the hills over-smoked behind by the faint grey olive trees.VIIs it better in May, I ask you? You've summer all at once;
In a day he leaps complete with a few strong April suns.
'Mid the sharp short emerald wheat, scarce risen three fingers well,
The wild tulip, at end of its tube, blows out its great red bell
Like a thin clear bubble of blood, for the children to pick and sell.VIIIs it ever hot in the square? There's a fountain to spout and splash!
In the shade it sings and springs; in the shine such foam-bows flash
On the horses with curling fish-tails, that prance and paddle and pash
Round the lady atop in her conch-fifty gazers do not abash,
Though all that she wears is some weeds round her waist in a sort of sash!VIIIAll the year long at the villa, nothing to see though you linger,
Except yon cypress that points like Death's lean lifted forefinger.
Some think fireflies pretty, when they mix in the corn and mingle,
Or thrid the stinking hemp till the stalks of it seem a-tingle.
Late August or early September, the stunning cicala is shrill,
And the bees keep their tiresome whine round the resinous firs on the hill.
Enough of the seasons,-I spare you the months of the fever and chill.IXEre opening your eyes in the city, the blessed church-bells begin:
No sooner the bells leave off than the diligence rattles in:
You get the pick of the news, and it costs you never a pin.
By and by there's the travelling doctor gives pills, lets blood, draws teeth;
Or the Pulcinello-trumpet breaks up the market beneath.
At the post-office such a scene-picture-the new play, piping hot!
And a notice how, only this morning, three liberal thieves were shot.
Above it, behold the Archbishop's most fatherly of rebukes,
And beneath, with his crown and his lion, some little new law of the Duke's!
Or a sonnet with flowery marge, to the Reverend Don So-and-so
Who is Dante, Boccaccio, Petrarca, Saint Jerome, and Cicero,
"And moreover," (the sonnet goes rhyming,) "the skirts of Saint Paul hasreached,
Having preached us those six Lent-lectures more unctuous than ever he preached."
Noon strikes,-here sweeps the procession! our Lady borne smiling and smart
With a pink gauze gown all spangles, and seven swords stuck in her heart!
Bang, whang, whang goes the drum, tootle-te-tootle the fife;
No keeping one's haunches still: it's the greatest pleasure in life.XBut bless you, it's dear-it's dear! fowls, wine, at double the rate.
They have clapped a new tax upon salt, and what oil pays passing the gate
It's a horror to think of. And so, the villa for me, not the city!
Beggars can scarcely be choosers: but still-ah, the pity, the pity!
Look, two and two go the priests, then the monks with cowls and sandals,
And the penitents dressed in white shirts, a-holding the yellow candles;
One, he carries a flag up straight, and another a cross with handles,
And the Duke's guard brings up the rear, for the better prevention of scandals.
Bang, whang, whang goes the drum, tootle-te-tootle the fife.
Oh, a day in the city-square, there is no such pleasure in life!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Up At A Villa- Down In The City: A Masterpiece of Robert Browning
Robert Browning, one of the greatest poets in English literature, was widely known for his dramatic monologues. One of his most celebrated works is "Up At A Villa- Down In The City". This poem, published in 1855, is a story of contrasts. It contrasts the calm and serenity of life in the countryside with the chaos and hustle of city life. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, imagery, and techniques used by Browning in this masterpiece.
Themes
The poem deals with several themes, some of which are:
The Nature of Art
The poem is infused with the idea of the nature of art. The narrator of the poem is an artist who prefers the serene environment of the countryside to the hustle and bustle of the city. He believes that art is only possible in an atmosphere of tranquility and beauty. He is of the opinion that the city is a place where people are too busy with their own affairs to appreciate art. This is evident in the lines, "What does the city give?/ Houses, trimmed with tasteless artifice/ Italianates, terrace, belvederes/ mean gardens, squeezed to save expense".
The Contrast between City and Countryside
The poem also deals with the contrast between life in the city and the countryside. The narrator, who lives in a villa in the countryside, describes the city as a place where life is fast-paced and chaotic. He describes the people in the city as being too busy to appreciate the beauty of the world around them. In contrast, life in the countryside is slow-paced and peaceful. The narrator is able to appreciate the beauty of nature and is inspired by it. This is evident in the lines, "But here is the finger of God, a flash of the will that can/ Existent behind all laws: that made them, and, lo, they are".
The Nature of Love
The poem also deals with the theme of love. The narrator is deeply in love with his wife, who shares his appreciation for the beauty of nature. He describes her as being an inspiration to him and as being a part of nature itself. He believes that their love is pure and uncorrupted by the chaos of the city. This is evident in the lines, "And I know she is not in Rome/ Where she steps forward in the day/ Treading the crowded pavement/ with impatient scorn/ But here, where nature makes a fair/ Green space of joy".
Imagery
Browning makes use of several images in the poem, some of which are:
Nature
Nature is a dominant image in the poem. The narrator describes the beauty of nature in great detail. He describes the trees, the flowers, and the birds, and he uses these images to contrast the beauty of the countryside with the ugliness of the city. He believes that nature is the source of all art and that it is only in nature that true beauty can be found. This is evident in the lines, "Oh, to be in England/ Now that April's there/ And whoever wakes in England/ Sees, some morning, unaware/ That the lowest boughs and the brushwood sheaf/ Round the elm-tree bole are in tiny leaf".
Light and Darkness
Browning also makes use of the imagery of light and darkness to contrast the two worlds. The countryside is described as being bathed in light, while the city is shrouded in darkness. This contrast is used to highlight the beauty of the countryside and to emphasize the ugliness of the city. This is evident in the lines, "But up here, the stone-walled villa itself kept its state/ And the gate-thing on the terrace, too large for the house below/ Lurked up, like a bugle-blow/ While, out in the surging city's blaze/ One treads on hot pavements, unglazed".
The Villa
The villa is also an important image in the poem. It is described as being a place of peace and tranquility, a place where the narrator can escape the chaos of the city. The villa is also described as being a work of art in its own right, and the narrator takes pride in its beauty. This is evident in the lines, "Here, where art has built/ A pleasure-house, marble, pillared, walled/ With gardens terrace above terrace".
Techniques
Browning makes use of several techniques in the poem, some of which are:
Enjambment
Browning makes use of enjambment to create a sense of flow and movement in the poem. The lines are structured in such a way that they flow seamlessly into each other, creating a sense of movement and fluidity. This technique is particularly effective in the lines, "Here let us live and feed,/ In our own little world of bliss".
Alliteration
Browning also makes use of alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and melody in the poem. The repetition of consonant sounds in the lines is used to create a musical effect. This is evident in the lines, "And crown thy head/ With leaves of myrtle".
Repetition
Browning also makes use of repetition to emphasize certain ideas in the poem. The repetition of certain words and phrases is used to create a sense of emphasis and to reinforce certain themes. This is evident in the lines, "Oh, to be in England/ Now that April's there".
Conclusion
"Up At A Villa- Down In The City" is a masterpiece of Robert Browning. The poem deals with several themes such as the nature of art, the contrast between city and countryside, and the nature of love. Browning makes use of several images such as nature, light and darkness, and the villa to contrast the two worlds. He also makes use of several techniques such as enjambment, alliteration, and repetition to create a sense of flow and movement in the poem. Overall, "Up At A Villa- Down In The City" is a beautiful and powerful poem that captures the essence of life in the countryside and the chaos of the city.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Up At A Villa- Down In The City: A Masterpiece of Robert Browning
Robert Browning, one of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian era, is known for his dramatic monologues and his ability to capture the essence of human emotions. His poem, "Poetry Up At A Villa- Down In The City," is a masterpiece that explores the contrast between the beauty of nature and the harsh realities of city life. In this article, we will delve into the poem's themes, structure, and literary devices to understand its significance.
Themes
The poem is divided into two parts, each representing a different setting. The first part takes place in a villa, surrounded by nature, while the second part is set in the city. The contrast between these two settings is a central theme of the poem. The villa represents a peaceful and idyllic world, while the city is portrayed as a place of chaos and corruption.
The poem also explores the theme of art and its role in society. The speaker, who is a poet, is torn between the beauty of nature and the harsh realities of the city. He is unable to reconcile the two and is left feeling disillusioned. The poem suggests that art has the power to transcend the limitations of the physical world and provide a glimpse of something greater.
Structure
The poem is written in the form of a dramatic monologue, with the speaker addressing an imaginary audience. The use of the first-person point of view allows the reader to experience the speaker's emotions and thoughts firsthand. The poem is divided into two parts, with the first part consisting of six stanzas and the second part consisting of four stanzas.
The first part of the poem is written in iambic pentameter, with each line consisting of ten syllables. The second part of the poem is written in iambic tetrameter, with each line consisting of eight syllables. The change in meter reflects the shift in setting and mood.
Literary Devices
Browning employs a variety of literary devices to convey the themes of the poem. One of the most prominent devices is imagery. The poem is filled with vivid descriptions of nature and the city. In the first part of the poem, the speaker describes the beauty of the villa and its surroundings. He uses words such as "bloom," "breeze," and "bird" to create a sense of tranquility and peace. In contrast, the second part of the poem is filled with images of the city's chaos and corruption. The speaker describes the "smoke and grime" and the "crowd and crush" of the city.
Another literary device used in the poem is symbolism. The villa represents a world of beauty and purity, while the city represents a world of corruption and decay. The speaker's struggle to reconcile these two worlds symbolizes the struggle of the artist to find meaning in a world that often seems meaningless.
The poem also employs irony. The speaker, who is a poet, is unable to find inspiration in the beauty of nature. Instead, he finds himself drawn to the chaos of the city. This irony highlights the disconnect between the artist and the world around him.
Conclusion
"Poetry Up At A Villa- Down In The City" is a masterpiece of Victorian poetry. Through its vivid imagery, powerful symbolism, and use of literary devices, the poem explores the contrast between the beauty of nature and the harsh realities of city life. It also delves into the role of art in society and the struggle of the artist to find meaning in a world that often seems meaningless. Browning's ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences makes this poem a timeless work of art.
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