Robert Browning Quotes

For I say, this is death and the sole death, When a man’s loss comes to him from his gain, Darkness from light, from knowledge ignorance, And lack of love from love made manifest.

My times be in Thy hand! Perfect the cup as planned! Let age approve of youth, and Death complete the same!

Time’s wheels runs backor stops: Potter and clay endure.

Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be, The last of life, for which the first was made: Our times are in His hand Who saith, ‘A whole I planned, Youth shows but half ; trust God: See all nor be afraid!’

But God has a few of us to whom he whispers in the ear; The rest may reason and welcome; ’tis we musicians know.

Wrote one song—and in my brain I sing it, Drew one angel—borne, see, on my bosom!

God be thanked, the meanest of his creatures Boasts two soul-sides, one to face the world with, One to show a woman when he loves her!

What’s come to perfection perishes. Things learned on earth, we shall practise in heaven. Work done least rapidly, Art most cherishes.

Proves she like some portent of an iceberg Swimming full upon the ship it founders Hungry with huge teeth of splintered crystals?

Dante, who loved well because he hated, Hated wickedness that hinders loving.

There they are, my fifty men and women Naming me the fifty poems finished! Take them, Love, the book and me together. Where the heart lies, let the brain lie also.

Only I discern— Infinite passion, and the pain Of finite hearts that yearn.

I would that you were all to me, You that are just so much, no more.

Stand still, true poet that you are! I know you; let me try and draw you. Some night you’ll fail us: when afar You rise, remember one man saw you, Knew you, and named a star!

Open your heart and you will see graved inside of it, ‘Italy.’ Such lovers old are I and she; So it always was, so it still shall be!

Your ghost will walk, you lover of trees, (If love remains) In an English lane.

Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp, Or what’s a heaven for?

So free we seem, so fretted fast we are!

Ah, did you once see Shelley plain, And did he stop to speak to you And did you speak to him again? How strange it seems, and new!

No, when the fight begins within himself, A man’s worth something.