Of raw-silk-colored hair, at all events. Well, if old Luca keep his good intents, We shall do better, see what next year brings! I I may buy shoes, my Zanze, not appear More destitute than you perhaps next year! Bluph... something! I had caught the uncouth name But for Monsignor's people's sudden clatter 532 While not the worst of people's doings 550 Day for folly, night for schooling! Call this flower a heart's-ease now! 560 As her... name there's no pronouncing! See this heightened color too, For she swilled Breganze wine Till her nose turned deep carmine; "T was but white when wild she grew. And only by this Zanze's eyes Of which we could not change the size, The magnitude of all achieved Otherwise, may be perceived." 570 I. MARCHING ALONG 611 [She sleeps. KENTISH Sir Byng stood for his King, Marched them along, fifty-score strong, God for King Charles! Pym and such carles To the Devil that prompts 'em their treasonous parles! Cavaliers, up! Lips from the cup, Сно. Marching along, fifty score strong, Great-hearted gentlemen, singing this song. Hampden to hell, and his obsequies' knell. Serve Hazelrig, Fiennes, and young Harry as well! England, good cheer! Rupert is near! King Charles, and who 'll do him right now? King Charles, and who's ripe for fight now? Give a rouse: here 's, in hell's despite now, King Charles! Who gave me the goods that went since? Who raised me the house that sank once? Who helped me to gold I spent since ? Who found me in wine you drank once? CHO. King Charles, and who'll do him right now? King Charles, and who's ripe for Give a rouse: here's, in hell's de- To whom used my boy George quaff else, King Charles, and who 's ripe for Give a rouse: here's, in hell's de- III. BOOT AND SADDLE Boot, saddle, to horse, and away! CHO. Boot, saddle, to horse, and away! Ride past the suburbs, asleep as you'd say; Many's the friend there, will listen and pray Browning was beset with questions by people asking if he referred to Wordsworth in this poem. He answered the question more than once, as an artist would: the following letter to Rev. A. B. Grosart, the editor of Wordsworth's Prose Works, sufficiently states his position. 19 Warwick-Crescent, W., Feb. 24, '75. DEAR MR. GROSART, I have been asked the ques tion you now address me with, and as duly answered it, I can't remember how many times; there is no sort of objection to one more assurance or rather confession, on my part, that I did in my hasty youth presume to use the great and venerated personality of Wordsworth as a sort of painter's model; one from which this or the other particular feature may be selected and turned to account; had I intended mo.e, above all, such a boldness as portraying the entire man, I should not have talked about" handfuls of silver and bits of ribbon." These never influenced the change of politics in the great poet, whose defection, nevertheless, accompanied as it was by a regular face-about of his special party, was to my juvenile apprehension, and even mature consideration, an event to deplore. But just as in the tapestry on my wall I can recognize figures which have struck out a fancy, on occasion, that though truly enough thus derived, yet would be preposterous as a copy, so, though I dare not deny the original of my little poem, I altogether refuse to have it considered as the "very effigies" of such a moral and intellectual superiority. Faithfully yours, ROBERT BROWNING. |