Robert Browning (1812-1889)
Among the Rocks
1Oh, good gigantic smile o' the brown old earth,
2 This autumn morning! How he sets his bones
3To bask i' the sun, and thrusts out knees and feet
4For the ripple to run over in its mirth;
5 Listening the while, where on the heap of stones
6The white breast of the sea-lark twitters sweet.
7That is the doctrine, simple, ancient, true;
8 Such is life's trial, as old earth smiles and knows.
9If you loved only what were worth your love,
10Love were clear gain, and wholly well for you:
11 Make the low nature better by your throes!
12Give earth yourself, go up for gain above!
Notes
1] This poem is one of a series entitled "James Lee's Wife," in "Dramatis Personae" (1864).
Online text copyright © 2009, Ian Lancashire (the Department of English) and the University of Toronto.
Published by the Web Development Group, Information Technology Services, University of Toronto Libraries.
Original text: Robert Browning, Dramatis Personae (London: Chapman and Hall, 1864). PR 4209 A1 1864
First publication date:
1864
RPO poem editor: W. J. Alexander, William Hall Clawson
RP edition: RP (1912), p. 339; RPO 1997.
Recent editing: 2:2001/12/12
Rhyme: abcabc
Other poems by Robert Browning
