Tag Archives: Robert Browning

“I do not write for the public.” — poet Gerard Manley Hopkins

Posted on July 28, 2025 by sheila

“I shall shortly have some sonnets to send you, five or more. Four of these came like inspirations unbidden and against my will. And in the life I lead now, which is one of a continually jaded and harassed mind, … Continue reading →

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“Best be yourself, imperial, plain, and true.” – Robert Browning

Posted on May 7, 2023 by sheila

“Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp, Or what’s a heaven for?” — Robert Browning “Andrea del Sarto” It’s Robert Browning’s birthday today. “Imperial”. Spoken like a true Victorian. We had to read Robert Browning’s poem “Meeting at … Continue reading →

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Understanding

Posted on November 19, 2009 by sheila

“Well, I hope they understand one another – nobody else would.” — Wordsworth, 1846 – musing on the marriage of Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning

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Browning’s PJs

Posted on July 3, 2007 by sheila

I love this letter! The tone of it – it’s obviously written in a casual off the cuff way, probably scrawled off quickly – in order to catch up with his correspondence – but I love every word! (and his … Continue reading →

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“the simple truth is”

Posted on May 30, 2007 by sheila

The simple truth is that she was the poet, and I the clever person by comparison. — Robert Browning on his wife, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, 1871

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“love you, love you”

Posted on May 30, 2007 by sheila

If it will satisfy you that I should know you, love you, love you – why then indeed … You should have my soul to stand on if it could make you stand higher. — Elizabeth Barrett to Robert Browning, … Continue reading →

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National Poetry Month: Robert Browning

Posted on April 23, 2007 by sheila

We had to read this poem in 11th grade Humanities, and I remember that this was the time I started getting into poetry – I mean, stuff I was discovering on my own, not just the Irish stuff I always … Continue reading →

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Famous Last Words

Posted on November 1, 2005 by sheila

John Adams – died July 4, 1826: “Thomas Jefferson–still survives…” (or perhaps … “Thomas Jefferson … lives…” There are enough eyewitness accounts to believe that he said something along those lines.) On the exact same day, Thomas Jefferson died. He … Continue reading →

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LM Montgomery on Robert Browning

Posted on May 20, 2004 by sheila

“I love best the poets who hurt me. When in reading a poem I come across some line that thrusts itself into my heart — then is my soul knit unto the soul of that poet forevermore. Browning hurts me … Continue reading →

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Famous Epitaphs/Last Words

Posted on January 23, 2004 by sheila

Famous Epitaphs A reader sent me a bit of trivia she thought I might be interested in (she was right!) John Keats, great poet, who died in 1821, wrote his own epitaph, which is as follows: “Here lies one whose … Continue reading →

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