The Works of Robert Browning, Volume 2

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Houghton Mifflin, 1899

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Page 46 - Hark! where my blossomed pear-tree in the hedge Leans to the field and scatters on the clover Blossoms and dewdrops — at the bent spray's edge That's the wise thrush; he sings each song twice over, Lest you should think he never could recapture The first fine careless rapture!
Page 231 - Then off there flung in smiling joy, And held himself erect By just his horse's mane, a boy: You hardly could suspect — (So tight he kept his lips compressed, Scarce any blood came through) You looked twice ere you saw his breast Was all but shot in two.
Page 24 - Sixteen years old when she died ! Perhaps she had scarcely heard my name ; It was not her time to love ; beside, Her life had many a hope and aim, Duties enough and little...
Page 4 - Never glad confident morning again! Best fight on well, for we taught him — strike gallantly, Menace our heart ere we master his own; Then let him receive the new knowledge and wait us, Pardoned in heaven, the first by the throne! "HOW THEY BROUGHT THE GOOD NEWS FROM GHENT TO AIX.
Page 4 - We shall march prospering,— not thro' his presence; Songs may inspirit us,— not from his lyre; Deeds will be done,— while he boasts his quiescence, Still bidding crouch whom the rest bade aspire...
Page 25 - I loved you, Evelyn, all the while ! My heart seemed full as it could hold ; There was place and to spare for the frank young' smile, And the red young mouth, and the hair's young gold. So, hush, — I will give you this leaf to keep : See, I shut it inside the sweet cold hand ! There, that is our secret : go to sleep ! You will wake, and remember, and understand.
Page 285 - You should have heard the Hamelin people Ringing the bells till they rocked the steeple. " Go," cried the Mayor, " and get long poles, Poke out the nests and block up the holes ! Consult with carpenters and builders, And leave in our town not even a trace Of the rats! " — when suddenly, up the face Of the Piper perked in the market-place, W>th a, " First, if you please, my thousand guilders !
Page 4 - Not a word to each other; we kept the great pace Neck by neck, stride by stride, never changing our place; I turned in my saddle and made its girths tight, Then shortened each stirrup, and set the pique right, Rebuckled the cheek-strap, chained slacker the bit, Nor galloped less steadily Roland a whit.
Page 279 - tis so, Since now at length my fate I know, Since nothing all my love avails, Since all, my life seemed meant for, fails, Since this was written and needs must be — My whole heart rises up to bless Your name in pride and thankfulness...
Page 6 - ... stirrup, leaned, patted his ear, Called my Roland his pet-name, my horse without peer ; Clapped my hands, laughed and sang, any noise, bad or good, Till at length into Aix Roland galloped and stood. And all I remember is, friends flocking round As I sat with his head 'twixt my knees on the ground ; And no voice but was praising this Roland of mine, As I poured down his throat our last measure of wine, Which (the burgesses voted by common consent) Was no more than his due who brought good news...

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