Robert Browning

“ You don't understand 55 Nor care to understand about my art, 56 But you can hear at least when people speak: 57 And that cartoon, the second from the door 58 --It is the thing, Love! so such things should be-- 59 Behold Madonna!--I am bold to say. 60 I can do with my pencil what I know, 61 What I see, what at bottom of my heart 62 I wish for, if I ever wish so deep-- 63 Do easily, too--when I say, perfectly, 64 I do not boast, perhaps: yourself are judge, 65 Who listened to the Legate's talk last week, 66 And just as much they used to say in France. ”

“ Will it? tenderly? 10 Oh, I'll content him,--but to-morrow, Love! 11 I often am much wearier than you think, 12 This evening more than usual, and it seems 13 As if--forgive now--should you let me sit 14 Here by the window with your hand in mine 15 And look a half-hour forth on Fiesole, 16 Both of one mind, as married people use, 17 Quietly, quietly the evening through, 18 I might get up to-morrow to my work 19 Cheerful and fresh as ever. Let us try. 20 To-morrow, how you shall be glad for this! 21 Your soft hand is a woman of itself, 22 And mine the man's bared breast she curls inside. ”

“ Somebody remarks 93 Morello's outline there is wrongly traced, 94 His hue mistaken; what of that? or else, 95 Rightly traced and well ordered; what of that? 96 Speak as they please, what does the mountain care? 97 Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, 98 Or what's a heaven for? All is silver-grey, 99 Placid and perfect with my art: the worse! 100 I know both what I want and what might gain, 101 And yet how profitless to know, to sigh 102 "Had I been two, another and myself, 103 "Our head would have o'erlooked the world!" ”