Asolando

A Pearl, a Girl

Robert Browning


A SIMPLE ring with a single stone,
    To the vulgar eye no stone of price:
Whisper the right word, that alone—
    Forth starts a sprite, like fire from ice,
And lo, you are lord (says an Eastern scroll)
Of heaven and earth, lord whole and sole
    Through the power in a pearl.

A woman (’tis I this time that say)
    With little the world counts worthy praise
Utter the true word—out and away
    Escapes her soul: I am wrapt in blaze,
Creation’s lord, of heaven and earth
Lord whole and sole—by a minute’s birth—
    Through the love in a girl!


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