Dramatic Romances and Lyrics

Earth’s Immortalities

Robert Browning


Fame

SEE, as the prettiest graves will do in time,
Our poet’s wants the freshness of its prime;
Spite of the sexton’s browsing horse, the sods
Have struggled thro’ its binding osier-rods;
Headstone and half-sunk footstone lean awry,
Wanting the brick-work promised by-and-by;
How the minute grey lichens, plate o’er plate,
Have softened down the crisp-cut name and date!

 

Love

So, the year’s done with
    (Love me for ever!)
All March begun with,
    April’s endeavour;
May-wreaths that bound me
    June needs must sever;
Now snows fall round me,
    Quenching June’s fever—
    (Love me for ever!)


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