Quotes from Robert Browning

O Lyric Love, half angel and half bird,And all a wonder and a wild desire.

Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, Or what's a heaven for?

I am grown peaceful as old age tonight.

When the liquor's out, why clink the cannikin?

The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's,Is—not to fancy what were fair in lifeProvided it could be—but, finding firstWhat may be, then find how to make it fairUp to our means.

'Twas a thief said the last kind word to Christ:Christ took the kindness and forgave the theft.

He who hears music, feels his solitude peopled at once.

What's become of WaringSince he gave us all the slip?

He said, "What's time? Leave Now for dogs and apes!Man has Forever."

That's the wise thrush; he sings each song twice over,Lest you should think he never could recaptureThe first fine careless rapture!

You know, we French stormed Ratisbon.

Fear death?—to feel the fog in my throat,The mist in my face.

I sprang to the stirrup, and Joris, and he;I galloped, Dirck galloped, we galloped all three.

Then welcome each rebuffThat turns earth's smoothness rough,Each sting that bids nor sit nor stand, but go!Be our joys three parts pain!Strive, and hold cheap the strain;Learn, nor account the pang; dare, never grudge the throe!

Some unsuspected isle in far-off seas.

Look not thou down but up!

To me at least was never evening yet But seemed far beautifuller than its day.

The best way to escape His ireIs, not to seem too happy.

Therefore I summon ageTo grant youth's heritage.

Escape me?Never—Beloved!While I am I, and you are you.

He ventured neck or nothing—heaven's successFound, or earth's failure.

To dry one's eyes and laugh at a fall,And baffled, get up and begin again.

Rats!They fought the dogs and killed the cats,And bit the babies in the cradles,And ate the cheeses out of the vats,And licked the soup from the cooks' own ladles.

Only I discernInfinite passion, and the painOf finite hearts that yearn.