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My Last Duchess:My Last Duchess
``` My Last Duchess:
That's my last Duchess painted on the wall, Looking as if she were alive. I call That piece a wonder, now: Fra Pandolf's hands Worked busily a day, and there she stands. Will't please you sit and look at her? I said "Fra Pandolf" by design, for never read Strangers like you that pictured countenance, The depth and passion of its earnest glance, But to myself they turned (since none puts by The curtain I have drawn for you, but I) And seemed as they would ask me, if they durst, How such a glance came there; so, not the first Are you to turn and ask, Sir, 'twas not Of joy into the Duchess' cheek; perhaps Fra Pandolf chanced to say "Her mantle laps Over my lady's wrist too much," or "Paint Must never hope to reproduce the faint Half-flush that dies along her throat:" such stuff Was courtesy, she thought, and cause enough For calling up that spot of joy. She had A heart - how shall I say? - too soon made glad, Too easily impressed; she liked whate'er She looked on, and her looks went everywhere.
Sir, 'twas all one! My favour at her breast, The dropping of the daylight in the West, The bough of cherries some officious fool Broke in the orchard for her, while mule The duke rode round the terrace - all and each Would draw from her alike the approving speech. Or blush, at least. She thanked men, good! but thanked Somehow - I know not how - her parents' name With anybody's gift. Who'd stoop to blame This sort of trifling? Even had you skill In speech - (which I have not) - to make your will Quite clear to such an one, and say, "Just this Or that in you disgusts me; here you miss, Or there exceed the mark" - and if she let Herself be lessoned so, nor plainly set Her wits to yours, forsooth, and made excuse, E'en then would be some stopping; and I choose Never to stoop. Oh, sir, she smiled, no doubt, Whene'er I passed her; but who passed without Much the same smile? This grew; I gave commands; Then all smiles stopped together. There she stands As if alive. Will't please you rise? We'll meet The company below, then. I repeat, The Count your master's known munificence Is ample warrant that no just pretence Of mine for dowry will be disallowed; Though his fair daughter's self, as I avowed At starting, is my object. Nay, we'll go Together down, sir. Notice Neptune, though, Taming a sea-horse, thought a rarity, Which Claus of Innsbruck cast in bronze for me!
Robert Browning
(1812-1889) ```
My Last Duchess:
This is my last Duchess depicted on the wall, She looks as if she is alive. I refer to This artwork as a marvel, now: Fra Pandolf's hands Worked diligently for a day, and there she is. Would you please sit and gaze at her? I said "Fra Pandolf" intentionally, for never have I read Strangers like you who captured that expression, The depth and intensity of its sincere gaze, But they turned to me (since no one puts aside The curtain I have drawn for you, but I) And appeared to want to ask me, if they dared, How such a gaze came to be; so, you are not the first To turn and inquire, Sir, it was not Of joy in the Duchess' cheek; perhaps Fra Pandolf happened to say "Her cloak covers My lady's wrist too much," or "Paint Can never hope to replicate the subtle Half-blush that fades along her throat:" such remarks Were mere politeness, she thought, and sufficient reason For bringing forth that hint of joy. She possessed A heart - how can I express it? - too quickly made happy, Too easily influenced; she appreciated whatever She gazed upon, and her glances wandered everywhere.
Sir, it was all the same! My favor at her chest, The setting sun in the West, The branch of cherries some eager fool Broke in the orchard for her, while the mule The duke rode around the terrace - all and each Would elicit from her the same approving words. Or at least a blush. She expressed gratitude to men, indeed! but expressed Somehow - I cannot say how - her parents' name With anyone's gift. Who would stoop to criticize This kind of triviality? Even if you had skill In speaking - (which I do not) - to clarify your desires Clearly to such a person, and say, "Just this Or that in you offends me; here you fail, Or there you exceed the standard" - and if she allowed Herself to be taught so, nor clearly aligned Her intellect with yours, indeed, and made excuses, Even then there would be some stopping; and I choose Never to lower myself. Oh, sir, she smiled, no doubt, Whenever I passed her; but who passed without Much the same smile? This developed; I issued commands; Then all smiles ceased together. There she is As if alive. Would you please stand? We'll join The company below, then. I reiterate, The Count your master's known generosity Is ample assurance that no just claim Of mine for dowry will be rejected; Though his fair daughter herself, as I declared At the beginning, is my aim. No, we will go Down together, sir. Notice Neptune, though, Taming a sea-horse, considered a rarity, Which Claus of Innsbruck cast in bronze for me!
Robert Browning
(1812-1889)