The Poetical Works of Robert Browning (Volume 10); The Ring and the Book (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1889. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... Master of the whole world of such as you, -- I, boast such passions? T was "Suppress them straight "Or stay, we '11 pick and choose before destroy. "Here 's wrath in you, a serviceable sword, -- "Beat it into a ploughshare What 's this long 1510 "Lance-like ambition? Forge a pruning-hook, "May be of service when our vines grow tall "But -- sword use sword wise, spear thrust out as spear? "Anathema Suppression is the word " My nature, when the outrage was too gross, I5I5 Widened itself an outlet over-wide By way of answer, sought its own relief With more of fire and brimstone than you wished. your own doing: preachers, blame yourselves 'T is I preach while the hour-glass runs and runs 1520 God keep me patient All I say just means -- My wife proved, whether by her fault or mine, --' That 's immaterial, -- a true stumbling-block I' the way of me her husband. I but plied The hatchet yourselves use to clear a path, 1525 Was politic, played the game you warrant wins, Plucked at law's robe a-rustle through the courts, Bowed down to kiss divinity's buckled shoe Cushioned i' the church: efforts all wide the aim Procedures to no purpose Then flashed truth. 1530 The letter kills, the spirit keeps alive In law and gospel: there be nods and winks Instruct a wise man to assist himself In certain matters, nor seek aid at all. "Ask money of me,"--quoth the clownish saw, -- 1535 "And take my purse But, --speaking with respect, -- "Need you a solace for the troubled nose? "Let everybody wipe his own himself " Sirs, tell me free and fair Had things gone well At the wayside inn: had I surprised asleep 1540 The runaways, as was so probable, And pinned them each to other partridge-wise, Through back and breast to breast and back, then bade Bystanders witness if the spit, my s...