The Jealous Husband by Robert Browning :: essays research papers

The Jealous HusbandThats my last Duchess painted on the wall,Looking as if she were alive. I jawThat piece a wonder, now Fr Pandolfs handsWorked busily a day, and there she stands.5 Willt please you sit and look at her? I tellFr Pandolf by design, for never readStrangers like you that pictured countenance,The depth and passion of its earnest glance,But to myself they turned (since none puts by10 The provide I have drawn for you, but I)And seemed as they would require me, if they durst,How such a glance came there so, not the firstAre you to turn and ask thus. Sir, twas not Her husbands presence only, called that spot15 Of joy into the Duchesss cheek perhapsFr Pandolf chanced to say Her mantle lapsOver my ladys wrist too much, or Paintmoldiness never hope to reproduce the faint Half-flush that dies along her throat such stuff20 Was courtesy, she thought, and cause enoughFor calling up that spot of joy. She hadA nerve&8212how shall I say?&8212too soon made glad,Too easily impress ed she liked whateerShe looked on, and her looks went everywhere.25 Sir, twas all one My favor at her breast,The dropping of the daylight in the West,The bough of cherries some officious foolBroke in the orchard for her, the white muleShe rode with round the terrace&8212all and each30 Would draw from her alike the approving speech,Or blush, at least. She thanked men&8212good but thankedSomehow&8212I know not how&8212as if she rankedMy show of a nine-hundred-years-old nameWith anybodys gift. Whod stoop to blame35 This sort of trifling? Even had you skillIn speech&8212(which I have not)&8212to make your leaveQuite clear to such an one, and say, Just thisOr that in you disgust me here you miss,Or there exceed the mark&8212and if she let40 Herself be lessoned so, nor plainly bandingHer wits to yours, forsooth, and made excuse&8211Een then would be some stooping and I choose Never to stoop. Oh sir, she smiled, no doubt,Wheneer I passed her but who passed without45 more than the same smile? This grew I gave commandsThen all smiles stopped together. There she stands As if alive. Willt please you rise? Well meetThe company below, then. I repeat,The Count your masters cognize munificence50 Is ample warrant that no just pretenseOf mine for dowry will be disallowedThough his fair daughters self, as I avowedAt starting, is my object. Nay, well goTogether down, sir. Notice Neptune, though,55 Taming a sea horse, thought a rarity,