Men and Women (Browning)/Volume 1/The Last Ride Together
For works with similar titles, see The Last Ride Together.
THE LAST RIDE TOGETHER.
1.I said—Then, dearest, since 'tis so,Since now at length my fate I know,Since nothing all my love avails,Since all my life seemed meant for, fails,Since this was written and needs must be—My whole heart rises up to blessYour name in pride and thankfulness!Take back the hope you gave,—I claimOnly a memory of the same,—And this beside, if you will not blame,Your leave for one more last ride with me.
2.My mistress bent that brow of hers,Those deep dark eyes where pride demursWhen pity would be softening through,Fixed me a breathing-while or twoWith life or death in the balance—Right!The blood replenished me again:My last thought was at least not vain.I and my mistress, side by sideShall be together, breathe and ride,So one day more am I deified.Who knows but the world may end to-night?
3.Hush! if you saw some western cloudAll billowy-bosomed, over-bowedBy many benedictions—sun'sAnd moon's and evening-star's at once— And so, you, looking and loving best,Conscious grew, your passion drewCloud, sunset, moonrise, star-shine tooDown on you, near and yet more near,Till flesh must fade for heaven was here!—Thus leant she and lingered—joy and fear!Thus lay she a moment on my breast.
4.Then we began to ride. My soulSmoothed itself out, a long-cramped scrollFreshening and fluttering in the wind.Past hopes already lay behind.What need to strive with a life awry?Had I said that, had I done this,So might I gain, so might I miss.Might she have loved me? just as wellShe might have hated,—who can tell?Where had I been now if the worst befell?And here we are riding, she and I.
5.Fail I alone, in words and deeds?Why, all men strive and who succeeds?We rode; it seemed my spirit flew,Saw other regions, cities new,As the world rushed by on either side.I thought, All labour, yet no lessBear up beneath their unsuccess.Look at the end of work, contrastThe petty Done the Undone vast,This present of theirs with the hopeful past!I hoped she would love me. Here we ride.
6.What hand and brain went ever paired?What heart alike conceived and dared?What act proved all its thought had been?What will but felt the fleshly screen? We ride and I see her bosom heave.There's many a crown for who can reach.Ten lines, a statesman's life in each!The flag stuck on a heap of bones,A soldier's doing! what atones?They scratch his name on the Abbey-stones.My riding is better, by their leave.
7.What does it all mean, poet? well,Your brain's beat into rhythm—you tellWhat we felt only; you expressedYou hold things beautiful the best,And pace them in rhyme so, side by side.'Tis something, nay 'tis much—but then,Have you yourself what's best for men?Are you—poor, sick, old ere your time—Nearer one whit your own sublimeThan we who never have turned a rhyme?Sing, riding's a joy! For me, I ride.
8. And you, great sculptor—so you gaveA score of years to art, her slave,And that's your Venus—whence we turnTo yonder girl that fords the burn!You acquiesce and shall I repine?What, man of music, you, grown greyWith notes and nothing else to say,Is this your sole praise from a friend,"Greatly his opera's strains intend,"But in music we know how fashions end!"I gave my youth—but we ride, in fine.
9.Who knows what's fit for us? Had fateProposed bliss here should sublimateMy being; had I signed the bond—Still one must lead some life beyond, —Have a bliss to die with, dim-descried.This foot once planted on the goal,This glory-garland round my soul,Could I descry such? Try and test!I sink back shuddering from the quest—Earth being so good, would Heaven seem best?Now, Heaven and she are beyond this ride.
10.And yet—she has not spoke so long!What if Heaven be, that, fair and strongAt life's best, with our eyes upturnedWhither life's flower is first discerned,We, fixed so, ever should so abide?What if we still ride on, we two,With life for ever old yet new,Changed not in kind but in degree,The instant made eternity,—And Heaven just prove that I and sheRide, ride together, for ever ride?