Robert Browning (1812-1889 / London / England)

This is an emotive and beautiful poem. When I first read it I didn't think too much of it to be honest, however after a few readings it grew very much on me! Without being as verbose as others in this thread, I'd like to say it is really very good, very sad, very true to life and the pursuit of unacquainted love.

Love the poem, I will be looking into some of his other work as well.

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Browning is rarely at his best in these short pieces. He doesn't have the rhythmic fluidity and lyrical limpidity of Tennyson to impart to his poetic statements the semantic and emotive clarity of meaning required in such short non-discursive non-dramatic sketches.Even here Browning's quality of many-leveled meaningful interpretations and references are quite noticeable.. In this he excels all others in his full length works.

oh! great poem amazing shown of LOve and commitment! ! ! ! !
Only a few can feel that way and act in consecuence.
Only a poet can claim it that way! ! !

I loved first three and last three lines.

love collects many notions... maybe it was created just not to name each alone. although each person has one`s set of the notions... as for me love is a deep respect and trust towards a person i feel sexual attraction. and all the emotions can be found in this poem

This poem is an example of his philosophy that arc in the world becomes full circle in heaven! Nice and wonderful, simple, typical poem of Browning you have given an opportunity to read and enjoy once again!

Well, show me a man, didn't love at all...To be born, means, to love and be loved...But whom to love, and whom not? This is the question...

The speaker is a lover obsessed with the object of his desire. For the purpose of explication, I assume it's a male, like so many of Browning's characters. And like so many of the driven characters in Browning's poetry, there is much to admire in his endless pursuit. He knows that his loved one has rejected him for good and all, but he 'dries his eyes and laughs at a fall' and rises for another go at the golden ring. 'Escape me? /Never-/Beloved! ' The irony lies in the fact that though 'the chase takes up one's life, ' better that than a life spent without hope-indeed, as he says, 'I shape me- /Ever /Removed! ' Perhaps self-knowledge is 'starkly terrifying' for some, but for others it is life itself!

'Andrea Del Sarto' portrays a soul in similar distress, a frustrated painter who says at one point- 'I regret little, I would change still less, /Since there my past life lies, why alter it? ' One who has shaped his life for good or ill bears no ill will no matter the outcome. His reach must exceed his grasp!

In this piece, life, fate, destiny and confusion all came face to face...nice articulation.