R421200A. Bells & Pomegranates III, Dramatic Lyrics.

The Monthly Review, December 1842, p. 551.

Addendum to The Brownings’ Correspondence, vol. 6.

We have only had a moment’s time to glance at these Poems, which Mr. Browning in an advertisement says, come properly enough, he supposes, under the head of Dramatic Pieces; “being, though for the most part Lyric in expression, always Dramatic in principle, and so many utterances of so many imaginary persons, not mine.” Even these few words, however, will show to our readers that his usually quaint manner has not been departed from in these pieces. We quote a portion of one of the more intelligible and impressive of them, entitled “Madhouse Cells.” It has strength and great earnestness:—

There’s Heaven above, and night by night

I look right through its gorgeous roof;

No suns and moons though e’er so bright

Avail to stop me; splendor-proof

I keep the broods of stars aloof:

For I intend to get to God,

For ’tis to God I speed so fast,

For in God’s breast, my own abode,

Those shoals of dazzling glory past,

I lay my spirit down at last.

I lie where I have always lain.

God smiles as he has always smiled;

Ere suns and moons could wax and wane,

Ere stars were thundergirt, or piled

The Heavens, God thought on me his child,

Ordained a life for me, arrayed

Its circumstances, every one

To the minutest; ay, God said

This head this hand should rest upon

Thus ere he fashioned star or sun.

Reviewed:

Bells & Pomegranates. No. III. Dramatic Lyrics (RB), London: Edward Moxon, 1842.

___________________