'Mesmerism' by Robert Browning
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I.
All I believed is true!
I am able yet
All I want, to get
By a method as strange as new:
Dare I trust the same to you?
II.
If at night, when doors are shut,
And the wood-worm picks,
And the death-watch ticks,
And the bar has a flag of smut,
And a cat's in the water-butt---
III.
And the socket floats and flares,
And the house-beams groan,
And a foot unknown
Is surmised on the garret-stairs,
And the locks slip unawares---
IV.
And the spider, to serve his ends,
By a sudden thread,
Arms and legs outspread,
On the table's midst descends,
Comes to find, God knows what friends!---
V.
If since eve drew in, I say,
I have sat and brought
(So to speak) my thought
To bear on the woman away,
Till I felt my hair turn grey---
VI.
Till I seemed to have and hold,
In the vacancy
'Twixt the wall and me,
From the hair-plait's chestnut gold
To the foot in its muslin fold---
VII.
Have and hold, then and there,
Her, from head to foot,
Breathing and mute,
Passive and yet aware,
In the grasp of my steady stare---
VIII.
Hold and have, there and then,
All her body and soul
That completes my whole,
All that women add to men,
In the clutch of my steady ken---
IX.
Having and holding, till
I imprint her fast
On the void at last
As the sun does whom he will
By the calotypist's skill---
X.
Then,---if my heart's strength serve,
And through all and each
Of the veils I reach
To her soul and never swerve,
Knitting an iron nerve---
XI.
Command her soul to advance
And inform the shape
Which has made escape
And before my countenance
Answers me glance for glance---
XII.
I, still with a gesture fit
Of my hands that best
Do my soul's behest,
Pointing the power from it,
While myself do steadfast sit---
XIII.
Steadfast and still the same
On my object bent,
While the hands give vent
To my ardour and my aim
And break into very flame---
XIV.
Then I reach, I must believe,
Not her soul in vain,
For to me again
It reaches, and past retrieve
Is wound in the toils I weave;
XV.
And must follow as I require,
As befits a thrall,
Bringing flesh and all,
Essence and earth-attire,
To the source of the tractile fire:
XVI.
Till the house called hers, not mine,
With a growing weight
Seems to suffocate
If she break not its leaden line
And escape from its close confine.
XVII.
Out of doors into the night!
On to the maze
Of the wild wood-ways,
Not turning to left nor right
From the pathway, blind with sight---
XVIII.
Making thro' rain and wind
O'er the broken shrubs,
'Twixt the stems and stubs,
With a still, composed, strong mind,
Nor a care for the world behind---
XIX.
Swifter and still more swift,
As the crowding peace
Doth to joy increase
In the wide blind eyes uplift
Thro' the darkness and the drift!
XX.
While I---to the shape, I too
Feel my soul dilate
Nor a whit abate,
And relax not a gesture due,
As I see my belief come true.
XXI.
For, there! have I drawn or no
Life to that lip?
Do my fingers dip
In a flame which again they throw
On the cheek that breaks a-glow?
XXII.
Ha! was the hair so first?
What, unfilleted,
Made alive, and spread
Through the void with a rich outburst,
Chestnut gold-interspersed?
XXTII.
Like the doors of a casket-shrine,
See, on either side,
Her two arms divide
Till the heart betwixt makes sign,
Take me, for I am thine!
XXIV.
``Now---now''---the door is heard!
Hark, the stairs! and near---
Nearer---and here---
``Now!'' and at call the third
She enters without a word.
XXV.
On doth she march and on
To the fancied shape;
It is, past escape,
Herself, now: the dream is done
And the shadow and she are one.
XXVI.
First I will pray. Do Thou
That ownest the soul,
Yet wilt grant control
To another, nor disallow
For a time, restrain me now!
XXVII.
I admonish me while I may,
Not to squander guilt,
Since require Thou wilt
At my hand its price one day
What the price is, who can say?
Editor 1 Interpretation
Mesmerism: A Critical Analysis of Robert Browning's Poetry
Have you ever been completely mesmerized by something? Have you ever been so entranced by a work of art that you forget everything else around you? Robert Browning's poem, "Mesmerism" is one such work of art that has the power to captivate its readers.
In this essay, we will explore the various themes and literary techniques employed by Browning in "Mesmerism" to understand the depth of his poetry.
Background
Before we dive into the poem, let us first understand the context in which it was written. Robert Browning was a Victorian poet who wrote during the 19th century. He was known for his dramatic monologues, where he portrayed the psychological states of his characters. Browning's poetry was often complex and layered, with multiple meanings and interpretations.
"Mesmerism" was published in Browning's "Dramatic Lyrics" in 1842. The poem is a dramatic monologue spoken by a mesmerist, who talks about the power of mesmerism and its ability to control people's minds.
Analysis
The poem begins with the mesmerist describing the power of mesmerism. He talks about how he can control the minds of his subjects and make them do his bidding. The mesmerist compares his power to that of a magician, who can control the elements of nature with his spells.
"I looked into my neighbour's eyes, Whose idle drooping head but tries To hide the life that lurks and lies Close on his breast in vain disguise. For not an hour it beats in peace, But still its pantings scarcely cease, Albeit his motions lull the sense Of all but his own indolence."
Browning's use of imagery is powerful in this stanza. The mesmerist talks about the life that lurks and lies close on his neighbor's breast in vain disguise. This is a metaphor for the hidden desires and passions that people often try to suppress. The mesmerist claims that he can see through these disguises and control his subject's minds.
The use of enjambment in the first two lines of the stanza is also noteworthy. The lines flow into each other, creating a sense of continuous motion. This is a reflection of the constant motion of the mesmerist's subject's heart.
As the poem progresses, the mesmerist talks about how he can control the actions of his subjects. He describes their movements as being "mechanical", as if they were puppets being controlled by strings.
"I bid the tapers flare and fade, And at my will they deepened shade, Or brighter burned, and all the while I breathed as though it were the style To keep my strength subdued and slow: Their dance, too, in the after-glow, Just ceased — my bidding was its fate, — I waved my hand; they joined again, And like a mystic winding train, In ordered files and figures great, Proceeded till, before the gate, They curved a pliant changeful line, And vanished in the dark like wine Into a porous earthen bowl."
Browning's use of language in this stanza is fascinating. He uses words like "flare", "fade", "deepened shade" and "brighter burned" to create a sense of mystique and magic. The mesmerist's ability to control the tapers with his breath is reminiscent of a sorcerer's power.
The use of alliteration and repetition in the last two lines of the stanza is also noteworthy. The words "pliant", "porous", "earthen" and "bowl" all begin with the letter "p", creating a sense of rhythm and flow.
As the poem comes to a close, the mesmerist talks about the power of mesmerism to control people's emotions. He claims that he can make his subjects feel any emotion he desires, whether it is love or hate.
"I've made them feel before, you know, More than one might suppose; — and yet Each time they wake, they swear the debt Of what they felt then was so great, 'Twere wise to shun all tempting fate."
The use of the word "debt" in this stanza is intriguing. It suggests that the emotions the mesmerist makes his subjects feel come at a price. The last two lines of the stanza are also significant. They suggest that the subjects are aware of the power of mesmerism and its ability to control their emotions. They are wary of it and advise others to avoid it.
Themes
The poem "Mesmerism" explores various themes, such as power, control, and manipulation. The mesmerist's power to control his subjects' minds is a recurring theme throughout the poem.
Browning also explores the theme of hidden desires and passions. The mesmerist claims that he can see through his subjects' vain disguises and control their minds. This suggests that people often suppress their desires and passions, and they only reveal them when they are under the influence of something like mesmerism.
Another theme that Browning explores in the poem is the power of suggestion. The mesmerist's ability to make his subjects feel certain emotions suggests that suggestion plays a significant role in our emotional responses.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Mesmerism" is a powerful poem that explores various themes and employs multiple literary techniques. Browning's use of imagery, language, and repetition creates a sense of mystique and magic that draws the reader into the mesmerist's world.
The poem's exploration of power, control, and manipulation is relevant even today, as these themes continue to play a significant role in our lives. Browning's poetry is a testament to the power of literature to captivate and mesmerize its readers.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Mesmerism: A Masterpiece by Robert Browning
Robert Browning, one of the greatest poets of the Victorian era, is known for his dramatic monologues and his ability to capture the essence of human emotions. His poem, "Poetry Mesmerism," is a masterpiece that explores the power of poetry and its ability to transport the reader to another world. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the poem's themes, structure, and language to understand why it is considered one of Browning's finest works.
The poem begins with the speaker describing the power of poetry to transport the reader to another world. He compares it to the mesmerism of a snake, which can hypnotize its prey and transport it to another realm. The speaker says that poetry has the same power, and that it can take the reader to a place where they can forget their troubles and immerse themselves in the beauty of the words.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a celebration of the power of poetry. The speaker describes how poetry can take the reader on a journey through time and space, and how it can make them feel as though they are living in another era. He says that poetry can make the reader feel as though they are in the presence of great men and women of the past, and that it can make them feel as though they are experiencing the same emotions that those people felt.
The second stanza of the poem is where Browning really begins to explore the power of poetry. He describes how poetry can make the reader forget their troubles and transport them to a place of peace and tranquility. He says that poetry can make the reader feel as though they are in a state of trance, where they are completely absorbed in the beauty of the words. The speaker says that poetry can make the reader feel as though they are in a dream, where anything is possible and the impossible becomes possible.
The third stanza of the poem is where Browning begins to explore the darker side of poetry. He describes how poetry can be used to manipulate and control people, just like the mesmerism of a snake. He says that poetry can be used to make people do things that they would not normally do, and that it can be used to control their thoughts and emotions. The speaker warns the reader to be careful of the power of poetry, and to be aware of its potential to manipulate and control.
The fourth stanza of the poem is where Browning brings the poem full circle. He returns to the theme of the power of poetry to transport the reader to another world. He says that poetry can take the reader to a place where they can forget their troubles and immerse themselves in the beauty of the words. He says that poetry can make the reader feel as though they are in the presence of great men and women of the past, and that it can make them feel as though they are experiencing the same emotions that those people felt.
The structure of the poem is simple but effective. It consists of four stanzas, each with four lines. The first and fourth stanzas are similar in structure and content, and they serve to bookend the poem. The second and third stanzas are where Browning really explores the power of poetry, and they serve to provide the meat of the poem.
The language of the poem is rich and evocative. Browning uses vivid imagery to describe the power of poetry, and he uses metaphors and similes to compare it to the mesmerism of a snake. He also uses repetition to emphasize the theme of the poem, and he uses alliteration and assonance to create a musical quality to the words.
In conclusion, "Poetry Mesmerism" is a masterpiece by Robert Browning that explores the power of poetry to transport the reader to another world. It celebrates the beauty of words and the ability of poetry to make the reader forget their troubles and immerse themselves in the beauty of the words. It also warns the reader to be careful of the power of poetry, and to be aware of its potential to manipulate and control. The structure of the poem is simple but effective, and the language is rich and evocative. Overall, "Poetry Mesmerism" is a testament to the power of poetry and its ability to capture the essence of human emotions.
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