Love Among The Ruins
Where the quiet-coloured end of evening smiles,
Miles and miles
On the solitary pastures where our sheep
Half-asleep
Tinkle homeward thro’ the twilight, stray or stop
As they crop—
Was the site once of a city great and gay,
(So they say)
Of our country’s very capital, its prince
Ages since
Held his court in, gathered councils, wielding far
Peace or war.Now the country does not even boast a tree,
As you see,
To distinguish slopes of verdure, certain rills
From the hills
Intersect and give a name to, (else they run
Into one)
Where the domed and daring palace shot its spires
Up like fires
O’er the hundred-gated circuit of a wall
Bounding all
Made of marble, men might march on nor be prest
Twelve abreast.And such plenty and perfection, see, of grass
Never was!
Such a carpet as, this summer-time, o’er-spreads
And embeds
Every vestige of the city, guessed alone,
Stock or stone—
Where a multitude of men breathed joy and woe
Long ago;
Lust of glory pricked their hearts up, dread of shame
Struck them tame;
And that glory and that shame alike, the gold
Bought and sold.Now—the single little turret that remains
On the plains,
By the caper overrooted, by the gourd
Overscored,
While the patching houseleek’s head of blossom winks
Through the chinks—
Marks the basement whence a tower in ancient time
Sprang sublime,
And a burning ring, all round, the chariots traced
As they raced,
And the monarch and his minions and his dames
Viewed the games.And I know, while thus the quiet-coloured eve
Smiles to leave
To their folding, all our many-tinkling fleece
In such peace,
And the slopes and rills in undistinguished grey
Melt away—
That a girl with eager eyes and yellow hair
Waits me there
In the turret whence the charioteers caught soul
For the goal,
When the king looked, where she looks now, breathless, dumb
Till I come.But he looked upon the city, every side,
Far and wide,
All the mountains topped with temples, all the glades’
Colonnades,
All the causeys, bridges, aqueducts,—and then
All the men!
When I do come, she will speak not, she will stand,
Either hand
On my shoulder, give her eyes the first embrace
Of my face,
Ere we rush, ere we extinguish sight and speech
Each on each.In one year they sent a million fighters forth
South and North,
And they built their gods a brazen pillar high
As the sky
Yet reserved a thousand chariots in full force—
Gold, of course.
O heart! oh blood that freezes, blood that burns!
Earth’s returns
For whole centuries of folly, noise and sin!
Shut them in,
With their triumphs and their glories and the rest!
Love is best.
Summary of the Poem “Love Among The Ruins”
“Love Among the Ruins” is presented as a dramatic monologue attributed to Robert Browning. The poem portrays a pastoral landscape where sheep graze among the remains of a once-great city, inviting the reader to reflect on the rise and fall of empires, the fleeting nature of power, and the enduring power of love. The speaker imagines a beloved awaiting him in a lone turret, suggesting that true fulfillment is found in intimate connection rather than in grand displays of wealth or military might.
Central Idea
The central idea of “Love Among the Ruins” is a meditation on the transience of earthly power and the enduring significance of love. Browning (or the poet who wrote the piece) contrasts the impermanence of empires, wealth, and military might with the timeless quality of genuine human connection. While ambition and conquest are fleeting, love remains a constant source of meaning and fulfillment, even amid decay.
Key Knowledge Points
The poem is noted for its philosophical depth, evocative imagery, and skillful use of dramatic monologue. Understanding it requires recognizing the poet’s exploration of the human psyche, his interest in history and decay, and his emphasis on personal relationships. The poem invites readers to contemplate the lessons of the past and consider what truly matters in life.
Analysis of Poetic Devices in “Love Among the Ruins”
Browning (or the poet) employs various devices to bring the poem to life. The following sections highlight some of the key techniques used:
Imagery
The poet’s imagery is particularly striking. He paints vivid pictures that transport the reader to the ruined city:
- “Where the quiet-coloured end of evening smiles” – Evokes a peaceful, serene atmosphere, subtly contrasting with the city’s grand, yet faded, history.
- “Such a carpet as, this summer-time, o’er-spreads / And embeds / Every vestige of the city” – Highlights nature’s power to reclaim the man‑made, emphasizing decay and renewal.
- “The single little turret that remains / On the plains” – Focuses on the remnants of the past, underscoring loss and memory.
Enjambment
The poem frequently uses enjambment, continuing a sentence or phrase from one line to the next to create fluidity and momentum. For example:
“And I know, while thus the quiet-coloured eve
Smiles to leave
To their folding, all our many-tinkling fleece
In such peace,”
This technique mirrors natural speech rhythm, drawing the reader deeper into the speaker’s thoughts.
Symbolism
Several elements serve as symbols, representing larger ideas:
- The Ruins – Symbolize the impermanence of power, wealth, and ambition.
- The Single Turret – A lingering trace of past glory.
- The Shepherd and Sheep – Symbolize peace and tranquility, contrasting the city’s former vibrancy.
- The Waiting Lover – Represents the enduring power of love that transcends time and decay.
Dramatic Monologue
The poem is structured as a dramatic monologue, spoken by a single character who reveals thoughts and feelings to an implied audience. This allows the poet to explore the speaker’s inner world and offer a nuanced perspective on the poem’s themes.
Alliteration & Assonance
The poet employs alliteration and assonance to create musicality and emphasize certain phrases. For instance:
- Alliteration: “burns, blood that freezes” – Emphasizes powerful emotions.
- Assonance: “quiet-coloured eve” – Creates a soothing and reflective mood.
Analysis of the Poem’s Structure and Form
“Love Among the Ruins” consists of seven stanzas, each containing nine lines. The poem’s regular structure imparts order and control, even as the speaker contemplates the chaos of ruin. The rhyme scheme varies from stanza to stanza, contributing to the musical quality of the piece.
Themes Explored in “Love Among the Ruins”
The poem delves into several interconnected themes:
- The Transience of Power – Emphasizes the inevitability of decay in empires, cities, and ambitious projects.
- The Power of Nature – Depicts nature as a force that erases and renews, symbolizing life’s cyclical nature.
- The Enduring Power of Love – Contrasts fleeting power with timeless love, suggesting fulfillment lies in intimate connection.
- The Value of Memory – Uses ruins as reminders of the past, encouraging reflection on history’s lessons.
Notable Quotes and Their Significance
- “Love is best.” – Summarizes the poem’s central message, affirming love’s ultimate value.
- “O heart! oh blood that freezes, blood that burns! / Earth’s returns / For whole centuries of folly, noise and sin!” – Expresses the speaker’s disillusionment with human ambition.
- “And I know, while thus the quiet-coloured eve / Smiles to leave… / That a girl with eager eyes and yellow hair / Waits me there” – Highlights the contrast between past grandeur and present simple joys.
Conclusion
“Love Among the Ruins” invites readers to contemplate the fleeting nature of power, the beauty of nature, and the enduring power of love. Through evocative imagery, masterful use of poetic devices, and a nuanced exploration of human emotions, the poet crafts a timeless meditation on life, loss, and the search for meaning in a world of constant change.