Step into a world where ancient grandeur meets quiet contemplation, as we delve into Robert Browning’s poignant poem, “Love Among The Ruins”. This remarkable work invites readers to ponder the echoes of history and the enduring power of human connection. Prepare to explore its rich layers of meaning, its masterful use of language, and its timeless message.
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.
Love Among The Ruins: A Comprehensive Guide
Summary of the Poem
“Love Among The Ruins” by Robert Browning presents a dramatic monologue delivered by a speaker reflecting on a pastoral landscape. This tranquil scene, where sheep graze peacefully, was once the site of a magnificent, bustling city, a capital of great power and wealth. The speaker contrasts the vanished glory of this ancient empire with the quiet beauty of the present moment. Amidst the remnants of past grandeur, a single turret stands, where the speaker’s beloved awaits. The poem concludes with the speaker’s profound realization that personal love and intimate connection far outweigh the fleeting triumphs of empires, wealth, and military might.
Central Idea of “Love Among The Ruins”
The central idea of “Love Among The Ruins” is a powerful meditation on the transience of earthly power and the enduring, ultimate significance of love. Browning masterfully contrasts the impermanence of human ambition, conquest, and material wealth with the timeless and deeply fulfilling nature of genuine human connection. While grand civilizations rise and fall, leaving only ruins behind, love remains a constant, providing true meaning and solace amidst the inevitable decay of all things temporal.
Noteworthy Insights into the Poem
This poem is celebrated for its philosophical depth, its evocative imagery, and its masterful execution as a dramatic monologue. Readers will discover Browning’s keen interest in history, the cyclical nature of civilizations, and the profound workings of the human psyche. The poem encourages contemplation on what truly holds value in life, inviting a reevaluation of priorities in a world often preoccupied with external achievements. Its unique structure and musicality also contribute significantly to its lasting appeal, making it a memorable piece in the landscape of English poetry.
In-Depth Analysis of “Love Among The Ruins”
The Dramatic Monologue
Browning is renowned for his dramatic monologues, and “Love Among The Ruins” stands as a prime example. In this form, a single speaker addresses an implied listener, revealing their character, thoughts, and feelings through their words. This technique allows for a deeply personal and nuanced exploration of the poem’s themes.
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
The speaker’s voice guides the reader through the ruined landscape, sharing both historical observations and intimate personal anticipation. This creates a sense of immediacy and draws the audience directly into the speaker’s reflective journey and emotional state.
Structure, Meter, and Rhyme Scheme
“Love Among The Ruins” is composed of seven stanzas, each containing nine lines. The poem exhibits a highly distinctive and consistent rhyme scheme: AABB CDDCC. This regular pattern contributes significantly to the poem’s musicality and memorable quality.
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
The poem also employs a unique metrical structure, alternating between longer and shorter lines. The first line of each couplet is typically longer, followed by a much shorter, often two-syllable line. This creates a distinctive, almost breathless rhythm, mimicking the speaker’s contemplative pauses and the gentle, repetitive sounds of the pastoral scene. The short lines, such as “Miles and miles” and “Half-asleep,” emphasize key images and contribute to the poem’s lyrical flow, making it particularly engaging to read aloud.
Vivid Imagery
Browning’s use of imagery is exceptionally rich, painting detailed pictures that transport the reader to the poem’s setting and evoke strong emotions. The contrast between past and present is often highlighted through these sensory details.
- Past Grandeur: Images of the ancient city convey its former magnificence.
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.These lines conjure a vision of immense scale, architectural ambition, and military power, emphasizing the city’s once formidable presence.
- Present Decay and Nature’s Reclamation: The current state of the ruins is depicted with a sense of quiet triumph for nature.
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—The image of grass as a “carpet” that “o’er-spreads / And embeds / Every vestige” powerfully illustrates nature’s ability to reclaim and erase human endeavors, reducing grand structures to mere “stock or stone.”
- The Lone Turret: A specific image that bridges past and present.
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—This detailed imagery of the turret, overgrown with plants, emphasizes its isolation and the slow, persistent work of nature, yet it also serves as a beacon for the speaker’s personal hope.
Powerful Symbolism
Several elements within the poem function as potent symbols, enriching its thematic depth.
- The Ruins: These are the most prominent symbols, representing the inevitable impermanence of human power, wealth, and ambition. They stand as a stark reminder that even the grandest civilizations eventually succumb to time and decay.
- Nature (Grass, Sheep, Evening): Nature, particularly the “quiet-coloured end of evening” and the “plenty and perfection… of grass,” symbolizes enduring peace, timelessness, and a reclaiming force that is indifferent to human endeavors. The grazing sheep further enhance this image of tranquility and simple existence.
- The Single Turret: This isolated structure symbolizes a lingering trace of past glory, yet it is also transformed into a focal point for the speaker’s present and future. It becomes a sanctuary for love amidst the desolation.
- The Waiting Girl: She embodies the enduring power of love, personal connection, and the present moment. Her presence contrasts sharply with the historical grandeur and represents the true source of fulfillment for the speaker.
Striking Juxtaposition and Contrast
A fundamental literary device in “Love Among The Ruins” is the extensive use of juxtaposition and contrast, which highlights the poem’s central themes.
- Past Grandeur vs. Present Decay: The entire poem is built upon this contrast, moving between descriptions of a magnificent ancient city and its current state as a desolate, grassy plain.
Was the site once of a city great and gay,
(So they say)
Of our country’s very capital…
Now the country does not even boast a tree,
As you see,This stark comparison underscores the fleeting nature of human achievements.
- Public Ambition vs. Private Love: The poem contrasts the “lust of glory” and “dread of shame” that drove the ancient city’s inhabitants with the speaker’s anticipation of an intimate, personal encounter.
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.…
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.The poem suggests that the grand, public pursuits of power and wealth are ultimately hollow compared to the profound satisfaction found in private, loving relationships.
- Noise and Sin vs. Quiet Peace: The ancient city is characterized by “folly, noise and sin,” while the present landscape is one of “quiet-coloured end of evening” and “peace.” This contrast emphasizes the speaker’s preference for tranquility and genuine connection over the chaotic pursuits of the past.
Musical Sound Devices
Browning skillfully employs various sound devices to enhance the poem’s musicality and emotional impact.
- Alliteration: The repetition of initial consonant sounds creates emphasis and rhythm.
Where the quiet-coloured end of evening smiles,
domed and daring palace
monarch and his minions
These examples draw attention to specific words and create a pleasing auditory effect.
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds within words creates a sense of internal rhyme and musicality.
Where the quiet-coloured end of evening smiles,
The long ‘e’ and ‘i’ sounds contribute to the serene and reflective mood of the opening lines.
- Enjambment: The continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause creates fluidity and momentum, mirroring natural speech and drawing the reader deeper into the speaker’s thoughts. This technique is prevalent throughout the poem, as seen in the very first stanza where thoughts flow seamlessly across lines.
Themes Explored in “Love Among The Ruins”
The Transience of Earthly Power and Glory
A primary theme is the inevitable decay and disappearance of even the most powerful human empires and achievements. The poem vividly contrasts the “city great and gay” with its present state as a mere “site,” overgrown with grass. This serves as a powerful reminder that all human endeavors, no matter how grand, are ultimately subject to the relentless march of time.
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!
The speaker’s lament over “whole centuries of folly, noise and sin” underscores the futility of ambition driven by power and wealth, as these triumphs are ultimately swallowed by the earth.
The Enduring Power of Love
This theme stands as the poem’s ultimate message. In direct contrast to the fleeting nature of empires, love is presented as a timeless and supreme value. The speaker’s anticipation of his beloved in the lone turret symbolizes that true fulfillment and meaning are found not in external grandeur, but in intimate human connection.
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.…
Love is best.
The final declaration, “Love is best,” encapsulates the poem’s core philosophy, affirming love’s ultimate triumph over all other human pursuits.
Nature’s Reclamation and Timelessness
Nature is depicted as a powerful, indifferent, and ultimately victorious force. It silently reclaims the ruins of human civilization, covering them with “plenty and perfection… of grass.” This highlights nature’s cyclical nature and its enduring presence, contrasting with the temporary existence of human constructs.
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)
The peaceful, “quiet-coloured end of evening” and the grazing sheep further emphasize nature’s serene and constant rhythm, undisturbed by the rise and fall of human empires.
The Contrast of Public and Private Life
The poem draws a clear distinction between the public spectacle of ancient power, with its kings, chariots, and “million fighters,” and the private, intimate world of the speaker’s personal love. The grand, often violent, pursuits of the city are juxtaposed with the quiet, tender anticipation of a loving embrace.
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.
This contrast suggests that true value lies in the personal, emotional connections that define private life, rather than the fleeting glories of public display.
Conclusion
“Love Among The Ruins” stands as a profound and beautifully crafted poem that continues to resonate with readers. Through its evocative imagery, distinctive structure, and masterful use of literary devices, Robert Browning invites contemplation on the grand sweep of history and the intimate depths of human experience. The poem’s enduring message is a powerful affirmation that while empires may crumble and glory may fade, the quiet, steadfast power of love remains the most precious and lasting treasure in a world of constant change.