For love is the essence of force, and does not spring from
effeminate weakness or febrile delicacy. Any painter can cover a huge
canvas, but, as has been observed, only the strong hand can do the
fine and tender work. To discuss at length the love-poems of
Browning would take us far beyond the limits of this volume; but
certain of the dramatic lyrics may be selected to illustrate salient
characteristics. As various poets in making portraits emphasise what
is to them the most expressive features, the eyes or the lips, so
Browning, the poet of the mind, loves best of all in his women and
men, the Brow.
In _Evelyn Hope_,
And the sweet white brow is all of her.
In _The Last Ride Together_,
My mistress bent that brow of hers.
In _By the Fireside_,
Reading by firelight, that great brow
And the spirit-small hand propping it.
In _The Statue and the Bust_,
Hair in heaps lay heavily
Over a pale brow spirit-pure.
In _Count Gismond_,
They, too, so beauteous! Each a queen
By virtue of her brow and breast.
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