Which?

By Robert Browning

Narrative Poem
    So, the three Court-ladies began     Their trial of who judged best     In esteeming the love of a man:     Who preferred with most reason was thereby confessed     Boy-Cupids exemplary catcher and cager;     An Abb crossed legs to decide on the wager.     First the Duchesse: Mine for me,     Who were it but Gods for Him,     And the Kings for who but he?     Both faithful and loyal, one grace more shall brim     His cup with perfection: a ladys true lover,     He holds, save his God and his king, none above her.     I require, outspoke the Marquise,     Pure thoughts, ay, but also fine deeds:     Play the paladin must he, to please     My whim, and, to prove my knights service exceeds     Your saints and your loyalists praying and kneeling,     Show wounds, each wide mouth to my mercy appealing.     Then the Comtesse: My choice be a wretch,     Mere losel in body and soul,     Thrice accurst! What care I, so he stretch     Arms to me his sole savior, loves ultimate goal,     Out of earth and mens noise, names of infidel, traitor.     Cast up at him? Crown me, crowns adjudicator!     And the Abb uncrossed his legs,     Took snuff, a reflective pinch,     Broke silence: The question begs     Much pondering ere I pronounce. Shall I flinch?     The love which to one and one only has reference     Seems terribly like what perhaps gains Gods preference.

Share & Analyze This Poem

Spread the beauty of poetry or dive deeper into analysis

Analyze This Poem

Discover the literary devices, structure, and deeper meaning

Copy to Clipboard

Save this poem for personal use or sharing offline

Share the Love of Poetry
More Poems
More Narrative Poems
Daily Poem

Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This intriguing narrative poem unfolds in a courtly setting, exploring the diverse perspectives of three court ladies on the ideal love of a man. The poem has a distinctly dramatic tone, with the three women - a Duchesse, a Marquise, and a Comtesse - expressing their ideals of love, which range from loyalty and faithfulness, heroism and chivalry, to a love that redeems and saves. The narrative is woven together by an observing Abbé, who acts as a mediator and offers his concluding thoughts on the women's deliberations.

The poem's structure creates a neat and engaging progression, with each woman's perspective followed by the next, leading to the Abbé's final judgment. This offers a sense of debate and deliberation, contributing to the dramatic atmosphere. The use of archaic language and courtly references places the poem in a historical or fantastical context, adding depth to its thematic exploration of love. A standout literary device is the vivid personification of love, such as the "Boy-Cupids" or a "wretch" needing salvation. This lends a passionate and emotive quality to the characters' perspectives on love. The Abbé's concluding remarks point towards a more spiritual or divine view of love, suggesting that the most ideal love could be one that is singular and all-encompassing, much like divine love.

Exploring Narrative Poetry

Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.

Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Structured Plot: Narrative poems typically have a clear beginning, middle, and end, following a plot that might involve conflict, climax, and resolution, much like a short story or novel.
  • Character Development: Characters in narrative poems are often well-developed, with distinct voices and personalities that drive the story forward.
  • Descriptive Language: The language used in narrative poetry is vivid and descriptive, painting a clear picture of the scenes and events, while also conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the story.

From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.