“The Last Ride Together” by Robert Browning is a dramatic monologue that explores themes of love, fate, and the meaning of life. It is spoken by a man who knows his love will not be reciprocated, yet he finds a bittersweet solace in the moment. The poem reflects on the complexities of love and life’s fleeting nature, contrasting the speaker’s experience with various other forms of achievement and ambition.
Introduction:
The poem is a reflection on a final, intimate ride between the speaker and his lover. The speaker knows that the love is unreturned, but he cherishes the present moment, as he is aware it might be the last time he experiences this connection. This ride becomes a symbol of his acceptance of fate and the passage of time.
SUMMARY
“The Last Ride Together” by Robert Browning is a dramatic monologue in which the speaker reflects on the end of a romantic relationship. Although his love is unreturned, he cherishes the final moments he has with his lover. The poem explores themes of love, fate, ambition, and the passage of time.
The speaker accepts the reality that his love has not been reciprocated, but he asks for one last ride together as a final memory. During the ride, he reflects on his life, the futility of ambition, and the fleeting nature of human effort. He compares the ride to the accomplishments of others, such as poets, soldiers, and musicians, and concludes that the joy he feels in this final moment is more valuable than any material success.
As the ride continues, the speaker imagines eternal unity with his lover, transcending time and experiencing eternal bliss. The poem ends with the hope that their love will continue forever, symbolized by the eternal ride they take together.
The poem expresses the idea that, despite the passing of time and unfulfilled desires, love in its purest form can provide a lasting sense of fulfillment and transcendence.
Themes:
- Love and Loss: The poem explores the joy and sorrow of love, capturing a moment of final intimacy between the speaker and his lover.
- The Passage of Time: The speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of time, contemplating both life’s regrets and its moments of beauty.
- Ambition and Fulfillment: Browning contrasts the fleeting satisfaction of fame and achievement with the lasting joy found in personal, intimate experiences.
- Eternal Love: The idea of love transcending time is explored in the final stanza, where the speaker envisions eternal unity with his lover.
Conclusion:
“The Last Ride Together” presents a reflection on love, human struggle, and the fleeting nature of life’s moments. The speaker accepts the impermanence of his love and finds solace in the present, longing for a sense of unity and fulfillment in the brief time they have together. Through vivid imagery and philosophical reflection, Robert Browning creates a moving meditation on the meaning of life and love.
Stanza 1:
“I SAID—Then, dearest, since ’tis so,
Since now at length my fate I know,
Since nothing all my love avails,
Since all, my life seem’d meant for, fails,
Since this was written and needs must be—
My whole heart rises up to bless
Your name in pride and thankfulness!
Take back the hope you gave,—I claim
Only a memory of the same,
—And this beside, if you will not blame;
Your leave for one more last ride with me.”
- Explanation: The speaker begins by acknowledging the end of the relationship, stating that he now understands his fate. Despite his unrequited love, he expresses gratitude for the love he once received. He asks for one final request: to ride together one last time, requesting nothing more than the memory of their time together.
- Word meanings:
- “Fate” refers to the inevitable course of events.
- “Avails” means to be of use or benefit.
- “Deified” means treated as a god.
Stanza 2:
“My mistress bent that brow of hers,
Those deep dark eyes where pride demurs
When pity would be softening through,
Fix’d me a breathing-while or two
With life or death in the balance: right!
The blood replenish’d me again;
My last thought was at least not vain:
I and my mistress, side by side
Shall be together, breathe and ride,
So, one day more am I deified.
Who knows but the world may end to-night?”
- Explanation: The speaker describes his mistress’s reaction to his request. She gazes at him with a mix of pride and pity. In this moment, he feels revitalized and as though he is being elevated to a divine status. The thought of their last ride together feels like a celebration of their love. He even wonders if the world might end that very night, making this ride even more significant.
- Word meanings:
- “Demurs” means hesitates or shows reluctance.
- “Deified” means treated with divine status.
Stanza 3:
“Hush! if you saw some western cloud
All billowy-bosom’d, over-bow’d
By many benedictions—sun’s
And moon’s and evening-star’s at once—
And so, you, looking and loving best,
Conscious grew, your passion drew
Cloud, sunset, moonrise, star-shine too,
Down on you, near and yet more near,
Till flesh must fade for heaven was here!—
Thus leant she and linger’d—joy and fear!
Thus lay she a moment on my breast.”
- Explanation: The speaker imagines a moment of heavenly beauty, comparing it to the sensation of being in love. He describes how the world around them seems to transform into a heavenly scene, filled with light and passion. The mistress leans on him, blending joy and fear, as they enjoy the closeness of their final ride.
- Word meanings:
- “Benedictions” means blessings.
- “Bosom’d” refers to something that is full or rounded, like a cloud.
- “Linger’d” means stayed or delayed.
Stanza 4:
“Then we began to ride. My soul
Smooth’d itself out, a long-cramp’d scroll
Freshening and fluttering in the wind.
Past hopes already lay behind.
What need to strive with a life awry?
Had I said that, had I done this,
So might I gain, so might I miss.
Might she have loved me? just as well
She might have hated, who can tell!
Where had I been now if the worst befell?
And here we are riding, she and I.”
- Explanation: As the ride begins, the speaker feels liberated, as if his soul is being unbound. He reflects on his past regrets, wondering if things could have been different. However, he also acknowledges that there’s no use in dwelling on “what ifs,” as he is now riding with his lover, and that is enough.
- Word meanings:
- “Awry” means wrong or askew.
- “Befell” means happened or occurred.
Stanza 5:
“Fail I alone, in words and deeds?
Why, all men strive and who succeeds?
We rode; it seem’d my spirit flew,
Saw other regions, cities new,
As the world rush’d by on either side.
I thought,—All labour, yet no less
Bear up beneath their unsuccess.
Look at the end of work, contrast
The petty done, the undone vast,
This present of theirs with the hopeful past!
I hoped she would love me; here we ride.”
- Explanation: The speaker reflects on the struggles and failures of all people, including himself. Despite setbacks, he finds comfort in the fact that everyone faces struggles. As they ride together, he sees the world passing by, and in that moment, he feels a sense of achievement and contentment, knowing that at least in this moment, his lover is with him.
- Word meanings:
- “Unsuccess” means failure or lack of success.
- “Petty” means small or insignificant.
Stanza 6:
“What hand and brain went ever pair’d?
What heart alike conceived and dared?
What act proved all its thought had been?
What will but felt the fleshly screen?
We ride and I see her bosom heave.
There ‘s many a crown for who can reach.
Ten lines, a statesman’s life in each!
The flag stuck on a heap of bones,
A soldier’s doing! what atones?
They scratch his name on the Abbey-stones.
My riding is better, by their leave.”
- Explanation: The speaker contemplates the nature of human effort and ambition. He questions whether the actions of individuals truly match their ideals. Comparing his ride to the achievements of others, such as soldiers and statesmen, he concludes that the joy of riding with his lover is more fulfilling than any worldly accomplishment.
- Word meanings:
- “Fleshly screen” refers to the physical body, which can limit the will.
- “Atones” means makes amends or compensates.
Stanza 7:
“What does it all mean, poet? Well,
Your brains beat into rhythm, you tell
What we felt only; you express’d
You hold things beautiful the best,
And pace them in rhyme so, side by side.
‘Tis something, nay ’tis much: but then,
Have you yourself what ‘s best for men?
Are you—poor, sick, old ere your time—
Nearer one whit your own sublime
Than we who never have turn’d a rhyme?
Sing, riding ‘s a joy! For me, I ride.”
- Explanation: The speaker questions the value of art and poetry, wondering if the poet’s life is truly superior to that of others. He asserts that while poetry can express beauty, the simple act of riding with his lover is more joyful and meaningful to him.
- Word meanings:
- “Sublime” refers to a sense of greatness or spiritual transcendence.
- “Whit” means a small amount.
Stanza 8:
“And you, great sculptor—so, you gave
A score of years to Art, her slave,
And that ‘s your Venus, whence we turn
To yonder girl that fords the burn!
You acquiesce, and shall I repine?
What, man of music, you grown gray
With notes and nothing else to say,
Is this your sole praise from a friend,
‘Greatly his opera’s strains intend,
But in music we know how fashions end!’
I gave my youth: but we ride, in fine.”
- Explanation: The speaker also criticizes other forms of art, such as sculpture and music, suggesting that they are limited in their ability to provide lasting meaning. He contrasts these with his own experience, valuing the simple pleasure of riding with his lover over any artistic achievement.
- Word meanings:
- “Acquiesce” means to accept or agree without protest.
- “Repine” means to complain or lament.
Stanza 9:
“Who knows what ‘s fit for us? Had fate
Proposed bliss here should sublimate
My being—had I sign’d the bond—
Still one must lead some life beyond,
Have a bliss to die with, dim-descried.
This foot once planted on the goal,
This glory-garland round my soul,
Could I descry such? Try and test!
I sink back shuddering from the quest.
Earth being so good, would heaven seem best?
Now, heaven and she are beyond this ride.”
- Explanation: The speaker contemplates the nature of destiny and whether he would have been better off in heaven or in a different life. He reflects on how fulfilling his current moment is, suggesting that he doesn’t need any higher form of bliss than the one he is experiencing now with his lover.
- Word meanings:
- “Sublimate” means to transform into a higher state.
- “Descry” means to perceive or discern.
Stanza 10:
“And yet—she has not spoke so long!
What if heaven be that, fair and strong
At life’s best, with our eyes upturn’d
Whither life’s flower is first discern’d,
We, fix’d so, ever should so abide?
What if we still ride on, we two
With life for ever old yet new,
Changed not in kind but in degree,
The instant made eternity,—
And heaven just prove that I and she
Ride, ride together, for ever ride?”
- Explanation: In the final stanza, the speaker imagines the possibility of eternal togetherness. He suggests that perhaps heaven is not some distant afterlife but a state of perpetual togetherness in the present moment. He envisions himself and his lover continuing to ride together forever, where their love transcends time and becomes eternal.
- Word meanings:
- “Upturn’d” means turned upward.
- “Abide” means to remain or endure.
