Home Thoughts, From Abroad - A poem by Robert Browning

Robert Browning - Home Thoughts, From Abroad

Oh, to be in England
Now that April's there,
And whoever wakes in England
Sees, some morning, unaware,
That the lowest boughs and the brushwood sheaf
Round the elm-tree bole are in tiny leaf,
While the chaffinch sings on the orchard bough
In England—now!

And after April, when May follows,
And the whitethroat builds, and all the swallows!
Hark, where my blossomed pear-tree in the hedge
Leans to the field and scatters on the clover
Blossoms and dewdrops—at the bent spray's edge— 
That's the wise thrush; he sings each song twice over,
Lest you should think he never could recapture
The first fine careless rapture!
And though the fields look rough with hoary dew,
All will be gay when noontide wakes anew
The buttercups, the little children's dower
—Far brighter than this gaudy melon-flower!

Added: on March 26th, 2005 at 4:50 PM | Viewed: 4554 times | Comments (4)

Home Thoughts, From Abroad - Comments and Information
Poet: Robert Browning Poem: Home Thoughts, From Abroad Comment 4 of 4, added on January 21st, 2007 at 6:21 PM. My 98 year old mother quoted this poem to me last Dec 27 2007; she delivered babies by bicycle in Birmingham in the late 30's before returning to Vancouver Canada before WWII. Susan Saxton D'Aoust from United States Comment 3 of 4, added on April 22nd, 2005 at 9:21 AM. I agree with both Lauren and Judy. Browning lived in Italy, i think, for most of his married life. Although he loved England he loved Italy, especially renaissence italy, more and lived there with Barrett-Browning until she died. It is possible that this poem is a reflection on his own thoughts about england when he lived abroad. He is expressing himself through a character, like in the Lost leader. Charlee Comment 2 of 4, added on March 26th, 2005 at 4:50 PM. Lauren is right that the poem is lush with imagery; more impressive to me is the rush of emotion Browning creates with the rhythms of his language. Judy from United States More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, Home Thoughts, From Abroad, has received 4 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Robert Browning with others on the Poetry Connection poetry forum!

Poem Info
Home Thoughts, From Abroad Last read: 2008-07-19 11:04:38 Viewed 4554 times. Added on March 26th, 2005 at 4:50 PM.

Browning Info
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