At the "Mermaid" by Robert Browning
A poet speaking among drinking companions rejects the title of Next Poet and denies readers a claim on his private soul through his work. He contrasts his enjoyment of life and reciprocated love with their admired poet's bleak outlook, then returns to wine and fellowship, asking to be greeted as Gentle Will.
By Robert Browning · Genre: Dramatic Monologue, Metapoetry · 1,534 words
First lines
The figure that thou here seest... Tut! / Was it for gentle Shakespeare put? / B. JONSON. (_Adapted._)
I -- "Next Poet? " No, my hearties, / I nor am nor fain would be! / Choose your chiefs and pick your parties, / Not one soul revolt to me! / I, forsooth, sow song-sedition? / I, a schism in verse provoke? / I, blown up by bard's ambition, / Burst -- your bubble-king? You joke.
Genres
- Dramatic Monologue — One speaker addresses drinking companions, answers their imagined objections, and asks Ben to explain his reference to Venus.
- Metapoetry — The speaker disputes poetic succession, readers' attempts to discover a poet's private life, and the demand that song express suffering.
Tags
poetic ambition · artistic privacy · literary fame · optimism · friendship · dramatic monologue
What this Textopian page supports
At the "Mermaid" is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert Browning, dated Date unknown.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Robert Browning
- Date: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Dramatic Monologue, Metapoetry
- Length: 1,534 words
- Structure: 1 section, 19 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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