Clive by Robert Browning
A father recalls a conversation in which Clive described confronting a cheating officer, surviving their duel when the officer confessed, and protecting him from public disgrace. Clive explains that being spared without a confession would have subjected him to dishonor he could not bear. The narrator recalls learning of Clive's suicide a week after their conversation.
By Robert Browning · Genre: Dramatic Monologue, Narrative Poetry · 4,449 words
First lines
I and Clive were friends -- and why not? Friends! I think you laugh, / my lad. / Clive it was gave England India, while your father gives -- egad, / England nothing but the graceless boy who lures him on to speak -- / "Well, Sir, you and Clive were comrades -- " with a tongue thrust in / your cheek! / Very true: in my eyes, your eyes, all the world's eyes, Clive was / man, / I was, am, and ever shall be -- mouse, nay, mouse of all its clan / Sorriest sample, if you take the kitchen's estimate for fame; / While the man Clive -- he fought Plassy, spoiled the clever foreign / game, / Conquered and annexed and Englished!
Genres
- Dramatic Monologue — A father addresses his son, revealing his own scruples and judgments while recalling Clive's account of fear.
- Narrative Poetry — Rhyming verse recounts a card-game accusation, a duel, an officer's confession, and Clive's explanation of the dishonor he feared.
Tags
dueling · gambling · cheating · honor · fear · suicide
What this Textopian page supports
Clive 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, Narrative Poetry
- Length: 4,449 words
- Structure: 1 section, 32 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Clive by Robert Browning
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph