Cristina and Monaldeschi by Robert Browning
Cristina demands that Monaldeschi continue to display love as she leads him through the galleries at Fontainebleau. Recalling his vow to keep her secrets, she directs a priest to hear his confession and orders three men to stab him to death.
By Robert Browning · Genre: Dramatic Monologue · 1,470 words
First lines
Ah, but how each loved each, Marquis! / Here 's the gallery they trod / Both together, he her god, / She his idol, -- lend your rod, / Chamberlain! -- ay, there they are -- "_Quis_ / _Separabit? _" -- plain those two / Touching words come into view, / Apposite for me and you:
Since they witness to incessant / Love like ours: King Francis, he -- / Diane the adored one, she -- / Prototypes of you and me. / Everywhere is carved her Crescent / With his Salamander-sign -- / Flame-fed creature: flame benign / To itself or, if malign,
Genres
- Dramatic Monologue — Cristina addresses the Marquis throughout, demanding displays of love, interpreting his silent reactions and finally commanding his killing.
Tags
coerced love · secrecy · execution · royal power · dramatic monologue · Fontainebleau
What this Textopian page supports
Cristina and Monaldeschi is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert Browning, dated Date unknown.
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- Work type: Poem
- Author: Robert Browning
- Date: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Dramatic Monologue
- Length: 1,470 words
- Structure: 1 section, 18 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for Cristina and Monaldeschi by Robert Browning
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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