In a Gondola by Robert Browning
Two secret lovers exchange songs and declarations of desire while gliding through Venice in a gondola. The woman arranges signals for another meeting while warning him to stay away if the Three are watching. As they prepare to part, he is stabbed and asks her to keep kissing him as he faces death.
By Robert Browning · Genre: Dramatic Poetry, Love Poetry, Tragic Romance · 2,517 words
First lines
_He sings._
I send my heart up to thee, all my heart / In this my singing. / For the stars help me, and the sea bears part; / The very night is clinging / Closer to Venice' streets to leave one space / Above me, whence thy face / May light my joyous heart to thee its dwelling place.
Genres
- Dramatic Poetry — Alternating songs, speeches and musings give the two lovers distinct voices, with a stage direction marking the stabbing.
- Love Poetry — The lovers declare mutual devotion, request kisses and plan ways to continue their secret meetings.
- Tragic Romance — Their gondola outing ends with the man stabbed and seeking another kiss while accepting death.
Tags
Venice · gondolas · secret love · serenades · kisses · stabbing
What this Textopian page supports
In a Gondola 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 Poetry, Love Poetry, Tragic Romance
- Length: 2,517 words
- Structure: 1 section, 34 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for In a Gondola by Robert Browning
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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