Muléykeh by Robert Browning
Duhl steals Hóseyn’s prized mare after failing to obtain her by purchase or a plea for a gift. Hóseyn pursues on her sister, but as he draws close, he shouts instructions that let the thief speed away. When neighbors mock him for losing the mare, he protests that recovering her would have meant seeing her beaten in speed.
By Robert Browning · Genre: Narrative Poetry, Character Study · 1,988 words
First lines
If a stranger passed the tent of Hóseyn, he cried "A churl's! " / Or haply "God help the man who has neither salt nor bread! " / -- "Nay," would a friend exclaim, "he needs nor pity nor scorn / More than who spends small thought on the shore-sand, picking / pearls, / -- Holds but in light esteem the seed-sort, bears instead / On his breast a moon-like prize, some orb which of night makes morn.
Genres
- Narrative Poetry — Rhymed stanzas recount Duhl’s unsuccessful requests, his theft of the mare, and Hóseyn’s pursuit and loss.
- Character Study — Hóseyn’s attachment to his mare’s unbeaten speed makes him help the thief escape, despite his grief at losing her.
Tags
horses · horse theft · pursuit · pride · attachment
What this Textopian page supports
Muléykeh 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: Narrative Poetry, Character Study
- Length: 1,988 words
- Structure: 1 section, 19 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for Muléykeh by Robert Browning
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