Pietro of Abano by Robert Browning
In Padua, a Greek seeker asks the persecuted Peter for magical knowledge and promises him love in return. A magical vision carries the pupil through wealth, political influence and the papacy, but he repeatedly refuses his teacher shelter or protection for his writings. The Greek returns to Peter's doorway; the narrator reports that Peter lived out his life and left a learned book, but remained without the love he sought.
By Robert Browning · Genre: Narrative Poetry, Satirical Poetry, Fantasy Poetry · 7,349 words
First lines
_Petrus Aponensis_ -- there was a magician! / When that strange adventure happened, which I mean to tell my / hearers, / Nearly had he tried all trades -- beside physician, / Architect, astronomer, astrologer, -- or worse: / How else, as the old books warrant, was he able, / All at once, through all the world, to prove the promptest of / appearers / Where was prince to cure, tower to build as high as Babel, / Star to name or sky-sign read, -- yet pouch, for pains, a curse?
Genres
- Narrative Poetry — Rhymed stanzas recount a Greek seeker's encounter with Peter, his apparent rise to power and his return to the original doorway.
- Satirical Poetry — The pupil professes benevolence while flattering wealthy patrons, manipulating rulers and bribing his way to the papacy.
- Fantasy Poetry — Peter's mysterious incense introduces an apparent lifetime of advancement that vanishes when the Greek finds himself outside Peter's door.
Tags
magical apprenticeship · ingratitude · ambition · political manipulation · papal power · visions
What this Textopian page supports
Pietro of Abano 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, Satirical Poetry, Fantasy Poetry
- Length: 7,349 words
- Structure: 1 section, 59 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for Pietro of Abano by Robert Browning
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