The Boy and the Angel by Robert Browning
Theocrite, a young craftsman who praises God throughout his workday, wishes to praise him as the Pope does and later becomes Pope himself. Gabriel takes his place at the trade, but God misses Theocrite's human praise. Theocrite returns to his work and grows old while Gabriel replaces him as Pope; when Theocrite dies and Gabriel vanishes, they seek God together.
By Robert Browning · Genre: Narrative Poetry, Religious Poetry · 771 words
First lines
Theocrite grew old at home, / Gabriel dwelt in Peter's dome.
Morning, evening, noon and night, / "Praise God! " sang Theocrite.
Genres
- Narrative Poetry — Rhyming couplets recount Theocrite's passage from craftsman to Pope and back, alongside Gabriel's substitution for him.
- Religious Poetry — God's response to Gabriel's flawless praise turns the story toward the value of Theocrite's imperfect human worship.
Tags
angels · daily work · praise of God · papacy · human prayer
What this Textopian page supports
The Boy and the Angel 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, Religious Poetry
- Length: 771 words
- Structure: 1 section, 40 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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