The Names by Robert Browning
The speaker calls for silence, awe and love after uttering Shakespeare's name. He compares the poet's finite creation with the infinite creation of the divine being whose name the Hebrew reads inwardly.
By Robert Browning · Genre: Sonnet, Literary Tribute · 181 words
First lines
Shakespeare! -- to such name's sounding, what succeeds / Fitly as silence? Falter forth the spell, -- / Act follows word, the speaker knows full well, / Nor tampers with its magic more than needs. / Two names there are: That which the Hebrew reads / With his soul only: if from lips it fell, / Echo, back thundered by earth, heaven and hell, / Would own "Thou didst create us! " Naught impedes / We voice the other name, man's most of might, / Awesomely, lovingly: let awe and love / Mutely await their working, leave to sight / All of the issue as -- below -- above -- / Shakespeare's creation rises: one remove, / Though dread -- this finite from that infinite.
_March 12, 1884._
Genres
- Sonnet — Fourteen rhymed lines move from the sounding of Shakespeare's name to a closing distinction between finite and infinite creation.
- Literary Tribute — The speaker invokes Shakespeare with awe and love, comparing his creative power with that of the divine creator.
Tags
sonnet · poetic creation · divine name · reverence · silence
What this Textopian page supports
The Names 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: Sonnet, Literary Tribute
- Length: 181 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Names by Robert Browning
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph