"The Last Ride Together" is Robert Browning's tale of heartbreak, imperfection, and hope. Disappointed in love, this dramatic monologue's speaker asks his beloved to go on one final ride with him (perhaps on horseback, perhaps in a carriage). Along the way, he reflects that life rarely lives up to one's dreams—but that life's failings might, at least, leave people something to hope for from heaven. Browning first published this poem in his major 1855 collection Men and Women.
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The Full Text of “The Last Ride Together”
1I said—Then, dearest, since 'tis so,
2Since now at length my fate I know,
3Since nothing all my love avails,
4Since all, my life seemed meant for, fails,
5 Since this was written and needs must be—
6My whole heart rises up to bless
7Your name in pride and thankfulness!
8Take back the hope you gave—I claim
9Only a memory of the same,
10—And this beside, if you will not blame,
11 Your leave for one last ride with me.
12My mistress bent that brow of hers;
13Those deep dark eyes where pride demurs
14When pity would be softening through,
15Fixed me a breathing-while or two
16 With life or death in the balance: right!
17The blood replenished me again;
18My last thought was at least not vain:
19I and my mistress, side by side
20Shall be together, breathe and ride,
21So, one day more am I deified.
22 Who knows but the world may end tonight?
23Hush! if you saw some western cloud
24All billowy-bosomed, over-bowed
25By many benedictions—sun's
26And moon's and evening star's at once—
27 And so, you, looking and loving best,
28Conscious grew, your passion drew
29Cloud, sunset, moonrise, star-shine too,
30Down on you, near and yet more near,
31Till flesh must fade for heaven was here!—
32Thus leant she and lingered—joy and fear!
33 Thus lay she a moment on my breast.
34Then we began to ride. My soul
35Smoothed itself out, a long-cramped scroll
36Freshening and fluttering in the wind.
37Past hopes already lay behind.
38 What need to strive with a life awry?
39Had I said that, had I done this,
40So might I gain, so might I miss.
41Might she have loved me? just as well
42She might have hated, who can tell!
43Where had I been now if the worst befell?
44 And here we are riding, she and I.
45Fail I alone, in words and deeds?
46Why, all men strive and who succeeds?
47We rode; it seemed my spirit flew,
48Saw other regions, cities new,
49 As the world rushed by on either side.
50I thought—All labor, yet no less
51Bear up beneath their unsuccess.
52Look at the end of work, contrast
53The petty done, the undone vast,
54This present of theirs with the hopeful past!
55 I hoped she would love me; here we ride.
56What hand and brain went ever paired?
57What heart alike conceived and dared?
58What act proved all its thought had been?
59What will but felt the fleshly screen?
60 We ride and I see her bosom heave.
61There's many a crown for who can reach.
62Ten lines, a statesman's life in each!
63The flag stuck on a heap of bones,
64A soldier's doing! what atones?
65They scratch his name on the Abbey stones.
66 My riding is better, by their leave.
67What does it all mean, poet? Well,
68Your brains beat into rhythm, you tell
69What we felt only; you expressed
70You hold things beautiful the best,
71 And pace them in rhyme so, side by side.
72'Tis something, nay 'tis much: but then,
73Have you yourself what's best for men?
74Are you—poor, sick, old ere your time—
75Nearer one whit your own sublime
76Than we who have never turned a rhyme?
77 Sing, riding's a joy! For me, I ride.
78And you, great sculptor—so, you gave
79A score of years to Art, her slave,
80And that's your Venus, whence we turn
81To yonder girl that fords the burn!
82 You acquiesce, and shall I repine?
83What, man of music, you grown gray
84With notes and nothing else to say,
85Is this your sole praise from a friend,
86"Greatly his opera's strains intend,
87But in music we know how fashions end!"
88 I gave my youth; but we ride, in fine.
89Who knows what's fit for us? Had fate
90Proposed bliss here should sublimate
91My being—had I signed the bond—
92Still one must lead some life beyond,
93 Have a bliss to die with, dim-descried.
94This foot once planted on the goal,
95This glory-garland round my soul,
96Could I descry such? Try and test!
97I sink back shuddering from the quest.
98Earth being so good, would Heaven seem best?
99 Now, Heaven and she are beyond this ride.
100And yet—she has not spoke so long!
101What if heaven be that, fair and strong
102At life's best, with our eyes upturned
103Whither life's flower is first discerned
104 We, fixed so, ever should so abide?
105What if we still ride on, we two
106With life forever old yet new,
107Changed not in kind but in degree,
108The instant made eternity—
109And heaven just prove that I and she
110 Ride, ride together, forever ride?
The Full Text of “The Last Ride Together”
1I said—Then, dearest, since 'tis so,
2Since now at length my fate I know,
3Since nothing all my love avails,
4Since all, my life seemed meant for, fails,
5 Since this was written and needs must be—
6My whole heart rises up to bless
7Your name in pride and thankfulness!
8Take back the hope you gave—I claim
9Only a memory of the same,
10—And this beside, if you will not blame,
11 Your leave for one last ride with me.
12My mistress bent that brow of hers;
13Those deep dark eyes where pride demurs
14When pity would be softening through,
15Fixed me a breathing-while or two
16 With life or death in the balance: right!
17The blood replenished me again;
18My last thought was at least not vain:
19I and my mistress, side by side
20Shall be together, breathe and ride,
21So, one day more am I deified.
22 Who knows but the world may end tonight?
23Hush! if you saw some western cloud
24All billowy-bosomed, over-bowed
25By many benedictions—sun's
26And moon's and evening star's at once—
27 And so, you, looking and loving best,
28Conscious grew, your passion drew
29Cloud, sunset, moonrise, star-shine too,
30Down on you, near and yet more near,
31Till flesh must fade for heaven was here!—
32Thus leant she and lingered—joy and fear!
33 Thus lay she a moment on my breast.
34Then we began to ride. My soul
35Smoothed itself out, a long-cramped scroll
36Freshening and fluttering in the wind.
37Past hopes already lay behind.
38 What need to strive with a life awry?
39Had I said that, had I done this,
40So might I gain, so might I miss.
41Might she have loved me? just as well
42She might have hated, who can tell!
43Where had I been now if the worst befell?
44 And here we are riding, she and I.
45Fail I alone, in words and deeds?
46Why, all men strive and who succeeds?
47We rode; it seemed my spirit flew,
48Saw other regions, cities new,
49 As the world rushed by on either side.
50I thought—All labor, yet no less
51Bear up beneath their unsuccess.
52Look at the end of work, contrast
53The petty done, the undone vast,
54This present of theirs with the hopeful past!
55 I hoped she would love me; here we ride.
56What hand and brain went ever paired?
57What heart alike conceived and dared?
58What act proved all its thought had been?
59What will but felt the fleshly screen?
60 We ride and I see her bosom heave.
61There's many a crown for who can reach.
62Ten lines, a statesman's life in each!
63The flag stuck on a heap of bones,
64A soldier's doing! what atones?
65They scratch his name on the Abbey stones.
66 My riding is better, by their leave.
67What does it all mean, poet? Well,
68Your brains beat into rhythm, you tell
69What we felt only; you expressed
70You hold things beautiful the best,
71 And pace them in rhyme so, side by side.
72'Tis something, nay 'tis much: but then,
73Have you yourself what's best for men?
74Are you—poor, sick, old ere your time—
75Nearer one whit your own sublime
76Than we who have never turned a rhyme?
77 Sing, riding's a joy! For me, I ride.
78And you, great sculptor—so, you gave
79A score of years to Art, her slave,
80And that's your Venus, whence we turn
81To yonder girl that fords the burn!
82 You acquiesce, and shall I repine?
83What, man of music, you grown gray
84With notes and nothing else to say,
85Is this your sole praise from a friend,
86"Greatly his opera's strains intend,
87But in music we know how fashions end!"
88 I gave my youth; but we ride, in fine.
89Who knows what's fit for us? Had fate
90Proposed bliss here should sublimate
91My being—had I signed the bond—
92Still one must lead some life beyond,
93 Have a bliss to die with, dim-descried.
94This foot once planted on the goal,
95This glory-garland round my soul,
96Could I descry such? Try and test!
97I sink back shuddering from the quest.
98Earth being so good, would Heaven seem best?
99 Now, Heaven and she are beyond this ride.
100And yet—she has not spoke so long!
101What if heaven be that, fair and strong
102At life's best, with our eyes upturned
103Whither life's flower is first discerned
104 We, fixed so, ever should so abide?
105What if we still ride on, we two
106With life forever old yet new,
107Changed not in kind but in degree,
108The instant made eternity—
109And heaven just prove that I and she
110 Ride, ride together, forever ride?
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“The Last Ride Together” Summary
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“The Last Ride Together” Themes
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The Pains and Consolations of Love
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Hope and Expectations vs. Reality
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Art vs. Experience
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Line-by-Line Explanation & Analysis of “The Last Ride Together”
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Lines 1-5
I said—Then, dearest, since 'tis so,
Since now at length my fate I know,
Since nothing all my love avails,
Since all, my life seemed meant for, fails,
Since this was written and needs must be— -
Lines 6-11
My whole heart rises up to bless
Your name in pride and thankfulness!
Take back the hope you gave—I claim
Only a memory of the same,
—And this beside, if you will not blame,
Your leave for one last ride with me. -
Lines 12-16
My mistress bent that brow of hers;
Those deep dark eyes where pride demurs
When pity would be softening through,
Fixed me a breathing-while or two
With life or death in the balance: right! -
Lines 17-22
The blood replenished me again;
My last thought was at least not vain:
I and my mistress, side by side
Shall be together, breathe and ride,
So, one day more am I deified.
Who knows but the world may end tonight? -
Lines 23-26
Hush! if you saw some western cloud
All billowy-bosomed, over-bowed
By many benedictions—sun's
And moon's and evening star's at once— -
Lines 27-31
And so, you, looking and loving best,
Conscious grew, your passion drew
Cloud, sunset, moonrise, star-shine too,
Down on you, near and yet more near,
Till flesh must fade for heaven was here!— -
Lines 32-33
Thus leant she and lingered—joy and fear!
Thus lay she a moment on my breast. -
Lines 34-36
Then we began to ride. My soul
Smoothed itself out, a long-cramped scroll
Freshening and fluttering in the wind. -
Lines 37-42
Past hopes already lay behind.
What need to strive with a life awry?
Had I said that, had I done this,
So might I gain, so might I miss.
Might she have loved me? just as well
She might have hated, who can tell! -
Lines 43-44
Where had I been now if the worst befell?
And here we are riding, she and I. -
Lines 45-49
Fail I alone, in words and deeds?
Why, all men strive and who succeeds?
We rode; it seemed my spirit flew,
Saw other regions, cities new,
As the world rushed by on either side. -
Lines 50-55
I thought—All labor, yet no less
Bear up beneath their unsuccess.
Look at the end of work, contrast
The petty done, the undone vast,
This present of theirs with the hopeful past!
I hoped she would love me; here we ride. -
Lines 56-60
What hand and brain went ever paired?
What heart alike conceived and dared?
What act proved all its thought had been?
What will but felt the fleshly screen?
We ride and I see her bosom heave. -
Lines 61-66
There's many a crown for who can reach.
Ten lines, a statesman's life in each!
The flag stuck on a heap of bones,
A soldier's doing! what atones?
They scratch his name on the Abbey stones.
My riding is better, by their leave. -
Lines 67-71
What does it all mean, poet? Well,
Your brains beat into rhythm, you tell
What we felt only; you expressed
You hold things beautiful the best,
And pace them in rhyme so, side by side. -
Lines 72-77
'Tis something, nay 'tis much: but then,
Have you yourself what's best for men?
Are you—poor, sick, old ere your time—
Nearer one whit your own sublime
Than we who have never turned a rhyme?
Sing, riding's a joy! For me, I ride. -
Lines 78-82
And you, great sculptor—so, you gave
A score of years to Art, her slave,
And that's your Venus, whence we turn
To yonder girl that fords the burn!
You acquiesce, and shall I repine? -
Lines 83-88
What, man of music, you grown gray
With notes and nothing else to say,
Is this your sole praise from a friend,
"Greatly his opera's strains intend,
But in music we know how fashions end!"
I gave my youth; but we ride, in fine. -
Lines 89-93
Who knows what's fit for us? Had fate
Proposed bliss here should sublimate
My being—had I signed the bond—
Still one must lead some life beyond,
Have a bliss to die with, dim-descried. -
Lines 94-99
This foot once planted on the goal,
This glory-garland round my soul,
Could I descry such? Try and test!
I sink back shuddering from the quest.
Earth being so good, would Heaven seem best?
Now, Heaven and she are beyond this ride. -
Lines 100-104
And yet—she has not spoke so long!
What if heaven be that, fair and strong
At life's best, with our eyes upturned
Whither life's flower is first discerned
We, fixed so, ever should so abide? -
Lines 105-110
What if we still ride on, we two
With life forever old yet new,
Changed not in kind but in degree,
The instant made eternity—
And heaven just prove that I and she
Ride, ride together, forever ride?
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“The Last Ride Together” Symbols
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The Last Ride
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“The Last Ride Together” Poetic Devices & Figurative Language
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Metaphor
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Simile
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Rhetorical Question
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Allusion
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Parallelism
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Repetition
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Irony
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Enjambment
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Alliteration
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Assonance
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“The Last Ride Together” Vocabulary
Select any word below to get its definition in the context of the poem. The words are listed in the order in which they appear in the poem.
- 'Tis
- At length
- Nothing all my love avails
- Mistress
- Demurs
- Fixed me
- A breathing-while
- Replenished
- Vain
- Deified
- Billowy-bosomed
- Over-bowed by many benedictions
- Awry
- Befell
- Petty
- Conceived
- Fleshly screen
- Bosom
- Ten lines, a statesman's life in each!
- Atones
- Abbey
- By their leave
- Nay
- Ere
- Sublime
- Fords the burn
- Acquiesce
- Repine
- Strains
- In fine
- Sublimate
- Signed the bond
- Dim-descried
- Glory-garland
- Abide
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Form, Meter, & Rhyme Scheme of “The Last Ride Together”
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Form
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Meter
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Rhyme Scheme
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“The Last Ride Together” Speaker
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“The Last Ride Together” Setting
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Literary and Historical Context of “The Last Ride Together”
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More “The Last Ride Together” Resources
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External Resources
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The Poem Aloud — Listen to a reading of the poem.
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A Brief Biography — Learn more about Browning's life and work via the Poetry Foundation.
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Browning's Legacy — Learn more about how Browning rose to acclaim at the end of his life—and read novelist Henry James's witty remarks on Browning's tomb.
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Browning Remembered — Read a celebration of Browning on the bicentenary of his birth and learn how he continues to influence poetry today.
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Images of Browning — Explore the National Portrait Gallery's collection of Browning portraiture, which reflects the story of both his literary life and his great romance with fellow poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
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LitCharts on Other Poems by Robert Browning
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