Song, from Pippa Passes
The year's at the spring,
And day's at the morn;
Morning's at seven;
The hill-side's dew-pearled;
The lark's on the wing;
The snail's on the thorn;
God's in his Heaven -
All's right with the world!
Commentary
Another of Browning’s simple but beautiful lyrics. The language is uncomplicated, simple descriptive statements unadorned by comparison and unveiled in allusion, yet dense with imagery and wonderfully evocative. Browning had a marvellous facility for turning cliched images into poetry, and for finding what is unmistakably the right way to phrase them - as witnessed by the way this little fragment has enriched the language.
See also the somewhat similar ‘Home Thoughts from Abroad’, poem #65
Show 14 commentsHide comments
From the Wondering Minstrels mailing list, 1999–2008.
AsukaSohryuu · 16 February 2000
Do you happen to have the entire poem Pippa Passes?
Ellie Mednick · 3 August 2000
We are looking for an interpretation of the poem Pippa Passes in regard to Paul Osborn’s play “Morning’s at Seven.” Thankyou Ellie Mednick
Marin Theatre Company
Mill Valley, CA 94941
e-mail address:
Martin DeMello · 4 August 2000
Also spracht Margery Hart…
It’s a rather long dramatic poem that doesn’t appear to be online anywhere - your local library ought to have it, though.
m.
Margery Hart · 4 August 2000
where can i see the entire poem of pippa passes?
Pipas03 · 9 June 2003
Please. Where does the name Pippa Passes come from, or originate? Thank you. …………….Doug Lovely
fbnd · 5 August 2003
Please. Where does the name Pippa Passes come from, or originate? Thank you. …………….Fab Lovely
Keith Nichols · 26 August 2003
I understand all the apostrophes in this piece, except for the one in “morning’s at seven.” I suppose it stands for “morning IS at seven,” which leaves me wondering whether morning starts at seven and goes on for some time or exists for only one minute.
Keith Nichols
Dallas
Michael Woods · 28 August 2003
You are aware that a passage from this poem was used in a remarkable work of art know as “Evangelion”? Possibly the best animated, if not best in the world, production ever.
Mike
Ohio
Nancybroke · 17 December 2003
I have a book that I bought in London approx. 3 years ago that contains the poem: Pippas passing. Is that what your interested in?
Daniel Gold · 7 April 2006
If memory serves, Pippa was the name of Browning’s dog. I believe this was inspired just by taking him for a walk.
Janice Miller · 7 June 2006
what does the name pippa passes mean and why was the town in ky named that
Mervyn Cohen · 26 June 2006
Dear Ella
We are also looking for an interpretation of the poem for Monrings at Seven. If you find one, please would you email me. Thanks so much
Maxine
Meryl Brew · 22 July 2006
I REMEMBER RECITING THIS POEM AT MOSSPITTS LANE SCHOOL, LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND SIXTY .YEARS AGO! IT’S SIMPLE, EVOCATIVE PHRASES STAY WITH ME STILL. THE ENGLISH POETS OF BROWNING’S ERA LIVE ON FOR EVER….[JUST AS A BY, THE FILM, ‘THE DEAD POET’S SOCIETY’ deserves a re-run] As it’s seven years since this site was up-dated, I have little expectation of this being read - so what? -. ‘God’s in His Heaven…’ MERYL CONSTANTINE [as was] PLIMMERTON, NEW ZEALAND.]
Richard D. Brasco · 8 August 2006
What is the name of the book you purchased in London containing the entire poem, “Pippa passes”?