If two lives join, there is oft a scar. They are one and one, with a shadowy third; One near one is too far.
Robert BrowningRead
Rats They fought the dogs and killed the cats, And bit the babies in the cradles, And ate the cheeses out of the vats, And licked the soup from the cook's own ladles. Split open the kegs of salted sprats, Made nests inside men's Sunday hats, And even spoiled the women's chats By drowning their speaking With shrieking and squeaking In fifty different sharps and flats.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote humorously depicts the mischievous nature of rats, illustrating their chaotic and mischievous actions.
In this quote by Robert Browning, the poet paints a vivid and humorous picture of the antics of rats as they interact with both people and their belongings. Through a series of exaggerated and playful actions, the rats disturb the peace of their environment, causing havoc in a playful and lively manner, which may symbolize the disruptive forces present in society.
Themes
RatsChaosHumorAnarchyDisruption
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used during a humorous speech about pets and their antics.
More from Robert Browning
All quotes →Tis Man's to explore up and down, inch by inch, with the taper his reason.
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I think, am sure, a brother's love exceeds_x000D_ _x000D_ All the world's loves in its unworldliness.
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I dare not so honor my mere wishes and prayers as to put them for a moment beside your noble acts; but this know, I would rather submit to the worst of deaths, so far as pain goes, than have a single dog or cat tortured on the pretence of sparing me a twinge or two.
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How well I know what I mean to do When the long dark Autumn evenings come, And where, my soul, is thy pleasant hue? With the music of all thy voices, dumb In life’s November too! I shall be found by the fire, suppose, O’er a great wise book as beseemeth age, While the shutters flap as the cross-wind blows, And I turn the page, and I turn the page, Not verse now, only prose!
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How good is life, the mere living!
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