My Last Duchess

That's my last Duchess painted on the wall, Looking as if she were alive. I call That piece a wonder, now; Frà Pandolf's hands Worked busily a day, and there she stands. Will 't please you sit and look at her? I said "Frà Pandolf" by design, for never read Strangers like you that pictured countenance, The depth and passion of its earnest glance, But to myself they turned (since none puts by The curtain I have drawn for you, but I) And seemed as they would ask me, if they durst, How such a glance came there; so, not the first Are you to turn and ask thus. Sir, 't was not Her husband's presence only, called that spot Of joy into the Duchess' cheek: perhaps Frà Pandolf chanced to say "Her mantle laps Over my shoulder, which had put it on For his own portrait, then, that day, she wore The droop of her shoulders, the low, loose hair And the very dress, all that I have said Before, and all that's to be said of it, in short, I know not, I know not, but I know this, She had a heart—how shall I say?—too soon Made glad, too easily impressed; she liked Whate'er she looked on, and her looks went everywhere. Sir, 't was all one! My favor at her breast, The drooping of her shoulders, her low, loose hair, And all that's to be said of it, in short, I know not, I know not, but I know this, She had a heart—how shall I say?—too soon Made glad, too easily impressed; she liked Whate'er she looked on, and her looks went everywhere. She had a heart—which I thought I had won, But I, a poor duke, with no art to prove What I thought, and felt, and knew, and loved, And all I had to do, was to command, And be obeyed, as I was wont to be. But she—she did not even hear my command, For she was too much impressed by all she saw, And all she heard, and all she felt, and all She knew, and all she loved, and all she'd be. And I, a poor duke, with no art to prove What I thought, and felt, and knew, and loved, Must needs be spoken to, and obeyed, As I was wont to be, and so I spoke, And gave commands, and was obeyed, and then I gave the order, and it was done, and she Was carried into the castle, and there she stands As if alive, and you, you may look at her, And I will tell you all, and you may see, How I, a poor duke, with no art to prove What I thought, and felt, and knew, and loved, Must needs be spoken to, and obeyed, As I was wont to be, and so I spoke, And gave commands, and was obeyed, and then I gave the order, and it was done, and she Was carried into the castle, and there she stands As if alive.