Robert Browning, 1884 (1812-1889)
“The Names.”
Shakespeare!—to such name’s sounding, what succeeds
Fitly as a 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!” Nought 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.
Complete Poetic and Dramatic Works of Robert Browning. Cambridge edition, U.S.A. 1895.
Browning wrote this sonnet as a contribution to the Shakespearean Show-Book issued at the “Shakespearean Show” held in the Albert Hall, London, 29-31 May 1884, in aid of the Hospital for Women in Fulham Road. The sonnet is dated 12 March 1884.