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DOCTOR ------
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The Poetical Works of Robert Browning | ||
146
DOCTOR ------
A Rabbi told me: On the day allowed
Satan for carping at God's rule, he came,
Fresh from our earth, to brave the angel-crowd.
Satan for carping at God's rule, he came,
Fresh from our earth, to brave the angel-crowd.
“What is the fault now?” “This I find to blame:
Many and various are the tongues below,
Yet all agree in one speech, all proclaim
Many and various are the tongues below,
Yet all agree in one speech, all proclaim
“‘Hell has no might to match what earth can show:
Death is the strongest-born of Hell, and yet
Stronger than Death is a Bad Wife, we know’
Death is the strongest-born of Hell, and yet
Stronger than Death is a Bad Wife, we know’
“Is it a wonder if I fume and fret—
Robbed of my rights, since Death am I, and mine
The style of Strongest? Men pay Nature's debt
Robbed of my rights, since Death am I, and mine
The style of Strongest? Men pay Nature's debt
“Because they must at my demand; decline
To pay it henceforth surely men will please,
Provided husbands with bad wives combine
To pay it henceforth surely men will please,
Provided husbands with bad wives combine
147
“To baffle Death. Judge between me and these!”
“Thyself shalt judge. Descend to earth in shape
Of mortal, marry, drain from froth to lees
“Thyself shalt judge. Descend to earth in shape
Of mortal, marry, drain from froth to lees
“The bitter draught, then see if thou escape
Concluding, with men sorrowful and sage,
A Bad Wife's strength Death's self in vain would ape!”
Concluding, with men sorrowful and sage,
A Bad Wife's strength Death's self in vain would ape!”
How Satan entered on his pilgrimage,
Conformed himself to earthly ordinance,
Wived and played husband well from youth to age
Conformed himself to earthly ordinance,
Wived and played husband well from youth to age
Intrepidly—I leave untold, advance
Through many a married year until I reach
A day when—of his father's countenance
Through many a married year until I reach
A day when—of his father's countenance
The very image, like him too in speech
As well as thought and deed,—the union's fruit
Attained maturity. “I needs must teach
As well as thought and deed,—the union's fruit
Attained maturity. “I needs must teach
“My son a trade: but trade, such son to suit,
Needs seeking after. He a man of war?
Too cowardly! A lawyer wins repute—
Needs seeking after. He a man of war?
Too cowardly! A lawyer wins repute—
“Having to toil and moil, though—both which are
Beyond this sluggard. There's Divinity:
No, that's my own bread-winner—that be far
Beyond this sluggard. There's Divinity:
No, that's my own bread-winner—that be far
148
“From my poor offspring! Physic? Ha, we'll try
If this be practicable. Where's my wit?
Asleep?—since, now I come to think. . . . Ay, ay!
If this be practicable. Where's my wit?
Asleep?—since, now I come to think. . . . Ay, ay!
“Hither, my son! Exactly have I hit
On a profession for thee. Medicus—
Behold, thou art appointed! Yea, I spit
On a profession for thee. Medicus—
Behold, thou art appointed! Yea, I spit
“Upon thine eyes, bestow a virtue thus
That henceforth not this human form I wear
Shalt thou perceive alone, but—one of us
That henceforth not this human form I wear
Shalt thou perceive alone, but—one of us
“By privilege—thy fleshly sight shall bear
Me in my spirit-person as I walk
The world and take my prey appointed there.
Me in my spirit-person as I walk
The world and take my prey appointed there.
“Doctor once dubbed—what ignorance shall baulk
Thy march triumphant? Diagnose the gout
As cholic, and prescribe it cheese for chalk—
Thy march triumphant? Diagnose the gout
As cholic, and prescribe it cheese for chalk—
“No matter! All's one: cure shall come about
And win thee wealth—fees paid with such a roar
Of thanks and praise alike from lord and lout
And win thee wealth—fees paid with such a roar
Of thanks and praise alike from lord and lout
“As never stunned man's ears on earth before.
‘How may this be?’ Why, that's my sceptic! Soon
Truth will corrupt thee, soon thou doubt'st no more!
‘How may this be?’ Why, that's my sceptic! Soon
Truth will corrupt thee, soon thou doubt'st no more!
149
“Why is it I bestow on thee the boon
Of recognizing me the while I go
Invisibly among men, morning, noon
Of recognizing me the while I go
Invisibly among men, morning, noon
“And night, from house to house, and—quick or slow—
Take my appointed prey? They summon thee
For help, suppose: obey the summons! so!
Take my appointed prey? They summon thee
For help, suppose: obey the summons! so!
“Enter, look round! Where's Death? Know—I am he,
Satan who work all evil: I who bring
Pain to the patient in whate'er degree.
Satan who work all evil: I who bring
Pain to the patient in whate'er degree.
“I, then, am there: first glance thine eye shall fling
Will find me—whether distant or at hand,
As I am free to do my spiriting.
Will find me—whether distant or at hand,
As I am free to do my spiriting.
“At such mere first glance thou shalt understand
Wherefore I reach no higher up the room
Than door or window, when my form is scanned.
Wherefore I reach no higher up the room
Than door or window, when my form is scanned.
“Howe'er friends' faces please to gather gloom,
Bent o'er the sick,—howe'er himself desponds,—
In such case Death is not the sufferer's doom.
Bent o'er the sick,—howe'er himself desponds,—
In such case Death is not the sufferer's doom.
“Contrariwise, do friends rejoice my bonds
Are broken, does the captive in his turn
Crow ‘Life shall conquer’? Nip these foolish fronds
Are broken, does the captive in his turn
Crow ‘Life shall conquer’? Nip these foolish fronds
150
“Of hope a-sprout, if haply thou discern
Me at the head—my victim's head, be sure!
Forth now! This taught thee, little else to learn!”
Me at the head—my victim's head, be sure!
Forth now! This taught thee, little else to learn!”
And forth he went. Folk heard him ask demure
“How do you style this ailment? (There he peeps,
My father, through the arras!) Sirs, the cure
“How do you style this ailment? (There he peeps,
My father, through the arras!) Sirs, the cure
“Is plain as A. B. C.! Experience steeps
Blossoms of pennyroyal half an hour
In sherris. Sumat!—Lo, how sound he sleeps—
Blossoms of pennyroyal half an hour
In sherris. Sumat!—Lo, how sound he sleeps—
“The subject you presumed was past the power
Of Galen to relieve!” Or else “How's this?
Why call for help so tardily? Clouds lour
Of Galen to relieve!” Or else “How's this?
Why call for help so tardily? Clouds lour
“Portentously indeed, Sirs! (Nought's amiss:
He's at the bed-foot merely.) Still, the storm
May pass averted—not by quacks, I wis
He's at the bed-foot merely.) Still, the storm
May pass averted—not by quacks, I wis
“Like you, my masters! You, forsooth, perform
A miracle? Stand, sciolists, aside!
Blood, ne'er so cold, at ignorance grows warm!”
A miracle? Stand, sciolists, aside!
Blood, ne'er so cold, at ignorance grows warm!”
Which boasting by result was justified,
Big as might words be: whether drugged or left
Drugless, the patient always lived, not died.
Big as might words be: whether drugged or left
Drugless, the patient always lived, not died.
151
Great the heir's gratitude, so nigh bereft
Of all he prized in this world: sweet the smile
Of disconcerted rivals: “Cure?—say, theft
Of all he prized in this world: sweet the smile
Of disconcerted rivals: “Cure?—say, theft
“From Nature in despite of Art—so style
This off-hand kill-or-cure work! You did much,
I had done more: folk cannot wait awhile!”
This off-hand kill-or-cure work! You did much,
I had done more: folk cannot wait awhile!”
But did the case change? was it—“Scarcely such
The symptoms as to warrant our recourse
To your skill, Doctor! Yet since just a touch
The symptoms as to warrant our recourse
To your skill, Doctor! Yet since just a touch
“Of pulse, a taste of breath, has all the force
With you of long investigation claimed
By others,—tracks an ailment to its source
With you of long investigation claimed
By others,—tracks an ailment to its source
“Intuitively,—may we ask unblamed
What from this pimple you prognosticate?”
“Death!” was the answer, as he saw and named
What from this pimple you prognosticate?”
“Death!” was the answer, as he saw and named
The coucher by the sick man's head. “Too late
You send for my assistance. I am bold
Only by Nature's leave, and bow to Fate!
You send for my assistance. I am bold
Only by Nature's leave, and bow to Fate!
“Besides, you have my rivals: lavish gold!
How comfortably quick shall life depart
Cosseted by attentions manifold!
How comfortably quick shall life depart
Cosseted by attentions manifold!
152
“One day, one hour ago, perchance my art
Had done some service. Since you have yourselves
Chosen—before the horse—to put the cart,
Had done some service. Since you have yourselves
Chosen—before the horse—to put the cart,
“Why, Sirs, the sooner that the sexton delves
Your patient's grave, the better! How you stare
—Shallow, for all the deep books on your shelves!
Your patient's grave, the better! How you stare
—Shallow, for all the deep books on your shelves!
“Fare you well, fumblers!” Do I need declare
What name and fame, what riches recompensed
The Doctor's practice? Never anywhere
What name and fame, what riches recompensed
The Doctor's practice? Never anywhere
Such an adept as daily evidenced
Each new vaticination! Oh, not he
Like dolts who dallied with their scruples, fenced
Each new vaticination! Oh, not he
Like dolts who dallied with their scruples, fenced
With subterfuge, nor gave out frank and free
Something decisive! If he said “I save
The patient,” saved he was: if “Death will be
Something decisive! If he said “I save
The patient,” saved he was: if “Death will be
“His portion,” you might count him dead. Thus brave,
Behold our worthy, sans competitor
Throughout the country, on the architrave
Behold our worthy, sans competitor
Throughout the country, on the architrave
Of Glory's temple golden-lettered for
Machaon redivivus! So, it fell
That, of a sudden, when the Emperor
Machaon redivivus! So, it fell
That, of a sudden, when the Emperor
153
Was smit by sore disease, I need not tell
If any other Doctor's aid was sought
To come and forthwith make the sick Prince well.
If any other Doctor's aid was sought
To come and forthwith make the sick Prince well.
“He will reward thee as a monarch ought.
Not much imports the malady; but then,
He clings to life and cries like one distraught
Not much imports the malady; but then,
He clings to life and cries like one distraught
“For thee—who, from a simple citizen,
Mayst look to rise in rank,—nay, haply wear
A medal with his portrait,—always when
Mayst look to rise in rank,—nay, haply wear
A medal with his portrait,—always when
“Recovery is quite accomplished. There!
Pass to the presence!” Hardly has he crossed
The chamber's threshold when he halts, aware
Pass to the presence!” Hardly has he crossed
The chamber's threshold when he halts, aware
Of who stands sentry by the head. All's lost.
“Sire, nought avails my art: you near the goal,
And end the race by giving up the ghost.”
“Sire, nought avails my art: you near the goal,
And end the race by giving up the ghost.”
“How?” cried the monarch: “Namesupon your roll
Of half my subjects rescued by your skill—
Old and young, rich and poor—crowd cheek by jowl
Of half my subjects rescued by your skill—
Old and young, rich and poor—crowd cheek by jowl
“And yet no room for mine? Be saved I will!
Why else am I earth's foremost potentate?
Add me to these and take as fee your fill
Why else am I earth's foremost potentate?
Add me to these and take as fee your fill
154
“Of gold—that point admits of no debate
Between us: save me, as you can and must,—
Gold, till your gown's pouch cracks beneath the weight!”
Between us: save me, as you can and must,—
Gold, till your gown's pouch cracks beneath the weight!”
This touched the Doctor. “Truly a home-thrust,
Parent, you will not parry! Have I dared
Entreat that you forego the meal of dust
Parent, you will not parry! Have I dared
Entreat that you forego the meal of dust
“—Man that is snake's meat—when I saw prepared
Your daily portion? Never! Just this once,
Go from his head, then,—let his life be spared!”
Your daily portion? Never! Just this once,
Go from his head, then,—let his life be spared!”
Whisper met whisper in the gruff response
“Fool, I must have my prey: no inch I budge
From where thou see'st me thus myself ensconce.”
“Fool, I must have my prey: no inch I budge
From where thou see'st me thus myself ensconce.”
“Ah,” moaned the sufferer, “by thy look I judge
Wealth fails to tempt thee: what if honours prove
More efficacious? Nought to him I grudge
Wealth fails to tempt thee: what if honours prove
More efficacious? Nought to him I grudge
“Who saves me. Only keep my head above
The cloud that's creeping round it—I'll divide
My empire with thee! No? What's left but—love?
The cloud that's creeping round it—I'll divide
My empire with thee! No? What's left but—love?
“Does love allure thee? Well then, take as bride
My only daughter, fair beyond belief!
Save me—to morrow shall the knot be tied!”
My only daughter, fair beyond belief!
Save me—to morrow shall the knot be tied!”
155
“Father, you hear him! Respite ne'er so brief
Is all I beg: go now and come again
Next day, for aught I care: respect the grief
Is all I beg: go now and come again
Next day, for aught I care: respect the grief
“Mine will be if thy first-born sues in vain!”
“Fool, I must have my prey!” was all he got
In answer. But a fancy crossed his brain.
“Fool, I must have my prey!” was all he got
In answer. But a fancy crossed his brain.
“I have it! Sire, methinks a meteor shot
Just now across the heavens and neutralized
Jove's salutary influence: 'neath the blot
Just now across the heavens and neutralized
Jove's salutary influence: 'neath the blot
“Plumb are you placed now: well that I surmised
The cause of failure! Knaves, reverse the bed!”
“Stay!” groaned the monarch, “I shall be capsized—
The cause of failure! Knaves, reverse the bed!”
“Stay!” groaned the monarch, “I shall be capsized—
“Jolt—jolt—my heels uplift where late my head
Was lying—sure I'm turned right round at last!
What do you say now, Doctor?” Nought he said:
Was lying—sure I'm turned right round at last!
What do you say now, Doctor?” Nought he said:
For why? With one brisk leap the Antic passed
From couch-foot back to pillow,—as before,
Lord of the situation. Long aghast
From couch-foot back to pillow,—as before,
Lord of the situation. Long aghast
The Doctor gazed, then “Yet one trial more
Is left me” inwardly he uttered “Shame
Upon thy flinty heart! Do I implore
Is left me” inwardly he uttered “Shame
Upon thy flinty heart! Do I implore
156
“This trifling favour in the idle name
Of mercy to the moribund? I plead
The cause of all thou dost affect: my aim
Of mercy to the moribund? I plead
The cause of all thou dost affect: my aim
“Befits my author! Why would I succeed?
Simply that by success I may promote
The growth of thy pet virtues—pride and greed.
Simply that by success I may promote
The growth of thy pet virtues—pride and greed.
“But keep thy favours!—curse thee! I devote
Henceforth my service to the other side.
No time to lose: the rattle's in his throat.
Henceforth my service to the other side.
No time to lose: the rattle's in his throat.
“So,—not to leave one last resource untried,—
Run to my house with all haste, somebody!
Bring me that knobstick thence, so often plied
Run to my house with all haste, somebody!
Bring me that knobstick thence, so often plied
“With profit by the astrologer—shall I
Disdain its help, the mystic Jacob's-Staff?
Sire, do but have the courage not to die
Disdain its help, the mystic Jacob's-Staff?
Sire, do but have the courage not to die
“Till this arrive! Let none of you dare laugh!
Though rugged its exterior, I have seen
That implement work wonders, send the chaff
Though rugged its exterior, I have seen
That implement work wonders, send the chaff
“Quick and thick flying from the wheat—I mean,
By metaphor, a human sheaf it thrashed
Flail-like. Go fetch it! Or—a word between
By metaphor, a human sheaf it thrashed
Flail-like. Go fetch it! Or—a word between
157
“Just you and me, friend!—go bid, unabashed,
My mother, whom you'll find there, bring the stick
Herself—herself, mind!” Out the lackey dashed
My mother, whom you'll find there, bring the stick
Herself—herself, mind!” Out the lackey dashed
Zealous upon the errand. Craft and trick
Are meat and drink to Satan: and he grinned
—How else?—at an excuse so politic
Are meat and drink to Satan: and he grinned
—How else?—at an excuse so politic
For failure: scarce would Jacob's-Staff rescind
Fate's firm decree! And ever as he neared
The agonizing one, his breath like wind
Fate's firm decree! And ever as he neared
The agonizing one, his breath like wind
Froze to the marrow, while his eye-flash seared
Sense in the brain up: closelier and more close
Pressing his prey, when at the door appeared
Sense in the brain up: closelier and more close
Pressing his prey, when at the door appeared
—Who but his Wife the Bad? Whereof one dose,
One grain, one mite of the medicament,
Sufficed him. Up he sprang. One word, too gross
One grain, one mite of the medicament,
Sufficed him. Up he sprang. One word, too gross
To soil my lips with,—and through ceiling went
Somehow the Husband. “That a storm's dispersed
We know for certain by the sulphury scent!
Somehow the Husband. “That a storm's dispersed
We know for certain by the sulphury scent!
“Hail to the Doctor! Who but one so versed
In all Dame Nature's secrets had prescribed
The staff thus opportunely? Style him first
In all Dame Nature's secrets had prescribed
The staff thus opportunely? Style him first
158
“And foremost of physicians!” “I've imbibed
Elixir surely,” smiled the prince,—“have gained
New lease of life. Dear Doctor, how you bribed
Elixir surely,” smiled the prince,—“have gained
New lease of life. Dear Doctor, how you bribed
“Death to forego me, boots not: you've obtained
My daughter and her dowry. Death, I've heard,
Was still on earth the strongest power that reigned,
My daughter and her dowry. Death, I've heard,
Was still on earth the strongest power that reigned,
“Except a Bad Wife!” Whereunto demurred
Nowise the Doctor, so refused the fee
—No dowry, no bad wife!
Nowise the Doctor, so refused the fee
—No dowry, no bad wife!
“You think absurd
This tale?”—the Rabbi added: “True, our Talmud
Boasts sundry such: yet—have our elders erred
In thinking there's some water there, not all mud?”
I tell it, as the Rabbi told it me.
This tale?”—the Rabbi added: “True, our Talmud
Boasts sundry such: yet—have our elders erred
In thinking there's some water there, not all mud?”
I tell it, as the Rabbi told it me.
The Poetical Works of Robert Browning | ||