'The Last Ride Together’

The Last Ride Together.....by Robert Browning. (Analysis)

 'The Last Ride Together’ is a representative poem of dramatic monologue by Robert Browning.It was first published in 1855 from the collection ''Man and Woman''.It is considered as one of the most important works in the Victorian era. Primarily this poem is  focused on the theme of love & loss. Here the rejected lover speaks of the particular moment of his life of last ride together with his  beloved at a critical moment in presence of one or more other  people. He unfolds his thoughts and emotions in dramatic mood.  ‘The  Last Ride Together’ offers a complete philosophy of love. Love does not mean to Browning a gross sensual appetite as it does to Byron. Love to Browning is an alchemic power which transmutes and elevates the human soul. Love in his opinion, belongs as much to the body as to soul and it has nothing carnal in it .

The central theme of the poem  ‘The’ Last Ride Together’ is the unrequited love with noblest resignation. A lover is rejected by his lady love. But the rejected lover accepts it quietly. He neither laments nor accuses her. He only requests to have a last ride together. 
          ''Those deep dark eyes where pride demurs
            When pity would be softening through''

After a moment of hesitation the lady love accepts it.

                 ‘’I  and my mistress, side by side

                  Shall be together, breathe and ride,

                  So one day more am I deified…’’

At this particular moment, the lover is pleased to get the company of his lady love on the horse back. The lady love lies on his breast. He now  consoles himself enjoying this last ride. He  thinks  that everybody fails in the world. He at least gets the permission of riding together. He compares himself with that of the statesman, the soldier, the poet, the musician and the sculptor. They all get less reward than their achievement. His last ride is far better thing. Failure is common to all.

Robert Browning is an optimist. His philosophy of life comes from the optimistic attitude. He believes that failure is the common lot to all and sundry. Efforts are better than achievement. Failure is essential for spiritual development. It is better to die with the ideals unfulfilled. It should be achieved in heaven after death. According to the poet, death is not the end of life but the beginning  of eternal life. Moreover he hopes that he will meet his ladylove after death and his ride with her may be continued for ever. That’s why the poet said,-----

                ‘’All men strive and who succeeds?’’

It is the tragedy of human life that aspiration never equals achievement. Everybody wishes to succeed but very few of us get their goal. Total perfection is impossible in the world
The title of the poem  'The Last Ride Together’ is well chosen. It highlights the keynote of the poem.The rejected lover gets permission from his ladylove for the last ride together. As it is the last ride undoubtedly they will be separated for ever. 

Browning’s philosophy of love

The last Ride Together offers a complete philosophy of love. According to browning love is an alchemic power which evaluates human soul. In his opinion, love belongs from soul and also body, and it has nothing carnal in it.