Robert Browning’s “Last Ride Together” is a monologue of a rejected lover that expresses his undying

love for his beloved. The dramatic situation appears to be one in which the lover, upon being rejected by
his mistress, asks for, and is granted, one last horseback ride with her across a mysterious landscape. The
ride, however, seems to stretch out to eternity; there is no sense of time demarcation, but a continuous
unfurling of landscape. The poem echoes the ‘carpe diem’ motif of seizing the present.
The poet dwells on the significance of the present as he concentrates on the ride. He contemplates on why
people attach so much significance to the past and future, than focusing on the present. His soul that was
hitherto a long “scramped scroll ” smoothens itself out .The metaphor connotes living life to the fullest in
elation and ecstasy for the moment. The scroll freshens and flutters in the wind in intense euphoria. Why
does one get carried away by past actions:
Had I said that, had I done this,
So might I gain, so might I miss.
Why do people leave room for doubts, suspicions, failure, misgivings that haunt the present instead of
protecting it, and distracting the same? One should breathe each moment as though there is no room for
regret. “The Last Ride Together” makes profound statements concerning the irrelevance of the past in
relation to present emotions and sentiments. More specifically, Browning discusses hopes that have not
been fulfilled, and places them in direct contrast to present circumstances. By revealing the idea that
sentiments and events of the past often have little effect on future outcomes, Browning suggests that life
should not involve dwelling on the past or hoping for the future, but living in the moment.
The lover as he rides with his beloved continues to think about the world. He says that brain and hand
cannot go together hand in hand. Conception and execution can never be paired together. Man is not able
to make pace with his actions to match with his ambitions. He plans a lot but achieves a little. The lover
feels that he has at least achieved a little success by being able to ride with his beloved. He compares
himself with a statesman and a soldier. A statesman works hard all his life but all his efforts are merely
published in a book or as an obituary in newspapers. Similarly a soldier dies fighting for his country and
is buried in the Westminster Abbey, which is his only reward after death. Sometimes an epitaph is raised
in his memory but that is all. The lover then compares his lot with that of a poet. He believes that a poet’s
reward is too small compared with his skills. He composed sweet lyrics, thoughts of emotions of others,
views that men should achieve beautiful things in life. But the reward he gets in return is very little and he
dies in poverty in the prime of his life. Compared to the poet, the lover considers himself luckier as he has
at least achieved the consolation of riding with his lover for the last time. The lover thinks that it would be
a heaven on earth for him if he continues to ride with his beloved forever. He wishes that the moment
should become everlasting so that they could continue to ride together forever and ever. That would
indeed be heavenly bliss for him.
Thus through this poem, Browning expresses the view that, the past is insignificant, and that one may
only live in the moment in order to pursue happiness in life. "The Last Ride Together" indicates that life
is a long journey that is best played out with a special love. Seeing every day as one’s last can really put a
new perspective on everyday experiences and life in general. The juxtapositions of city and ruins, hope
for love and a last ride together, both illustrate this idea dramatically. One can learn not to look back on
what one hoped for, but only to look forward at what one has.
Robert Browning's poem, "The Last Ride Together, " is one of the greatest love poems ever written.
Browning's choice of words in this poem depict a sincere, honest, and deep love; a love that must be truly
experienced to be known. This poem really puts feelings and emotions into words in ways that are rarely
seen. The words flow together and tell one of the best love stories ever told.
In the second stanza, the following words of Browning's, "My last thought was at least not vain: I and my
mistress, side by side Shall be together, breathe and ride, So, one day more am I deified. Who knows but
the world may end to-night?" clearly shows the depth of his love. He truly treasures every day he has
with the woman he loves and wants it to go on forever. He wants them to be together for as many days of
their lives as they possibly can. He realizes that every day might be the last and knows how important it
is to make the most of all of the time they have together. He was thankful for every day that his special
woman was by his side.

The fourth stanza of Browning's poem shows his own analysis of his life and the different stages he has
been through. The past was history, the past when he had merely hoped the love of his dreams would
love him back. He seemed to know how important it was to focus on the present because the length of the
future was not known.

"Fail I alone, in words and deeds? Why, all men strive and who succeeds? We rode; it seem'd my spirit
flew, Saw other regions, cities new, As the world rush'd by on either side. I thought,-All labour, yet no
less Bear up beneath their unsuccess. Look at the end of work, contrast The petty done, the undone vast,
This present of theirs with the hopeful past! I hoped she would love me; here we ride."

In this stanza, Browning also explores the idea of success and what it means. He compares both life and
love as a journey, a journey with ups and downs like a very long ride. He is thankful that he has a woman
by his side, who means a great deal to him, to share this ride with.

The following words in the seventh stanza, "Your brains beat into rhythm, you tell What we felt only; you
express'd You hold things beautiful the best, And pace them in rhyme so, side by side," describe what it is
like to have a partner in life, a true soul mate. These words paint the best picture possible for those who
have not yet experienced it themselves.

The final stanza includes the following words, "What if we still ride on, we two With life for ever old yet
new, Changed not in kind but in degree, The instant made eternity,- And heaven just prove that I and she
Ride, ride together, for ever ride?" With these words, Browning indicates that getting older does not
change a strong love, rather over time, it becomes stronger and intensifies. This ride goes on forever even
when mortal life is over, although it's very hard to imagine while living.

The Last Ride Together indicates that life is a long journey that is best played out with a special love.
Seeing every day as your last can really put a new perspective on everyday experiences and life in
general. It's important to not take any time for granted and to cherish those you love every day.