Meeting At Night

Summary
‘Meeting at Night’ by Robert Browning describes a journey undertaken by
the speaker to meet with the person he loves at night outside their
farmhouse.
The poem begins with the speaker on a boat, sailing through the dark
waters of the sea. It is unclear at first if there is a point to his travels or if he
is just moving aimlessly through the landscape. He takes note of the moon,
which is only half-full. This provides him with just enough light to see the
land in the distance. It is not enough for him to make out any distinct
features. This does not bother the speaker—making it likely he has taken
this trip before.

Thereafter, he makes it to land and is welcomed by the “slushy sand” in

which he leaves his boat. He makes his way across fields until a farmhouse
is visible in the distance. Upon reaching its window he taps on the glass and
is rewarded with the spark of a match and the voice of his lover. The two
can meet in secret in the final line.

Structure
‘Meeting at Night’ by Robert Browning is a two stanza poem that is
separated into sets of six lines or sestets. The poem is framed out and
contained by a consistent and structured rhyming pattern of abccba deffed.
Moreover, Browning wrote this poem by using a loose Iambic tetrameter.
However, there are a few variations in the poem. As an example, “black
land” contains a spondee. The iambic-trochaic structure of the lines displays
how tensed the lyrical voice of the poem is. Moreover, the use
of anaphora creates tension in the first stanza.
Themes
There are several important themes in this poem. The most important
theme of the poem is love. This passionate kind of love does not only
involve the primal emotions of the body but also of the deepest ones
generating from one’s heart. The secrecy between lovers is another
important aspect to mention here. The “meeting” seems to be a tryst
between two souls. When the body meets there is sound. While the
meeting of souls, there is no sound. It is the silence that makes that bond
stronger. Apart from that, the poet uses the themes of endurance, passion,
optimism vs pessimism, and physical love in this poem.

Lines 1–2
The grey sea and the long black land;
And the yellow half-moon large and low;

In the first stanza of ‘Meeting at Night’, the speaker begins by naming and
describing details of the landscape. It is one that is ever-changing, as he is
on his way to one particular place. The poem does not contain any place
names, or specific features that might allow a reader to place the events in
one particular town, country, or even specific time.

The sea the speaker is traveling on is described as being “grey.” There is not
enough light to show any of its deeper blues and greens. This one word
immediately informs a reader that the events are taking place at night.
Additionally, he points out the land which is “long” and “black.” Once more
the lack of details makes it clear he is sailing at night without any significant
light to guide him. The only light he does have comes from the “half-moon”
in the sky. It is “yellow” and “low,” providing him with the bare minimum of
illumination.
In this way, the first two lines depict a journey. These lines set the scene and
describe the landscape: “The grey sea and the long black land;/ And the
yellow half-moon large and low;”. The reference to a “long black land”
suggests that it is nighttime and the “yellow half-moon” could be narrating
either a sunrise or a sunset.

Lines 3–4
And the startled little waves that leap
In fiery ringlets from their sleep,

The “little waves” further the description of the “grey sea” but
they contrast as they leap in “fiery ringlets” and appear to be turbulent. One
can notice the light imagery that is going to be persistent later in the poem.

The whole seascape comes alive as the speaker describes the waves as
“leap[ing]” around his craft. They are not used to being disturbed at this
time of night. The waves are spoken of as if they have been roused from
sleep. The light from the moon adds to the atmosphere as individual
“ringlets” of water are lit by its glow.

Lines 5–6
As I gain the cove with pushing prow,
And quench its speed i’ the slushy sand.

Then, in ‘Meeting at Night’, the lyrical voice appears strongly with the use of
the first person singular “I”. He narrates how he was sailing and arrives at
the shore, “As I gain the cove with pushing prow.” Also, the lyrical voice
depicts how he stopped his boat on the coast in this line, “And quench its
speed i’ the slushy sand.”

In the last two lines, the speaker makes it to the “black land” that was
previously spotted in the distance. It is in a “cove” he has landed and,
without help, he pushes his boat onto the “slushy sand.” A reader should
take note of the use of alliteration in these two lines.

Browning repeats the “p’ sound with “pushing prow” and the ’s’ sound with
“slushy sand.” These choices add to the overall feeling of the scene and
increase a reader’s ability to understand what exactly is going on. One can
experience the world as the speaker does.

However, in the first stanza, the imagery is mostly pastoral and picturesque,
as the first lines vividly depict the landscape that the lyrical voice was sailing
through. However, in the second part of the stanza, the lyrical voice focuses
on finishing his voyage to go in a particular direction. As more actions take
place, the tone of the poem gets more dynamic and the images portrayed
become stronger.

Lines 7–8
Then a mile of warm sea-scented beach;
Three fields to cross till a farm appears;

At the beginning of the second stanza, the poet narrates a meeting

between the lyrical voice and his beloved. The lyrical voice depicts how he
disembarked from his boat and how he walked across the land in these
lines, “Then a mile of warm sea-scented beach;/ Three fields to cross till a
farm appears.”
The description of the “warm sea-scented beach” relates to the first stanza,
as it depicts a particular landscape. The lyrical voice doesn’t say where his
final destination is but, as he walks through the fields on a complicated
journey, the farm seems to be his final destination. He goes across the sea,
across the beach, and, finally, across the fields to get to where he wants to
go.

Moreover, the land is illuminated in greater detail in these lines. As the

speaker moves from his craft to the shore he takes in the “mile of warm
sea-scented beach.” In contrast to the relative coldness of the night, the
sand is a comforting addition. It seems to welcome him to shore. The land
was waiting for him to appear.

The speaker is crossing the landscape which is unknown to the reader, but
well-known to him. He is aware that there are “Three fields” to get through
before “a farm appears.” This is his destination. As the poem progresses the
narrative description takes on a more clandestine feeling. It is becoming
evident that he is not supposed to be here, and is breaking someone’s rule
by coming to the farm at night.

Lines 9–10
A tap at the pane, the quick sharp scratch
And blue spurt of a lighted match,
“A tap at the pane” shows that the lyrical voice of ‘Meeting at Night’ was
expected in that farm and a figure appears in these lines, “the quick sharp
scratch/And blue spurt of a lighted match.” These lines appear to have no
movement; time stops as the lyrical voice and this unknown figure meet.
Furthermore, the “lighted match” is a symbol of passion and romance.
Approximately halfway through the second stanza, the speaker makes it to
the farmhouse where he “tap[s]” on a “pane” of window glass. Immediately
following this light sound, there is the “sharp[er]” sound of a match being
lit. The movement of the blue flame appears quickly in the speaker’s line of
sight.

Lines 11–12
And a voice less loud, thro’ its joys and fears,
Than the two hearts beating each to each!
After this first encounter, a voice speaks, a voice that is “less loud”. This is
the lyrical voice’s beloved one, the one he did all that harsh journey for. The
voice that has experienced a lot “thro’ its joys and fears” is dissimilar to the
hearts which beat louder than words. Here, the poet writes, “Than the two
hearts beating each to each!” This represents the joy of the lovers of finally
meeting and seeing each other.

The final image of the poem shows the culmination of the journey
romantically and powerfully because love was at the end of the severe
voyage. Moreover, the “meeting at night” suggests a transgression and the
abrupt ending shows how the lyrical voice needs not to write but simply
live the reunion with his lover.

Moreover, in the last few lines events are occurring rapidly now as a voice
follows, quietly, after the match is lit. This new character is speaking so
gently that they are outdone by the previous sound of the match. Although
the speaker is not able to hear his lover well, he does detect “joys and
fears.” Within the sound of the voice, he hears real emotions that reflect his
own. Finally, in the last line, the two are together. The speaker has made his
way to the “Meeting” referenced in the title and can secretly spend time
with the person he loves.
 Q/A

Short Answer Type Questions (SAQ)

1. Why is the poet persona out on a journey at night?

Ans: The poet persona is out on a journey at night because he wants to meet his
beloved secretly.

2. How does Browning describe the moon in the poem?

Ans: In the poem, Browning describes the yellow half-moon as large and low.

3. What is the colour of the sea?

Ans: The colour of the sea is grey.

4. How long is the sea-scented beach?

Ans: The sea-scented beach is one mile long.

5. Why does the lover tap at the pane?

Ans: The lover taps at the pane to announce his arrival to his beloved.

6. Where does the boat slow down?

Ans: The boat slows down as it reaches the cove and touches the slushy sand.

7. What does the poem “Meeting at Night” record?

Ans: The poem “Meeting at Night” records the lover’s journey and his secret meeting
with his beloved.

9. What does the word 'prow' mean?

Ans: The word 'prow' means the pointed face of a boat or ship.

10. What do the 'fiery ringlets' stand for?

Ans: The 'fiery ringlets' stand for the secret passion and anticipation of the lover
before meeting his beloved.

11. In the poem what does the word 'cove' mean?

Ans: Here in the dramatic romance "Meeting at Night", the word 'cove' means bay.

12. What is the meaning of 'slushy sand'?

Ans: The 'slushy sand' means the soft sand mixed with mud at the shore where the
lover slows down his boat.

13. Why do the waves startle?

Ans: The waves startle because of the approaching boat which, according to the
poet, wakes them up from their sleep.

14. Where from does the 'blue spurt' come?

Ans: The sudden blue spurt of light comes from the lighting of a match stick from
inside the farmhouse.

15. What did the beloved do to announce her presence?

Ans: The beloved scratches a matchstick which gives out a blue spurt of light to
announce her presence.

16. The voice is less loud than what?

Ans: The voice is less loud than the sound produced by the two beating hearts.

17. How is the land described in the poem?

Ans: In the poem, the land is black which indicates that the time of the journey was
night.

18. Where do the lovers meet?

Ans: The lovers meet secretly at a farmhouse quite at a distance from the sea.

19. Why is the 'yellow half-moon' described as 'large and low'?

Ans: The 'yellow half-moon' is described as 'large' in size as the sky is very clear, and
it is 'low' to the horizon. It may be that it is either rising or setting.

20. What type of poem is "Meeting at Night"?

Ans: "Meeting at Night" is a dramatic romance written by Robert Browning.

21. What does the "blue spurt of a lighted match" signify?

Ans: In Browning's poem "Meeting at Night", the 'blue spurt of a lighted match'
signifies that the very moment for meeting each other has ultimately come.

22. What sense does ‘long black land’ evoke in the poem “Meeting at Night”?

Ans: In the poem “Meeting at Night”, the ‘long black land’ evokes a sense of
depression and illusion of love.

23. How is the land in the poem “Meeting at Night”?

Ans: The land in the poem “Meeting at Night” is black and long.

24. “In fiery ringlets from their sleep” - Who are imagined to sleep?

Ans: The little waves in the sea are imagined to sleep.

25. What does the speaker do after reaching the farm?

Ans: After reaching the farm, the speaker taps at the pane of the window in the poem
“Meeting at Night”.

26. Why does the speaker meet his beloved at night?

Ans: In the poem “Meeting at Night”, the speaker meets his beloved in order to
maintain the secrecy of his love affair.

27. How does the lover respond to the speaker in the poem “Meeting at Night”?

Ans: In the poem “Meeting at Night”, responds to the speaker by maintaining silence
and lighting the matchstick. The lover gives expression to her joys and fear in a
hushed and almost inaudible voice.

28. Where does the speaker's sweetheart live?

Ans: The speaker's sweetheart lives in a secluded and lonely farm across the bay.

29. How did the moon look like?

Ans: The moon looked yellow and large and low.

30. Why are the waves startled in the poem “Meeting at Night”?
Ans: The waves in the poem “Meeting at Night” are startled at the approach of the
man’s boat.

31. Who wrote the poem "Meeting at Night"?

Ans: Robert Browning, the famous English poet, wrote the poem "Meeting at Night".

32. What type of poem is "Meeting at Night"?

Ans: "Meeting at Night" is a lyrical love poem.

33. Which age did Robert Browning belong to?

Ans: Robert Browning belonged to the Victorian age.

34. What does the poem "Meeting at Night" depict?

Ans: The poem "Meeting at Night" depicts a lover's adventurous (ঝুঁ কিপূর্)ণ journey to
meet his beloved at night.

35. What is the meaning of the word 'cove'?

Ans: The meaning of the word 'cove' is 'a small bay'.

36. What does the match give out in the poem "Meeting at Night"?

Ans: The match, in the poem "Meeting at Night", gives out a blue spurt.

37. How does the speaker in the poem "Meeting at Night" undertake a journey?

Ans: The speaker, in the poem "Meeting at Night", undertakes a journey by boat.

38. What does 'spurt' mean in the poem "Meeting at Night"?

Ans: The word 'spurt' means 'sudden gushing out' in the poem "Meeting at Night".

39. What does the expression 'The two hearts beating each to each' suggest?

Ans: The expression 'The two hearts beating each to each' suggests the deep passion
of the lovers that generates some romantic heat.

40. How does the speaker describe the land in the poem "Meeting at Night"?
Ans: The speaker, in the poem "Meeting at Night", describes the land as 'black' in the
darkness of the night.

41. Where does the lover's boat in the "Meeting at Night" stop?

Ans: The lover's boat stops in the slushy sand.

42. What does the lover do to announce his arrival?

Ans: The lover taps on and scratches the window pane to announce his arrival.

43. Who faces the sea and when in the poem "Meeting at night"?

Ans: In the poem "Meeting at Night", the lover faces the sea on his way to his
beloved's cottage at night.

44. What makes the sea grey in the poem "Meeting at Night"?

Ans: Both dark night and nocturnal mist make the sea grey.

45. What journey does the lover undertake to meet his beloved?

Ans: The lover undertakes a perilous sea- voyage to meet his beloved.

46. What type of poem is "Meeting at Night"?

Ans: The poem "Meeting at Night" is a beautiful dramatic lyric.

47. What is the meaning of the word 'quench' in the poem "Meeting at Night"?

Ans: In the poem "Meeting at Night", the word 'quench' means 'stifle'.

48. "As I gain the cove with pushing prow." - Who is 'I' referred to here?

Here 'I' refers to the lover in Browning's poem "Meeting at Night".

49. What does 'night' suggest in the title "Meeting at Night"?

Ans: The word 'night" in the title "Meeting at Night" suggests the secrecy and
urgency of the meeting.

50. What does the poem "Meeting at Night" recount?

Ans: The poem "Meeting at Night", written by Robert Browning, recounts a lover's
journey and meeting his beloved.

51. The grey sea and the long black land." - Who faces the sea and when?

Ans: In the poem "Meeting at Night" by Robert Browning, the lover faces the sea on
his way to his beloved's cottage.

52. The grey sea and the long black land." - What makes the sea 'grey'?

Ans: The dark night and the nocturnal mist make the sea 'grey'.

53. "And a voice less loud..." - Whose voice is referred to here?

Ans: The voice of the the beloved in the poem "Meeting at Night" is referred to here.

54. Give an example of sensuous image from the poem "Meeting at Night".

Ans: 'The blue spurt of a lighted match' is an example of a sensuous image.

55. Give an example of a visual image.

Ans: "The grey sea" is an example of visual image.

Previous Years Questions

1)What is the colour of the sea in the poem “Meeting at Night”?[Annual Exam 11. –
2015, 2018]
Ans. The sea is grey in the poem “Meeting at Night”.

2)What does the phrase ‘grey sea’ suggest in the poem ‘Meeting at Night’?
Ans. In the poem meeting at Night, ‘the grey sea’ suggests that it is the time of evening.

3)How was the land that the lover saw from the sea in the poem ‘Meeting at Night’? Or
How does the poet describe the land?
Ans. The land was long and black in the poem Meeting at Night.

4)How does the poet describe the sea and land in “Meeting at Night”? [Annual
Exam 11. – 2022]
Ans. The poet describes the sea as grey and the land as long and black.

4)What did the lover see in the sky?

Ans. The lover saw a yellow half-moon in the sky.

5)How does Browning describe the half-moon?[Annual Exam 11. – 2015, 2018, 2020]
Ans. Browning describes the half-moon as yellow, large and low.
6)How were the little waves described in the poem ‘Meeting at Night’?
Ans. The little waves were described as startled in the poem ‘Meeting at Night’.

7)How does the poet personify the waves?

Ans. The poet personifies the waves by describing them as startled.

8)How do the little waves leap from their sleep?

Ans. The little waves leap in fiery ringlets from their sleep.

9)What do the ‘fiery ringlets’ suggest? [Annual Exam 11. – 2019] Or. “In fiery ringlets
from their sleep” – Why are the ringlets described as ‘fiery’?[Annual Exam 11. = 2022]
Ans The fiery ringlets suggests the speaker’s burning passion.

10) “As I gain the cove with pushing prow” – What do you mean by the word ‘cove’?
Ans. The word ‘cove’ means creek or inlet of the sea.

11) “As I gain the cove with pushing prow” – What do you mean by the word ‘prow’?
Ans. The word ‘prow’ means the pointed front part of a boat.

12)How did the speaker gain the cove?

Ans. The speaker gained the cove by pushing the prow.

13)What does the phrase ‘quench its speed’ means?

Ans. The phrase ‘quench its speed’ means to slow down the speed of the boat.

14) “And quench its speed i’ the slushy sand”. – What do you mean by the phrase
‘slushy sand’?
Ans. The Phrase ‘slushy sand’ means soft sand with full of mud.

15)How is the beach described in the poem ‘Meeting At Night’?

Ans. The beach is warm and sea-scented.

16)How many fields will the speaker have to cross before a farm appears?[Annual
Exam 11. – 2014, 2019]
Ans. The speaker will have to cross three fields before a farm appears.

17)Where does the boat slow down?[Annual Exam 11. – 2016]

Ans. The boat slows down in the slushy sand of the cove.

18)How long is the sea-scented beach?[Annual Exam 11. – 2014, 2020]

Ans. The sea scented beach is one mile long.

19)What does the speaker do immediately after he reaches the farmhouse in the poem
‘Meeting At Night’? [Annual Exam 11.– 2016]
Ans. The speaker taps the window pane immediately after he reaches the farmhouse.

20) Where does the speaker tap in the poem “Meeting at Night”? [Annual Exam 11.–
2022]
Ans. The speaker taps the window pane in the poem “Meeting at Night”.
21)What is the destination of the lover in the poem ‘Meeting at Night’? Or Where does
his lady love live?
Ans. The destination of the lover in the poem, ‘Meeting at Night’ is a farmhouse.

22)Whose voice responds to the tap at the pane?[Annual Exam 11. – 2019]
Ans. The voice of the lady love responds to the tape of the pane.

23) “And the voice less loud.” – Why is the voice of lady love less loud?
Ans. The voice of lady love is less loud because they are meeting secretly and do not want to
be caught.

Long Q/A
1)Justify the title of the poem ‘Meeting at Night’.[5] [Annual Exam. Class 11 – 2015,
2018]
Ans. Robert Browning’s ‘Meeting at Night’ describes the two lover’s earnest desire to meet
at night secretly. The poem shows how a lover surpasses all the obstacles only to meet his
beloved. Perhaps some socio-personal problems create obstacles to their love affairs. That is
why they decide to meet at night secretly. The lover undertakes a hard journey through the
grey sea. Then he walks a mile of warm sea-scented beach and crossed three fields. At last,
he reaches his destination, a farmhouse where his ladylove lives. To keep their meeting
secret, the love partners exchange no words only non-verbal expressions and ultimately meet
one another amidst joy and fear. Thus the poem connects to the theme of the poem and hence
it is appropriate.

2) “And a voice less loud, through its joys and fears,

“Than the two hearts beating each to each!” – Whose voice is referred to here? Why is
the voice full of joy and fear? Describe the meeting.[1+2+2 = 5] [Annual Exam. Class 11
– 2019, 2020]

Ans. The feeble voice of ladylove in Robert Browning’s ‘Meeting at Night’ is referred to
here.
The voice is full of joy because the lovers’ desire is fulfilled by meeting at night. At the
same time, the voice of lady love expresses fear because they are meeting secretly. They are
feared to be discovered or caught.
After undertaking a strenuous journey and overcoming the obstacles, the lover reaches
his destination, a farmhouse where his ladylove lives. He taps the window. The ladylove who
was eagerly waiting for him signals him by scratching a match. Finally, they meet and sense
the pleasure of meeting. Their passionate and excited hearts surpass their voices.

3)Give an account of the lover’s journey to his beloved in ‘Meeting at Night’.[5] [Annual
Exam. Class 11 – 2017]
Ans. The lover in Browning’s Meeting at Night undertakes a strenuous journey to meet his
beloved. It is a secret meeting at night. He takes a boat and voyages through the grey sea. The
land is long and black. He looks at the yellow moon which is large and low. The waves which
are sleeping now leap in fiery ringlets with the movement of the boat. Then he reaches the
cove and anchors the boat in the slushy sand. After that, he walks a mile on the warm sea-
scented beach. He crosses three fields and reaches his destination, a farmhouse. By tapping
the window pane, he informs his arrival.

4)What does the speaker observe in the course of his journey to the farmhouse in the
poem, Meeting at Night’? What does he do as reaches the farmhouse? [3+2 = 5] [Annual
Exam. Class 11 – 2014]
Ans. The lover in Browning’s ‘Meeting at Night’ undertakes a strenuous and long journey to
meet his ladylove. While he was going through the sea, he observed the grey sea, long black
land, and the yellow half-moon which was large and low in the sky. Again the lover observed
the little waves which were still sleeping, now leapt in fiery ringlets from their sleep with the
movement of the boat. He felt the warmness of the sea scented beach while walking on it.
He taps the window pane immediate after reaching the farmhouse and signals his
arrival.

5)Evaluate ‘Meeting at Night’ as a love poem.[5] [Annual Exam. Class 11 – 2016]

Ans. Robert Browning’s ‘Meeting at Night’ is a famous love poem. The lover in the poem
overcomes all the obstacles to meet his ladylove. He undertakes a long and hard journey
through the grey sea. Then he walks a mile on the sea-scented beach and crosses three fields.
At last, he reaches his destination, a farmhouse where his ladylove lives. He taps the window.
The ladylove who was eagerly waiting for him, responds to him by scratching a match.
Finally, they meet and enjoy the pleasure of meeting. The beating of their passionate hearts
suppresses their voices. The words such as the yellow half-moon, fiery ringlets, startled
waves, and slushy sands indicate the lover’s soaring passion for love. So, all these signs that
‘Meeting at Night’ is a love poem.

6) How does Browning use images and symbols in the poem ‘Meeting at Night’.
[5] [Annual Exam. Class 11 -2022]
Ans. Robert Browning’s Meeting at Night is full of images and symbols. He uses these
images and symbols to describe the landscape, his journey to his beloved and his passion.
The poet uses visual images like ‘grey sea’, ‘long black land’, ‘yellow half-moon’, ‘startle
little waves’, ‘ blue spurt of a lighted match,’ etc. We find the aural images in the phrase like
‘tap at the pane’, ‘sharp scratch’, ‘hearts beating’ etc. ‘Slushy sand’ is an example of a tactile
image and ‘warm sea-scented beach as an olfactory image.
The colour ‘grey’ in the phrase ‘grey sea’ represents loneliness. ‘Half-moon’ symbolises the
poet’s unfulfilled desires. The leaping of the waves suggests the intense swelling passion of
the poet. ‘Blue spurt of a lighted match’ suggests the flamed up passion of the lovers. And the
‘two hearts beating each to each’ indicates the accomplishment of their desires.