What does ”will’t” mean?

Hello 🙂

I need help with one of the poems from Anthology.

It's 'My Last Duchess' by Robert Browning

That's only a fragment of the poem:

That's my last Duchess painted on the wall,

Looking as if she were alive. I call

That piece a wonder, now: Frà Pandolf's hands

Worked busily a day, and there she stands.

Will't please you sit and look at her? I said

"Frà Pandolf" by design, for never read

Strangers like you that pictured countenance,

The depth and passion of its earnest glance,

But to myselfthey turned (since none puts by

The curtain I have drawn for you, but I) 10

And seemed as they would ask me, if they durst,

How such a glance came there; so, not the first

Are you to turn and ask thus. Sir, 'twas not

Her husband's presence only, called that spot

Of joy into the Duchess' cheek: perhaps

Frà Pandolf chanced to say "Her mantle laps

Over my Lady's wrist too much," or "Paint

Must never hope to reproduce the faint

Half-flush that dies along her throat": such stuff

Was courtesy, she thought, and cause enough 20

I don't know what "will't" mean.

Can someone help? :))

4 Answers

  • It means will it.

  • That's a good point

  • Just like Romeo and Juliet,they use the word "Arthou"for Where are you?

    Will't means will it.

  • Frankly, I am not convinced

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts