Mackechnib. — On Broivnivg's Vision of Life. 373 



frequently, the question ever returning to his mind for con- 

 sideration. What would be the effect upon a man if he were 

 to die, rise again, and return to ordinary duties of every-day 

 life '? How would it be if — 



Heaven open'd to a soul while yet on earth, 

 Earth forced on a soul's use while seeing heaven ? 



That was the question he pondered over and endeavoured to 

 realise. He thei'eupon, pursuing his usual dramatic method, 

 as in " Cleon " and other poems, imagmes an Arab physician 

 on his travels to have met Lazarus at Bethany some years 

 after his resurrection, to have held converse with him, and to 

 have marked with the greatest interest his bearing and con- 

 duct as he takes up his after-life. In writing to his former 

 master in the profession the physician gives an account, 

 among other professional matters, of this singular case, re- 

 marking — 



'Tis but a case of mania — subinduced 



By epilepsy, at the turning-point 



Of trance prolonged unduly some three days ; 



and holds that by some drug, spell, stroke of art (unknown 

 to him, and which were well to know) the evil was sub- 

 dued, and the man restored once more to health. Continuing 

 his narrative of the occurrence, he gives the information ob- 

 tained from Lazarus direct : " And first the man's own firm 

 conviction rests that he was dead (in fact, they buried him) — 

 that he was dead and then restored to life by a Nazarene 

 physician of his tribe.- Sayeth, the same bade ' Else,' and he 

 did rise." And in describing Lazarus's bearing and conduct 

 he writes, " He looks like one who had seen life beyond the 

 grave and had returned with its impression constantly be- 

 fore him — ' the spiritual life around the earthly life.' " The 

 grown man eyes the world like a child ; meditates with folded 

 hands ; seldom speaks except when spoken to ; cares gently 

 even for the bn-ds and the flowers ; submits himself to the 

 heavenly will ; is moved to indignation by the folly and sia 

 of men ; he acts not in accordance with his earthly surround- 

 ings, but in reference to his future state — 



His heart and brain move there, his feet stay here. 



Hence Browning concludes that certainty about the life to 

 come would render duty impossible, and that such knowledge 

 has been wisely withheld from us for man's good simply. 



Every great teacher has placed before the world very high 

 ideals for imitation. The perfection specified and to be striven 

 for is not always attainable by human nature even at its best, 

 but it enables us to aim high, though we may fall far short of 

 what we strive to accomplish. Browning teaches no less, — 



A man's reach should exceed his grasp 

 Or what is heaven for ? 



