THE GREEKS AND BROWNING 395 



earliest manifestation "deep down in a lie .. . and every 

 lie quick with the germ of Truth," to its highest query, - 



"Friend, did you need an optic glass, 



Which were your choice? a lens to drape 



In ruby, emerald, chrysopras, 

 Each object or reveal its shape 



Clear outlined, past escape, 



"The naked very thing? So clear 



That, when you had the chance to gaze, 

 You found its inmost self appear 



Through outer seeming truth ablaze, 

 Not falsehood's fancy-haze? " 



Not only once or in any limited number of his poems, but again 

 and again, with a persistent effort born of the firmest convic- 

 tion' and intuition, Browning whispers, pleads, nay thunders 

 the truth of Truth, the religion of Truth, salvation by Truth; 

 Truth in all worldly relations, and the infinite and absolute 

 Truth, that deepest of all Truth which Shelley calls image- 

 less. Browning makes no compromise with diplomacy and 

 social usage. Our poet's admiration for Shelley does not cease 

 with approving words. Browning carries onward the torch of 

 Truth from him he calls " Sun-treader," who teaches, "There is 

 one road to peace, and that is Truth." And the flame grows 

 brighter with the onward march, for our poet tells us that 



" the troubled life 



Of genius, seen so gay when working forth 

 Some trusted end, grows sad when all proves vain. 

 How sad when men have parted with truth's peace 

 For falsest fancy's sake! " 



It seems almost needless to mention the fact, well recognized 

 by all Browning readers and portrayed in his poems, of the 

 deep impression made upon Browning's mind by his wide 

 and careful reading of Greek literature. Browning not only 

 made transcriptions from the Greek drama, but he also se- 

 lected Greek topics as subjects for several of his poems. 

 The pearls of Greek philosophy and higher thought he set 



