ABSTRACT
Fertility of invention is a merit which Mr. Browning may claim, and must have allowed. Paracelsus, Pippa Passes, the Druses, the Dramatic Lyrics, a Blot in the ’Scutcheon, whatever may be their relative merits or demerits, have all essential differences; and the dramatic tale before us has its own distinctive character. Well may the Duchess declare that such a speaker ‘has opened a new world to her;’—well may the mean-souled courtiers whisper in corners! We must pass rapidly on: Berthold’s proposed compromise is laid before Colombe, by her advocate-who, loyal as he is, and indeed, as yet, hardly owning his secret feelings towards his liege’s lady, states it fairly. In the statement, however, one point interests his client, which he dreamed not of-the Duchess toys with the idea of retaining Juliers and Cleves-but the woman spies out his secret: makes him unfold it too clearly for disguiє e: flatters him with brilliant hopes, and then, like a true daughter of Eve, turns him over to the rack of suspense, unable herself to decide betwixt power and love. A superficial observer would have overlooked this natural struggle, a feeble-handed writer hesitated to show the play of light and shade in the character of his heroine; but Mr. Browning has done it, and skilfully, so that we continue to love and to trust in Colombe; and, none the less, because she vacillates.
