" WANTING IS—WHAT ?"
[To THE EDITOR OP THE " SPECT•TOR."1
Sia,—I would suggest two other interpretations of the words, " Where is the spot ?" in Mr. Browning's enigmatical poem, " Wanting is—what ?" besides that which is given in your article on " Startling Poetry :"—*(l.) " Where is the blemish which mars the beauty of the scene ?" (2.) " In what part of the picture is the want felt ?" It seems to me impossible in this case to fix with certainty Mr. Browning's meaning. In my limited study of his poetry, I have very frequently come across similar vagueness. The context of a passage often proves no guide in the selection of one out of many equally eligible mean- ings. This, though undoubtedly a source of infinite delight to Browning Societies, is irritating to most readers, and, perhaps. more than anything else has prevented the poet from finding that large audience which, on account of the matters of which he loves to treat, and the penetrating insight to which he sub- jects them, it is to be regretted he has failed to influence.—
Previous page
