[In this monologue Browning puts his own philosophy of life, especially that concerning the development of the soul from youth to age, into the mouth of a rabbi who actually lived and taught in the 12th century; his name appears as Ibn Ezra or Abenezra. From certain of his writings Browning was led to associate with him the thoughts here developed; for example, he had said, "Man has the sole privilege of becoming superior to the beast and the fowl" (com. pare stanzas 4 and 5), and again, "The soul of man is called lonely because it is separated during its union with the body from the universal soul" (compare line 48, etc.).] Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be, The last of life, for which the first was made: Our times are in his hand Who saith, "A whole I planned, Youth shows but half; trust God: see all, nor be afraid!" |