Let age approve of youth, and death complete the same!"A
A: Rabbi Ben Ezra.
But this attitude of quiescent trust, which is so characteristic of religion, is known by the poet to be only a phase of man's best life. It is a temporary resting-place for the pilgrim: "the country of Beulah, whose air is very sweet and pleasant, where he may solace himself for a season." But, "the way lies directly through it," and the pilgrim, "being a little strengthened and better able to bear his sickness," has to go forward on his journey. Browning's characteristic doctrine on this matter is not acquiescence and resignation. "Leave God the way" has, in his view, its counterpart and condition—"Have you the will!"
"For a worm must turn
If it would have its wrong observed by God."B
B: The Ring and the Book—Pompilia, 1592-1593.
The root of Browning's joy is in the need of progress towards an infinitely high goal. He rejoices
"that man is hurled
From change to change unceasingly,