It certainly is intellectual fencing of the finest kind.

Both the Bishop and his companion are drawn to the life; yet, and this is the cleverest thing in the poem, we know that the Bishop is in reality a different man from the picture he makes of himself.

And the truth which in his talk underlies its appearance acts on Gigadibs and sends him into a higher life.

The discussion--as it may be called though the Bishop only speaks--concerning faith and doubt is full of admirable wisdom, and urges me to modify my statement that Browning took little or no interest in the controversies of his time.

Yet, all through the fencing, nothing is decided.