Such sudden openings of the greater world are at intervals, as to Abt Vogler, given by God to men.
The end of the second asks what is the true test of the greater poet, when people take on them to weigh the worth of poets--who was better, best, this, that or the other bard?
When I read this I trembled, knowing that I had compared him with Tennyson.

But when I heard the answer I trembled no more.

"The best poet of any two is the one who leads the happier life.

The strong and joyful poet is the greater." But this is a test of the greatness of a man, not necessarily of a poet.

And, moreover, in this case, Tennyson and Browning both lived equally happy lives.