Yet, though the Shelleyan affinities of Browning are here visible enough, his point of view is clearly distinct.

The revolutionary animus against institutions as the sole obstacle to the native goodness of man has wholly vanished; but of historic or mystic reverence for them he has not a trace.

He parts company with Rousseau without showing the smallest affinity to Burke.

As sources of moral and spiritual growth the State and the Church do not count.

Training and discipline have their relative worth, but the spirit bloweth where it listeth, and the heights of moral achievement are won by those alone in whom it breathes the heroism of aspiration and resolve.