ink he had done the poet justice, or _risen_ to
that _height_ of sublimity which he ought to express, till he had
climbed up to the very top of his instrument, or at least as far as the
human voice could follow him. And this would pass with a great part of
mankind for musical expression; instead of that noble mixture of solemn
airs and various harmony, which indeed elevates our thoughts, and gives
that exquisite pleasure, which none but true lovers of harmony can
feel." What Avison calls "musical expression," we call to-day "content."
And thus Avison "tenders evidence that music in his day as much absorbed
heart and soul then as Wagner's music now." It is not unlikely that this
very passage may have started Browning off on his argumentative way
concerning the question: how lasting and how fundamental are the powers
of musical expression.

The poet's memory goes back a hundred years only to reach "The bands-man
Avison whose little book and large tune had led him the long way from
to-day."

CHARLES AVISON

. . . . . . .

And to-day's music-manufacture,--Brahms,
Wagner, Dvorak, Liszt,--to where--trumpets, shawms,
Show yourselves joyful!--Handel reigns--supreme?
By no means! Buononcini's work is theme
For fit laudation of the impartial few:
(We stand in England, mind you!) Fashion too
Favors Geminiani--of those choice
Concertos: nor there wants a certain voice
Raised in thy favor likewise, famed Pepusch
Dear to our great-grandfathers! In a bush
Of Doctor's wig, they prized thee timing beats
While Greenway trilled "Alexis." Such were feats
Of music in thy day--dispute who list--
Avison, of Newcastle organist!

V

And here's your music all alive once more--
As once it was alive, at least: just so
The figured worthies of a waxwork-show
Attest--such people, years and years ago,
Looked thus when outside death had life below,
--Could say "We are now," not "We were of yore,"
--"Feel how our pulses leap!" and not "Explore--
Explain why quietude has settled o'er
Surface once all-awork!" Ay, such a "Suite"
Roused heart to rapture, such a "Fugue" would catch
Soul heavenwards up, when time was: why attach
Blame to exhausted faultlessness, no match
For fresh achievement? Feat once--ever feat!
How can completion grow still more complete?
Hear Avison! He tenders evidence
That musi