simultaneously with "Pauline"; in 1833 he commences his travels; goes to
Russia; the sole record of his experiences there to be found in the poem
"Ivàn Ivànovitch," published in _Dramatic Idyls_, 1879; his acquaintance
with Mazzini; Browning goes to Italy; visits Asolo, whence he drew hints
for "Sordello" and "Pippa Passes"; in 1834 he returns to Camberwell; in
autumn of 1834 and winter of 1835 commences "Sordello," writes
"Paracelsus," and one or two short poems; his love for Venice; a new
voice audible in "Johannes Agricola" and "Porphyria"; "Paracelsus,"
published in 1835; his own explanation of it; his love of walking in the
dark; some of "Paracelsus" and of "Strafford" composed in a wood near
Dulwich; concerning "Paracelsus" and Browning's sympathy with the
scientific spirit; description and scope of the poem; quotations
therefrom; estimate of the work, and its four lyrics. Page 49.


CHAPTER IV.

Criticisms upon "Paracelsus," important one written by John Forster;
Browning meets Macready at the house of Mr. Fox; personal description of
the poet; Macready's opinion of the poem; Browning spends New Year's
Day, 1836, at the house of the tragedian and meets John Forster;
Macready urges him to write a play; his subsequent interview with the
tragedian; he plans a drama to be entitled "Narses"; meets Wordsworth
and Walter Savage Landor at a supper party, when the young poet is
toasted, and Macready again proposes that Browning should write a play,
from which arose the idea of "Strafford"; his acquaintance with
Wordsworth and Landor; MS. of "Strafford" accepted; its performance at
Covent Garden Theatre on the 26th May 1837; runs for five nights; the
author's comments; the drama issued by Messrs. Longman & Co.; the
performance in 1886; estimate of "Strafford"; Browning's dramas;