At the same time his old friend Forster, with help from Procter, was engaged in preparing the first--and the best--of the several Selections from Browning's poems; it was at once an indication of the growing interest in his writings and an effective means towards extending their influence.

He set himself steadily to work out what was in him; he waited no longer upon his casual moods, but girded his loins and kept his lamp constantly lit.

His genius, such as it was--this was the field given him to till, and he must see that it bore fruit.

"I certainly will do my utmost to make the most of my poor self before I die"-- so he wrote in 1865.

There were gains in such a resolved method of work; but there were also losses.