Djabal, Anael, Loys, have all of them, two different and sometimes opposite aims working in them.

They are driven now by one, now by the other, and the changes of speech and action made by the different motives surging up, alternately or together, within their will, are so swift and baffling that an audience would be utterly bewildered.

It is amusing to follow the prestidigitation of Browning's intellect creating this confused battle in souls as long as one reads the play at home, though even then we wonder why he cannot, at least in a drama, make a simple situation.

If he loved difficult work, this would be much more difficult to do well than the confused situation he has not done well.

Moreover, the simplified situation would be effective on the stage; and it would give a great opportunity for fine poetry.