emendous mental situation
is, we need hardly say, Mr. Browning's addition to the episode.

The poem contains also some striking reflections on the risks and
responsibilities of power; and concludes with an expression of reverent
pity for the "great unhappy hero" for whom they proved too great.

"MULEYKEH" is an old Arabian story. The name which heads it is that of a
swift, beautiful mare, who was Hoseyn--her owner's, "Pearl." He loved
her so dearly, that, though a very poor man, no price would tempt him to
sell her; and in his fear of her being stolen, he slept always with her
head-stall thrice wound round his wrist: and Buheyseh, her sister,
saddled for instantaneous pursuit. One night she was stolen; and Duhl,
the thief, galloped away on her and felt himself secure: for the Pearl's
speed was such that even her sister had never overtaken her. She chafed,
however, under the strange rider, and slackened her pace. Buheyseh,
bearing Hoseyn, gained fast upon them; the two mares were already "neck
by croup." Then the thought of his darling's humiliation flashed on
Hoseyn's mind. He shouted angrily to Duhl in what manner he ought to
urge her. And the Pearl, obeying her master's voice, no less than the
familiar signal prescribed by him, bounded forward, and was lost to him
forever. Hoseyn returned home, weeping sorely, and the neighbours told
him he had been a fool. Why not have kept silence and got his treasure
back?

"'And--beaten in speed!' wept Hoseyn: 'You never have loved
my Pearl.'"
(vol. xv. p. 116.)

The man who gives his name to "PIETRO OF ABANO" was the greatest Italian
philosopher and physician of the thirteenth century.[106] He was also an
astrologer, pretending to magical knowledge, and persecuted, as Mr.
Browning relates. But the special story he tells of him has been told of
others also.

Pietro of Abano had the reputation of being a wizard; and though his
skill in curing sickness, as in building, star-reading, and yet other
things, conferred invaluable services on his fellow-men, he received
only kicks and curses for his reward. His power seemed, nevertheless, so
enviable, that he was one day, in the archway of his door, accosted by a
young Greek, who humbly and earnestly entreated that the secret of that
power might be revealed to him. He promised to repay his master with
loving gratitude; and hinted that the bargain might be worth the
latter