Humour is a constant characteristic of Mr. Browning's work,[90] and it
sometimes takes the form of direct and intentional satire; but his
sympathy with human beings and his hopeful view of their future destiny,
are opposed to any development of the satirical mood. The impression of
sympathy will even neutralize the satire, in poems in which the latter
is directly and conciously conveyed: as, for instance, in "Caliban upon
Setebos," and "The Bishop orders his Tomb at Saint Praxed's Church." Of
grim or serious satire, there is, I think, only one specimen among his
works: the first part of
"Holy-Cross Day." ("Dramatic Romances." Published in "Men and
Women," 1855.)
We may class as playful satires (which I give in the order of their
importance):
"Pacchiarotto, and how he worked in Distemper." (1876.)
"Filippo Baldinucci on the Privilege of Burial."
("Pacchiarotto, and other Poems." 1876.)
"Up at a Villa--Down in the City." ("Dramatic Lyrics."
Published in "Men and Women." 1855.)
"Another Way of Love." ("Dramatic Lyrics." Published in "Men
and Women." 1855.)