Yet, since "gifts should prove their use," he would, in so far as may be, utilize the body for the advancement of the soul. Let us not always say "Spite of the flesh to-day I strove, made head, gained ground upon the whole!" As the bird wings and sings, Let us cry "All good things Are ours, nor soul helps flesh more, now, than flesh helps soul!" (xii.) In this complete co-operation of spirit and flesh--if attainable--might be found a satisfactory answer to Sordello's question concerning the possibility of that use of life which should prove a legitimate enjoyment of its gifts, no mere avoidance of its snares. The parable of _The Two Camels of Ferishtah's Fancies_ is employed to again introduce the subject of asceticism and its uses. The conclusions there reached differ, perhaps, rather in degree than in kind from those which have gone before. Not asceticism, but enjoyment develops best the faculties of man. The perfect achievement of the work allotted him is the object of his existence. Hence the admonition, Dare Refuse no help thereto, since help refused Is hindrance sought and found. The decision, however, goes a step further than that of _Easter Day_ where it is noticeable that the professing Christian, who objects to an examination of the basis of his faith, appears to have no anxiety respecting the world at large. The salvation of his individual soul is that which alone concerns him, and pretty well limits his outlook on life temporal and eternal. In _The Two Camels_, Ferishtah, in rejecting asceticism as a mode of life, looks not to its personal effects only, but to those influences which he is bound to transmit to his fellow men. To become a joy-giving medium, individual experience of joy is, he claims, essential, and to be best acquired through a free and grateful acceptance, and a reasonable enjoyment of the blessings of earth. Just as I cannot, till myself convinced, Impart conviction, so, to deal forth joy Adroitly, needs must I know joy myself. Renounce joy for my fellows' sake? That's joy Beyond joy; but renounced for mine, not theirs? * * * * * No, Son: the richness hearted in such joy Is in the knowing what are gifts we give, Not in a vain endeavour not to know![90] That, I believe, we must take as Browning's final word on the subject. Does it differ so widely from the teaching of _Easter Day_? Surely not? The man who feared to enjoy earth lest earth should prove a snare, was taught by the final Judgment that, to a nature of higher capacity, might be possible that full enjoyment of life comprehended in the use of all good things as opportunities for soul-enlargement. An enjoyment following immediately upon the discovery that in all Of power and beauty in the world, The mightiness of love was curled Inextricably round about. LECTURE VII LA SAISIAZ LECTURE VII LA SAISIAZ