In _Notes and Queries_, 3rd Series, xii. 6, July 6, 1867, there appeared two queries on this poem by "John Addis, Jun.": "1. What is the precise inner meaning? 2. On what legend is it founded? With regard to my first question, I see dimly in the poem a comparison of three kinds of praise--viz., human, ceremonial, and angelic. Further, I see dimly a contrasting of Gabriel's humility with Theocrite's ambition.... The poem ... has been recalled to me by reading 'Kyng Roberd of Cysillé' (Hazlitt's _Early Popular Poetry_, vol. i., p. 264). There is a general analogy (by contrast perhaps rather than likeness) between the two poems, which points, I think, to the existence of a legend kindred to 'Kyng Roberd' as the prototype of Browning's poem, rather than to 'Kyng Roberd' itself as that prototype.... To 'Sir Gowghter' and the Jovinianus story of _Gesta Romanorum_, I have not present access; but both I fancy (while akin to 'Kyng Roberd of Cysillé') have nothing in common with 'The Boy and the Angel.'" At page 55 another correspondent says that according to Warton (ii. 22), "'Sir Gowghter' is only another version of 'Robert the Devil,' and therefore of 'King Roberd of Cysillé.' He goes on to say that Longfellow has closely followed the old poem in 'King Robert of Sicily' printed in _Tales of a Wayside Inn_; but no answer is given to Mr. Addis' queries about 'The Boy and the Angel'" (_Browning Notes and Queries_, No. 13, Pt. I., vol. ii.) Leigh Hunt, in his _Jar of Honey_, chap. vi., gives the story of King Robert of Sicily. We can only include the following abbreviation here of the beautiful legend told so delightfully by the great essayist.