Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-08-27
LITERARY.

uio 10 uu uiotOliSdi III CONSECUTIVE
dramatic scenes: species OF composition not
uncommon among the Germans, which has, as
adopting the language of poetry, some great
and obvious advantages over the prose MARIA
tive form recently adorned among US by the
highest genius of the age. Its inherent disad-
vantages, as respects the chances of immediate
popularity, must be nearly as obvious. We
shall not, al present, enter upon the relative
merits of the two methods: we have here before
us something too attractive to admit of preli-
ninary dissertation on cold question OF crltl-
cism On such now rare occasions as the pre-
sent we experience qualification which none
but those who have been teased and wearied
with the incessant appeals of clamorous medic
Gritty and impatient affectation can fully under
stand. We know not that there is any better
description of genius than that Of Mr.. Crabbc:
Il recognise that says the old bard, 'wher-
ever there is power to stimulate the thoughts of
men, and command their feelings II this be
true, the author of Philip van Artevelde' may
take his place at the bar with the sure hope OF
a triumphant verdict.
The groundwork of his design is the idealized
portraiture of revolutionary age: and his mot
20, from the Leviathan, sufficiently points out
the leading characteristics of every age in
which the revolutionary spirit is the prime NOV
er of things No arts, no letters, no society,"
and, which is worst of all, continual fear and
danger of violent death, and the life of man So
W
scene is laid in Flanders, at the close of the
fourteenth century; and those who desire to
study the new poet with the care which he de-
serves, may find the real perSonages and events
of which he makes use recorded, in all the ma
ked force of their vitality, by the prince of
chroniclers, and father as well Of all historical
romancers, Froissart. No reader Of that most
captivating contour can have forgotten the two
Van Arteveldes, father and son, citizens of re-
VOTED Client, each Of whom swayed for sea-
son almost the whole power of Flanders against
their legitimate prince-and each of whom paid
the penalty of ambition by an untimely and
violent death. The younger of these, Philip,
has been adopted for the centre figure in our
authors elaborate and deeply tragic panorama
of the existence of a revolutionary period; and
there is much to be admired in the whole con-
ception and delineation of this character.
Froissart tells us, that to angle in the Scheldt
had been his chief pleasure and occupation, up
to the day when he was abruptly called to
predominant political station. Notwithstanding
the advantageous introduction to public life
which his birth migtn have insured to him, he
had been entirely content to continue in priva-
cy, till the difficulties of the times almost COM
PEELED him forth OF it, During this leisure OF his
earlier life, his mind seems to have been more
cultivated than was at all usual in that age: in
the words of the chronicer, he was 'mOaH benz
en-langGge et bien lui aduenoit;' and the career
anu IdlS Vi Ills ldtllct uluSt nave SuppHCu dbplC
food for meditation to q naturally thoughtful
mind.
The immediate cause of Artevelde's elevation
is the depressed condition of Client, after the
defeat and death of one OF her captains, Lau-
noy; and the necessity with which the White
hoods then perceive of either yielding to the
peace-party within the city, and submitting to
the earl or summoning to the post of power
some one Of high name, whose interference Che
being, as yet, personally incorporated in the
rebellion) should overawe the populace by the
impression that it must needs be purely patrio-
tic The fate of Launoy is told, closely after
Froissart, in these energetic lines:
SECOND DEAN. Beside Nivelle the earl and
Launoy met
Six thousand voices shouted with the last
Client the good town; Client and the Chape-
rons Bancs!"
But from that force thrice-told there came the
cry
OF Flanders, with the Lion Of the Bastard!"
So then the battle joined, and they Of Client
Gave back and opened after three hours fight;
And hardly flying had they gained Nivelle,
When the earl's vanguard came upon their rear
Ere they could close the gate and entered with
them.
Then all were slain save Launoy and his guard,
Who, barricaded in the minister tower,
Made desperate resistance; whereupon
The earl waxed wrothful, and babe fire the
church.
F,Rsr BuReHER. Say'st thou? Oh sacrilege
accused! VAST done?
SECOND DEAN. twas done,-and presently
was heard yell,
And after that the rushing of the flames!
Then Launoy from the steeple cried aloud
GA ransom.' and held up his coat to sight
With forms filed, but they without but laughed
And Knocked him, saying, Come amongst US,
John,
And we will give thee welcome;-make leap
Come out at window, John."-With that the
flames
Rose up and reached him, and he drew his
sword
Cast his rich coat behind him in the fire,
And shouting, Client, We slavesm leapt freely
forth,
When they below received him on their spears.
And so died John of Launoy.
FIRST BuReHER. A brave end.
IT'S certain we must now make peace by times,
The city will be starved else. Will be, said IL
Starvation is upon.'-vol PIP. 27-29.
The reflective spirit of Philip van Artevelde
q IL; akaI; hier