New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-04-01


flower branches the effect would be more grand an0
simple; nor should be any loser as to the SPIN
it would all be there only more concentrated % " .'
form more full If less subtle, In its eIana'on' Ao
tendency to variety and delicacy' ra'hef 'nah u
grasp OF the subject and concentration Oh interest
a-a m, ca obvious in Browning minor works as IN
paraceIsns and in his tragedy Of Strafford. This
very difficult subject for tragedy engaged, at about
the 90 mo the attention OF Stirling. Both he and
R,ovynine seem 10 have had it brought before their
attention by Foster aprted biography OF Stafford.
W. say it is dificult-though see how il tempt
ed the poets dramatic enterprise. The main
character is one OF tragic force and majesty the CO.
temporary agents all splendid figures, and OF marked
individuality the march Of action necessarily rapid
and imposing the events induced of universal in
terest But the difficulty is, that the materials are
even too rich aud too familiar 10 every one. We
cannot bear any violation OF reality, any stralnng OF
the common version of this story. Then the charac-
ter and position OF STAFFORD that moral interest
which is needed to give full pathos TO the catastrophe
We admire his greatness of mind and character,
we loathe the weakness and treachery Of the King
we dislike the stern hunters Notwithstanding their
patriotic motives for pursuing TO the death the noble
stag; and yet we feel he ought TO die. We wish
that he had been killed, not by the hands OF men,
with their spotted and doubtful feelings but smiten
direct by pure fire from heaven. Still we feel ne
ought to die and grief wants the true tragic elc'
ment which halows il in the Antgone, the Lear,
and even Schiller's Mary Stuart, or Wallenstein
Sill, Of the two, Strings conception OF the
character aud conduct of the drama is far superior
10 that Of Browning. Both dramas are less interest
ing and effective than the simple outline history
gives bu, Browning weakens the truth in his repre-
sentaton Of it, while Stirling at least did not fasiiy
the character of STAFFORD bitter ruthlessy ambitious,
but strong and majestic throughout. Browning
loses too his accustomed originality and grace in
the details of this work, through misplaced ambi-
ton.
But believing that our Poet has not reached that
epoch of mastery, when he can do himself full JUS
tice in great work. we would turn rather 10 the
consideration of series of sketches, dramatic and
lyric which he has been publishing for several years
under the title OF Bells and Pomegranates." We
do not know whether this seemingly affected title is
assumed in conformity with the catch-penny temper
of the present day. whether these be really IN the
mind of Robert Browning no more than the glitter
ing fringe of his priestly garment. If 3d. we shall
cherish high hopes indeed, as 10 the spendors that
will wait upon the unfolding Of the main vesure
The plan of these sketches is original, the execu-
lion in many respects, admirable, and the range OF
talent and perception they display wider than that
Of any contemporary poet in England.
"Pippa Passes is the title Of the first OF these
li,,le two shilling volumes, which seem TO con-
tain Just about as much man, who lives wisely,
might, after good summer Of mingled work. bust
ness and pleasure, have TO offer 10 the world, as The
honey he could spare from his hive.
Pippa is a little Italian girl who works In SILK
mill. Once year the workpeople in these mills
have an entire day. given them for their pleasure
She is introduced at suursc of such day, singing
her morning thoughts. She then goes iorth 10 wan
der through the town singing her little songs OF
childish eayety and purity. She passes, not through
but by different scenes of life passes by scene OF
guilty pleasure by the conspracies OF the malicious
by the cruel undeception of the young sculptor who
had dared his own heart more fully than ID the
wont of the corrupt and cautious world. Every
where the notes OF her song pierce their walls ana
windows, awakening them to memories OF innocence
and checking the course of misdeed The plan OF
this work is ii win be seen, nj once rich and SIM
ple. 1t admits of an enchanting variety, and an I'M
obtrusiye unity Browning has made the best use
Of its advantages The slides in the magic lantern
succeed one another with perfect dstinc'ness, but,
through then, ali shines the light OF this one oeaut
fu Italian day. and the little silk winder, lis angel
discloses to US as fine CLEANS OF garden, stream
and sky as we have time TO notice while passing
such various and interesting groups OF human be-
ings
The finest sketch of these is that of Jules, the
SCULPTOR, and his young bride. Jules like many per-
sons Of a lofty mould in the Incorporating tervor
of youth, makes all those among his companions
whom he thinks weak base, and vicious, his enviers
and bitter enemies. A set Of such among his tel-
low. students have devised this most wicked plan TO
break his heart and pride at They write let
ters as from maiden who has distinguished him
from the multitude and knows how TO sympathize
with all his tastes and aims. They buy of her mother
beautiful young girl who is to represent the char
acter The letters assume that she is OF family OF
rank who will not favor the alliance, and when
Jules enchanted by the union OF the beauty of intel
ect in the letters and the beauty of person Of which
he has gained glimpses, presses his suit as lover,
marriage is consented 10 on condition that he shall
no, seek TO converse with her till after the ceremony
This is the first talk of Jules after he has brought his
silent bride to his studio:
Thou byme
And by thee-this is thy hand in mine
Aud side by eide sit-als true. Thank God!
have spoken-speak thou
%, my life to come
NV Tydeus must be carved that S there in clay,
And how he carved with you about the chamber:
Where mus; place youl When think that once
This room.tul of rough bIock.work seemed my heaven
Without you Shall ever work again
Get fairly into my old ways again
Bid each conception stand while trait by trait
NV hand transfers its lneaments to stonef
Will they my fancies, live near YOU my truth
The live truth-psssing and repassinS me
Sitting beside met
Now speak
Only, FIRST,
Your letters to me-was I not well contrived
hiding place in Psyches robe-there lie
Next to her skin your letters which comes foremost
Good-,his that SWAN down like first moonoeam
Into my world.
Thosel Books told you Of
Let your irst word To rejoice them too
This minion Of Coluthus, writ in red
BsIe and azure by BesSsrions scrIpe-
Read this line .hs,ps-Homer5 be the Greck