New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-03-17
NEW PUBLICAI IONS.


The design Of this dramatic study-for it can
hardly be deemed complete and rounded poem
is TO illustrate the disinterestedness and sefde-
votion of woman when placed in emergencies
that test the noblest qualities of the soal 1t is
founded on the Roman tradition Of the saving of
the city BY the sacrifice Of Curtius, whose be-
trothed, Lyteria, according to the poem. fur
rished the aspiring motives for the heroic deed
The play opens with company Of priests in the
Temple of Jupiter. DGlus the high priest, and
father of Lytera, after giving directions for the
performance ofthe evening religious rltes, oegins
10 desc.n. on the exalted worth of his daughter.
He declares bis persuasion that she has been re-
served by Jove for some great service. HerPure
ard unselfsh nature prepares her for the sacr-
fee of all tba, is counted dearest by man, while
her simple heart, warmed by divine affection,
finds ts peace in the prime duty Of religion
prayer A,the same time Aulus, one ofthe priests
in the Temple of Jupiter, expresses his fears OF
Curtin, snd bis sorrow that he was ever admitted
within the unwilling gates of the sacred fame as a
student His presence has touched the heart OF
the young Lyteria, but she is of too humble birth
sid state to make their union a suitable One
Hence, the father resolves, for the sake OF pre-
serving his honor intact, to discountenance the
marriage, and subject Curtius to temporary
Punishment from the temple. The scene 10 which
he breaks the subject to his daughter presents
good specimen of the stately classic dicsion which
cbarscterizes the drama throughout:
DGLIUs.
Trssbarsh duty How can dispel
This dear deluson that hiss thrill asoul
With the deep JOY of passion'
yaip-ysin, tor man to queuch the Heaven lit fame
In whose warm glow the Gods permit our hearts
To tasts celestial pleasure Give me strength
Snepgth-to assa the life where most ilVe
Enter Lsteria
LYTERIA.
Alone dear father OF the eager throng
OF priests srd mobiles thSt so lately stood
To see this days great service, hiss not one
Reuan'd-no oIe 10 bear thee company
DGLIUs.
Nay. thou must know, Lyteria there are tunes
When the exalted soul Graves solitude
LYTERIA.
have well known such reasoDs;-when the mind,
Refined and loosen from the earthly tie,
Which binds lite essence 10 material form,
FINDS human sympathy far, far below
TIE sIhere where il inhaDts.
Then, we must feek communion with bright talngs
That ever hca: about Us. Unpercelved,
These phsntoms are 10 this, our mortal sight
But their sweet presence, mock NJ aid from sense,
Inspires the doubling soul with trust DIVINE
DGLIUs.
Happy TIE breast whose consciousness IS tilrd
With such fair images May thy young heart
Clesye only 10 such fancies. Let thy love
Exhaust itself on natures endless form
Impose no hope aught within the pale
OF this most narrow being; so shan state,
The happiest humanity can know,
BE given for thy portion
LYTERIA.
Thou art wrong,
Father; thou canst not trust the words thy lips
Have used. Our life sometimes denies our speech.
All the delight that contemplation gives,
Each ioy afforded by the natural world,
Shows a dim vision of one perfect bliss,
That is our heritage. Ny heart has leapd
To zee H. untiied Pho 1us coming forth
TowoIk bis daily miracle knew
An awful pleasure, when the crashing bolt
Told men the wrath of Jove-the glorious Arch,
That spsnn' d the clearing sky-the deep repose
OF the moon silver'd lake-tne thousand notes
That swell The song OF nese nav
How mortal is such pleasure, when compared
Wih the great presence of that ecsiacy,
Which frees our being from the cell oi sell,
AID jOineth soul 10 soul.
DGLIUs
/ must be plain,
Since craft Of speech i'll suits the warning voice,
That patsre utters through a parents lips.
There is no bss that msn should not resign
When Heaven demands the favor it has lent.
That silence, 60 long kept between u.s. chid
FINDS here an end. This daily intercourse,
With ole whom place snd rank hold IRON the choice,
Where young affection points, must cease at once.
When at the hour of sunset, our huge gates
Swing bsrshly on their hinges, they must close
For the lsst time Oh Curus; And warn thee,
BY the strong interest that makes thy peace
Far carer than mine own, dismiss this man
Forever from thy thought
LYIERIA.
Father-thou know'st
That have ever loved thee; ever watched
To 10 thy slyhtest plea sure. Now a
That may not resist forbids obedience.
All my existence is 90 bound with his,
Whose love paints life Ike some rare festival,
That separation would but cause the soul
To break this feeble fetter of dull earth,
And wander forth to seek has company.
DGLIUs.
/ Thou show st my daughter, that rebelious will
Which ceeves 10 our base nature strongest ever
When our desire must never be attaind.
LrTERIA.
Nay, let US think that natures nobest strength
Is only walked by trial; that Devotion,
Unknown save 10 IFS object, may be shown
Before the world and conquer every doubt
That shadows what we are.
DGLIUs.
My words have been
In kindness; that thy heart Tour purpose known
May seem TO offer freely the release,
That else must be compelld.
LYTERIA.
No human power
! Can separate the souls that fly together
BY sacred impulse, ard law as fixed
As that which holds nights burning fires in sir,
! And brings 10 man their luser. Our weak bonds
! Feiter in vain the hands of Destiny
| For have earn'd that pure and holy love
IL uDextipguishd by the chilling touch
OF earth, which soob must cover our frsil forms.
But if the soul continues 10 exist
In a more glorious being, 60 shall those
| Affections which made up its life, increase
| To pobler fervor-vows that here unite
| Two kindred hearts shall be preserved forever.
| DGLIUs.
Trough my cruel duty is discharged.