New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-05-10
NEW -PUBLICA IIONS.
CHARLES KINGSLEY.


POEMS BY CHARLES KINGSLEY. limo, pp 2o4 Bo.-
ton; To.uor & Fi.los sold by Livermors Il Rudd
The literary productions of Mr.. Kingsley, whether
10 pros. or veI,e, esince remarkable unity of
purpose, although they are by no means uniform in
the success Of their Accomplishment. His fictitious
writings, his religious dscourses, and bis poetry
are all inspired by common aim, and proceed
las from peculiar intellectual stand point than
from strong ethical convictions. The dominant
trait of his character is the love Of justice. Truth
In action is his favOrite object Of pursuit. With the
impnssioned temperament of the poet, he combines
the trau quil wisdom which makes the fights Of
imagination subordinate to the interests of hu-
nsnity. The sentiment of beauty lies deep in his
heart but it is blended with an equal love of truth
and goodness. Hence from the necessity of his
nature, Mr. Kingsley is a poet aud feformer at
once. His poetry, accordingly is no holiday sport
OF the fancy but is urcharged with the vitality of
generous ideas. Nor does his passion for reform
show any almxture Of the bitterness OF the fanatic.
In the composition of bis nature we End no traces
Of cauUcity, ungentleness, or excessive heat.
Vivid az are his delineatOns Of social wrongs,
glowing as are bis visions Of the incarnation of JUS
tice in human affairs, ard earnest as are his ap-
peas to the public conscience for the maintenance
Of the law of right be- always discovers fine sense
Of humanity bis most indignant e1postulatons
are tempered by pervadiDg sympathy-his yearn-
ings for the brightest ideal are sofened by pity and
tenderness.
The principal poem in this volume entitled
"The Saints Tragedy" is attempt to illustrate
tho influence of ascetc ideas of religion upon
susceptible aud aspiring nature. 1t is founded on
the history Of Elizabeth Of Hungary, one OF the ID
yorits female saints in the ROmsh calendar, whose
life is held up by the devotional writer's of that
cburch as consummate model of religions parlec-
ton. Elizabeth was Tue wifi, If Lewis, the Land
grave of Thuripeio, IL tiic beginning OF the thlr
feepth century. Frvm her earliest childhood she
was devoted to exercises OF piety. She was so im-
bued with divine love that she seemed to be above
the reach Of human affection. But she yielded to
the eatreaties Of Lewis that she would become his
wife and from that time her life was struggle be-
tween her external position and her spiritual aspl-
ratioDs. Under the influence OF an austere priest
named Conrad she adopted a course of rigid PEN
snce and modification. Her alms-g giving was ex-
csssiyc her self-denial knew no bounds, and the
fame Of her piety spread throughout the land. at
length her husband was induced to join in a cru
ssde, and died on bic way to Palestine. His death
was the signal for great misortunes to Elizabeth.
She had incurred the hatred of the Lsndgrave's
family, and now received the most shameful treat
ment at their hands. She was driven from the
palace reduced to a state of extreme poverty i'll
requited by the objects Of her benefcence, and at
last, having first taken refuge in convent, she
was restored to her possessions and faally ended
life Of selfdevotiOn in the OdOr of sanctty at the
age of twenty -four.
MIR Kingslcy regards the character of Elizabeth
ns the type Of two great natural struggles OF the
Middle Age first of that between Unconscious and
conscious purity, OF between innocence and prud.
cry, and next between really natural affection
and the morbid contempt invoked by Il celibate
Clergy upon the ties of husband and wife. We
quote the scene in which the key note of the poem
IL struck:
F1IzABrrHs Bo,ccr. Night. LEWIS sleeping en- an
A!cOrc.
EIIzABErH ly,ng on The Floor in the Foreground.
Eh= No sireak yet in the blank aud eyeless east
More weary hour TO cche, and smart and shiver
On these bare boards within step Of bliss.
Why peevsh7 'Tis mine own viii keeps me mere
And yet hate my self for toa same VIII;
Fighings within and out How easy twere, now,
Just 10 be like the rest, and let life run
To use up to the md what Joys God sends us'
Not thus forestall His rod: What and 80 lose
The strength which comes by suffering Wen, IL gfei
BE GAIN mines double fleeing thus the snare.
OF Won luxurious and unnerving down, .
And widowed from mine len. And why WIDOWED I!
Because they tell me, love il of the Lesh,
And that's our house bred foe, the adder IN our oosomS
Which warmed to life will sting Us. They must know
do confess mine ignorance, Oh Lord
Mime earnest will these painful limbs may prove =.
And yet l sworo TO love him.-SO DO.
No nore than have sworn Am 10 blame.
Al God makes wedock that, which II II be not,
IL We're shame for modest lips 20 speak II,
ano ally doves are better mates than We
Anu yet our love Is Jesus due-and al things
~neh share with him divided empery
'S'e'and .dols-"I love, to cherish and TO obey
Ohi oeadiy riddle, Rent and tyofod life,
Vs, cIue uoth To keep thee or 10 break thee
Aihe seems sahi Oh! thou beloved tempt.r
Who first ddst teach me love WIZ o9 ,k.is WV W
From God divert thy lesson wifi nrovre IT,,
What II mine heavenly Spouse in ieaons IT,
Should snite mine earthly spouse Have two b,..
bsnds7 '"o nS'-
The words are boror-yet they are orthodox,
lH'''' and s0e; to The ~irdor.
How many, many brows of happy lovers
The fragrant lips Of night even now are kissing
Some wandering hand in hand through srched l.nes.