New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-11-21
TUTONS POEMS.

THE sryrON's TALE AND OTHER POEMS By
THEODORE TmTON. l2mo PIP l5j. sheldon d co.
Mr.. Titon has brought a welcome offering
to readers of imagination and taste in this collection
of fugitive poems which have already found era
cious reception from wide circle an illustration
Of his genial and versatile faculty. They bctay an
unmi,-aka poetcal temperament which the cares
Of an active life have not been permitted 20 cncrust.
and which has been quickcnrd and enriched by
choice and generous culture. The love Of fayorite
masters of song. though often pcrccptiblo both in
the rhythm of expression and the OF sentiment
has not taken such possession Of the author tO I'M
pair the freedom and scope of his own genius
Almost every poem in the volume shows as the Iuit
OF genuine experience. They reveal the workings OF
a sensitive and thoughtful nature, now baiied with
a sense of mystery and doubt, now contending with
the profound problems which have no significance
Tor the frivolous herd and now expanding IN the tri-
umph OF faith roposing in the serene JOY Of spr
itual insight. 4 fine vein of humanity pcryadcs
thcr composition. Nr. Iilton is known as the siren
uous advocate Of truth and justice IN the relations
society. His hatred of oppression is III proportion TO
his sympathy with right. lie has no affinity with
the rose-water refomers who think that battles can
be won without fighting and that soft ontrcatcs can
take the place of indignant remon,tranco in the
struggle with evil. Yet the sound Of the trumpet
I
mes of nature aud life lie is keeny sensible 10 the
subtle phases of human emotion, and delights to
! body them in mciOdOus verse. With a highly
medtative cast of mind he never loses the
lively play Of fancy combining thought with
imagination in a ft degree for the production
of sound and often exquisite, poetry. An ele-
ment of mysticism is mingled with his men
tai associations which sometimes throws a
tremuous purple haze over his verse. without con-
oeallng its intrinsic beauty and making it suggest
more than it expresses. An example of this, among
others is found in the following version Of ORR
entail legend, entitled
THE LOTUS PLANTER.
A Bralmin on a lotus pod
once wrote. the holy name OF God
Then, planting It, he asked in prayer
For some new fruit, unknown and fair.
Fen fainting Oh the dusty road.
The Bralmin, plying straightway
And lifted up the fallen man.
The deed scarce done, he looked aghas,
At touching one beneath his caste.
"Beholdw he cried, 81 stand uncIcan:
My hands have clasped the vile ana mean!
Cod saw the shadow on his face.
And wrought miracle Of grace.
VII.
The buried seed arose from death.
And doomed and frutcd at His breath
The stalk bore mp n leaf Of green,
Wherein these my site words were seem
FIRST COUNT ALL MEx or EQUAL CASTE;
THEN COUNT THYsLsF TIE LLAsf And LAST.
NJ
The Brahmn. with bewdcred brain,
Beheld the will Of God writ plain!
Transhgred in a sudden light,
The slave stood sacred In his sight.
NfI!.
Thenccforfh within the BTalmin'S mind
Abode good viii for all mankind.
Mr. Tilton has the secret Of pathos perhaps without
knowing hispower in this respect which he clothes in
language that for effective smplicitys not surpassed
by the most touching ballads OF Wordsworth or
Goethe. A little poem of this knd,iwhich at once
finds It's way to the heart in spite of its slight con-
strucuOn, is
TIE SAILORS wEDDING.
80 lettering ship q sailor cried
NOW speed me home 10 we'd my bride"
The ship. through fiy'ug spray,
Went bounding on her way.
II.
80 midnight bells my watch is done;
happy morrow haste thy sun
Then down he lay and SLEPT,
Ana In his dream he wcpt.
ne dreamed that suddenly the waves
Stuol lNed and green, like churClyaTd graves
ma then mourniul bell
hahg cut funeral knell
Land no" the deck watch called, with cheers;
The sleeper Weakened from his tCars
20, dty OF joy 20 he said
This night shall DC we'd"