The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-05-25
LITHRATURH.
VIEW or VIEW BOoK

interpreted with lyrics which are suggested by
the theme. The story relates how young man
OF high title loves an humble maiden, marrles
her in opposition to the wishes of his family ana
takes her To reside in Italy. During the absence
of the husband from home for few days, the
wife is lured on board of yacht by n French
duke who is notorious for his pronigacy, and is
forcibly carried TO Corsica and imprisoned in the
castle of the abductor. The husband follows,
and. with the assistance Of Corsican servant OF
the duke, he finds an opportunity to obtain
access TO his wifes place of confinement. While
waiting for an opportunity to enter the castle
however nc meets the libertine in n lonely spot
and the two men engage in death struggle
which results in the duke being hurled down a
precipice The husband then secures his wife
and carries her on board OF felucca, but before
reaching their home she dies of a broken heart
and the husband becomes insane.
Mr.. Nocl's blank verse cannot he considered
good whether Judged by the standard of Milton
or Tennyson, both of whom he has, perhaps
uncOnsCously, initiated. 1t is full OF violent
diversions, and at times il is difficult to dcci-
pher the real meaning. The story, however, is
well told, and some passages show a real power
which, however is often obscured by that djlet-
tdnb style that Tenuyson has done so much to
introduce. and which although admirable in its
pleasing when attempted 10y his mtators
beatrice" is clever work 10y gentleman of
refinement and culture but it will not take any
very high rank among the poetry of the day.
of much higher grade than the above is
George Eliots new poem, How Lisa loved the
King" which we have received from Turner
Brothers d Co. The "DecamerOn" is an mex
haustible storehouse OF subjects for the poets
and dramatsts, and these wonderful old Italian
tales, like the classic fables of Greece, appear to
be gifted with perennial youth, and to glow
with fresh grace and beauty under whatever
shape they are revived. George Eliot has
plucked one of Boccaccios white lilies, and
she has reproduced one of the most graceful
stories OF the naughty but delightful old Italian
in strong. harmonious. but delicate and tender
verse, which gives it an additional charm.
George Eliot Is never a copyist, and her verse is
az fine in fibre, and as emphatically her own, as
is the eloquent prose which is, and always will
be- a delight TO those who appreciate the glori-
GUS capabilities OF the English language. George
Eliot follows Boccacco literally in the telling OF
the story, ard as a specimen OF her treatment of
the subject, we quote the following passage de-
scriptive OF the interview between the King aud
Lisa
"The king avisod: ''Twcrc dole to all of u.
The world should lose 81 maid SO hcautcou>:
Let me now see her since ! am her liegc lord.
Her spirits must wage War with death at my
strong word.
In such hall-scri0us plHyfuinos-, he wendS.
With Lisa's father and two chosen friends,
Up to the chamber where she pillOwed sits,
Watching the door that opening admits
4 presence much better than her dreams,
Is happiness than any longing seems.
The King advanced. and with a rCvcrCnt kiss
Upon her hand said, Lady, what is this ;
You, whose sweet youth should Others sOlacc bc.
Pierce all our hearts lauguiShing piteously.
We pray you, tor the love OF us, be cheered
Nor be too reckless of That life, endcared
To US who know yOUT passing wOrthluesS
And count your blooming life us part OF our lilo-
bliss
"Thoso words, that touch upon her hand from
him
Whom her soul worshipped, u, far -craphim
Worship the distant glory, brought SOME shame
Quivering upon her check yet thrilled her frame
With such deep joy She seemed in paradise.
In wondering gladness, and in dumb surprise,
That bliss could DC 50 bllssLuI. lucn she spoke;
'sgnOr, was too weak TO bear The yoke,
The golden yoke OF thoughts too great for me-
That was the ground of my mtirmity.
But now J pray your grace TO have belief
That shall soon he wei, nor amy more clrl~e
griet
'"The king alone perceived ,hc covert sense
OF all her words, which made one evidence,
With her pure voice and candid lOvclmc~S.
That he had lost much honor hOnOrng less
That message Oi her passionate distress
He staid beside her FOR u little while,
With gentle looks and speech, until u smile
As placid ray of early morn
On opening fower-cups DER her lips was borne,
When he had left her and the tidings spread
Through all the town, how he had visited
The Tuscan traders daughter, who was sick,
Men said il was a royal deed and catholic.
"And Lisa? She no longer wished for death:
But rs n poet, who sweet verse, saith
Within his soul, and Joys in music there,
Nor seeks another heaven, nor can bear
Disturbing pleasures, was she content.
Breathing the life Of grateful sentiment
She thought no maid octrothed could he more
blest;
For treasure must be- valued by the tc!t
OF highest excellence and rarity.
And her dear Joy best as best could be:
There seemed no other crown 10 her delight
Now the high loved one saw her love Alright
Thus her soul thriving on that exquisite mood.
Spread like the May-tme all It's beauteuus good
Der the soft bloom OF neck and arms and check
And strengthened the sick body, once so weak,
Until she rose and walked, and like bird
with sweety ripping throat, she made her
spring Joys heard
AS paraphrase OF Boccaccio this poem is, per-
haps, not equal to the efforts in the same line of
Keats Longfellow or Swinburne, but it falls but
little short of them, and it issa work that the
lovers of poetry can afford to keep 10y them tor
repeated perusal.
From d. Ashmead we have received Count
Robert OF Paris" the twenty-fourth volume oi
the twenty-five cent edition OF the Waverley
novels; also, the fourth bound volume of tho
same series containing Heart of Mid Lothian,
Count Robert OF Paris" Fair Maid OF Perth,
and ''Woodstock The poetical works of Henr,
I.,,tl l;ttIa -, I..