The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1873-03-20

bA1AWO TAI AsO1D NEW POEA.
Bayard Taylor's new poem is . fresh and
fascinating story, and the blank verse in
which it is written Is wonderfully simple,
musical, and fee from mannerisms, depth of
co!oring and sffiuence of imagery, We do
not find; but they would be incongruous in
tale the scene Of which alterna,es between
the fells and ford. of the Norwegian coast
and the Quaker districts OF Delaware and
southern Pennsylvania. The contrast of
Landscape and of life thus indicated is 4 pc
cu!iariy delicate one, and the subdued tone
and tinting Of the whole poem might we'll
be result of con-ummate art. In execu-
ton Lars reminds US Of the Story Of Kennel.
the last ambitious, but by far the most
graceful and complete, of Mr.. Taylor's
prose romances-a quiet novel, 40 perfect in
construction that il even reminds one of the
inimicable Silas Mariner.
The story of Lars il briefly this: A young
Norwegian girl naihed Brita has two lovers
Lars and Per-betweeD whom she daliies
with the most engaging and impartial CO.
quetry, while the young men become fercely
jealous Of one another, and At last, on pub
lie wrestling day, resolve to decide their diff
ference by the terrible single combat of their
country. In this duel.-very graphically
described-Psr, the more brilliant and AFRO
CANT of the two suitora, is slain, and Brita
discovers too late that she has loved him
best. Lars recovering but slowly from his
own terrible wounds, and only to find his
native land rendered intollerable BY the sha-
dow of his blood-gniliiness, the impending
vengence of Per's brother, and the hatred
and adherence of Brita herself. So he
wanders away TO America and ut last finds
refuge and takes service with q Quaker
farmer Of Hockessin. The sweet, serene
daughter Of the latter,-Ruth MeDdenhall,
learns 10 love the Scandinavian stranger
long before she learns the story of his terri
bic past; and when this is at last confessed,
forgives him. After this, be is received into
the society Of Friends and becomes light
among them. He marries Ruth, and they
have few years Of exceeding peace and
happiness; but when Ruth's father Ezra has
died at ripe old age. husband and wife
are alike visited BY a call to return to Nor
way and preach the gospel of peace among
the conntrymen Of Lars. The meeting be-
tween Lars and ThOrster. the brother of
Per and former avenger cf blood, IL very
The passive courage of the Friend
" no freely offers his own life in return for
the one he has taken, but will not lift his
hand in self-defence, excitea the mockery
and afterwards the awe OF his implacable
foe. His life is saved
Sand the witness borne
Ry L,rs, the voice Of his unspiinkled blood
Became a warning on Norwegian hills"
They made many converts, and among
hem the heart-broken Brita, whom they
ook to their own home.
The charm Of the poem is 10 quiet and no
inform that extracts are not easily made.
The following will indicate the purity of
and simple dignity Of style and
bought which charact" rize the whole. Tie
opening picture is of Sunday morning ON
he Norwegian coast:
The sun of Sabbath rose. Two hours. afar.
Behind the wintry peaks Of Gustedal,
U Unmarked he climbed; then. pausing on the crest
If File Fell he gathered up bis beams
Dissolved in warmer blue, and showered them down
Between the mountains, through the falling vale,
IN Clrick's cottages aud Orchard-trees.
Ind one by one the chimneys breafhed: the sail
hat loits red lone along the misty ford |
dashed like star, and filled with fresher wind.'
And here is Brita in church,
''Then came another stiffness As the lord
Were near, or bent to listen from afar,
And Taxed the test; but Brita found it strange.
Thus read the pastor: set me . seal
Upon thy heart, yea, set me - . seal
Upon thine arm; for love Is strong rs death
And Jealousy is cruel a. the grave
She felt the garnets burn upon her breast
As 4 all ferVor Of the olden love
Still heated them and FIRE Of jealousy,
And to herself she said: Has any face
Looked on me with love ~ strong IS death:
Hut am Life, and how am to know
Then siraightway weary Of the puzzle, she
Began 10 wander with her dancing thoughts
Out o er the fell and up and down the slopes
OF sunny grass, while, eser and anon.
The pre2cher's solemn voice struck through her
dream,
Its sound menace and its sense unknown.
One more must suffice. 1t is that of the
killed Lars, when near the end of his wan
erings -
Led by faith that rest could not be fer,
eyond the town, wheie deeper wales bring down
he winding brooks from Pennsy lvania hills
C walked; the ordered farms we're fair To see |
nd fair the peaceful houses; old reposs
ellowed the lavish newness Of the land,
nd sober toll gave everywhere the right
0 simple pleasure. As by each he passed
spirit whispered, NO, not there" and then
is sceptic heart said, Never any where"
he sun was low when, with the valley bend. l
here came a change. Two willow fountains dung
nd shOwered their leafy streams before house
rusty stone, with chimneys tall and white,
inca low stretched below, and dappled cows,
all led. we're waiting for their evening call.
ne garden lay upOn q sunny knoll,
he orchard dark behind II; and the barn |,
it'll vide. warm wings, giant mother-bird,
emsd breeding o er its empty summer nest.
zen Lars upon the roadside bank sat down,
n here was peace that almost seemed DESPAIR
near his eyes, 50 distant from his life