New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-04-12
MIR. SIDNEY LANIERS CANT4T4.

The announcement Of the Centennial Commission
that the hymn for the opening ceremonies of the tx
hibition on May 10. has been furnished by John u
Whittier and the text of Mr., Dudley Bucks can
tata By Sidney Ianier of Georgia, has been received
by the press and people of the United States with
entire satisfaction. No voice more earnest than that
of the Psqmist Of Amcsbury could be found TO
breathe the solemn invocation; and MI Lahier'
also. il less widely known IS poet, possesses tle
qualities which lit him for the more difficult task.
He is a native of Georgia. who after lighting IN the
Southern ranks as a youth, studied law at Macon.
but has at last found his field of activity, ana
devotes himself wholly to music and literature. Ills
two remarkable poems, entitled Corn and line
symphony" published in LippinoOtfs Maga@'ne'
brought him suddenly into prominence. They are
characterized by o freshness and atiuence OF
thought a tropical luXuTiance OF fancy, ana a SIN
gular grace and variety of rhythmcal elect whleh
ustify the antcipatiOns of his friends in regard 10
future achievement. Moreover, he has the addl-
tional advantage. exceptionally rare among poets
of pronounced musical talent. For Vhree Winters
past, he has been performer in the Peabody VI
chestra at Baltimore under Mr.. Asger HamerK'
The Cantata is form OF musical coilPoSl,lon
which was primarily applied to subjects OF medta-
tive. didactic OF devotional character 1t has thus
come to be one of the accepted forms of musical eX
lions, and other occasions Of large and sta'eiy
character The text bears the same relation to the
music as that of an oratOrio and must be written
with direct reference to the changes contrasts ana
combinations of voices and instruments. IL presents
most ungrateful task to the poet who Is not apie
10 call M an attendant musical inspiration. and
persuade his conceptions to acknowledge the douole
SWAY. Mr.. Laniers verses therefore, must DC read
with constant reference to the inevitable restrictions
of his task. Limited to sixty lines, in winch not
only the solos and choruses, but also the vons and
bassoons must have their share; compelled to tell
his story, not in poetic recital, but through the
medium of reflection and contTasted emotions gov
erned. finally, in the very sounds of his words by
that of the notes to which they are set his WORK Is
amenable to a separate law, and may ialfly assert
its right to a separate Judgment.
The verses represent, as largely as the space al
lows, the past and present of the Country, the
powers which opposed themselves to settlement
growth, and independence and the blended elements
which gave success, closing with rejoicing an
angelic voice of promise, and welcome TO the
world. Iii both simple and original in character
Contrasted with the Cantata written by Tennyson
for the opening Of the International Exhibition III
London its greater freedom and freshness are very
evident. while in earnestness and absence of self
graduation 1t will doubtless haTmonlze with the
spirit of Whittier's hymn Mr.. Dudley Bucks music
has already been noticed in THE TRIBUNE and there
seems to be no improperly in also giving the COM
plete text of Mr. Laniers share in the Work, espe-
riay as the printed copies now in the hands OF
800 singers. Mr.. Lanier entities his Cantata
CHE CENTENNIAL MEDITATION OF COLUMBIA
From this tundredterraced hight
Sight more large with nOber light
Ranges down yOn towering years:
Humber smiles and loTdller tears
Shine and tall, shine ana fdl,
While old voic, rise ana call
Y0nder where the -and-iro
MelerinS OF my LOng-ASO
Moves about the mOvcless base
Far below my resting place.
MayAower, Mayfower slowly hither flying,
Trembling Westward Ger yon baking sea,
Winds without Bat dear az rain replying,
Grayhppd waves about thee shouted, crying
No! IL shall not Dc!
jamestown, out Of thee
Plymouth, thee-thee, Albany
Winter cries, Te frce=e: array!
Fever cries, Te burn: array!
Hunger cries, Ye Starre array!
Vengeance cries, Your nGccS shall stay!
Then old Shapes and Masks OF Things
Framed Ike Faiths or clothed Like kings
Ghosts OF Goods once feshed and fair,
Grown foul Bads in alien all
War aud his most NOISY lords,
Toneued with 1.-the and poisoned swords
Error. Terror, Rage and Crime,
Cried to me from land and sea,
No! Thou shall not be!
Hark!
Huguenots whispering yea in the dark,
Puntans answering yea IN the dark!
Yea. ike an arrow shOt true to his mark,
Darts through the tyraInons heart oi 81, P }la
Fooled stl beginning,
SOilcd, but not SHINING,
foil through the stertorOus death OF tue Night
Toll, when wild brothervars newdark the Lisnt
Toll and forgive, and kiss DER, and rephght.
Now Praise TO Gods oft-gTanted grace,
Now Praise to Mans undaUn ed face,
Despite the land, despite the sea,
was: am: aud shall be
How1ong, Good Angel, how lOngf
Sing me from Heaven mans own songl
VII
"IOng S thinc Art shall love true love,
Long as Thy Science truth shall know,
Long thine Eagle harms no Dove,
Long as thy Law By law shall grow,
Long as thy God Is God above
Tby brother every man below,
SO long. dear Land of all my love-
Thy name shall shine, thy fame shall glow"
VIII.
Music from this hight OF time my Word unfOld:
IN thy large signals all mems hearts Mans Heart behold:
And wave worlds best lovers welcome 10 the world
SIDNEY LAEIER
THE BATTLE OF THE SCHOLARS.
MAX MUELLER VS.. BoHI4NGK-" AMENITIES" OF
PATHOLOGICAL CONTROVERSY.
Considerable attention has been of late drawn to