The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-04-17
New York Tribune.l
MI. sydney Lanier's Cantata.

uionies vi the Exhloitlon on May 10. has been
furnished by John G., Whittier and the text OF
MIR. Dudley Bucks cantata by Sidney Lauier
OF Georgia, has been received by the press and
people of the United States with entire Satis
faction. No voice more earnest than tbat of
the Psalmist Of Amesbury could be fond to
breathe the solemn invocation; and Mr. amer
also, 1t less widely known as a poet, possesses
the qualities which fit him for the NOR diff
| cult TASK. lie is native of Georgia, Wlv, af-
ter fighting in the Southern ranks Ias youth,
studied law at Macon, but has at last fot I'd his
true field of activity, and, devotes hrself
wholly to music and literature. His tw, d-
markable poems. entitled Corn and lhe
Symphony" published in Lippincotfs Maga.
z'ne, brought him suddenly into prominence.
They are characterized by freshness and af-
huence of thought, a tropical luxuriance of
fancy, and singular grace and variety of
rhythmcal effect, which justify the anticpa-
tons OF bis friends in regard TO future achieve
ment. Moreover, he has the additional advan-
tage, exceptionally rare among poets, of pre-
nornced talent. For three winters past, he has
been performer in the Peabody Orchestra,
at Baltimore, under Mr.. Asger Hamerik.
The Cantata is form of musical compost.
tio1 which was primarily applied to subjects of
meditative, didactic or devotional charac-
ter. 1t has thus come to be one of the accep-
ted forms of musical expression for anniyersa-
ries, historical commemorations and other oc-
casions of large and stately character. The
text bears the same relation TO the music as
that of an oratoiio and must be written with
direct reference to the changes, contrasts, and
combination Of voices and Instruments 1t pre-
Sents most ungrateful task to the poet who is
not able TO call up an attendant musical inspir-
alton, and persuade his conceptions to aeknowl-
edge the double sway. Mr.. Lanier's verses, there
fore, must be read with constant reference to
the inevitable restrictions of his task. Limited
to sixty lines, in which not only the solos and
choruses but also the violins and bassoons
must have their share; compelled to tell his
story, not in poetic recital, but through the
medium of reflection and contrasted emotions;
governed, 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 fairly assert its right to a separate
judgement.
The verses REPRESENT as largely as the space
allows, the past and present of the country, the
powers which opposed themselves to settle
ment, growth, and independence, and the
blended elements which gave success, closing
with rejoicing, an angelic voice of PROMISE and
welcome to the world. 1t is both simple aud
original in character. Contrasted with the
Cantata written by Tennyson for the opening
of the International Exhibition in London, its
greater freedom and freshness are very evil
dent, while in earnestness and absence of self
graduation it will doubtless harmonic 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 giving the complete text of Mr.. Lanier's
share in the work, especially as the printed
copies are now in the hands of 500 singers.
Mr.. Lanier entities his Cantata
THE CENTENNIAL MEDITATION OF COLUMBIA
From this hundred-terraced hight
Sight more large with nober hight
Humbler smiles aud lordlier tears
Shine and fall, shine and fall,
While old voices rise and call
Yonder where the to-and-fro
Weterng OF my Long-Ago
Moves about the moveless base
Far below my resting-place.
Mayfower, Mayfower, slowly hither flying,
Trembling Westward DER yon baking sea,
Hearts within FareUeU dear England signing,
Winds without 6ut dear in caiR replying,
Gray lippd waves about thee shouted, crying
No! 1T shalt not be!
III.
jamestown, out of thee
Plymouth, thee-thee, Albany
Winter cries, Ye freeze: dacdg,
Fever cries, Ye burn acag!
Hunger cries. Ye starre: apdy!
vengeance cries, Your 1rareS shall stay
w.
Then old Shapes and Masks of Things
Framed like Faiths or clothed like Kings
Ghosts OF Goods once heshed and fair.
Grown foul Bads in alien air
War, and his most noisy lords.
Tongued with 1.-THE and poisoned swords
aTnTGr' an ir IefrSE, tan@s Pa Rage and an i, Crime,
Cried to me from land and sea-
No! Thou shalt not be!
v.
Hugenots whispering yea in the dark
Puritans H ans answering yea in the dark
Darts through the tyrannous heart OF denial.
Patience and Labor and soemn-sOuled Trial,
Fooled, still beginning.
Soiled, but not SHINING,
Toll through the stertorous death OF the Niaht.
Toll, when wild-brother wars new-dark the Light,
Toll, and forgive, and kiss DER, and replight.
Now Praise to Gods oft-granted grace,
Now Praise to Mans undaunted face
Despite the land, despite the sea,
was: am and shall be-
How long. Good Angel, o how long?
Sing me from heaven a mans own song!
VIZ
"Long as thine Art shall love true love,
Long as thy Science truth shall know
Long as thine Eagle harms no Dove
Long as thy Law By law shall grow
Long as thy God is God above,
Thy brother every man below
So long, dear Land of all my love-
Thy name shall shine, thy fame shall glowr'
VIII.
| Music, from this hight of time my Word unfold:
In thy large signals all mems hearts Mans Heart be-
hold:
Mid heaven unroll thy chords as friendly flags un-
furled,
And waye the worlds best lovers welcome to the
world. Sidney LdRier.
The CENTENNIAL.-A gentleman from this