The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-11-11
ADJUSTMENTS.


play III IL.
That it is played Mt all in our dav. and in
English, Is Of itself greater cause for surprise
For Drunhid" is a noble tragedy. built out
of German mythology upon classic model.
and in saying that. I am saying that to the
major part Of the theatre going public 1t is dull
However. let us be lcnient with the great
majority for II II not. after all like turtle doves
rather than ravcning wolves. that requires its
food half digested before it receives IL?
" Brunhild - was played week and will now
give place to something moro consonant with
popular taste. and. consequently. not good.
But there must have been minority that. going
TO the Broadway Theatre. felt some of the noble
madness that the drama in liz best condition
always inspires
Some Of us. | am sure II asked what We saw
in the play would have replied in Carycs
words:
Chances We do sccm t. find OF that ethereal
glory which looks on IA in its fun brightness
from the paintings Of l,aflacllc from the Tom
pest OF Shakespeare. and in broken but purcst
and still heart piercing beams is Struggling
through the gloom Of long ages from the tragc-
dies Of Sophoelcs and the wcathcrworn sculp-
lures Of the Par,hcnon."
For it is true that this old and semi -barharous
lay of the "NibclunGcn.n freshly attuned 10y the
genius OF Janauschek. breaks with an archaic
grandeur on our ears. and if we hut listen
rightly We shall ind that there are noble diapa-
sons ia it. and deep. mellow cndcnces. that
might. tn borrow De Quinory's phrase, have
swept the fields OF mortality for II thousand
years
1t Is not tho characteristic method Of the Ger
man school. 50 boldly and braycy shown in
this work. that alone pleased me. II Is almost
scandinavian in its retained rigor. and in that
primitive use Of superstition which involves
strength and reverence. What struck me cspe-
cay WIS the poetic truth and underlying but
never obtruded elemental philosophy which.
like the unseen skeleton under one OF the II, sh
ly gods II tho old masters gave 1t integrity no
less than strength.
| firmly agree with Taino. who somewhere
says that the drama. like every work OF art.
only makes sensible "a profound idea Of man
and Of existence. There il. he remarks u hid
den philosophy under It's circumyoluiions and
vioences. and the audicn' ought to be- capable
Of comprehcnding it rs the poet is Of concoiv-
ing it,
"Brunhili" IL drama Of the North. Iis
passion like the fires Of IIecla. is poured forth
from bosom OF eternal snow. We ind orr
solves amon; demi-s gods. who have human
Weaknesses that are expressed with the naive
intensity OF animals. They love- hate. n,ht.
Kill. and die with the magnificent drcctness.
franknoes. nnd sincerity Of natures not yet sub
duci 10y 4 Christian civilization. All the per-
sonagcs arr. indeed. supreme animals. Their
deeds are colossal their speech and movement
! grand oso. their passions hcad'ng.
B'u.hid herself is the daughter Of the King
/ 81 Iceland. She is como ~ race Of giants
who hattlcl with Borcas and won their lives
/ from the tempest and the frost There il some
thing gigantic in her soul Hers is the reor.
I'll" chastity the obduracy. and the pui-sance
/ Of II climate where leo forever covers but can-
/ not con zeal The elemental flames OF Stature
! wish could 20 over this story with you AMI
show you the heavy veins Of beauty IN it, gl,am-
Ing there like virgin gold. Unbiased and un-
| hammered
1t were pleasant task to follow the wander
ing Sieqf-,ei from the Neiherlnnds to the frozen
north. where he l. ilung upon B,1u,hNrs shores.
AMI wins her heart by his valor no less than his
! beauty; to rccount in our own way. with the
spell II the drama stu On US. how ho dallied
ther in lIyprrhorean bliss. killing myfhoode
4 n 'nst'r-. aud riding his milk white stccd up
the i.y 0if- ia the light 90 the Boren-. with
B'uAh II his side; how II was necessary to
/ win the person ~ Bru,bto in combat. 10y over.
coming her. and how he goes away. carry TX
| her sodl wth him. but promising 10 return
and then siray.nG into burgundy. fall in love
| with KIM GWt0's daughter chrin.AIi anil
straightway forgets B1uiiti; how Gn.ier.
having heard Of the charms II the Northern
beauty. offers To give his daughterto >eiGf-,i
if that knight Will assist him To overcome Rro,-
hhi; how yalor and beauty become TEACHER
GUS and false and by wearing G'ud,1'S armor.
overcome tho maiden. and make her the wiic Of
G'uter to come % Burgundy. d'nantiy obcdi-
cnt. there to meet Gtieohli. and TO hate her
Instantly. openly. and unswory.n.gly. and to
finally cause the death Of her husband
lt...s
nit me 10 follow this thread in It's many coiorod
wndings. should like to do it. II only To have
you see how very old is the theme. starting, in
decd. away back in the forest twilight. but
streaming down through all dramas and BOTH
shaping and tinting all romance to this very
year Of our Lord. We might study this pussant
heroine with ediilcation II. perchanoc. we
should find in her relations TO ,SieQfritl n
splendid acgory. and see going On before our
eyes tia; conflict Of the sexes which has never
ceased and never will. but which a. here typi-
fed, is waged to-day In your palace aud tcne-
mont.
Nothing can be finer than Br1nhilFs appeal
to SeQf'ied. when her love and jealousy are
aroused 10y the sight OF ClremAihrs happiness.
She ex,ols herself with all the honest sincerity
Of such rugged nature. She IS a heroine. aud
mono but horones are III for heroes. All her
Valorous exploits and every phase II her in
domitahlc spirit are contrsted before he eyes
with the love sick gin he has married. But Il
never once occurs Ia BrNIhiti that hi, coutras
il 10 the loyo-si'k girls advantage. And when
S"Ai'ed tells her that he has Nalar himself. anl
does not want it in his wife. hu}Nd staros at
him without comprohn nding him.
1t Is not too mach to say HAT this battle thus
pictured in Il bold. primitive clroon. ha~ been
fought regularly every day since. in -uk. ard
NalNtt and lr4n lle.fh ~ E.. -