The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-11-22
A New Poem by MIR. Leighton, Of
Wheeling.

a New Poem by MIR. Leighton, Of
Wheeling.
Boston Travellers review Oi"At the Court Of King
Edwin"
"At the Court Of King Edwin" is The
title OF "a drama" which issues from the
press Of J. B. LippincOtt & Co., Phlladel.
phia, and which is by William Leighton,
Jr., who some time since attracted the
attention Of goodly part Of the world
OF readers in America by his poem, 1.-THE
Sons OF Goodwin" "At the Court OF King
Edwin is not intended by the author as
an acting drama. The dramatic form, Of
scene and act and dialogue, he chooses as
more fitting to the expressions he desires
TO make. In considering such work,
there are several lights in which it must
be viewed. Perhaps the frat, since it Is
the foundation, is the mechanical,-the
tools, the implements and the material.
Mr.. Leighton'S versiiiCation ia very
smooth and easy, flowing naturally and
without hesitation. His language is
strong, terse, pointed, or gentle, sweet
and glowing, as the scene may de-
mand. He is evidently close stu
dent Of the best Of the older po.
els and dramatist, for there Is a
flavor to his work which is gained-as
courtly demeanor and ease Of bearing on
important occasions are gained by inter
course with the brave and beautifully
association with the best in literature.
The collocation Of. scene with scene, The
sequence OF the drama (aIbeit Il Is a
closet one), are natural and iudiciOus,
and we follow the story TO the end. True,
ut the end we are left, as far Us u second.
airy idea Of the drama is concerned,
namely, the religious element, in as much
doubt as at the beginning; but the princi
pal theme is worked out with an excel.
Ience Of art and with well purposed plan.
As poem, the drama is full Of much
beauty, without sacrificing beauty to
strength. The characters are generally
well depicted, and come 10 the mental
vision clad in appropriate costumes and
walking in proper style. Two songs in
troduced in the play are nice pieces Of
versifcation. We quote one, that sung
by the heroine Enid.
An ethereal spirit Of the mountains
Loved pasiOuAtely u maid,
but pitilul s0TrOwing laid
Fullmany lingering tnee
And clond on his beautiful face,
For his shaPe was invisible y the maiden,
Though he hoyercd Caresslnsly DER her,
And WhiIpered Of love With fond word
Her ear ail-unheedlngly heard
No voice rs with gay heart she sing
Tho evenings solS EsphJr-Airs rang.
With her carols Of youthful rejoicing.
Then he cried to the woodland and niountalnS,
"Alas and alas, she heedA not
How strangely unhappy MY lot,
80 near her, and yet lar apIrt
In distance Of heart from her heart,
Andmy tenderness never made known 10 hef!n
Smother Nature, why wa, made loving,
And not Of visible form -
To feel all loves passionate storm,
Aud die for II beauty l zee,
Yet, living ordylng, 70 DO
But yleWleAs and V6ietlssS deslringw
The story Of the drama is briefly this:
Enid, Princess Of Gwynedd, has been
taken captive by Ed,rin, King Of Deira.
She pines in her captivity, not alone for
her dear native land, but for her brother
Brian and her betrothed, Ptnaa, King Of
Mercia. King Edpia, Us 4 reward to
Golf, but recently high.priest Of odin, but
now become Christian, has promised
Eaids hand and the realm OF Gwynedd.
Early in tho drama, Biaa comes In dis.
guise to rescue his sister and 10 slay the
Kings magician, his arch.enemy, Petliaus.
He q allowed by skilliul strategem to see
his sister, but Fellinus oyerhears the dis.
course at the interview, and betrays Briaa
70 the Riag be (Psllinus) having first en-.
deayored 10 purchase the love and iayor
Of Eaid by Offering to allow her brother
toescape. Brian Is thrown into prison,
and there, when visited by Enid, o tragic
scene occurs. Enid has decided 10 saeri-
Gee her life 10 save her brother; this sac
rihee Brian will not allow, and on RsLlia.