The New York herald., 1877-10-29
LITERATURE.
srEpMAN's NEW VOLUME.


II has been some time since the reviewer has nad
the pleasure of cutting the leaves OF new volume OF
stedmans poems. therefore is with keen relish he
turns the pages OF "Hawtnorne and Other Poems"
fresh from the press OF James X. osgood Co. The
busy, exciting e OF the broker has not daunted tbc
muse OF this poet Few men 0! leisure bcslow more
time and pains on their literary wor1 than does
Mr.. siedman, and he Is as ready with translation
from Homer as with pocsy 10 an actress The bulk
OF the present volume Is made up Of occasion
poems, Tor there Is poet In the country who can
SO gracefully rise TO tho requirements OF an "occa-
SION" as Mr. Stedman. Tho opening poem and the one
from which the book taxes It's name. was read before
the Society OF tho PM Beta Kappa, a. Harvard un-
versy. on the 2stn OF June last The following quo
taton shows the appreciat,ve spirit o. tho poem:-
Clearly the masters plan
Revealed MS people, even as they were,
- The prayerful elder and the winsome maid
Inc errant roistcrer, the Puritan,
DARK fyncheon mourniul Hester--ail are there.
- But none save he IN our own time so laid
his summons on mans spirit; none but he,
Whether the light thereof were clear or cIouded,
mus on his canvas liked tho human soul,
The thoughts OF mystery,
In deep hearts by this mortal gnse cnshroudcd,
Wild hearts that like the church bells ring and toll
In ''Sis,er Beatrice" we have an epic iorm which
relates legend from the "Sermoncs Dlscipun" Of
Jean Herolt, the Dominican. In the opening stanzas
the poot wonders why tho singing Of this song
LETT to him.
And not to that gray bard still measuring
his laurellcd yeaIs by mus.cs golden score,
NOT 70 some comrade who like him has caught
The charm Of lands by me too long unsougnIs
why not TO one who, with steadiast eye.
Ingatherng her shadow aud her sheen,
saw Venice as she is, and, standing nigh,
Drew IRON the liia that olh dsman tied queenY
or TO the poet through whom viii descry
CASTLE, and the Campcadors dcmesncf
Or 10 that eagcr one whose quest has iound
Each place OF long rcnown, The world around;
Whose loot has rested nrm on either hill
The sea grit height where gows the midnight SUM-
And wild Parnassus, whose mcodious skill
Has left no song untrcd, no wroath unwonp
Why not to thescY
After reading the poem readily answer that
neither of these, though they are Bryant, Howes,
Hay and Bayard Taylor respectively, could have done
tho story better justice.
In conclusion quote song from a drama which
Is In Mr.. stedmans lign.es, but tho less charm.
ing, vcin:-
know not If moonlight or starlight
BE soft on the land and the sea.
catch but the near light. the lar light,
VI eyes that are burning Tor me;
The scent OF the night OF the roscs
Mny burden the air tor thee, Sweet.
Ills only the breath OF thy sgh.ng
know, Us lic at thy ieet
The winds may be sobbiug or singing
Their touch may be fervent or cold,
The night bells may toll or DO ringing
care not while thee cntold!
Tho feast may 60 on and the music
Be scattered IN ecstasy round
Thy whisper, "llove thee love theclr
Hath flooded my soul with It's sound
think not OF time that is flying,
How short IS the hour have won
How near Is this living 10 dying
How the shadow stii follows tho sun:
There naugnt upon earth, desire.
Worth q thought though y were had by a sign!
love theol love thee bring higher
Thy spirit, thy kisses, to mlncl
The book IS dedicated TO Mr. Benjamin holt Tick.
nor. the popular "co" Of the nrm OF Jamos r Osgood
& Go.