New-York tribune., 1878-06-25
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
ppnwNING,s NEW Poems.
La sAIsIAZ: THE TWO POETS OF CROlsIC. %;
RoBERT BROWNING. London; Smith, Elder q "


he compared to the sparkling freshness of the khne
IS it emerges from it's icy source in the heart OF inc
Aims; but il soon loses itself in the eon1uSou anu
furbd spcculations that like the languld course
NJ the same river as it flows into the ocean over the
desoate wastes of the Dutch sands. No more exqul-
site pictures Of the mountain scenery IN Swltzer-
land have ever been presented by poet OF
painter than the lovely descriptions IN the
commencement Of the poem. 1t is recital OF the
personal experience of the author during Summer
vacation ON the Swiss border, overlooking Jura and
Mont Blanc in which the enjoyment of Nature
was turned into profound tragedy. The chalet OF
La Saisiaz had been selected by Mr. Downing Tor a
few weeks recreation with three friends one OF
whom was lady of noble character and of strong
intellectual sympathy with the poet Toward the
close of the vacation, after the daily mountain ex-
curson, they agreed to make higher ascent the
next day but upon returning from his usual morn
ing walk in the woods, and intent On keeping the
appointment he found the lady had suddenly died
only few moments before. Five days after this
event he resolves to brave the natural grief OF the
occasion, and ascend alone the height which he ex-
pected to enjoy in the company of his friend. The
poem which is in the form of intimate solioquy,
transcrlbes the emotions and thoughts which grew
ont of the strange mountain ascent:
Dared snd done at last stand upon the summit Dear
siugly dared and done; the climbing both of us are
Petty feat and Yet prOdgOus; every side my glance
Ger the grandeur and the beauty lavshed through the
whole ascent.
The scenery of the place presented one of the most
enchanting landscapes that are found among the
hollows of the heights from which seen the
bright blue waters of Lake Leman.
Ledge by ledge out broke marves, now minute and
Earths most exquisite disclosure, heavens God in
And no berry in its hiding. no blue space in its out
Pleaded to escape my fOOtstep challenged my emerging
usI Climbed or paused from climbing, O'erbranched
Now built round by rock boulder at just turn
Stationed face to face with-Naturei rather with In
hnitude)
The contrast between the lonely spectacle of such
solemn spendOr, and the wOndrOus beauty which
had been admired in common with the companion
of his walks Is thus described
No revealment of them all, as sngly my path
But bitter touched its sweetness for the thought stung
Both Of US had loved and wondered just the same.
Five short DAYS saicient hardly to entce from its
splntered in the slab, this pink perfection of the
Scarce enough to heal and coat with amber gum the
Bronze the clustered wilding apple redden ripe the
Yet Of might to place between usoh the barreri YOn
shrinks beside it, proves pnpoint; barrier this, with
The poet now retraces his narrative to the awful
scene which exchanged the glory of the mountains
for the presence of the dead:
Nothing dark next day at sundawni Up rose and
Took my plunge within the batb-poOl, pacihed the
Saw proceed the transmutation-Jura's black 70 one
Trod your level path that let me drink morning deep
Reached the little quarry-ravage reeompensed by shrub
TIL the oyer1Owing ardOrs told time was for re-
3d. return did, and gayy. But once, from far
Waved salute tall white figure Has her sleep been
so prOfOundi
Foresight rather, prudent saving strength for days
Ay the eh9moerwndOws open; out ana on the terrace
No, the terrace showed figure, tall, white leaning
Tangetwne Of leaf and bloom that intercept the air
Interpose between ones love and Natures loving hill
Down to where the blue lakes wrinkle marks the rivers
thrush pale
This dread way you had your summonsi No premoni-
As you talked and laugh rtis told mel minute
Captured You in cold forever. Codi nay, warm you
When raised you while the others used, in passionate
All tue means that seem to promise any aid, and all in
Gone You were and shall never that earnest face
Grow transparent grow transngured with the sudden
At the first words prOvocatOn, from the heartdeeps
Therefore paying pteous duty what seemed you have
Peacefully toTbat think were, Of all earth-beds, to
Most the choice for quiet yonder: low walls stop the
Lovingly saleye protect YOU vilaGespors will neer
On the stranger ladys silence whom friends bore soknd
ThitheT "j9st for loves sake,"-such their word
nrrltp quFl fali
You supposed that few or none had known and loved
May bel aower that full-blOwn tempts the butterfly,
nor flower that's fured -,
Bat to bell ana outpread howershape at the least
May be- tbrob Of heart, beneath which,-quckening
farther than 1t knew ,
Treasure Oft dsembOsomed, scent all strange and
DisembosOmed reembOsomed,-must one memory sut-
Prove / knew an Alpine-rose which all beside named
Edelwessl
The obstinate questiOnngsD which are naturally
suggested by such scene form the subject of the
remainder of the poem, tempting the writer to the
indulgence Of his characteristic faults and prompt
ing him to the vague, and obscure, and incOncuslYe
fancies in which the lights of dim philosophy
usurp the place of a living and radiant poesy.
" Does the soul survive the bodyf Is there Gods
self; 10 or yesP
Did the face, the form lifted as it lay, reveal the
Not alono OF life but soul tribute TO yon flowers and
moss
After tissue of dreamy, dreary speculation
which shows as little the stamp of poetry as the
Ethics Of Spinoza, or POpe's Essay on Man."
the poem concludes as follows:
30 the poor smile played that evening pald smile long
Here In Londons mld-Noyemberi Not so loosely
thoughts linked,
Six weeks since as l. descending in the sunset from
Found the chain seemed to forge there Aawess till it