The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-11-08
Recent Publications
The Light Of Asia.

oughly and easily fulfil the best requisites of
poetry than this work, as brilliant asst is schol-
| arly, of Mr. Edwin Arnold. He has by this
one poem placed himself in the front rank of
English singers-a rank in which not many
men stand abreast. Henceforth he must eX-
pect-and need not fear to meet-the most eX-
acting demands of the literary public and crit
les. Criticism, indeed, takes up its most CRATE
full and natural task in analyzing so grand a
poem. that of pointing out beauties and nobili-
ties Of imagination and words, aid doing its
utmost to increase and strengthen the delight
OF readers in so admirable and important q
work. But these generalities of praise are
little more than a trumpet played before, to
announce the triumphal entrance of a new
poet. And the sooner the review sets before
the reader the theme and manner Of the poem
now under discussion, and thereby induces
him to explore its beauties for himself-the
sooner will the utterance of admiration become
a full chorus.
The light of Asia was Gautama, prince
and religious teacher who lived in India more
than five centuries before the Christian era
His people, seeing in his stainless life and ex-
alted teaching something more than human,
believed him to be an d0dtdr, an appearance
upon earth of their god The Buddhist relig-
ior : clouded more or less by the ignorance
and superstition of its priests and followers;
but its nearness to our Christian beliefs, the
purity and humanity of its teachings, its up
lifted and almost intangible mysticism, and its
singular paradise of ilimitable calm, of utter
loss of self in the great All-gives to the wor-
ship of Brahma an extraordinary interest.
That so lofty religion-with none Of the
usual allurements which the creeds that we
call heathen offered to their faithful-should
have to-day following of four hundred and
seventy millions of souls, argues, upon the face
of the matter, much that is good to
live and die by, much natural and
practical religious essence in its prin-
ciples. And reading this poem, which sets
forth the life, sacrifices and death of Siddartha
the comparison is constantly suggested be-
tween this record of the great Hindoo prophet,
and the revelations of the New Testament
Several circumstances of the two narratives
have so near resemblance that the reader will
not fail to note them instantly; yet, for the
understanding of the poem and the enjoyment
of its essentially Buddhist quality-it is better,
SO far as may be, to set aside the comparison
(Which will if carried too far, trouble the read
er little as with a certain lack Of respect to
his own faith by its making, and will also con-
fuse somewhat his clear impression Of the
poem). 1t is better to give oneself up wholly
to the powerful charm of the story, without in
ssting upon resemblances which are more ap-
parent and striking than real or essential.
Mr.. Arnold-presumably something of nov
ice in bookmaking superb poetic and dra-
matte instincts that have the weight and
thrice the force, of experience. The sureness
and vigor of the opening of his poem is a
promise OF strength and value well kept. The
Light of Asia is written in the form of nara
tive, but this recital is supposed to be made
by a devout Buddhist. So no tacit denial in
qualification of the truths of the story of Sid
dartha and his teachings, is anywhere sug-
gested. The doctrine of transmigration of
souls, for instance, so vivid and powerful to
the mind of a Buddhist, could hardly be set
forth with any show of belief by the poet, if he
spoke as narrator. Bat by this means a very
satisfactory aud natural dramatic unity is
assured. Mr.. Arnold's poetic manner is ex-
qiioi1O, oNhNiOAitiy hiViAOuo iihAtettiOu
of any other poet, but with evident acquain-
tance with all the best verse of his times; his
musical sense is fine, and the variety, strength
and expressive harmonies Of his poem well re-
pay study. His verse is smooth, easy to read
and to hear; sustained throughout at a very
high point Of beauty and meaning; and it is by
noting, in any page taken at hazard, the num-
ber of lines, each one deserving especial COM
ment and praise, that the reader is able to per-
ceiye the extraordinary brilliance and wealth
Of Mr.. Arnold's poetic genius. The rhythm
and ring of his verse have often an Eastern
quality-especially is this the case in passages
translated from the sacred books Of the Brah-
Minis, or in lines which set forth some notable
point in the poem. The solemn, wild beauty
of the music Of the opening lines sounds the
key note Of the symphony; and the first scenes
of the action are bright and tuneful to an
amazing degree. This subtle connection be-
tween the music and meaning of words is
trait very notable and used with no exaggera-
tion in Mr.. Arnolds work. The alternate
tenderness and power, striking brilliance and
stately march Of his verse can be appreciated
only in reading the entire poem. The first
book relates the birth and childhood of Siddar-
tina, and the episode of the little prince and his
teacher is as quaint as it is significant of the
wise and inspired after-life of the hero. 1t
contains some very curious learning, in the
fantastic details of Hindoo arithmetic and
measurements. Yet though the princely boy,
without study, could recite his tables, how
that seven trasarenes make
One notes length floating in the beam, notes
The whisker-point OF mouse
he was rcverent to his masters, gentle and
fearless with his companions. He would, says
the narrative, yield
His half-won race because the laborious steed
Fetched painful breath,
a touch that prefgures one of the first doc
trines of Buddha's teachings, care for animals
and their kinship to mankind. The episode Of
the saving of the swan is exquisitely told; and
here it is that the first shadow of sorrow comes
upon Prince Siddartha. From this time, the
youth sees the sadness of life side by side with
its delight. He walks through the prosperous
villages where
All things spoke peace and plenty and the Prince
Saw and rejoiced But looking Deep he
The thorns which grow upon this rose of life,
How the swart peasant sweated for his wage
Toiling for leave to liye and how he urged
The great-eyed oxen through the flaming hours,
Goading their velvet fanks; then marked he, too,
How lizard fed on ant, and snake on him,
And kite on both
Till everywhere
Each slew slayer, and in turn was slan
Life living upon death.
The second book OF the poem finds Prince
Siddartha, q youth Of eighteen, living
still in the palaces of King Suddh6dana. The
king is grieyed for the continual sadness Of
Prince Siddartha and sends for the most beau
tiful maidens Of India, that he may choose
wife whose brightness shall Danish the shad
ows Of his thoughts, fixed upon the woes Of
the world Of these, the last one, Yasodhara,
is chosen by the Prince; and here occurs an
exquisite setting forth Of the transmigration of
spirits, of the alternate power of life and
death, by turns destroying and renewing
as his seed shoots after rainless years,
To good and evil, pains and pleasures, hates
And loves, and all dead Deeds come forth again
Bearing bright leaves or dark, sweet fruit or sour
According to the custom of the land, great
tourney was held in honor of the maiden; and
here Siddartha was easily the victor, winning
as his prize the lovely Indian girl crowned with
flowers and wrapped in black and golden
VEIL The description Of the palaces OF the