Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-01-31
"HarOId %

BERLIN, January 4 1t is seldom that q
dramatst can boast Of popularity so rapidly
gained as Ernst Won Widen 5ruch, who's,
tragedy OF Harold is given on all the larger
German stages. Ga Thursday last the fret
performance of this drama was given at
Cologne, on Saturday at Dresden, aud the
author appears to be kept constantly on the
move in order to reap the glory of these fire..
quent premieres. The first act OF Harold takes
place in the time of the last years of King
Edward the Confessor. "Gytha," the widow
of Goodwin" by whom "Edward" had been
placed upon the Epglish throne, and her two
sons, Harold" and "Wulfnoth," are seen at
the Castle of Dover, and to them a number
of citizens complain Of an unprovoked. at
tack made upon them by the Normans.
"King Edward" is expected at Dover, and,
indeed, shortly after the scene opens, arrives
at the burg, where he is received by "Har-
DID," The Saxon earl ia, however, enraged
to learn that the kings object in coming is
to receive the visit OF "Duke William" OF
Normandy, aud he refuses to open the gates
Of the castle to the foreigner, in spite of the
kings commands, and even entrea,ies.
Young Harold" reminds the king of
the oath he took at Winchester,
''never to call the Normans in the
land" Edward" has already broken
that oath, aud has promised civilian
the heritage OF England's crown on his own
death. This, however, he conceals from
Harold and alleges that the duke is visit
ing him simply for the purpose of taking the
oath Of feaity for lands ia Norma andy
coded to him in fef By "Edward." III srold"
refuses to open the gates, aud "King Ed
ward" deprives him OF his ear!dom and his
the young brother "Wulfnoth" TO exile, with
the loss of all their estates. Fearing "H ar
old" may mediate revenge, Edward" at
the instigation of the Norman "Archbisbop
of Canterbury" keeps the boy "Wulfnoth"
as hostsge for the elder brothers. good be.
havior. This is = most effective and powerful
conc usion to the act, the scene of the part.
ing OF the mother from her boy bringing
tears to half the people in the house. "Hsr.
old" is a most sympathetic fgure-a blonde
haired, beautiful ideal S,xon, standing out
in exquisite relief against the willy Nor.
mans and the vacillaling, relic-loving, weak
minded king. After many adventures he is
made king, and in the last act we see him
after he has entered upon his heritage.
"Duke William" has landed with large
army at Hastings, but the Saxon followers
OF "Harold" are only half hearted, for q
comet has appeared suddenly in the sky,
which they interpret as forebodipg of COM
ing evil, and priest has uttered Rsme's
anathema against the Saxon king. Harold"
goes out to battle against the Normans. The
second scene in this act takes place in Rouen,
where "Adele," "Duke Williams" daughter,
in whose arms the young "Wulfnoth" has
died, sinks in death, after vision in which
che describes the death of "Harold" on the
battlefield, struck by an arrow. The closing
scene is the battlefield of Hastings-"Gytha"
searching for the dead body of her SOD.
William" now the Conqueror, sees her and
asks whose body it is that she is moaning
over. On being told that it is "Harold's'
he commands that ii be buried on the most
barren spot near the sea on the coasts he
vainly attempted to guard in life. civilian"
is relentless, he will not listen to "Gytha's"
pleading. But a messenger arrives from
Rouen bringing the him the news OF the
death of his beloved daughter. He asks
whose name was last on her lips. "Harold,"
was the reply. "Then," he says, 'give 10
this woman the body Of her son." and the
curtain quickly descends-a sudden and
striking conclusion. Altogether Harold is a
most effective drama, full OF poetic beauties
of language, and strong, legitimate stage
effects, and deserving OF being transferred to
the English or American stage.