New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-09-15


his harp and begins cong in praise of the Aing in
which bards knights and people join. 1t is intsr-
rupted by the entrance of the wild hun'ress
Triane who, in hot pursuit of a deer. swinging her
bow and arrows. singing merry hunting sors the
while, comes dashIng into the midst Of the gronp.
She stODs fascinated mysteriously by the sight OF
Merlin. Her beauty IS ravishng, and the hiEg com-
mands that she shall place the victors wreath
upon Merta's brow. Merlin has been az strongly
attracted toward her as she toward hiIn, but ne %
stricken with strange tear and refuses u receive
the wreath from her hands. A struggle begins
within him and be reaches for his harp and at
tempts to quiet 1t ny continuing the song of praise
lie plucks at the strings In vain they refuse lni
utterance. But he steels his heart against heI
seductions, and Viriane finally IN rage tears th:
wreath to pieces and throws the wreck at his feet.
arthur crowns the magician with tie wreath whlcl
he takes iIOm lls own head, and taxing hin hy ts
hand leads him into the castle Itridne hst
bounded up tie rocks and as Merlin turns lis head
at the gateway their eyes meet again. Tho curtain
falls. 49,,
ibis act which is crowded with dramatic acton
and affords abundant opportunity for srectacuiar
effects. enables to see the ethical apparatus Of
the drama. of course Merlin Is going TO fnl
v ctim TO love for JridHe and thus bring aooii
his own destruction. But tho hbrettls: u wpl.'.
like to call him the poet. but the tenn is scarcely
deserved 10y tne lines, notw ithstaOding that tAe
play is put together with much more than ordinary
c!osernessl inds happy depoueineut by calling ~
the aid OF the central idea OF Goethes "fnusi
The pure and eternal love of woman is brought
into conflict with the wicked schemes Of the i'e'aos.
and the soul Of Merlin is saved through ltr'dnss
sef-sacriice. but first Nerd must lie shattered
against fate and this is accomp sbed III the follow
inc manner: hing drthu has Determined 10 30 oct
i'm uuest of adventures and leave his kiDgIom IN
the hands temporarily OF his nepnew Aodrtd. Ire
latter. who had previously iibelat BslwW i'm
prison. enters into conspiracy with the latter sui
some other Knights to seize the crown. ldahc,fo.
who listrnsts .hOd,ed accuses him Of ireacaery
before the King, no calls Merlin TO decide me
question Me,iia's prophetic vision is waning; lac
is unable to detect the treason IN scirodS oreass
and the King and his faithful Knights depart
false security The scene is laid IN per,irs maei.
cal garden, beautited bya grove. lake ana
temple approached by hower-bedeckrd steps.
Jiriane wn,le wandering through the grove. coo;es
upon the temple. Tho femon plays aeon ner 'ev,.
| Jugs and tempts her to seek al entrance but ths
door is closed with magic and ressts all prcr,arS;
| Finally it opens at word like tho Sesame oi
the Oriental story and discovers an altar covetet
with veil The Lemon fetohes she veil from ~:
sanctuary, and admiring It's lightDess losses =.
| upward. 1t remains hJating In the mir, DeIips 70
glow mysterious music sounds from unseeG lns,ru.
ments aud singers a fountain starts mp from .os
midst of the underground. rosy eionds ~scebj quo
| bushes part From the fountain arse ~, 49,.
| sprts In gttsripg rots and gresa vcis RON tns
| clouds descend Air vrib. winged WIN VII Ia
voils; from the rocks vi ground emerge .@'''