Evening journal., 1891-02-17
The LIGHT oE The WORLD.

THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.
Edwin Arnold has given the world
another poem.
The world was startled when twelve
years ago, he as a busy journalist OF Lon
don, wrote the splendid epic poem, the
Light OF Asia II was so astonishing
that an unknown man should fill the
horizon Of literature with such depth Of
thought that many people supposed the
light Of this new and marvellous poet had
burned out.
But not so. The same man has given
the world even greater poem on
greater subject The central figure Of
the Light of Asia" was Buddha. aud so
interesting was the personality por-
trsyed that many Christians read
with admiration, while some people who
had no religion to speak Of began to
study Buddhism; indeed. in some quar-
ters the authors appreciation of the
Asian teacher was construed as devotion.
The central figure Of the Light Of the
World" is Christ, ana the epic begins
with these simple, noble words:
AT BETHLEHEM.
SO many hills arising, green and gay.
On Eafth's large round and that one hill to
aav,
Il was Ills bearing placel" oR Earth's wide
So many maidsl and She Of all most blest-
Heavily mounting Bethlehem, to be
His Notherl- Holy Maid Of Gail c
"A a4tff arHf 4 4aV Il
II rivers from their crystal founts flow down,
II 'tsas the Dawn which did Days gold un-
bar,
Ye were beginnings Of the best we are.
The most we see. the highest that We know
The lifting Heavenward Of Mans lie below.
la that same strain the musical
periods flow on in carefully measured
caiences and ftly chosen words till the
reader is first convinced that he Is read
ing even greater poem than the Light
Of Asia and second that the promethian
spark Of this true genius Of tuneful
painting has not burned out.
After Bethlehem comes Book /, MARY
Magdalene. including a description Of
the nine white cities OF the sea, before
the loving verses tenderly usher in the
beautiful Mary.
One tall, and proud and fair; albeit past grief
had dimmed the lustre Of those large dark
eyes
Bent upon PLATE. Rich he Jewish blood
Glowed through the sunburnt ivory OF her
face
Unyeiled for sslutation-l show
OF color to the TANNED unculored cheek
But leaving pale as pear-lined ocean she'll
The fnli white neck, and where neck rose TO
The tender margins OF the bosom. bound
By silver bordered Cymar, crossed; an pale
As moonlight's heart the low smooth fore.
head framed
Under the black waved hair f,rehead and
And eyebrows, bent like the new moon; full
SIX lashes, long and curved, shadowsd with
OF softest melancholy that wo n place
Where the tears gather-all declaring her
Daughter Of the sun, in these climbs born
Where light and life are larger,
Now, most meek
The pr I'D, pale, bended face the folded
The Knees touching the pavement, as she
The Roman Lord. who may command, hath
Speech with his servant. She must needs
obey,
Hostess aud subject, lam Miriamlr
The next notable passage is She
dialogue with PLATE
Year Pontius mused: "He spake to me Of
power
! ent rom above. and not from Jove or Romel
What hindered hat ! should not use IL, then,
/ 10 have thy peace this ni yht IA place 3 irkf
70 taste iull greatness Of thy feebleness,
Not groan with littleness Of maiesty3n
She answered: THAT which hindered was
thS self
More fe red o. Cmsar than OF wrangfulness,
\ And that which hindered was thy lust Ia VIII
Favor Of men instead Of praise from ieaven
I whose still voice whispered Thy vexed Will In
vein.
He spoke % Us; Lay up no treasures here.
where moth ana rust corrupl and thieves dc
steal.
But lay it up ia Heaven
The diction Of the entire poem inter
spersed with changing metres, belts the
subiest. It is scrupulously pure and
noble The time. place and cline have
been studiously. affectionately blended
in local color with the characters SO that
the captivated reader imagines he i.
really in the Orient Christ was an
Oriental, aud this poem will fill al
Christian people with a new reveren tiaI
rapture, and awake admiration in all
lovers Of good poetry.