New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-01-13
SIR EDWIN ARNOLD.
The FIRST READING AT DAYS THEATRE
An AUDIENCE CHAR>uNGLY ENTERTAINED ny
TIL. POETS WORKS.

THE POETS WORKS
1t was an unusual feast for poetic intellects that
was afforded at Days Theatre yesterday morning
by the first OF Sir Edwin Arnolds readings from his
own works. Ike andierc" good one. though MT
so large as the enterta nment that was offered de
served and 1t was notable for close attention and
found appreciation. Sir Edwin read eight selections
well chosen TO Illustrate the sides OF the poet
thought and 10 indicate the purpose Of his gravcI
Writings. Each selection prefaced bv "a few
words Of explanation which often added to its fuuess
Of meaning and made il quickly and keenlv
understood.
The first selection was "rhe Discourse OF Buddha.
from the last book Of "The Light OF ASIA While Sir
Edwin always points 10 Christianity as holding the
most advanced place among the religions Of the world
his sympathetic voice. his earnest countenance aud his
impressive manner and gestures he ecites the fine
the noble and the Inspiring doctrines prccep's aud
promises OF Buddha enforce again the conviction OF
bis sincere and loving admiration Of them that Is
already enforced on all who have read his book No
more admrnble selection could have been made bv
the poet for the Introduction TO his course OF read
ngs.
After this and before continuing his programme he
said rhat he believed the great religions OF the world
were not enemies and aliens. but own sisters. each
contributing its Idea to the whole. as tn. colors
OF the spectrum contributed to the white beam. In
illustration OF this he read some short poems IRON
Pearls Of the Faith" The Mah0mctans. ne shiu
have rosary OF ninety nine beads. representing 'hc
nineynine beautiful names Of Cod To each OF these
he has attached short poem enforcing the character
implied in the name represented by tho bead or
these he read four. One OF them WINS that OK the
twentieth bead. which calls God "Ihe Auoee'nH'
The poem Is known to those who are famiiar VIII
the book tells OF the recording angels OF GOOD ana evil
deeds When good dceed is done the one anger wines
IL ten tines and when evil deed Is done he touchcs
the other angel and imploes him TO leave 1t I'M
written for seven hours the hope that the door Of II
NAV repent In that timo. Sir dwn's doctrine OF the
kipship Of the great rrligion is illustrated by this
in Connection with the Christian legend. winch
has been set forth by one OF tho greatest
OF American poets. Of the angels OF gooa anu
evil deeds OF whom the one writes the gooa IN MS
book and closes It, while the other writes the evil anu
leaves the book open. that the wruhg HAY iaoo j."
the light OF the before 1t sets. Anouier of u'
richcet Of the Pearls which presented yestea'
wss tho seventy eighth which calls God The Bound
essv Indulcent, and tells OF the sinful woman whom
IN. neople were leading out for death by sohing' WIN
let down her shoe into we'll TO draw up water iof d
aoc diving from thirst and who was pardoned py "e
King who the act.
The more serious poems wore relieved pN ua'"
unpublished bit on little pair OF slippers iouha III :"
mummy case. in which there was only little dus' W
N ,,,aoo ., ,he mummy "Ouecn Arlamund ard w"
Dagger from "sadi in the Garden iohoNea' a''',
then the simple and beautiful story OF the TRIUMPH '"
Love over Death in the little ballad TIC anu ''.
This was followed again by dellca'ey huiio'ous ",
scrntt,n q, "The Musmee7 Of Japan from an uhp"V
lshcd poem ~. $50
The finest crcrt Of the morning was no DOUBT pro
apceA by the Indian legend Of The Ralpht Nnrsc'
which near It's nd held tho audience almost oea'"'
los with interest I'm its dramatic ard poetic cohcius'o"
In introducing Il sir Edwin explained tho ohar"' v.
ra pcnplc 10 whom il refers and t@er attitude OF miro
rh-rbv thew not only do not fear death Dut o'n,"'
understand what the fear OF death means i'"' s'',
mon, e ,o Doubt NECESSARY to make listeners 10 te
lines here understand perfectly bow inotlcr co, WV
,rr,ace her own child even for her pnncr put H. ~
nI,nai,on IS needed ~ her act IN following ne ' ,
p''' "r,,e The programme ended with lev unpttn'
ibci unc, cnlicsl ain Many Laid, "h. JUL
.lr Edwin saws the writings OF "a ana MS Wv H. ~.
;I1,ey would Justify them, n doubt II they s"i III
need OF justification. . u.,v and n,.,s,n, TO
bosr bis ccsturs ars large. free and cxpr'.lNc, n
moro ,han ALL bis i one of ehnes,uo's , III
nntbusasm in setting forth what he has doh.. ,vo
obiv the most Of the people pr--ent Ses,e'uy ~
largely familiar with the POETS WORKS, Dut w ny Nv
mllatlOn 81 the poems.