The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1894-03-24


ure and oratory are called the fine arts.
This appellation raises them above the
grosser works of man. and places them
in an etberealized realm, exclusively
their. own. We fancy them white yes
tai maidens with rose-wreaihed brows,
swinging FURNISHED censers before a
mysterious figure-the yelled figure Of
enshrined Beauty. These attendants
of this great mystic are closely related
in our thoughts. for whenever We fully
contemplate one, bright images OF the
others rise before US.
Last night, besought imperial
Poetry to open to me the barred gates
of her treasure houses, and she grant
ed my request. After a gracious wave
of her white hand, there arose out of the
darkness this dazzling vision
A brilliantly blue sky overfiowed By
the rays of the s.sanguiue sunrise. I" a
green earth radiant with the summer
flowers of an eastern cloud. and gor-
geous with the tints and outlines Of a
resplendent Oriental palace. The
golden domes and minarets flashed in
the clear atmosphere. aud the many
colored marbles appeared like count
| less Jewels. I stood spell bound be-
fore the bewillering structure. Poetry
saw my dismay and whispered: 1T
| is our choicest possession. ii is the
Shakspearean Drama A naughty
smile cleaned on the virgins face as
she opened the gates of the palace. On
first entering the enchanted pre-
cincts, my mind was over-powel ed
by single idea-infinite, breadth
aud depth There seemed to be inter-
minable corridors, dungeons. court
rooms, court-yards aud balconies. !
heard strange spirit wing fit through
the chamber in which I stood, and
fancied l felt a spirits fragrant breath
upon my brows. Unconscionsly. /
was borne forward to the opposite side
of the great room. There | saw a
truly regal sovereign, sitting on
a richly draped throne, with heavy
mantle drawn about him, and an ivory
sceptre in his hands. The high fore
head was not burdened with a crown,
and the deep eyes looked far away at
one of the distant walls, as if their
gaze could penetrate the arabesque and
see the other apartments of the vast
structure. My heart gave great
bound as I recognized majestic, be-
nign Prospero, the ruler of this realm,
and knew the spirit lowering near
him then was fair Ariel. Fora few mo-
ments this faithful messenger listened
to his masters orders. then led me on,
on, on. through the labyrinth of the
Drama. After leaving
Prospero's court. l entered long
white marble corridor that led to an
oaken cioister. In one of the nuns
stalls, beneath painted window,
knelt Isabella. The glass-stained sum
beams rested lovingly on her white
cowl and black habit. / wondered i'll
her life had been, "like dome OF
many colored glass. staining the white
Alliance Of eternity = and could not
b clip thinking it was as pure on earth
as it would be in heaven. Swiftly my
guide and | passed through the chapel
and saw not far from us dungeon
keep. In its depths there was |
torch's luried flame. which revealed |
three fantastic figures, dancing around
a burning caldron. They were the
weird sisters of Macbeth. Near them
stood the Thane of Cawder, s.wad-
ing knee-deep in blood, with the mad
IN his eyes and the weak dis
appointment on his lips. Far from
him | thought I saw tall woman
with bent brows, wringing in despair
her small white hands. But sensitive
Ariel shuddered at this picture, and
bore me away from the horrible scene.
Out from the murderous chamber, we /
assembled into an open courtyard car
peted with grass and sweet with the
perfume Of faint cowslips. The merry |
tinkle Of tiny bells rang upon The air.
and from out q Hly's cup there pecred /
the lan Ching, quizzIcaI face OF Puck. / /
tried to linger moment before this
little fairy kingdom, but even as L
gazed, it was transformed. A black
cloud lowered about the courtyard,
aud in a trice the sky was overcast,
The tightening dashed and the thunder!
heard maniac's voice
shrek Blow winds. aud crack your
cheeks |! Rage Blow. Poor old King
Lear was wild beneath the pelting
storm. Ariel led me hurriedly through
he elements. He smiled before open
- =.