New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-03
STORY OF GopErRoI AND YoLANDE.

Mr. Lawrence Irving's play relates to meiiaevai
time and it aims at weirdness of character The foI-
lowing is a synopsis OF its contents:
Yolandc f. a courtesan. In the time OF philippe
surnamed lie Bel" King OF France. She nods her
court and many distinguished persons are her fol-
lowers Godefroi her clerk. man OF lowly BIRTH
loves her but she views him merely as servant
The play opens on n night OF storm Without the
castle all Is wild. but within, In a spacious hall! the
rudy light from the fireplace and the g.eam OF
torches make a scene OF comfort. The attendants
preparing for festival. decorating the hall with
garlands Yoande calls aloud and often. ana her
maids go to her and return. again and again. fo-
ande Is III. and Godefroi has been sent for doctor
A poor, blind woman. led by child. enters the hail.
These are the mother and sister Of Godeiroi A
doctor comes In and sings follows
Merry old skeleton. flesh underlying.
i i1Sisss %F or Sy, sfslnr-
Flesh may fall In.
old skull still doth grin.
Grin. skull, grin. skull grin-grin skull
The maids watch him fearfully as he goes 10 the
fireplace and brushes the snow from his garments
1otefnoi enteys. and aeelng his mother. ana sister
embraces them tenderiy. inqrng tho cause of their
coming. "'ro take you away from here, my son.
the mother replies GoicfroI IL summoned to Yo-
lande's presence. The doctor and the attending
women discuss her Illness and Godcfrois infatuailon
and Megarde. Godefroi's mother. who. being blind
fears not the doctor. do others who him. con-
ndes In him. The Pageant. or Masque. TO DE ccle-
brated has been written by Godefro. and 1t Is said
by one Of the waiting women that Philippe. the
King and the Kings brother. the Archbishop will
In present. \ scene between Godefroi and his
mother ensues in which The former dlscioses his
love for Yolande but the mother cOnqu,rs, and
Godefroi promises TO leave the scene OF his nfaiua-
ton. Yoandc enters. queen.ike impetuous ana
cruel She Is uneasy at what she has learned from
the doctor, and she vents her npat!cncc On Code
froi, bidding him drive forth into the storm his
mother and sister Lcpcrs come to the gates OF lO-
landes castle ard she sends her mcnia.s To drive
them away. Next comes Sir Sagramour. courier OF
sation with the doctor he shows that he understands
the terrible plaques Of the East And could you
know n epcr by the touch or lOOk-say OF the
hand" asks the doctor Indeed. could replies
Sir Sagramour The Masque - now IN progress,
and Yolande appears as Venus Sir SagramOur
claims TO kiss her hand. and the King and the Arch
bishop would follow him, when. Just a. Sir Shgra-
mour If abou, to touch his lips 10 IT,. he gazes At
her intently cries aloud PUSHES 10 the King ana The
Archbishop to prevent their approach to loande.
and amid a fearful tumuit, declares her 10 be a
leper: whereupon the doctor cries out. Aye! she
IL stricken with leprosy' The populnce demand
that Yoandc shall remove her mask and as she does
40. she IL anathamzed By the King the Archbishop
and the people. All rush from her presence except
the despised clerk. who now ayows his love. 70,
lande cries Perish my body. my soul survives
The lepers call for their sister the King Onicer.
with "A gray garment. the badge OF leprosy. and a
bel, which the .cpers must ring. comes upon The
supports her Yoande yields TO him. and they depart
together while the curta In falls To the SOUND OF as
tant voices OF epers crying, "tnclean. tncicah! -
which seems 10 be an apt comment on lhc SUBJECT