New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-11-13
SHAKESPEARE AND THE BIBLE
MRS. ANNA RANDALL DIETIL's ADDRESS BE-
FORE THE p w l..


Mrs Anna Randall Diehl began her lecture OF
Shakespeare and the Bible which was deiiVereu
yesterday afternoon before the Professional Women
League. with a quotation from King Lear WI"
preach to thee mark me-" She then asser'eo 'na'
Shakespeare was as familiar with the b'oie as ne
was with the book OF nature and proceeded 10 prove
her point by comparison OF his works with those oi
the sacred writer's.
There is scarcely character in Scripture. she
said. that he does not mention in his dramas. and
some OF them are referred TO many times. The pass
ages relating to Adam and Eve are particularly
numerous When the father OF the wild Prince Hal
died, told that
Consideration like angel came
And whipped the offending Adam out OF him.
Leaving his body paradise.
'!Benedck would not marry Beatrice though she
were endowed with all that Adam had left him before
lie transgressed.' There is no ancient gentleman
SAYS the first clown In Hamlet. but gardeners ditch
ers and grave-makers. They hold up Adams pro-
fcsslOn.'
WAS he gentleman" asks the second clown.
Aye sir is the response. the first that ever bore
arms
Why. ne had none
What, art a heather? How dost thou under
stand the Scripture The Scripture says Adam
digged 8" Could he dig without arms?
I'm a reference to job Shakespeare not only shows
hls familiarity with the story Of that afflicted patrl-
arch but stigma from the rl"rHOry VI oH-
who was without doubt. very worthy and pious
woman We are Informed in King Jamos's version
Of the Bible that Jobs wife said 10 him: curse Goa
and die Now In Martin Luther's version X Is
'Segen Sic Gott. ind sterben Bless God ard die.
and Shakespeare must have attached TINS meaning
10 the words, have seen them so translated Wheii
he made Fas;an say. Bless God AMI die. am as
poor job. A..
'isut II is not only in these references that
Shakespeare shows his knowledge OF the Bible
Indications of to be found also in MS pio,s
and in his language Macbeth strongly suggests
the story Of Ahab and Jezebe plotting Tor Ma
both's vineyard. All four people were agreed as
10 what they wanted. and both OF the men would
have preferred to attain their eEds BY less cir
cuitous methods than those suggested by their
wives
Instances of the influence of Scripture upon the
language OF the poet might be multiplied almost
Indefinitely but more beautiful one can DE
found than IN Portals speech about the 'quanty
mercy. 1T droppeth. she says, like the gentle
rain from heaven and in the Psalms We read
in unty-as the dew OF Hermon. and as the dew
that descendeth upon the mountains CT Hermon.
The discussion after the reading OF the paper
was participated in by Mrs. Gertrude Andrews.
Mrs Ida Jeffreys GOodfriend. Mrs. Florence Mack
wood and Mrs. James Farman
Af;erward Mrs Bertha Welby exhibited curious
ana interesting gift presented 10 her for the cluD
hy Mrs Harriet Hubbard Aver 1t consisted of
couple OF the first bills Issued for The Hunch-
back. with autograph letter OF sheridan
Knowles and picture OF Fanny kemble the irst
Julia. all Of which were arranged on a white back
Several members OF the Rainy Day club were
present. but. although IL was raining. no snort
skirts The reform costumes are not
yet ready they said