The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-08-14

owed calm shall Judge both men and angels.
Gabriel proceeds TO enjoin obedience TO the
divine command and announces that the rem
dering OF honor to the new race is henceforth
the bounden duty Of all the angelic hosts. The
act closes with a hymn Of praise sung by an
gelic choristers. whereof the devout conclusion
Is: " All that pleaseth God 10 we'll"
v.
In the second act Lucifer. the protagonist
nrst comes on the scene
with thunder shod
Crowned with the STAN and with tho morning stoed.
Hitherto he has been kept In the background.
but now, drawn by nre-winged cherubim. he
sweeps into view, and indicates. although at
first with wariness. his dissatisfaction with
the divine decree. After his wounded pride has
been artfully goaded by Beelzebub. an outburst
OF defiance comes from the fiery Stakeholder.
He Is resolved for all eternity to lock mankind
without the gate Of heaven" and, by his CON-
mand, the seeds OF dissension are to be sown
broadcast among the angels by Apollion. that
" master wit. with craftiness the spirits to Sc
duce." and by Bellnl. whose "countenance.
smooth vanished with dissimulation's hue,
knowS no superior in deception At the close
OF the act, the chorus OF good angels again
comes on the stage. and. with antiphonal har-
monies. reveals n ~regretful recognition OF the
fast-growing discomfort.
In the third act rebellion is widespread and
revolution is imminent. Almost the whole Of 1t
is taken up with the arguments and counter
OF the faithful angels on the one
hand and the seditious spirits. or Luciferians.
on the other. The sympathies Of the auditor or
reader are skilfully divided he is made to feel
that the disaffection Of the rebels is genuine
and that their sorrow is unaffected. After the
insurrectionary horde has refused to listen to
Michaels warnings and Gods f1eld-marshal
has departed. Lucifer comes on the stage and
the rebellious angels implore the Stadt-
holders protection. Lucifer hypocritically pro-
fesses blind attachment to God and proceeds
to test the sincerity Of his hearers by
opposing prudential suggestions and argu-
ments for peace. while at the same time
he admits. apparently with great reluc-
lance. that their grievances are well founded.
When. at length. he discovers that the insur-
gents are firm in their determination to obtain
their so-called rights Of primogeniture by force
of arms. he throws off the mask. mounts q
throne and appears as the imperious prince OF
revolt. The chorus of Luciferians then extols
their leader in an ode breathing defiance and
blazing with the flame OF rebellion. Scarcely
have these jubilant tones died away. when the
choir Of good angels follows with plaintive ode
Of sorrow. which presents u striking antithesis
to the passionate outburst Of hate.
In the fourth act. the finder of conspiracy
has kindled a conflagration. The herald Gabriel
first comes on the scene and orders Michael,
in the name Of God, to burn out with a glow
Of fire and zeal these dark. polluting stains"
Michael is astounded to learn OF Lucifer's
treachery. and. in reply to his inquiry. Gabriel
gives a pathetic account of the progress of the
revolt. We are then transported into the hos
tile camp. where Lucifer. after questioning his
generalsas to the number and the disposition
OF his forces. addresses his flaming squadron
in a speech full Of indomitable courage. We
a part Of II, which seems to have given
not a few suggestions to Milton.
Ye know how far in our revengeful course.
Against the Ruler of the palaces
Supreme. we have advanced: so that 1t were
For MS but folly to retreat with hope
OF r, Cancellation; how none darcs
To think to purify, through mercy, this
Our stain indeliilc: necessity
Must therefore be our law, a stronghold sure,
From which there is no wavering nor retreat.
Defend ye. then. ne'er looking back. with all
Your might, this standard and my star: in brief
The free-created state all angels own.
Let things proceed, howe'er they will, press on
With heart undaunted and with cheerfulness.
even the Omnipotence on high hath power
Completely 20 annihilate the being
That We have once. for all eternity,
In case we hercely shall attack
With your whole force. and pierce with violence
The heart of yourgreat foe, and chance to win:
shall the hated tyranny of Heaven |
.u'o ireeuom tneh DC changed
anu AuAm . son ana seed' crowned US ABOVE
Al oIor WIN u reuhue OF eArth
Around. shall not then chain your necks unto
;, SonuaSe tns
brazen voEs ~ .srvttrsa eo~.". ~H' 'n0~
.hese lines may DC compared passage in
Ihe nun DooK OF PARADISE LOST Satan Is adj
PRESSING his followers ana aronsing them to
fooeipoh'
VIII 'e SUBMIT your necks and choose to bend
III supple Ahee' ne VIII hoth trust
= - "" right ORR 20 Ano" yourselves.
VI Il u U heaven. possessed oeroro
% hone. Il IL NOT equu AL etfree'
iiee; o oruers ana degrees
- NOT win hoer'y, out well consist.
nv feASon 'hen. OF rlght' assume
-Hfun' o,of Jul u hVe oy neht
he equAiS' VI power OF bplendor less.