New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-05-14

in Pisa, and the French dramatists have con-
verted the passage from the "DiVina Com
media into a most stirring bit of medleeVal
r,elodranoa Dante secretly meets PA de To-
Iommei at the foot Of the tower where Ugollno
and his sons and grandsons are imprisoned I'M
der sentence of death by starvation. and ex-
changes condolences with her respecting Beatrice
and Comma An attempt is made by mob to
rescue the prisoners. and Archbishop Ruggieri.
who was pilloried by the stern Florentine poet
in the Inferno" repulses the rioters and eX-
communicates Dante who eloquenty pleads
for the innocent children perishing in the tower.
The death Of Ugolno's daughter-in-law accentu-
ates the horror of the scene which closes with
Dantes malediction upon Pisa This is one of
the best moments of the play, and Sir Henry
Irvings voice rings out like prophets in I'M
FASHIONED nvective
With an interval of twelve years after the
prologue the first act opens with springtide
fete at San Miniato. Florence. most beautifully
staged. Dante, disguised in the gown and hood
of a monk has come in search of tidings of
Pia and Comma and is told by Giotto and other
faithful friends that Nello della Petra has ban
ished the wife to a castle in a marshland and
that the daughter is living in Malatesta's house
and is betrothed to the brother of Francesca da
Rimini. Dante talks with his daughter, Comma,
when she appears at the fete; and he also sees
and PaolO exchanging gldnCeS OF al
lection in the throng, and hears Malatesta's
announcement that he will be away that night.
The scene closes with Nello della Pietras threat
OF vengeance against PA and Comma, and with
q woman's scream from Malatesta's house; and
there is a supplemental scene rapid in action
and full Of horrors. Dante in his monks dis
guise enters Malatestas house, expecting TO
find Comma murdered, and calling her his
daughter. Malatesta with bloodstained sword
thrusts aside the curtain. and the bodies of
PaoIo and Francesca are revealed. Bernardtno
follows Dante TO effect the rescue Of Gemma'
his betrothed and sees his guilty sister dead
on the floor Nello who has heard Dante
exclamation. "Gemma. my daughter resolves
upon a terrible scheme of vengeance, which is
carried out in the next act. Pia perishes in the
castle in the marshes after she has received a
last visit from Dante Comma is imnured IN
the convent of San Pietro. where the abbess at
tempts to force her to take the veil; and there
are alternate invasions by Dante and Bernar-
dino with their followers, and Nello and his
swashbucklers, the girl being concealed behind
the altar curtain and finally rescued by her
lover. Dante who has received wounds in this
exciting encounter. falls in a swoon when her
I safety is assured.
The inspired vision of the ''Divina Commedia"
| is introduced with a motive borrowed from the
! Odyssey" Dante does not know where Comma
J is and having invoked the aid Of Beatrice, is
advised TO make the descent into the Inferno
| in order to learn the truth. This motive may
| repel sensitive Dantean scholars. but they can
| not find fault with the wonderful series of stage
! pictures which illustrate in Dore's weirdest
! manner the gateway Of hell, the bark of Charon.
| the fiery graves the circle of ice the bridge of
| rocks and the valley Of asphodels with final
restful glimpse of Purgatory Ugono and Arch
/ bishop Ruggieri. Paolo and Francesca, robbers.
unjust judges, misers, hypocrites. corrupt prel-
ates and tyrants appear before Dante and his
| guide, Virgil; and the symbolic meaning Of the
''Divina Commedia' is disclosed in the exiles
prayer when he has seen the murdered Pia de
Tolomrei among the Towering meads. In the
final act the corruption of the Papal court at
! Avignon IS reproduced, with cardinal legate