The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-13

It is a relaxation to see romantic actor
off <. II. Sothern's caliber in such a thor
oI:ghIy entertaining play Justin Hunt
ley McCarthys IF 1 Were King" Mr.
S!thern was seen in Indianapolis in this
same drama last season, and in this city,
as. well as in all other places where he ap-
pSared as the vagabond poet, Francois
Vflon. he received the highest praise for
hit truly remarkable Characterization His
performance, as well as the play itself, has
LOTT none of its charm through constant
repetition, and the large and fashionable
audience that completely filled English's
last night TO witness the second presenta-
tien here of the splendid drama of mediae-
vel times interested and enthusiastic
tofa pronounced degree, calling the star re-
peAtedly before the curtain. 1t was the last
drSimatic performance of the season at
E.glish's. and It may truthfuIly be said
tht3t the thea trical year at this theater
ertded in blaze of glory.
IF / Were King may have it's faults,
but at that IL is one of the best romantic
stsry IS not particularly new, and the lib
ersies with facts taken by Mr. Mccarthy
aIte not in the way of dramatic verify. II
1s3essentially stage story-built for act
ing purposes only, and, in consequence,
tehding to be somewhat too theatrical at
tines; but. on the other hand the author
hfs succeeded in contriving a number of
situations of unusual power, and very in
gtsnious indeed is the manner in which he
hsts sustained the suspense to the very final
cI.rtain fall. AS the story of the play was
reviewed in these columns upon the occa-
sim OF its first presentation here, it is
hardly necessary at this time to again go
INFO details concerning the manner in which
King Louis XI of France, hearing Villon,
tfte ragged poet, reciting poem bearing
uion what he would do il he were king, has
thk vagabond drugged, clothed as a
ed1rter and afterward empowered with
the authority Of the grand constable of the
n7tioD. Most theater-goers already IA
msliar with this story, and remember how
Vflon saves France. wins the hand OF the
pIPud lady. Catherine de Vaucelles. and in
thfe end barely escapes coming TO an igno-
minious death on the gallows.
Justin Huntley Mccarthy shows remark
English verse the French poetry of Fran
eds vilIon. The English dramatist's poetry
ARID his romance are delightful. but il is
at maker of lovers speeches that he
shines pre-eminent. Nothing could be
pItttier on the stage than the scene in the
rofe garden. when Villon and Katherine
ins down upon them. The words which
MI. Mccarthy has placed in the mouths
OFF his characters at this point of the play
aIs of unusual beauty. Here is Villon's
Principal speech:
:If were to die tomorrow 1 should tell
YOU this Tonight love you. These are
esssy words TO say, but my heart fails as
/ SAY them. for their meaning is as full
ard musical as the bell of doom. Men are
such strange devils that they have but
oiie sign for thousand meanings, beg
gssring the poor word love. to base kitchen
utes OF food and drink But L would keep
itsholy for one purpose-for the flame which
itssometimss pleases heaven 10 light in one
.hdart for the worship of another Men
life and breed and die; make laws and
blseak laws; found thrones and temples
ard almshouses. and have no more knowl-
edge OF this high passion than they have
OF, the New Jerusalem. L never knew what
lose was until / a girls face on a
vi he
rfad from my naked heart. The God in
MP leaped into being to greet the God in
YOUR eyes. / love you, This is what I
slfould say If l were to die tomorrow"
and Katherine replies:
IF / were 10 die tomorrow / might tell
yC.u this tonight. A woman may love a
man for one thing or for many thing
SIZE MAJ love him because he is brave-as
/ fove ,'ou TO be brave. She may love him
BECAUSE he is comely-and faces less
gfacious than yours have found favor
with ladies. She may love him because he
isi sweet Of speech-and. indeed, there be
tishes when you talk with the tongue of
nan and angels. She may love him be-
csnse he is wise-though this is rarer. for
tfSe wisdom OF men often seems dust and
asfhes in her eyes-and yet your mother
wit has a most appealing humanity. Or
size may love him for being the sun OF all
tfysse virtues. brave and seen1ly and subtle
aid double-minded. as you are appraised
without ARTERY. But the best of all rea-
sClas for a woman's loving a man is just
tfsat she loves him without rhyme and
right size TO hold her heart in it's hollow,
bsscause his eyes are of the true color of
Haven. because the sound OF his voice is
fairy music when he whispers her name
IL were 10 die tomorrow this is what 1
might say tonight.
fhis delightful situation is interrupted
bS the arrival OF one OF the Kings cour-
ti3rs upon the scene, but while il lasts II
Est indeed the most effective love-making
sstn on the stage at Englishs for a long
ti{le-not even excepting the balcony scene
mi Romeo and Juliet" as presented by
Miss Robson and Mr.. Bellew during the
asz-star Shakspearian company's engage
n1ant last week.
IN the hands OF less capable actor this
Ffancois vilioa would doubtless become
rslnfer and a swaggsrer. and the play. un-
dtf such circumstances. would probably
alipeai merely fine stage production
Allowing interesting pictures OF Paris at
tffs time of Louis XII But Mr.: sothern
HIS lifted the part TO the plane OF a poetic
c11ation and has given his Vill0n an indi-
y1Stua1it- that viii rank one Of the ac-
49, nnest achievements He invests the