Omaha daily bee., 1906-08-19

he withdraws by the rocks, accompanied
by the muses..
The new arrivals are Mary Magdalen and
Lazarus who have come back to life. and
who in a boat have come from Palestine to
France
This idea, which would seem appalling to
an American. does not startle the French,
who are familiar with a legend which the
people Of Provence consider plain his
tory and solemn truth. This legend tells
how the mother of the apostles John and
James, their negro servant Sarah, Lazarus,
Martha and Mary Magdalen all ned from
the prosecutions in the holy land and found
refuge In Provence.
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Mary Magdalen, consumed by an ardent
faith. wishes to destroy all the pagan mon
uments and to bury the gods Of the Greeks
and Romans forever under their ruins.
Apollo. hearing her Intentions, comes
forth from his hiding place and an arsu-
ment arises between the exiled Christian
and the exiled pagan god.
Mary Masdalen praises the beauty Of
Christ, the softness of His hands the in
efrable goodness Of the Messiah, who
stopped TO save shining women.
But Apollo replies: Christ is the God
OF Grief; for Him Joy is a sin and love
crime What does this poet OF death come
to proclaim In this gentle beautiful
Provencef"
Mary Masdalen and Lazarus leave Apollo
after having shown him a cross of wood
The poor fallen god, who appears supersti-
tious. thinks this the cross upon which
he crucihed the shepherd, Marsias, and
therefore trembles with fear. Clio tries to
cheer him up and encourages him to go TO
Aries and meet the messenger of Christ
In fair struggle.
Meanwhile Lazarus has gone TO Aries and
nights in the cause of the new god. Mary
Magdalen. under the impulse of a stin un-
defined feeling, retraces her steps and re-
turns to the spot where Apollo nrst came
to her. A thousand confused thoughts fill
her mind, but she is SO tired. poor Mary
Magdalen, that she lies down on the grass
and soon falls In a deep sleep.
Clio. ITALIA and Melphomene take pity
on her and in order to protect her from
the chill Of the night they cover her with
their wells. When Mary Magdalen awak-
ems she thanks Clio for such courtesy. Clio
is keen and soon finds out that Apollo has
made a decided impression on Mary Mag
dalen's heart and mind.
Lazarus, after a victory IN Aries, where
he has destroyed the ancient gods, arrives,
accompanied by a horde Of fishermen and
shepherds. He wishes them to complete
their victory by destroying the nine muses..
but Mary Magdalen beseeches him to spare
them since they have committed no crime
beyond worshipping music, dances, poetry,
and-even love.
1--WE are Christians, not murderersl" she
exclaimed.
Soon after, when the Christians in their
fury proceed to cruelty Apollo. Mary Mag
dalen beseeches them to let him live and
thus saves him.
She is profoundly moved by the presence
Of Apollo Just as she was moved by the
presence of Christ. His face is so beautiful,
his hands so soft, his caresses 30 thrilling.
-
Paul Souchon does not make Mary Mag
dalen confess 1t outright, but we are led to
believe that all gods appeal to her when
they are young and good looking. She begs
Apollo to remain on the Riviera, and holds
out as an inducement that she will take
him to Nice and Monte Carlo.
Apollo, however. is iniexible. He with
draws TO his own sphere. But before leav-
Ing he commands the muses. to. disappear.
to "mingle with immense and fruitful ma
ture." He foresees and longs for the day
when he will come back to his own, the
day when the new God OF sorrow and cold
ness will no longer rule the souls of men.
%
THE New God" is not a real tragedy. 1t
is a dramatical poem with good lines. GER
tain movement, and perhaps also some
strength. Several scenes were legitimately
successful, and the Interpretation of the
character OF Apollo given by Datmont, was
essentially satisfactory. The stage setting,
with the slope OF the hill covered by howery
bushes all lit up by the rays Of the setting
sun, was pleasing.
1t hardly is probable that an American
public would be feconciled to the incon-
gruities Of Paul souchon's conception, nor
that Americans would sympathize with his
antagonism 10 the Christian faith The