The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-01-31

lHNAuCIlot duQ lllC Glldl dClSlS COl-
nected with that impressive event
contain i'll themselves every requi-
site element of grand spectacular
and inspiring production, so much
so. indeed. that a mere skeleton of
vertebrae would suffice to carry the
play through a financial success.
Mr.. Welt has dressed this glowing
picture with dialogue of Shake
sperean elegance. Historically
correct in every essential detail,
the language of "Pocahontas' is
of poetical refinement bordering
on the classical.
The play is in four acts and an
epilogue. The entire first act is
set in England. the curtain rising
upon a farewell gathering of the
Virginia adventures at the Mer-
maid Inn, in London, on the night
prior to the departure. In this
act the playwright has introduced
the character of William Shake
speare. the great dramatist, who
delivers a farewell address to the
assemblage. This is of course
piece of dramatic license, but one
for which may be advanced the
double claim of probability and
consistency backed by authentic
historical suggestion. This sug-
gestion is taken from Cookies His
tory of Virginia, in which that his
torian infers the acquaintance of
Shakespeare with Captain John
Smith and others of the adventur-
ers. Around the majestic figure
of the poet king the literary ex-
cellence of the drama is portrayed,
and in his daring venture of plac-
ing words in the mouth of the
worlds greatest genius, Mr.. Welt
has aimed at reputation that can
rest upon no middle ground, but
must find its place at either end of
the line Of literary endeavor. Able
critics assert that the address of
Shakespeare in the drama of Poca-
hontas is a literary masterpiece
and not unworthy of him who is
supposed TO utter it. The second
act opens upon purely American
scene, making a striking contrast
to the setting of the first. In the
virgin American forest Chief Ope-
chancanough, of the Pamarnkee
tribe of Indians, is holding a coun-
Gil deliberative to the recent land
ing of the English at Jamestown,
some miles away. Pocahontas, or
Mataoka, the daughter of Powha-
tan, appears in this scene. The
council resolves that the English
be exterminated and closes with
war dance.
The next scene presents James
town and the entrance of Pocahon-
tas, who warns the colonists of the
impending attack. The attack
follows and the Indians are re-
pulsed. The other climaxes of this
act are the trial and acquittal of
Smith, the first on American soil;
the treachery of Radcliffe and
Wingfcld and the trial and con-
demnation of Kendall. In the
third act the capture of Smith by
OpechanCanough is shown, his trial
before the council of Powharan
and the thrilling climax of his
saving by Pocahontas. Not the
least difficulty in the building of
this drama has been the delinea-
ton of the Indian character
through the medium of the dia-
logue. The sternness, directness
and eloquence of Indian speech
has been faithfully portrayed by
the playwright and for the first
time in the history of the Ameri-
can stage the American Indian has
been given place in high legiti-
mate drama and clothed with the
dignity to which his character and
history entitle him. Act fourth
eight years later transfers the
scene to the court of King James.
The pomp and ceremony of the
court with the presence of Poca-
hontas and other Indians cannot
fail to present an uncommon and