The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-06
A Good Drama Of q Mad Time.

A Good Drama Of q Mad Time.
An excellent romantic fancy and an I'M
usual ability Of fine poetical expression
find their opportunity in Miss Mary John
ston's drama entitled -The Goddess OF
Reason" (Houghton, Mifiin 4 co... In
this title there is contained OF course an
unmistakable and full sound OF the French
revolution. and the play deals indeed with
that grotesque and terrible episode which
minds remote and calm must always find
themselves stupefed in contemplating.
The reader will fad himself interested
and charmed Immediately by the incident
and music OF the text. We liked the OBJ
servations OF the revolutionary lack eys
pursuing the fascinating and skilled labors
Of their calling at the Chateau OF Morbec
in Brittany particularly an observation
OF one Of these intelligent and useful peo-
pie. Says this lackey, arranging bottles
on a table: SOL The red wine here, the
white wine there" and then, with a fine
sense Of impersonation, addressing a
fallen bottle: Stand up. Aristocrat -
Guests at the chateau appear upon the
terrace. A lady says: "A heavenly day"
The Coun Louis de Chateau-Gui recalls
the joys and privileges OF earlier times.
In part he says:
We searched for pleasure as for buried gold.
And found u. too. In days when we were young!
From every nint we struck the golden sparks.
We plucked the thistle as we plucked the rose.
And battle gave for every star that shonci
q nymphs that laughing fed while we pursued
o music that was made while We were youngi
q gold we won and duels that we fought . I.
o worlds We lost and won when we were younrl
O lips we kissed within the jasmine bower,
O sirens singing In the clear moonlight . . .
The wax lights burned with softer lustre then.
The music was more nch when we were young.
Violet was the perfume for hair powder.
Rufies we're point and buckles were brilliant
And lords were lords in the old days Of Francei
We did what we would. and lettres de cschet,
Like cooling doves they Huttered from our handsi
II the Count did not know his own humor
his hearers should be able to supply il for
him. A this Introductory dialogue goes
on many hints. skilfully introduced, will
make the reader curious regarding Yyette,
who loves an aristocrat and parades with
the revolutionists. She will not disappoint
the reader when she comes. Though a
rev%olutionist. she can dream OF what she
would do il she were a lad fair and free.
She would powder her hair with lust Of gold
and ave a necklace and wear blue silk like
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pain of this unwarranted condition is ex-
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whatist TINS pain mats tearing AZ my heart
us,a,na ~. oo.. s",,S ~. ao'".n 49,,
Above a sea of rlass wi,hou, a wind.
As stasnant calm as Is this prisoned water.
! would gather the musk rose In the lane.
SVuia ',esa nc we, sa"a sha coun, .ns SHIPS,
no tears rom NV eyes would I wine sw.y
WHY should they cot fall like the winter rain.
! am the herd girl here as at Morbec.
And shes a great lady. loved Tor nerse'f
y ,ov., - !, !, .ove ,n., m.Ss.
/ thought thai love was All spIsndor and light.
The bow In the sky. the bird st It's height.
Not only was Yvette, the herd girl. in
love with an aristocrat, but az the passage
thar we have quoted will Indicate. abe was
Jealous. There i. a strong dramatio soene
in the third act where love and iealo,,sv
a9rt a desperate hattie in Yyette's boaom
The revolutionists are abroad in a square
Mt Nantes. Thew have decorated the front
OF a church with strong democratic senti-
mepts. They have set no a plaster fisure
of Liberty. They wear liberty cana and
huge oockades. There ia much move