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O'er her low couch an Indian matron hung, While in grave silence, yet with earnest eye, The ancient warrior of the waste stood by, Bending in watchfulness his proud gray head, And leaning on his bow. Solemnly beautiful, a stillness deep, Fell on her settled face. Then, sad and slow, And mantling up his stately head in awe, "Thou'rt passing hence," he sang, that warrior old, In sounds like those by plaintive waters rolled. "Thou'rt passing from the lake's green side, And the hunter's heath away; For the time of flowers, for the summer's pride, Daughter, thou canst not stay. "Thou'rt journeying to thy spirit's home, Where the skies are ever clear; The corn-month's golden hours shall come, But they shall not find thee here." The song ceased, the listeners caught no breath; That lovely sleep had melted into death. Mrs. Hemans. |
Three Female and Two Male Figures.
This tableau is suggested by the beautiful poem of Mrs. Hemans, called Edith, a Tale of the Woods. The circumstances of the poem refer to the western world in its first settlement, when fierce strife and combat raged between the wild Indian and the settlers from the mother country. In one of these fearful scenes a young and beautiful maiden was taken captive, and conveyed to the village of the red man. But the broken flower of England wasted and pined for the fine old home of other days.
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"The parting sigh Of autumn through the forests had gone by, And the rich maple, o'er her wanderings lone, Its crimson leaves in many a shower had strown, Flushing the air; and winter's blast had been Amidst the pines; and now a softer green Fringed their dark boughs; for spring again had come, The sunny spring! but Edith to her home Was journeying fast." |
The scene represented in this tableau is at the time when Edith is quietly sleeping in the wigwam of the Indian warrior. By her side sits an aged Indian matron, watching the sleeping one. Standing near the couch is an old Indian warrior leaning on his bow, gazing in grave silence on the dying girl. Kneeling at the foot of the couch are an Indian girl and lad, who are looking with wonder on the form of the pale-face. The wigwam should be six feet high, and five feet wide at the bottom. It should be made of light framework, and covered with brown cambric, on which are painted Indian hieroglyphics. This must be placed in the centre of the stage. The opening in front of the wigwam should be four feet wide at the bottom, so as to admit of the occupants being visible to the audience. The couch in the interior is composed of buffalo robes. The scenery in the background should represent woods and rocks. A few fir trees placed at the back part of the stage will answer, if nothing better can be procured. The lady who personates Edith should be one of good features and rather a small form. Her costume consists of a loose white dress, sleeves five inches long, hair done up loosely in the neck, and face and neck made as white as possible. Position, reclining on the couch, facing the audience, the lower part of the body covered with a leopard skin. The head and chest should be in an upright position, the head inclined back slightly, and supported by the right hand. The left hand laid carelessly over the bosom; the eyes are closed, the countenance calm. The aged Indian warrior should be dressed in a costume like that described in Hiawatha; the aged matron's costume similar to that worn by Nokomis, in the death of Minnehaha; the young Indian children in appropriate costumes. The position of the Indian matron is, sitting at the head of the sleeping girl, one hand resting on the pillow, and the other raised to the side of the head; the eyes cast upon the ground. The warrior's position is at the opposite side of the wigwam. He is leaning carelessly upon his bow; his body inclined forward slightly; his eyes fixed upon the sleeping maiden. The children kneel at the foot of the couch; the boy rests his head upon his hand, and gazes upon the face of the dying one; the Indian girl kneels by his side, and points with her right hand to the couch, while her eyes are directed to the face of the boy. The face and other exposed parts of the bodies of the Indian family must be stained light brown. A red fire should be burned in the ante-room, so as to fall upon the performance. Music soft and plaintive.
ABOU BEN ADHEM AND THE ANGEL.
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Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase) Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace, And saw, within the moonlight in his room, Making it rich and like a lily in bloom, An angel writing in a book of gold. Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold, And to the presence in the room he said, "What writest thou?" The vision raised its head, And with a look made all of sweet accord, Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord." "And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so," Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low, But clearly still, and said, "I pray thee, then, Write me as one that loves his fellow-men." The angel wrote and vanished. The next night It came again with a great wakening light, And showed the names whom love of God had blessed, And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest. Leigh Hunt. |