|
Walk with the Beautiful and with the Grand; Let nothing on the earth thy feet deter; Sorrow may lead thee weeping by the hand, But give not all thy bosom-thoughts to her; Walk with the Beautiful. I hear thee say, "The Beautiful! what is it?" O, thou art darkly ignorant! Be sure 'Tis no long, weary road its form to visit, For thou canst make it smile beside thy door; Then love the Beautiful. Ay, love it; 'tis a sister that will bless, And teach thee patience when the heart is lonely; The angels love it, for they wear its dress, And thou art made a little lower—only; Then love the Beautiful. Burrington. |
THE WREATH OF BEAUTY.
|
While Beauty comes to every human heart, And lingers there, unwilling to depart, Too many own her not, nor heed her claim, But blindly follow some ignoble aim. Laighton. |
Ten Female Figures.
This elegant design is one of the finest of this series of tableaux, and is composed of ten young and beautiful ladies, grouped so as to represent a magnificent wreath. The bottom of the wreath rests on the front of the stage; the top reaches up to the ceiling, forming a complete circle of beautiful forms and fair faces, among which are entwined festoons of flowers. Inside of this circle is a large wreath six feet in diameter, and five inches in thickness; this rests on a pink ground, and is composed of spruce, ornamented with artificial flowers.
The first work in the construction of this tableau is to erect a circle of seats reaching from the front of the stage to the ceiling, in the background. This can be easily accomplished by using boxes of various sizes. The wreath should be ten feet in diameter; the boxes should be entirely covered with white cloth, the space in the centre with pink cambric.
The costume of the ladies consists of a white dress, cut very low in the neck; skirt quite long, and worn with few under skirts; sleeves four inches long, trimmed with white satin ribbon; waist encircled with a white satin sash; feet encased in white slippers; hair arranged to suit the performer's taste, and encircled with a wreath of white artificial flowers. The lady at the top of the wreath should first take her position. She should be the lightest in weight of the group, and should recline in an easy position, resting her head upon her hand, the elbow touching the box, and the body slightly inclined to the right. The second lady will then take her position at the right of the first, on the seat below, her arm resting on the form of the lady above, the right hand supporting her head, the face turned in to the centre of the circle, the eyes raised to those of the figure above. The remaining figures should take similar positions, until one half of the circle is complete. The other side of the circle is arranged in a similar manner,—the figures facing inward.
The wreath of spruce and flowers is to be placed within the circle of ladies. The stage and the back scene should be hung with green bocking, and care must be exercised in the forming of the circle, so that it shall appear perfectly round. The small festoons of flowers should be entwined among the figures, after they have taken their position. The expression of the countenances should be pleasant and animated. The light for this piece should come from the foot of the stage, and should be quite brilliant. Music soft, and of a secular character. The tableau, when finished, at a distance appears like an immense wreath resting against a grassy bank.