H. Collison, one of the translators of these plays, describes them as representing “the psychic development of man up to the moment when he is able to pierce the veil and see into the beyond.” (Introd.) They embody the author’s occult philosophy and form one continuous series. The characters are represented on their physical as well as on their spiritual plane and include many types—the occult leader, the seeress, the artist, scientist, philosopher, historian, mystic, and man of the world, also the forces of evil in Lucifer and Ahriman. Collaborators with the translator are S. M. K. Gandell and R. T. Gladstone. The plays are: The portal of initiation; The soul’s probation; The guardian of the threshold; The soul’s awakening.
“‘Four mystery plays’ will doubtless command the attention of the author’s disciples, but they are too formidable to win the interest of the average outsider. The blank verse translation is adequate, but hardly inspired.”
+ − Dial 69:321 S ’20 70w
“The only advantage gained by the play form is, perhaps, a little simplicity in the treatment of very abstract subjects.”
− + Springf’d Republican p7a N 28 ’20 180w The Times [London] Lit Sup p780 N 25 ’20 110w
STEPHENS, JAMES.[[2]] Irish fairy tales. il *$5 (6½) Macmillan
20–21207
The first of these ancient folk-tales tells of the subduing of Tuan mac Cairill, the powerful heathen, by Finnian, the Abbott of Moville. Finnian lays siege to Tuan’s stronghold by seating himself before its gates and fasting. Heathen etiquette forbade the attack of a defenceless man and heathen hospitality a man’s starving before the gates. So Finnian is admitted and at once proceeds to convert Tuan. Thereupon Tuan, the grandson of Noah, tells his story which dates back to the beginning of time in Ireland and is wonderful indeed. The other tales are: The boyhood of Fionn; The birth of Bran; Oisin’s mother; The wooing of Becfola; The little brawl at Allen; The Carl of the drab coat; The enchanted cave of Cesh Corran; Becuma of the white skin; Mongan’s frenzy. The full page illustrations in color and the chapter vignettes are by Arthur Rackham.