Moses were raised or dropped, and the final necessity of his having his arms supported, is here ascribed to the archbishop. It is needless to add that the victory finally rested with Waldemar.

Our other extract is from the closing scene of the novel. King Waldemar has been compelled to purchase the release of himself and his fellow-captives, including his eldest son Waldemar, and Earl Albert, from the dungeons of the Duke of Schwerin, by great sacrifices of suzerainty, land, and money. He himself had been released upon signing the humiliating treaty and giving his younger sons as hostages; and he has just fulfilled his engagements, and received home his children, kinsman, and friends. The king, whose heart has been softened, and whose pride and ambition have been corrected by suffering, is holding a solemn council with his warriors, prelates, and scalds; and when the stateaffairs are dispatched, Waldemar thus speaks :

"And now, noble knights and Danes,' said the king, 'before I leave my place, I have a duty of justice to perform. Sir Carl af Rise, who is here present, and whom in other respects I pronounce one of my best and most loyal knights, has deeply wronged my princely nephew, Earl Albert of Orlamünde, inasmuch as, without his fatherly approbation and consent, he has carried off and wedded the earl's only daughter. My wronged kinsman has, in his high-souled zeal for my deliverance and the weal of our country, deferred, until the present day, his demand for knightly satisfaction, and the chastisement of Sir Carl af Rise for this audacious and lawless deed. I now, in virtue of my kingly authority, permit the offended father to fix the penalty which he deems reason and equity sanction his inflicting upon the knight, whose face he has sworn never to look upon until the hour of justice and retribution. I feel confident that my noble kinsman, if he cannot forgive, will at least require no disgraceful punishment of so honourable, so highly esteemed a knight, and that he will act according to the laws of chivalry, which, if they rigidly require satisfaction for the injury, require only such as befits valiant and high-born knights. Whatever punishment or honourable reparation my noble kinsman may demand, and Sir Carl af Rise freely submit to, I here, according to their joint wish, confirm beforehand by my royal authority and inviolable word.'

"Now spoke dark Earl Albert: 'My Lord and king, your word and promise have been heard by our common judges, and all the Danish chivalry present. Bear this in mind when you hear my demand! The man whose face I swore not to behold until this hour of justice and retribution-whose name I entreated you to spare me when we met in your abode of misery-the man whose guide and instructor in chivalry I was-whom I loved as a son till he forced me to hate him as my bitterest enemy-that man I doom to no other punishment than, either, this very hour to engage with me in single combat for life and death, or, in presence of my king and the knights here assembled, to kneel

down with covered eyes and submit him to the stroke of retribution, which I have sworn to strike with my own hand; and which I trust will as little injure his knightly honour as stain my name, the name of King Waldemar's princely nephew.'

"The knights started-and the king impetuously exclaimed, Dare you thus misuse my word and promise?'

"My royal uncle,' Earl Albert calmly answered, a king's word is inviolable. If I misuse it, my business will it be to justify my actions, as I trust to do. The choice rests with Sir Carl af Rise.'

6

"Waldemar fixed a piercing glance upon his dark and terrible nephew, reflected for a moment, and then said, with repressed anger, Strange as your last alternative appears, shameful and revolting as it were to see my nephew turned into an executioner, and my hall of knighthood into a place of execution-you have my word, and I break it not. If Sir Carl can stoop to choose the last revolting alternative, I will avert my face in disgust, and your will be done! But I trust a valiant and high-born knight will prefer the duel which, painful as its issue must prove to me, can alone end this affair without shame and dishonour to knighthood and the royal family.'

"The king ceased speaking and resumed his seat. All eyes were fixed upon Sir Carl, who, without uttering a word, stepped firmly forward, unclosed his vizor, and looked, keenly but calmly, at Earl Albert's gloomy, unchanging countenance. He then took off his helmet, bound his scarf over his eyes, knelt down before the throne, and quietly awaited his death-stroke from the hand of the man against whom he could not lift a weapon.

"With unaltered aspect Earl Albert unsheathed his formidable sword, and the knights gazed at him with an expression of horror, as at a maniac. He took one step back, and raised the heavy weapon. The king put forth his hand, as though to hold back the sword, and strongly was he tempted to break his promise, and stay the vengeful deed by his sovereign will. But now, from amongst the attendants, forth sprang the youthful page, (he had attended them through the wars and in the dungeon,) and interposed between the kneeling knight and the menacing earl. Hold, unmerciful, inexorable father!' cried the voice of his child; see, it is your daughter Rigmor; and the knight kneeling here as a criminal is my wedded husband, before God and man!'

"Earl Albert let his sword sink, and silently gazed upon his daughter. Carl af Rise knew the voice of his wife, and opened his arms; but neither uncovered his eyes nor changed his posture.

66

Rigmor went on. See, he has bared his head to the avenger's sword! He chooses death from your hand, stern father, rather than purchase life with your blood. But he shall not cast it away-no longer shall he kneel to the merciless. Stand up, Sir Carl, and defend your life! My father is no longer your's; I here renounce my right to the title of your wife in this world, that your honour may not be sacrificed for my fault. If any one is to be dishonourably murdered, let it be me! I trembled at my father's revenge when it was just-now let

it crush me-I defy it. Stern father! here kneels the daughter of Earl Albert of Nord-Albingien: if thou deemest it right, let me fall by thine implacable hand; but with no lesser crime shalt thou stain the honour of our princely house.'

"Proudly, calmly knelt the intrepid daughter, and gazed at her father with a fearless look, in which he recognized his own haughty, danger-scorning soul.

"Rise up, Sir Carl! Rise, my daughter!' said he, tranquilly; with your permission, my sovereign, a stranger's impartial voice shall judge betwixt us.' He made a sign to his followers, and Thorgeir Danaskjald (a scald) came forward, harp in hand. Sing us the ballad

of the captive earl's revenge,' said the general gravely.

"All present looked in amazement at the scald. He ceremoniously saluted the king and the assembly; then struck his chords, and sang a ballad that touched every one, but chiefly Sir Carl and the Lady Rigmor. He sang how the captive earl sat in his dungeon, soothed by his page; how on the last day of his imprisonment he recognized his proud daughter, and swore to reward her truth.

"Father, you knew me, and spoke not!' exclaimed Rigmor.

"Silence. The song is not finished;' answered Earl Albert, gravely.

"Thorgeir Danaskjald resumed; his song told what had just occurred, and that the knight's choice was to decide whether he and the earl were to be foes, or friends for life.

"With a kindly nod Earl Albert interrupted him; You chose not the death-fight with your wife's father, Sir Carl; you preferred death from his hand (he said), and therefore do I give you my daughter and my blessing. I have tried you hard, but it joys me that I have. I knew Earl Albert's daughter; I have now learned to know Carl af Rise's wife. God bless you, my children!'

"Carl had torn the scarf from his eyes and rapturously embraced his Rigmor, who, in the guise of the bold page, lay in his bosom with tears of delight. The re-united pair threw themselves into the reconciled father's arms; and the joy was universal."

As a dramatist, His Masaniello

We turn to the other two volumes before us. Ingemann is less successful than in narrative. and Turnus are ineffective; and though something of the comparative weakness of these tragedies may arise from the author's being less familiar with the Italian nature than with his own countrymen, we must think his talent decidedly undramatic: the very idea of dramatizing the conclusion of the Eneid, is proof sufficient of his wanting the dramatic sense, for what real poet wilfully disturbs our existing associations? Of Turnus we will not speak; but select a dramatic specimen from Masaniello. The Neapolitan fisherman is made at once a philosopher, an enthusiast, an unscrupulous conspirator, and a credulous dupe; the tool of his confessor, who is a fiend in the garb of a Jesuit. Masaniello rises

NO. XLI. VOL. XXI.

L

in character with his success, and goes mad only from the effect of a drug administered for the express purpose of disordering his brain. We cannot but think that a portraiture of the simple, unpolitical, unpremeditating fisherman, roused to sudden passion by injustice, becoming the casual leader of a casual tumult which grows into successful rebellion, for a moment using well the unbounded power he derives from the people, but gradually so intoxicated as to incur universal hatred, would be more dramatic, as well as more true. Writers, however they may refine, and however they may think to improve upon truth, are seldom more natural than nature herself; and we abominate the introduction of unproved and unnecessary crimes, the vulgar substitutes of inefficiency and presumption, unequal to the comprehension and development of moral phenomena.

One extract must conclude our notice of Ingemann as a dramatist, and we cannot find a better specimen of his excellences and defects than the scene in which the viceroy tries to tempt the fisherman with honours, in order to make him his own instrument: the Jesuit had proposed to the viceroy to enfrenzy Masaniello by a potion, and the latter had answered that he would know nothing about such matters. Genuino, the Jesuit, is alone in the room where Masaniello is to be received, and two goblets of wine stand on the table.

"Genuino. This is the royal goblet, splendidly

With kingly crown embossed, and golden lilies;

This will the haughty Arcos drain himself:

His pride's my surety; no concern with this

Have I. (Takes the smaller goblet.) Quick! Shake not, hands! 'tis self-defence.

Masaniello, this will relish well;

Thy draught I'll not embitter; somewhat stronger

I merely make it. (Pours in the poison.) Now, an unseen witness,
I'll watch the issue of th' unwitnessed deed.

[Retires behind the arras. Duke Arcos. (entering). He comes in princely garb, they say ;-what he, So late who shoeless trod the streets? Audacious!

But this confirms my hope that he proves frail.

Enter Masaniello, the Duke meets him.

I joy to see the man, whom, as a foe,

I must esteem; to whom the hand of friendship

I offer now.

Masaniello. I come to give me up

To your discretion. You, if such your will,
May crucify me-little matters that-

So you respect the people's liberty.

*

Duke (aside). Authoritative words. (Aloud.) Their liberty
I've ratified; the people's friend I honour,
Although he still mistakes me. Masaniello,
Here's peace and friendship! (Offering his hand.)

Masaniello (taking it). If the viceroy be

The friend of Naples, in the people's name

I take his hand. Myself am not in question.
Duke. Why so? Or I'm deceived, or, in thine eye,
Excellent man, I still can read mistrust:

A true and honest champion this beseems not.
But I'll not therefore blame thee.

Masaniello (impatiently). Duke Arcos, to the point!

knowledged

Our liberty, and sworn with hand and seal
To sanction it. For this, i' th' people's name,
Receive my thanks, and, if you hold your word,
Heaven's blessing also.

Duke. Yet such fervent thanks

Mas.

I claim not; whatsoever good is done,
To thee, brave man, am I indebted.

Ay?

If you speak sooth, I have indeed, lord Duke
Mistaken you.

Duke. I would that in my word

The people trusted; and-tranquillity
Being now established-lay aside their arms.
Mas. All's tranquil, true; but till our covenant
Be sanctioned by King Philip, how should I,
The people's leader, dare to lay aside

The sword the Lord committed to my hand?

You have ac

Duke (after a moment's thought). Then bear it, gallant champion, bear

it ever!

Well hast thou merited both sword and shield.

And that I from this hour esteem thee chief

Of Neapolitan nobles, this gold chain.

That round thy neck I hang, shall testify.

Mas. (tearing it off). Hang cords around my neck, not golden yokes! Nor deem that gold can bribe God's instrument!

Duke. Again my good will thou mistak'st.

Mas. I will not

Rank among Naples' executioners.

I hate, and I disdain them.

Duke (aside).

Insolent!

Down anger-nor betray me !(Aloud) Masaniello,
Be't as thou wilt; a man like thee requires

No prince's hand to give nobility. (Noise without.)
Why do the people throng thus, clamouring,
Around my castle?