Herod the Great : an Historic Drama. By Henry Solly.
(Began Paul, Trench, and Co.)—Mr. Solly thinks that Herod has not had justice done to him. His reputation has suffered because the writings of his admirer, Nicolaiis, have perished, while those of his "bigoted enemy," Josephns, have been preserved. Accordingly we have this drama, in three parts, given respectively to the "Patriot," the "King," the "Dee p t." It is somewhat over- long, quinto prod uctior actu, certainly, for the acts number no less than nine, but it is interesting,—a quality in which dramas, at least when read, often fail, and there are distinctly fine passages in it. Here is a sample :— " I saw the prophet's vision realised, Order and Beauty ruled the troubled world-
Ab, could it be my 'warfare were accomplishoul,' And my 'iniquity forgiven ' ? Twee like The glory of a rainbow-anoset sky.
Werepread with glowing hues of crimsoned gold, Until with tenderer beauty flushed, and light
From heaves, ae though toe Lord gazed down in love—
In pardoning love. And then upon my heart There came such peace divine, so sweet and blest, As I had rover known mince days of Youth And playful innocence.
As fades the glow in yonder darkening sky, Bo fades the momentary glow of Hope In this deceived, besotted heart of him, Who, having nought to wale the abode of God, And rule the destinies of mortal man With goldlike power of large beneficence.— Now lies a ghastly Maas of baffled hopee."
It is strange that Mr. Solly, who must know what glod blank- verse is, sometimes ends his lines with quite inadmissible wards. On one page (328) we find "no," "is," " if," " at" ; as :— " The Judge is at
The door."
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