Text: Edgar Allan Poe, “Excerpts from Politian” (Text-04), Broadway Journal, March 29, 1845, 1:197


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[page 197:]

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Compare all this with a “Scene from Politian, an Unpublished Tragedy by Edgar A. Poe,” to be found either at page 13, or at page 106, of the second volume of the “Southern Literary Messenger.”

The scene opens with the following stage directions:

A lady's apartment, with a window open and looking into a garden. Lalage in deep mourning, reading at a table, on which lie some books and a hand mirror. In the back ground, JACINTA learn carelessly on the back of a chair.

* * * * *

Lalage reading. “It in another climate, so he said,

Bore a bright golden flower but not i’ this soil.

[Pauses, turns over some leaves, and then resumes.

No ling’ring winters there, nor snow, nor shower,

But ocean ever, to refresh mankind,

Breathes the shrill spirit of the western wind.”

Oh, beautiful! most beautiful! how like

To what my fever‘d soul doth dream of Heaven!

O happy land! [pauses] She died — the maiden died —

O still more happy maiden who couldst die!

Jacinta!

[Jacinta returns no answer, and Lalage presently resumes.

Again a similar tale,

Told of a beauteous dame beyond the sea!

Thus speaketh one Ferdinand i’ the words of the play,

“She died full young” — one Bossola answers him

“I think not so; her infelicity

Seemed to have years too many.” Ah luckless lady!

Jacinta! [Still no answer.] Here's a far sterner story

But like, oh very like in its despair,

Of that Egyptian queen, winning so easily

A thousand hearts, losing at length her own.

She died. Thus endeth the history, and her maids

Lean over her and weep — two gentle maids

With gentle names, Eiros and Charmion.

Rainbow and Dove-Jacinta!

* * * * *

[Jacinta finally in a discussion about certain jewels, insults her mistress, who bursts into tears.

Lalage. Poor Lalage! and is it come to this?

Thy servant maid! — but courage! — ‘tis but a viper

Whom thou hast cherished to sting thee to the soul!

[Taking up the mirror.

Ha! here at least 's a friend — too much a friend

In earlier days — a friend will not deceive thee.

Fair mirror and true! now tell me, for thou canst,

A tale — a pretty tale — and heed thou not

Though it be rife with. woe. It answers me.

It speaks of sunken eyes, and wasted cheeks,

And beauty long deceased — remembers me

Of Joy departed — Hope, the Seraph Hope

Inurned and entombed! — now, in a tone

Low, sad, and solemn, but most audible

Whispers of early grave untimely yawning

For ruined maid. Fair mirror and true! thou liest not!

Thou hast no end to gain — no heart to break.

Castiglione lied who said he loved

Thou true — he false! — false! — false!

[While she speaks a Monk enters her apartment, and approaches unobserved.

Monk. Refuge thou hast [column 2:]

Sweet daughter! in Heaven. Think of eternal things!

Give up thy soul to penitence, and pray.

Lalage. I cannot pray! — my soul is at war with God!

[Arising hurriedly.

The frightful sounds of merriment below

Disturb my senses — go, I cannot pray!

The sweet airs from the garden worry me!

Thy presence grieves me — go! — thy priestly raiment

Fills me with dread — thy ebony crucifix

With horror and awe!

Monk. Think of thy precious soul!

Lalage. Think of my early days! — think of my father

And mother in Heaven! think of our quiet home

And the rivulet that ran before the door!

Think of my little sisters! — think of them!

And think of me! — think of my trusting love

And confidence — his vows — lily ruin — think — think

Of my unspeakable miser! — Begone!

Yet stay! yet stay! what was it thou saidst of prayer

And penitence? Didst than not speak of faith

And vows before the throne?

Monk. I did.

Lalage. ‘Tis well.

There is a vow were fitting should be made

A sacred vow, imperative, and urgent —

A solemn vow.

Monk. Daughter, this zeal is well.

Lalage. Father! this zeal is any thing but well.

Hast thou a crucifix fit for this thing?

A crucifix whereon to register

A pious vow?

[He hands her his gun.

Not that! — Oh! no! — no! no! [Shuddering.

Not that! not that! I tell thee, holy man,

Thy raiments and thy ebony cross affright me

Stand back! I have a crucifix myself —

I have a crucifix! Methinks ‘twere fitting

The deed — the vow — the symbol of the deed

And the deed's register should tally, father!

Behold the cross wherewith a vote like mine

Is written in Heaven!

[Draws a cross-handled dagger and raises it on high.

Monk. Thy words are madness, daughter!

And speak a purpose unholy — thy lips are livid

Thine eyes are wild — tempt not file wrath divine

Pause ere too late! — oh! be not — be not rash

Swear not the oath — oh! swear it not!

Lalage. ’Tis sworn!

The coincidences here are too markedly peculiar to be gainsayed. The sitting at the table with books, etc. — the flowers on the one hand, and the garden on the other — the presence of the pert maid — the reading aloud from the book — the pausing and commenting — the plaintiveness of what is read, in accordance with the sorrow of the reader — the abstraction — the frequent calling of the maid by name — the refusal of the maid to answer — the jewels — the “begone” — the unseen entrance of a third person from behind — and the drawing of the dagger — are points sufficiently — noticeable to establish at least the imitation beyond all doubt.

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Notes:

These excerpts are quoted in an article in which Poe is accusing Longfellow of plagiarsm. They are taken from what was originally published as scene I (which Mabbott assigns as scende IV).

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[S:0 - BJ, 1845 (fac, 1969)] - Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore - Works - Poems - Excerpts from Politian (Text-04)