THE POET AND THE GODDESS OF POETRY.

The poet's pen is the true divining rod Which trembles towards the inner fount of feeling, Bringing to light and use, else hid from all, The many sweet, clear sources which we have Of good and beauty in our own deep bosoms; And marks the variations of all mind, As does the needle an air-investing storm. Festus.

One Female and One Male Figure.

This beautiful tableau is personated by two figures, a young man and a maiden. The scene represented is a dark and gloomy attic. An old table stands in the middle of the room; on it are a few books and manuscripts, an inkstand, a candlestick, with a partly-burned candle inserted in it, a mug of water, and a roll of bread. Near the table is an old-fashioned arm chair, in which is seated a young man dressed in cheap clothing. He has leaned his head upon the table, and is lamenting over his poverty and misfortune. As he sits weeping, a mist gathers in the chamber; it slowly grows denser, till at last it becomes a cloud of light; and lo! in the midst of the cloud stands a divine shape—the Goddess of Poetry—supremely beautiful. She addresses the Poet, gives him advice and consolation, and encourages him to renewed efforts in the path of fame; then vanishes from his sight. Besides the furniture already described, there should be a few chairs, pictures, and a piece of statuary, placed in various parts of the stage. The Poet's costume consists of a loose black coat, dark breeches, light vest, white hose, low shoes, knee and shoe buckles. Position is near the table, his arms laid across it, his head resting on his arms, and in a position that displays a profile view of the body. The Goddess of Poetry should be a young lady of good height, figure, and features, and costumed in a flowing white dress, cut low at the neck, with short sleeves trimmed with white satin ribbon; a wide muslin mantle should be worn across the shoulders; a wreath of myrtle adorns the head. In her right hand she holds a golden harp; the left is placed on the shoulder of the Poet. Her position is behind the table, in the background of the picture, and facing the audience. Her head is slightly bent forward, and eyes directed to the face of the youth; her countenance expresses pleasure. The following machinery can be used, if desired, which will add very much to the beauty of the piece. In place of the Goddess being at the side of the Poet when the curtain rises, a sliding platform can be made to move on to the stage from the ante-room, on which the Goddess should stand. A stout post firmly fixed in one side will enable the lady to stand perfectly still while the platform moves to its position. All that is necessary in the construction of this part of the work is to make a set of ways, and a sliding platform that will run with ease from one side of the stage to the other. A rope attached to the platform, and fastened to a crank below the stage, will propel the Goddess to her position. The ways and platform can be hidden from view by a strip of board, painted to imitate the floor of the room. A small quantity of the whitish-blue fire may be burned near the spot where the Goddess appears. The light should be very dim, and come from the side of the stage opposite the Poet. Music soft and plaintive.