In "The Gloss of Youth" (Lippincott) Horace Howard Furness Jr., who is carrying on his father's work in editing, the Variorum Shakespere, leaves the annotators to their wrangling and lets his imagination run free. The one-act play, which was produced not long ago at Philadelphia, is an imaginary episode in the life of the Bard of Avon. Feeling that the public cares only for his "ranting" histories and has no feeling for his great tragedies Shakespere is in a state of depression. But the interest which three children, one John Milton and another Noll Cromwell, take in his work, refreshes him and inspires him to write again.
The dialogue is simple and very natural; Mr. Furness has refrained from letting Shakespere too often quote from his own works. Altogether the play is delightful and charming in spirit. And in the speech, "My lines were meant to be sounded forth upon the stage!" there is a timely hint for critics.
Read more in News
UNWARRANTED LENIENCY
