THE STAGE AND THE PULPIT.

Evening Star, Issue 3298, 15 September 1873, Page 3

THE STAGE AND THE PULPIT.

It is a matter for congratulation, in these days of clerical intolerance, to perceive that Mr Gilbert, the author of “ Pygmalion and Galatea,” has undertaken a task which properly belongs to the pulpit. The sentiments expressed by Galatea would, if adopted by those in power, put an end to the senseless wars which have taken place of late years. It mast bo remembered that the animated statue is a pure ethereal being, and that the words uttered by her proceed from unsophisticated innocence. The following dialogue between Pygmalion and Galatea, in the, second act, is well worth perusal:— j

Pyg.—Leucippe comes, _ And he shall comfort thee till I return j I’ll not be long. Gal. —Leucippe! who is he? Pyg.—A valiant soldier. Gal. — What is that ? pvo.— A man Who’s hired to kill his country’s enemies. Gal. (horrified)— A paid assassin ! PYG, (amazed)— Well, that’s rather strong. There spoke the thoroughly untutored. mind 5 . . ; So coarse a sentiment might fairly pass • With mere Arcadians—a cultured State i Holds soldiers at a higher estimate. In Athens—which is highly civilised— The soldier’s social rank is in itself Almost a patent of nobility. Gal. —He kills! And he is paid to kill! Pyo.— No doubt, But then he kills to save his countrymen. Gal.—Whether hia countrymen be right or

wrong ? Pyq. —He don’t go into that—it’s quite enough; That there are enemies for him to kill: ■ He goes and kills them when bis orders come. Gal.— How terrible ! Why my Pygmalion, How many dreadful things thou teachest me, ~, Thou tellest me of death—that hideous doom That all must fill; and having told me this— , Here is a man, whose business is to kill; To filch from other men the priceless boon That thou hast given me—the boon of life! And thou defendest him.