house stood and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right
hand and of the other with his left.

"And Samson said, 'Let me die with the Philistines.' And he bowed
himself with all his might: and the house fell upon the lords and
upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at
his death were more than they which he slew in his life."




CHAPTER V

"DIE KONIGIN VON SABA"


The most obvious reason why Goldmark's "Konigin von Saba" should be
seen and heard with pleasure lies in its book and scenic
investiture. Thoughtfully considered the book is not one of great
worth, but in the handling of things which give pleasure to the
superficial observer it is admirable. In the first place it
presents a dramatic story which is rational; which strongly enlists
the interest if not the sympathies of the observer; which is
unhackneyed; which abounds with imposing spectacles with which the
imagination of childhood already had made play, that are not only
intrinsically brilliant and fascinating but occur as necessary
adjuncts of the story. Viewed from its ethical side and considered
with reference to the sources whence its elements sprang, it falls
under a considerable measure of condemnation, as will more plainly
appear after its incidents have been rehearsed.