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Show 126 THE CODE OF TERPSICHORE. Let nature be his constant model. In this respect he then shares the labours and honours of the composer. The varied features of his countenance must exhibit the different sensations of his soul, and his eyes, particularly, must add to the expression of all those feelings which his gesture is intended to convey. The gesture of the mime, being ever in accord with his eye, should, as it were, speak. Signat cuncta manu, loquitur Polyhymnia gestu.- VIRGIL9. " La passion toujours, selon l'age et les rangs, Dans <les signes pareils eut des traits differens. Pour nous peindre l'acteur, mesure son theatre. La douleur d'un heros n'est point celle d'un p&tre ; Distingue par le sexe autant que par l'etat, Leslarmes d'une femme et les pleurs d'un soldat. Le meme sentiment, selon les caracteres, Se manifeste encor par des signes contraires ; Ce pere en sa douleur, d'un courage assure^ Pent les livides traits de son fils expire". Toi, malheureux D6dale, auteur de ta blessure, Deux fois tu veux graver ta fatale aventure, Deux fois ton cceur se serre, et tu sens sur l'airain, De ta main paternelle 6chapper le burin." LEMIERRK. Every thing must be well understood, every thing deeply felt, if we wish to represent it correctly. W e hear that Polus, to enable himself to act with greater truth the scene in which Electra, in the most poignant anguish, brings the urn that encloses her brother's ashes, took that which did really contain the last remains of one of his own sons; the sight of this, by renewing his grief, could not fail of making him express, with an energy and perfection that art can never teach, that keen anguish under which his mind must have laboured 10. |