Words Without Music

TRISTAN & ISOLDE: RESTORING PALA-MEDE -- John Erskine -- Bobbs-Merrill ($2.50).

John Erskine's formula--recasting romantic old tales in ironic, belittling modem dialog--caught the public fancy, made his Private Life of Helen of Troy (1925) a U. S. bestseller. The formula has worn a little thin, but Erskine tales still make pleasant enough reading. Erskine admirers may solace themselves by reflecting that although Anatole France would have done them better, many a Cabellian would have done them worse. In adapting the Tristan legend to his scheme, Author Erskine has of course ousted Tristan from the hero's place, made minor Palamede the heroic figure. Palamede was a Saracen who fell in love with the ideas of chivalry as related to him by one of his father's Christian slaves. The bit about adoring women particularly appealed to Palamede. He deviled his father for permission to travel among the Franks, find an object of adoration. His philosophical father intimated his errand was foolish but let him go. If Palamede had not been so romantically inclined he would have been quickly disillusioned; he soon found the slave's panegyrics on chivalry were exaggerated. But then he came to Tintagel, met lovely Isolde, cowardly King Mark's Irish bride. Isolde had no eyes for anyone but Tristan, a light-loving, thick-skinned rascal, Mark's hated nephew. That was all right with Palamede. His intentions toward her were almost unbelievably honorable. He never noticed that Brangain. Isolde's pretty cousin, was his for the taking. In the ensuing Christian intrigues heathen Palamede stood firm and pure. But finally he could stand it no longer: in a great hurry he had himself made a Christian and picked a fight with Tristan. When he had given Tristan his death-wound Palamede began to realize he might have done the wrong thing. Sure enough. Isolde would have nothing to do with him. In bitter disillusion, Palamede went back to his Saracen home. When Brangain heard the news she cried: "Where is the Holy Land? Get me a horse!"

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