Page:A history of Hungarian literature.djvu/231

 XV JOHN ARANY IN the summer of 1836 a company of actors arrived at the littie town of Marmaros-Sziget, in the north of Hungary. Actors were not very highly thought of in those days, and ranked with a traveUing circus company. It often happened, however, and indeed in this particular case, that the members of these strolling compan ies came fro m various social circles. In síriking contrast wi th the remai nder of the company was a dark-haired, dark-eyed, pale-faced you ng actor, whom they ali called "the student." He was only nincteen years of age, a modest, shy youth, who had joined the comedians in response to an inward call. Five or six months before, he had been studying at the famous college of Dcbreczen, where he was the favo urite of all his professors and the most protnising of the students. Then, all at onc e, he threw off his black gown, and to the amazement of his companions and teachcrs, left the town in the middle of a severe winter and joined a company of actors. He was led to take this step by some hazy desire to devote bimself to art or poetry. Inexperienced and enthusiastic as he wa s, this seemed to him the best way to serve the ideals of poetry. It was o nly after several months of wandering that he recogniscd