The works of the late poet Ewald are deservedly popular in Denmark. The
present tragedy, and the opera of "The Fishermen" ("Fiskerne"), in which
occurs the bold lyric which has become the national song of the Danes,
are esteemed his best productions.
For the fidelity with which the present version has been made I appeal to
those of my countrymen who understand the original, and demand whether I
have given a thought or expression equivalents to which are not to be
found in the Danish tragedy.
I have imitated the peculiar species of blank verse in which the original
is composed, in order that the English reader may form an exact idea
thereof, and though by having done so my poetry may have somewhat of a
cramped, embarrassed gait, I have a firm hope that I shall not meet very
severe reprehension for having sacrificed elegance to fidelity.