published, at Stettin, in Pomerania, a Prussian province, a
work, in English, on which he has laboured twenty-five years.
It contains _a view of all the English editions, translations
and illustrations of the ancient Greek and Latin authors_. In
the execution of this work, he has been at great expense,
being obliged to purchase and import a great number of
English books. This is a very curious specimen of learned
perseverance and labour. That a man should spend his life in
recounting the translations of ancient authors into a
language foreign to his own! It is one of the most difficult,
tiresome, unpopular, and unprofitable branches of the trade.
Germany, however, affords innumerable instances of this kind
of literary diligence. There is a press at Leipsic abundantly
supplied with editions and interpretations of Chinese,
Abyssinian, Coptic and Syriac productions."
_Mo. Mag. and Amer. Rev._, II-8, 1800, N. Y.]
It is worthy of note that several of the poems in these magazines may
be grouped together, thus indicating particular interest in certain
subjects. Each group forms, as it were, a cycle, though the individual
poems were usually written by different persons. One of these groups
attests the popularity of Frederick the Great, even before the
American Revolution. The translations from his poetry are: _Relaxation
of War_ (1758, 1795, 1798), _The King of Prussia's Ode imitated in
rhime_ (1758), _A literal translation of the King of Prussia's Ode_
(1758), _Translation of an Epistle from the King of Prussia to
Monsieur Voltaire_ (1759), _Ode to Death_ (1786, 1806), _Prayer of
Frederick II in Behalf of Poets_ (1805), and _A Song_ (1811). The
original poems about Frederick are: _Winter_, a poem, containing a
reference to "great Frederick's noble feats" (1758), _On the compleat
Victory ..._ (1758), _Ode on the late Victory obtained by the King of
Prussia_ (1758), _On the glorious Victory ..._ (1758), _The Third
Psalm paraphrased_, "Alluding to his Prussian Majesty" (1758), _On
reading in the publick Papers ..._ (1758), _The Royal Comet_,
referring to "Prussia's great Frederick" (1758), and _Mr. Voltaire's
letter to his Prussian Majesty, Translated_ (1758).
Another group treats the kings of the natural elements, so common in
German literature: _The Erl King_ (1798, July 1833, Sept. 1833, 1835,
1836, 1838, 1839), _The Erl King's Daughter_ (1798), _The Water King_,
a Danish Ballad (1798), _The Wolf King_, a parody on _The Water King_,
_The Fire King_, etc. (1802), _Hrim Thor, or the Winter King_ (1802),
_Grim, King of the Ghosts_ (1802) and _The Paint King_, a burlesque
on _The Cloud King_, _The Fire King_, etc. (1809, 1810, 1833). This
interest in the weird element explains the popularity of Buerger's
_Lenore_, which appears in translation in 1798, 1801, 1804, 1823,
1836, 1839, 1840.
Switzerland is described in a variety of poems, treating all phases of
the life and scenery. The most prominent among them is the Swiss song,
which is variously translated as the _Ranz des Vaches_, the _Cow Boy's
Chant_, and _The Song of the Swiss in a Strange Land_ (1805, Oct. 15,
Oct. 29, Nov. 1, Nov. 8, Dec. 17, 1808, June, June 3, 1809, twice in
1833 and once in 1835). In addition to the translations, there are
four imitations of the same poem: _The Swiss Exiles' Song_ (1835),
_The Switzer's Return_ [from America] (1836), _The Switzer's Song of
Home_ (1837, 1838), and _The Swiss Emigrant's Dream of Home_
(1840).[30]
[Footnote 30: A translation of Schiller's _Ranz des Vaches in
"William Tell"_ is given in _The Constellation_, III-266,
July 7, 1832, N. Y.]
The last group of poems to be mentioned refers to Goethe's novel, _Die
Leiden des jungen Werthers_. This was evidently popular in America,
though by no means causing the widespread delirium and sentimentality
that had been rife in Germany. During our period the book was
published here six times in translation, and an English imitation,
_The Letters of Charlotte, during her Connexion with Werter_, had
three American reprints.[31] These, together with translations
imported from England, must have made Werter well known in this
country. It is not surprising, therefore, to find in the magazines
eight poems on the subject: _Narcissa_, containing a reference to
Werter in the third stanza (1787), _Charlotte's Soliloquy--to the
Manes of Werter_ (1787), _Death of Werter_ (1787), _Werter's Epitaph_
(1787, 1791, 1805), _On Reading the Sorrows of Werter_ (1790), _Letter
LXI of the Sorrows of Werter, Versified_ (1791), _Werter's Farewell to
Charlotte_ (1798) and _Charlotte at the Tomb of Werter_ (1809).
[Footnote 31: Wilkens, _op. cit._, p. 164 seq.]
The early American magazines, then, were instrumental in making German
literature and especially German poetry known in America. It was
possible for them to print translations of individual poems of an
author long before there was a demand for them in book form. Gessner,
Buerger, Gellert, Lessing and others have already been mentioned in
this connection. It is interesting to note just what poets were
introduced to the American public by means of the magazines. Gessner
and Buerger were the most popular, the former appearing twenty-five
times and the latter ten times before 1811. Gessner was perhaps the
German poet best known in America. During this period his _Death of
Abel_ had no less than sixteen American imprints and four imitations,
while translations of his _Idyls_ appeared in book form twice in 1802
and once in 1807.[32] Buerger, on the other hand, was known only
through these poems in the magazines, or perhaps through imported
books. No volume of translations of his poems belongs to this period
of American printing.
[Footnote 32: Wilkens, _op. cit._, p. 108 seq. and 164 seq.
In England, likewise, the _Idyls_ were constantly on the
book-market and _The Death of Abel_ had 20 editions before
1800. Cf. Herzfeld, _op. cit._, p. 6.]
After these, Gellert, Lessing and Haller had some share of recognition
both by translation and criticism. Goethe, as has been shown, was
known as the author of _Werter_. As for his lyrical productions, only
two appeared, _The Erl-King_ (1798) and _Frederick and Alice_,
"Imitated rather than translated from a fragment introduced in
Goethe's _Claudine von Villa Bella_" (1807). Other poets, like Jacobi,
Klopstock, Matthisson, Kotzebue, Patzke or Buerde, found an occasional
admirer, but not enough was done to bring their characteristics
plainly before the public. In addition to these, there were numerous
parodies and original poems, which helped to emphasize the importance
of things German. This influence, moreover, was aided by the
translations of prose works and by articles on German literature,
history and biography, which are scattered through the pages of these
periodicals. The American magazines accomplished considerable for
German in this country. The movement here treated grew until it
assumed a widespread importance a few decades later, but the period to
the end of 1810 is interesting as marking the beginning. It was the
first epoch of this type of literary activity in America.
II.
TRANSLATIONS OF GERMAN POETRY.
THE OLD MAN.
From Gesner.
From the London Magazine, Oct. 1773.
[Prose translation.]
_Royal Amer. Mag._, p. 14, Jan. 1774, Boston.
[Reprint from the _London Mag._, p. 437, Sept. 1773, London. Preceding
the title: "For the London Magazine."
Salomon Gessner, _Palemon_, Idyllen, Erste Folge. Concerning the prose
translations from Gessner, cf. p. 16.]
For the Pennsylvania Magazine.
MIRTIL AND THIRSIS.
A PASTORAL.
From the German.
[Prose translation.]
_Penna. Mag._, I-359, Aug. 1775, Phila.
[S. Gessner, _Myrtil. Thyrsis_. Idyllen, Erste Folge.]
Description (with an elegant Engraving) of the celebrated Tomb of
Madame Langhans, executed by Mr. John Augustus Nahl, late Sculptor to
the King of Prussia, and which is to be seen in the choir of the
parish church of Hindlebanck, two leagues from Berne.
As the inscription and verses of the Tombstone, which were written by
the celebrated M. de Haller, could not with propriety be introduced in
the engraving, we insert them here, in a free translation from the
original German.
Hark! the majestic sound! the trumpet hear!
See the astonish'd tombs give up their prey!
Oh God! my Savior! 'tis thy voice I hear!
And with my child, I come t'eternal day,
Awake my infant; open now thine eyes,
Leave the corruption of thy mortal birth,
Arise my child, to thy Redeemer rise,
And taste at length the joy denied on earth,
Before his face death must yield to life;
Hope to real joy ... there, purged from sins,
Serenety succeeds to grief and strife, Time flies...
Eternity begins.
In this blessed hope Sure that her Saviour will fulfill his promise,
Reposes in this Tomb, Guarded by a tender and sorrowful husband, Mary
Magdalen Waber, Born 8th August, 1723; And who departed this life on
Easter-Eve 1751, The wife of George Langhans, Preacher of the gospel
at Hindelbanck.
_Boston Mag._, I-56, Dec. 1783, Boston.
THE BACCHANALIAN.
(Translated from the German.)
The thunder rolls dreadfully through the dark sky,
To the cellar I quickly retire;
Think not that I wish from the thunder to fly;
No--'tis for the best wine to enquire.
_Universal Asylum and Columbian Mag._, IV-253, Apr. 1790, Phila.
LETTER LXI. OF THE SORROWS OF WERTER, VERSIFIED.
Though Homer fired my youthful breast,
My tender fancy deep imprest,
Ere grief had made me smart:
Yet of him Ossian has ta'en place;
His woe-fraught strains, with solemn grace,
Now occupy my heart.
To what a world of direful kind,
The Bard illustrious leads my mind,
'Midst heaths and wilds to stray;
Where the fierce whirlwinds sweep the plain;
Where the moon feebly holds her reign;
And ghosts elude the day.
To hear from off the mountains steep,
The plaintive sounds, from caverns deep,
Of water's dismal roar:
To hear the maiden's doleful cries,
That on her warrior's tomb-stone dies,
Who her did much adore.
I meet this bard of silver hair,
He wanders in the valley drear,
Whilst grief his mind consumes:
His father's footsteps tries to trace
In vain, for time does them efface;
He only finds their tombs.
The pale moon sinks, amid the waves,
He contemplates her as she laves
Her tresses in the sea:
Reflects on time for ever gone,
When danger pleased and spurred him on,
Till every foe did flee.
When he returned on evening grey,
The moon shone on his Bark of prey,
His trophies won, displayed:
When by his countenance, I find
Deep-rooted sorrow fill his mind,
That youth so soon decayed.
When I perceive that glory bright
To fade so soon, to sink in night,
And tottering to the grave:
And when around he casts an eye
On the cold earth, where he must die,
The fate of e'en the brave.--
The traveller will come, he cries,
He'll come who saw my beauty rise,
And anxiously enquire;
Where is the bard and warrior gone,
Where is Fingal's illustrious son,
Whither does he retire.
Then searching o'er the field and mead,
He lightly on my tomb shall tread,
But me he ne'er shall find:
Then I, my friend, like a true knight,
My sword shall draw, my prince to right,
And ease his troubled mind.
And this atchieved, with grief opprest,
Could plunge it deep in my own breast,
And eager for him bleed:
To follow him now half divine,
Hero of the Fingalian line,
Who by my hand was freed.
_Universal Asylum and Columbian Mag._, VI-50, Jan. 1791, Phila.
[Goethe, _Die Leiden des jungen Werthers_. Letter dated Oct. 12,
1772.]
AMYNTAS. [a].
A Pastoral Fragment.
[Prose translation.]
_Mass. Mag._, IV-351 June 1792, Boston.
[S. Gessner, _Amyntas_. "Bei fruehem Morgen kam der arme Amyntas...."
Idyllen, Erste Folge.]
PASTORAL ECLOGUE.
THYRSIS AND CHLOE.
[Prose translation.]
_Mass. Mag._, V-195, Apr. 1793, Boston.
[S. Gessner, _Thyrsis_.
_New Idylles By Gessner._ Trans. by W. Hooper, M.D., 1776, London. P.
25, _Thyrsis_.]
AMYNTAS.
A Pastoral Fragment from Gessner.
_N. Y. Mag. or Lit. Repos._, IV-584, Oct 1793, N. Y.
[Also in _Mass. Mag._, IV-351, June 1792, Boston.]
THE MORNING.
BY HALLER.
The moon retires--Nature's dark veil no more obscures the air and
earth--the twinkling stars disappear and the reviving warmth of the
sun awakens all creatures.
Already are the heavens adorned with its purple hues and its sparkling
sapphires. Aurora, fair harbinger of the day, graciously dispenses
smiles; and brightness of the roses which wreath her forehead
dissipates the mists of night.
The flaming of the world advances from the eastern gate, triumphantly
treading on the shining splendours of the milky way; clouds covered
with Heaven's rubies, oppose him with their lightning, and a flame of
gold spreads itself around the horizon.
The roses open to salute the sun with genial dews; and the lilies
exhale delicious odours from their sattin'd leaves.
The vigilant hind flies to the labour-giving field; he guides with
careful pleasure the earth-piercing plough; in the meantime his ears
are delighted by the lightsome band of minstrels, which sweeten the
air and the woods with their melodious notes. Thus doth benignant
Heaven lighten the heavy pressure of toilful industry! O Creator! all
that I see are the effects of thy power! thou art the soul of nature
and doth actuate every part! the stated periods and glittering
appearance of yon orbs, and the unquenched fires of the revolving sun,
proceed from thy hands, and boast thy impression!
Thou illumest the solemn moon to guide us amid darkness; thou dost
lend wings to the unseen wind, and by night thou dost enrich the earth
with fruitful dews.
From the dust thou hast formed yon proud-topt mountain; from sand hast
thou produced metals; thou hast spread yon firmament, and thou hast
clothed it with clouds, that it may remain unpolluted by the exploring
eye of man.
Thou hast wonderfully formed the veins of that fish which causes
rivers to overflow, and which makes whirlpools, and spreads
devastation with the flappings of his tail. Thou hast built the
elephant, and thou hast animated its enormous bulk, that it resembles
a moving mountain. Thou supportest yon splendid arches of the heavens
upon the vast void; and with thy word thou hast produced from chaos
this wondrous universe, filling it with order, and giving it no other
limit than its grandeur.
Great God! created spirits are too insignificant to raise the glory of
thy works! We lose ourselves in their immensity. To tell them one must
resemble thyself on infinity. Humbly contented, I remain in my own
prescribed circle. Incomprehensible Being! thy resplendent glories
blind the presuming eye of man! and He from whom the earth receives
its being, needs not the praises of a worm!
_N. Y. Mag. or Lit. Repos._, IV-720, Dec. 1793, N. Y.
[Albrecht von Haller, _Morgen-Gedanken_, Den. 25, Merz, 1725.]
MORNING.
From Haller.
_Phila. Minerva_, I, May 30, 1795, Phila.
[Also in _N. Y. Mag. or Lit. Repos._, IV-720, Dec. 1793, N. Y.]
TRANSLATED POETRY.
For the New-York Magazine.
THE ZEPHYRS, AN IDYL. [a].
(Translated from the German of Gesner, by W. Dunlap.)
[Prose translation.]
_N. Y. Mag. or Lit. Repos._, VI-760, Dec. 1795, N. Y.
[S. Gessner, _Die Zephyre_.]
TRANSLATED POETRY.
For the New-York Magazine.
FIRST IDYL OF GESNER.
(Translated from the German by Wm. Dunlap.)
DAPHNE--CHLOE.
[Prose translation.]
_N. Y. Mag. or Lit. Repos._, n. s., p. 49, Jan. 1796, N. Y.
[S. Gessner, _Daphne. Chloe._ "Sieh, schon steigt der Mond hinter dem
schwarzen Berg...." First idyl--Zweite Folge, 1772.]
THE OLD MAN.
Translated from the German of Gessner.
_Phila. Minerva_, I, Jan. 16, 1796, Phila.
[Also in _The Royal Amer. Mag._, p. 14, Jan. 1774, Boston.]
FABLE
Imitated from the German of Gellert.
While a nightingale chanted in the midst of a forest, the neighbouring
hills and vallies were delighted with her exquisite melody. Every
wild bird forgot to sing, listening with fond admiration. Aurora
tarried behind the hill, attending to her musical cadences; and
Philomel, in honor of the goddess, warbled with unusual sweetness. At
that she paused, and the lark took the opportunity of thus addressing
her; 'Your music meets with just approbation; the variety, the
clearness, and tenderness of the notes are inimitable; nevertheless,
in one circumstance I am entitled to a preference. My melody is
uninterrupted; and every morning is ushered with my gratulations. Your
song on the contrary, is heard but seldom; and, except during a few
weeks in the Summer, you have no claim to peculiar attention.' 'You
have mentioned,' replied the Nightingale, 'the very cause of my
superior excellence. I attend to, and obey, the dictates of Nature. I
never sing but by her incitements; nor even yield to importunate, but
uninspired inclination.'
_Phila. Minerva_, II, Apr. 23, 1796, Phila.
[C. F. Gellert, _Die Nachtigall and die Lerche_.
Free translation of the first stanza; the second, containing the
application of the fable, omitted.]
A FABLE
Imitated from the German of Gellert.
Clarine loved her husband with sincere affection--for he was a husband
to her mind. Their desires and aversions were the same. It was
Clarine's study to be agreeable, and by unwearied attention, to
anticipate her husband's wishes. "Such a wife," says my male reader,
who has thoughts of matrimony, "such a wife would I desire."--And such
a wife mayst thou obtain.--Clarine's husband fell sick--a dangerous
illness.--"No hope" said the physician, and shook his awful whig.
Bitterly wept Clarine. "O death!" she cried, "O death! might I prefer
a petition? Spare my husband; let me be the victim in his stead."
Death heard, appeared, and "What," said the grim spectre, "is thy
request?" "There," said Clarine sore dismayed, "There he lies;
overcome with agony he implores thy speedy relief."
_The Nightingale_, I-199, June 16, 1796, Boston.
[C. F. Gellert, _Die zaertliche Frau_. The introductory stanza not
translated.]
THE LASS OF FAIR WONE.
From the German of Buerger.
_Phila. Minerva_, II, Dec. 17, 1796, Phila.
[G. A. Buerger, _Des Pfarrers Tochter von Taubenhain_.
W. Taylor of Norwich, _The Lass of Fair Wone_ in the _Monthly
Magazine_, I-223, Apr. 1796, London. Also in Taylor's _Historic Survey
of German Poetry_, 3 vols., 1830, London. II-32, under the title _The
Parson's Daughter_.]
VIRTUE REWARDED:
A PASTORAL TALE.
(From the German of Gesner).
[Prose translation.]
_Phila. Minerva_, II, Dec. 17, 1796, Phila.
[S. Gessner, _Daphne_. W. Hooper, _New Idylles by Gessner_, p. 33,
_Glicera_.]
MISCELLANEOUS.
By FERDINAND WALLHIME.
THE WISH
(in imitation of Matthison).
Once more could I wish, ere yet my blest spirit
Sunk in Elysium, peaceful mansion of shades!
That spot t' revisit, where Infancy
In dreams aerial, play'd 'round my brows.
The shrub of my country, whose branches o'erspread
The cool nest of the patridge, waves gentler my friend,
Than all the gay forests of laurel
O'er the dust of the world's mighty conq'rors.
The streamlet of that mead, where in childhood
I cull'd early violets, more musically murmurs
'Midst the alders once rear'd by my sire,
Than the silver Blandusian fountain.
The hill, on which swains, in bands youthful and gay
Danc'd 'round the trunk of the sweet blossom'd poplar,
With greater rapture inspir'd my heart,
Than Alps dazzling heights in roset glimm'ring.
Therefore could I wish, ere yet my blest spirit
Sunk in Elysium, peaceful mansion of shades
That spot t' revisit, where infancy
In dreams aerial, play'd 'round my brows.
Then may death's smirking genius, of a sudden,
Extinguish life's taper, well pleas'd I'll hasten
To Xenophon and Plato's musing shade
And to Anacreon's myrtle tufted bow'r.
_Lit. Museum, or Mo. Mag._, p. 47, Jan. 1797, West-Chester.
[F. Matthisson, _Wunsch an Salis_. "Noch einmal moecht' ich, eh in die
Schattenwelt...."]
BENEVOLENCE.
A FABLE.
Imitated from the German of Gellert.
O'er Howard's tomb soft Pity weeps,
Bewailing still her favourite's fate;
And thence the Muse invokes her aid
Of kindred merit to relate.
Like him to sympathize with woe,
Like him to heal the broken mind;
And rear Affliction's drooping head,
Belinda's generous soul inclin'd.
But want of fortune oft, too oft,
Her charitable views withstood;
For what, alas! avails the will,
Without the power of doing good?
Her uncle dies and leaves his niece
A clear two thousand pounds per ann.
"Ah! now," she cries, "I'm blest indeed,
"I'll help the poor where'er I can."
Scarce had she spoke, when, at her door
An old decrepid wretch appears;
Bent on his crutch he begs an alms,
And moves her pity with his tears.
Belinda felt for his distress,
She heav'd a sigh and shook her head;
Then to this aged son of woe
Stretch'd forth a--crust of mouldy bread.
_Amer. Universal Mag._, I-28, Jan. 2, 1797, Phila.
[C. F. Gellert, _Die Gutthat_.]
PRO PATRIA MORI
From the German of Buerger.
For virtue, freedom, human rights, to fall,
Beseems the brave: it is a Saviour's death.
Of heroes only the most pure of all,
Thus with their heart's blood tinge the battle-heath.
And this proud death is seemliest in the man
Who for a kindred race, a country bleeds:
Three hundred Spartans from the shining van
Of those, whom fame in this high triumph leads.
Great is the death for a good prince incurr'd;
Who wields the sceptre with benignant hand:
Well may for him the noble bare his sword,
Falling he earns the blessings of a land.
Death for a friend, parent, child, or her we love,
If not so great, is beauteous to behold:
This the fine tumults of the hearts approve;
It is the walk to death unbought of gold.
But for mere majesty to meet a wound--
Who holds that great or glorious, he mistakes:
That is the fury of the pamper'd hound,
Which envy, anger, or the whip, awakes.
And for a tyrant's sake to seek a jaunt
To hell ----'s a death which only hell enjoys;
Where such a hero falls--the gibbet plant,
A murderer's trophy, and a plunderer's prize.
_Amer. Universal Mag._, I-141, Jan. 23, 1797, Phila.
[G. A. Buerger, _Die Tode_.]
THE LASS OF FAIR WONE.
From the German of Buerger.
_Amer. Universal Mag._, I-211, Feb. 6, 1797, Phila.
[Also in _Phila. Minerva_, II, Dec. 17, 1796, Phila.]
THE BROKEN PITCHER.
From the German of Gesner.
[Prose translation.]
_The Key_, I-69, Mar. 10, 1798, Frederick Town.
[S. Gessner, _Der zerbrochene Krug_.]
LEONORA. [a].
A Ballad from Buerger.
The following translation (made some years since) of a celebrated
piece, of which other versions have appeared, and are now on the point
of appearing, possesses so much peculiar charm and intrinsic merit,
that we are happy in being permitted to present it to our readers.
[The translation follows.]
_Weekly Mag._, I-221, Mar. 17, 1798, Phila.
[G. A. Buerger, _Lenore_.
Wm. Taylor of Norwich, _Lenora_.
_Mo. Mag. and British Register_, I-135, Mar. 1769, London.
M. G. Lewis, _Tales of Wonder_, 1801, London.
The translation appeared anonymously in the above mentioned, but was
afterwards printed with several changes under the title _Ellenore_ in
Taylor's _Historic Survey of German Poetry_, II-40.
Also in _Tales of Terror and Wonder_, collected by M. G. Lewis. With
an introduction by Henry Morley, 1887, London. Cf. Preface.]
TO A LITTLE CHARMER.
From the German of Lessing.
Come kiss me, little Charmer,
Nor suppose a kiss can harm you;
Kisses given, kisses taken,
Cannot now your fears awaken;
Give me then a hundred kisses
Number well those sweetest blisses,
And, on my life, I tell you true,
Tenfold I'll repay what's due,
When to snatch a kiss is bolder
And my fair one's ten years older.
_Weekly Mag._, II-30, May 5, 1798, Phila.
[G. E. Lessing, _An eine kleine Schoene_.]
For the Weekly Magazine.
THE SWALLOW. A FABLE.
(From the German of Lessing.)
Believe me, my friend, the great world is not suited to philosophers
or poets. We are insensible to their real worth; and they, alas! are
often weak enough to exchange it for a mere nothing.