The Golden Verses of Pythagoras — with commentary (1917)
The text is shown on its own: no facing layer is held for this issue.
■ In comparing the first lines of Homer with those of Klopstock, it is seen that the Greek contains 29 letters, 18 of which are vowels; and the German 48 letters, 31 of which are consonants. It is difficult with such disparity in the elements to make the harmony the same.
The Essence and Form of Poetry 107
Sotiflrant et mis k mort, enfin glorifi6.
Ainsi s'ex^cuta Le d6cret 6temel. En vain Satan rebelle opposa son audace A ce Fils du Tr^s-Haut; et Judas vainement s'^leva centre lui : R6conciliateur et R^dempteur supreme, il consomma son oeuvre. Mais quoi, noble action! que Dieu seul en son coeur mis^ricordieux, Connalt, la Po^sie, en son exil terrestre, pourra-t-elle te suivre ? Non, Esprit cr6ateur, c'est k toi, devant qui je m'incline en tremblant, A rapprocher de moi cette action divine, k toi-mnme semblable. Viens done, conduis-la-moi dans I'^tat immortel de toute sa beaut6; Remplis-la de ton feu, toi que, sondant rabtme du Tr^s-Haut, peux de I'homme Issu de la poussi^re, et fragile et mortel, te faire un temple saint.
My Soul, degenerate man's redemption sing,
Which the Messiah in his human state
On earth accomplished, by which, suffering slain
And glorify'd, unto the Love of God
The progeny of Adam he restored.
Such was the everlasting Will divine,
Th' infernal Fiend opposed him, Judah stood
In opposition proud; but vain their rage:
He did the deed, he wrought out man's salvation.
Yet, wondrous Deed, which th' all-compassionate Jehovah alone completely comprehends, May Poesy presume from her remote Obscurity to venture on thy theme? Creative Spirit, in whose presence here I humbly' adore, her efforts consecrate. Conduct her steps and lead her, me to meet. Of transport full, with glorious charms endow'd And power immortal, imitating Thee.
(Egestokff.)
io8 The Golden Verses of Pythagoras
Sing, unserterbliche Seele, der sundigen Menschen
Erlosung, Die der Messias auf Erden, in seiner Menscheit voUendet ; Und durch die er Adams Geschlecht zu der Liebe der Gottheit, Leidend, getodtet und verherlichet, weider erhohet hat. Also geschah des Ewigen Wille. Vergebens erhub sich Satan gegen der gottlichen Sohn; umsonst stand juda Gegen ihn auf; er that's, und woUbrachte die grosse
Versohnung. Aber, o That, die allein der Albarmherzige kennet, Darf aus dunckler Feme sich auch dir nahen die Dichtkunst? Weihe sie, Geist, Schopfer, vor dem ich hier still anbete, Fuhre sie mir, als deine Nachahmerin, voUer
Entziickung, VoU unsterblicher Kraft, in verklarter Schonheit, entgegen. Rtiste mit deinem Feuer sie, du, der die Tiefen des
Gottheit Schaut und den Menschen, aus Staube gemacht, zum
Tempel sich heiligt !
It is evident that in this exposition the movement of Homer has been united by Klopstock to the ideas of Tasso. The German poet claims nevertheless the originality, and believes that he himself was called to enjoy the first inspiration. In order that this high aspiration might have been realized, a mass of learning very difficult to find would have been necessary. I will explain briefly this idea. I believe that the one who, disdaining to follow in the footsteps of Homer or of Vergil, would wish to open another road to epopoeia, should be well acquainted -with the ground over which he ventures to trace it, and the goal toward which he aspires to conduct it; I think he should make himself master of his subject so that nothing might remain obscure
The Essence and Form of Poetry 109 or unknown to him; so that if he should choose either the downfall of Man, as Milton, or his rehabilitation, after the example of Klopstock, he would be able to acquaint himself with the inner meaning of these mysteries, to explain all the conditions, to comprehend the beginning and the end, and, raising himself to the intellectual nature where they had birth, to spread light upon physical nature.
This is the first attainment that I deem indispensable to the epic poet ; I say that he should understand what he would sing. Homer knew what Ilium was, what Ithaca was; he could explain to himself the nature of Achilles and Helen, of Penelope and Ulysses ; consequently he could depict them.
I do not wish to investigate here whether Milton has understood in the same manner the beginning of the World and the nature of Satan; nor whether Klopstock has well understood the mystery of the incarnation of the Messiah. I only say that if they have not understood these things, they cannot sing them in a manner really epic.
No commentary for this page under the selected tracks.
There is commentary on page 1.