The Portland daily press., 1871-06-12

Aseratufe In America
1t is more serious thing for nation to be
defeated in battle than it even appears at first
sight. The mere physical dominance is likely
to be followed by an intellectual dominance
that ID much more humiliating to national
pride. Nor is this rule weakened BY the fact
of the well-known continuance of Greek in
tellectual ascendency over Rome many years
after the arms of the latter had overthrown
the independence Of the former race. Greece
had too much the start of her younger rival
in culture to permit any mere political supe-
riority to change speedily the relation of mis-
tress and pupil that had heretofore existed
But where two nations are so evenly matched
in culture as France and Germany, the result
Of physical encounter is amply sufficient to
turn the doubtful scale and give the stronger
muscle credit with the world for more active
and vigorous brains. Accordingly we shall
expect as result of the late war decline in
the great popularity of the French language
and literature throughout the world, while in
creased attention will be paid to the tongue Of
Goethe and Schiller. Whether the language
OF race that has 80 thoroughly lost the re-
spect Of mankind as the French race has, can
continue to be the language of courts, and so
claim the first attention of all foreigners who
learn but one dialect beside their own, re-
mains to be seen, but it is certain that Ger
man literature will, till Sedan is avenged, re-
ceive some of the study that has hitherto
been directed elsewhere.
This being the case, Bayard Taylor's trans
lation of the great German masterpiece
Goethe's Faust, is given to the public at the
most opportune moment possible. Those
who for the first time make the acquaintance
of the German writers begin with Goethe;
and students of Goethe begin with Faust.
OF the merits of Mr.. Tayloi's translation we
are qualified to speak only with the greatest
difidence; but those who are competent to
express an intelligent opinion have decided
with remarkable unanimity that its merits
entitle it to be considered the English Faust.
OF all the translators of this work Mr.. Taylor
alone has strictly followed the metres and
rythm Of the original, reproducing the very
rhyme whenever it is possible. In this way
he has transferred to the English not only
the thought of his master, but also those
more delicate and evanescent shades of mean
ing which are dependent on the versifcation.
1t is not, therefore, by any means to be
placed in the same category with Popes
translation OF Homer's Iliad of which humor-
lists have been accustomed to say that Mr..
POpe's Iliad is a work of extraordinary merit
and great originality, being not at all after the
manner of Homer. The work we are now
considering is not. Taylor's but Goethe's
Faust.
1t is curious TO observe how the delightful
"moral," which has given Faust currency
among good people who end their perusal Of
the work with the first part, is founded on an
entire misconception. Perhaps from the am
bisuity of Mephistophles's last words ("Hith-
er to mep), perhaps from an unconscious ref
erence to the tragic ending OF the old Faust
legend from which Goethe drew the material
for his great work, il is commonly supposed
that the Devil carries off DIR. Faust into tor
ment at the end Of the twenty fifth scene. It
| is forgotten meanwhile that esquire Voland"
has not fulfilled his compact with the Doctor,
the bargain being Lot the vulgar one Of en-
joyment for tenn of years as the considerar
ton for a soul to be delivered promptly at the
expiration OF the time fixed upon, but spe-
cial one, in which a single moments unalloy-
ed enjoyment is the consideration offered BY
the Evil One. Up 10 the time of the death
OF the gentle Margaret, though he had his fll
of the sensual enjoyment which he pined for
during bis studious life, Faust had never yet
seen moment to which in the language Of
the contract he could say,
/ "Ah, still delay-thou are So fair"
Accordingly his probation is not yet over,
and we must be content to wait many days
before We can see the delinquent fitly punish.
ed-and then be disappointed But the
thoughtful reader, who is bent on gaining q
moral lesson, will not be at loss to find one
in a somewhat different form.
For the benefit OF those who are familiar
with tho various transations of Faust we
append Mr.. Taylor's rendering of the chant
OF the Earth-Spirit which is so vest in its sug.
gestions and so sublime in its language.
In the tides OF Life, IN Acion's storm,
| A fuctuant wave,
| shuttle free,
Birth and the Grave,
/ An eternal sea,
| weaving, flowing
| Lille, all-glowing,
Thus at Times hummng loom tits my hand prepares
The garment o; Lite which the Deity wearsi
Perhaps Carlyle would like this as well as
the rending in which he so delights in Sartos
Resartus:
| lis thus at the roaring loom of Time I ply,
And weave for God the Garments thou see'st him BY
/ FAUST, q Tragedy, by Johann Wolfgang Goethe,
the First Part translated In the Original Metres by
Bayard Taylor. Boston; james K. Osgood q Co
| For sale by Hall l.. Davis.