The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-03-31
Goethe. Minor Poems Translated.


s,uib
Goethe. Minor Poems Translated.
An attempt has now and then been made
to present To English readers some of Goothc's
sones and ballads without diycrging from the
m"trical and rhythmical forms of the originals
But Mr. PAUL DYRsEN. We believe. is the
first TO undertake similar task for the
whole collection Of the great Germans lyrics
His work lately published 10y Chrstern undcr
the title Of Goe'hGs Poems Translated IN
tie original Metres offers versions OF
nearly everything contained in the first
volume Of the edition Of 1870 arranged without
regard to date of authorship but according to
the order in which the poet himself submitted
them TO his countrymcn. When We consider
what n storchouse of lyrical treasures IL here
indicated. il is plain that II Mr.. Dyrscn lad
merely essaycd. ike mosttranslators. L. cmbudy
the matter Of his master in the most facilo and
familiar Of English rhymes and measures. tho
labor devolving ON him would still have been
immense and we may add thnt a moderate de-
gree Of success would challenge grateful recog-
milton.
But the task 10 which tho translator has here
in fact. addressed himself is bcset with SO many
difficulties. that even 10 fail in 1t might almost
be- held 10 confer special distinction. For let us
see what IL is that Mr.. Dyrsvn has tried 10 do.
Promising that the sentiment which gave birth to
each single poem il cssr ntially inscpar,hle from
the musical form Which Goethe spontaneous
ly adopted. he has sought. he tells us 10 Ncite
within himself that state ~ imaginative feeling
which should tend to exclude from the trans
iators ear nny alien metrical structure. Once
in approx imatiyc poss 'ssOn OF these conditions.
there would toe a chance that "a translator
might graphic not unsucccssfully with the
thoughts OF his poet. ami. guided hy an
intimate sympathy with tho dominant senti-
ment ight find III words Tor thcm ia u strange
diom, while hie ear. holding fast the character
istic melody e the poem. would dictate a fac
smile Of IL rhythmicul and prosodical nature.
Now. the aston shing achievement Of Noss In
transmitting Homer. line for line. and almost
word for word into German heNamcicrs. has
demonstrated that the above theory H. not
wholly visionary. although u manifslS cNa,t-
poetic gifts OF no moan order ~ well H- extra
ordinary industry. That a perfect pro-odlc,d
reproduction 81 great lyric l1.i Ia En4.I-h is
hcep'y ~ l' desired cam need. We suppose goo
argument. since mot only i9 tho musical iSfH.
ln Nir rs wrought into t." tNur.. and
murri VI 80 tlr Writ oi sons. lW IN The elise
o' G'',ue. a- Mr. lyr,"n points ont. osou hi-
irr' gu'arit.,s ,hlom ar $50 FROM carrl,~-nn--
iut aim, - always ~rrNrto shnlc the cnloriu. of
"a" lHtea-o ar O. convey tAN cTN"l of nature
hrcak.As ui.d. : ihe Impulse of strong passion
Or II 81 Idly. ft,ftlu. rtir. I,h Tine gives #
art Tie trtnsl Cor iuIt''rr'm uds MS that TIE
lHHntiitNe char. t"r OF tar .'H.' Is on iu-
poifant element % melody ln thr hands 81 any
uastrr If No'e". '~.,"Ielly WHEN Alternating
made AMI ''rmle rl}u. ~ used. hy reversing
wao-e.ntior no observation-disclosures II % po.m
may ~ rwp'0ty changed. ana perhaps n-
chnln "A D-frV.l Iu view az ti,sa oDn-