New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-12


Symonds- Second edition, with port1s ~
12mo pp. Xxx. 1c2 Imported b Charles $50 -,
ner's Sons. 81 ID
When the late John Addington symontz toos
in hand the translation OF Michael Angso..
Sonnets. he assumed a task for which he va,
especially well fitted An accomplished man a,
letters. a student OF Italian Eterature raralv
sympathetic to it's genius, and translator for
whom the art OF translation was a joy in Itself
he added to these qualifications a deep Interest,
in Michael Angelo as one OF the most signia-
cant figures in that Renaissance to which Ia
was. as an historian. peculiarly devoted He BE-
came so absorbed In the great sculptor that u
timately. as is well known. he wrote book
about him in two elaborate volumes But long
before he published that critical biography he
had been attracted by the Sonnets. which were
indeed, well calculated to appeal to him, not
simply through their intrinsic qualities but
through the elements OF personal revelation they
contain Symonds delighted in autobiography
He showed this constantly in his miscellaneous
writings. and gave even more substantial proOfs
OF his enthusiasm in TRANSMITTING. first, CeIInrs
incompatible book and then the memoirs o.,
Carlo Gozzi Michael Angeles Sonnets gave hin
an ideal opportunity and he used it to fine
purpose. 1t is good to have the new edition Of
his version which the Seribners have Just in
ported. a dainty little volume with the text
facing the translation. and both in good print
on good paper.
The Sonnets are obviously autobiOgraphica
they deal with tangible incidents or with emo
tons easily explained. in only few cases We
have. for example. the confession OF the poets
debt to Dante: he strikes a suggestiveEy per
sonal note in the lines to Pope julius. and he
writes in almost anecdOtic vein IN that epistle
to Giovanni da PistoJa, written "quandO Pau
tore dipingeva Ia volta della Sistina-" We find
Michael Angelo playing the kind hearted COM
rade. too, in the sonnet to Vasari. which makes
us smile a little with its amiabIe talk about how
Giorgio has. with pencil and with palette" been
making his art high natures paragon" and
has been winning Natures own prize by max
ing what she made fair more fair to view"
There are other sonnets in the collection which
likewise serve to revive for US a veritable figure
of the F1orentine studios and streets, an artist
who. for all his greatness. was very human
creature. having his passions and his humors
like other men There are, moreover, the SOU
venirs of his friendship with Vittorta CoIonna,
an episode as characteristic any In his long
career. But it Is above all things for their
portrayal OF the spirit of Michael Angelo that
the Sonnets are TO be treasured The love Of
beauty" says SymOnds. the love OF Florence
and the love of Christ, are the three main mo-
dves of his poetry" and the value of this book
lies in the light it throws on the genius whose
fruits We see in the paintings and the statues
He was not a polished writer. Symonds calls
the SOnnets ''ungrammaticaI. rude in versiica-
ton, grabbed and obscure in thOUght-ths
rough-heWp blockiugs-out OF poems rather than
finished works OF art" But the strength Of his
soul and the burning heat OF his passion for
beauty make themselves felt through his poetry
with extraordinary force and vividness. Il any
one knew how to interpret him to the foreign
reader it was Symonds. Perhaps he is shads
too clever, and puts into his version suaVltJ
OF phrasing. and certain finished touch every
where, which the text scarcely tusthesG But ne
Is true to essentials. true, more particularly. %
the atmosphere, to the general drift Of Ia
original In welcoming this reprint We mGsf
make at least one quotation, choosing the tnir-
tieth sonnet, which SymOnds calls Love. N
Lght-Giver."
With your fair eyes a charming light see
For which my own blind eyes would peer IN Va41s
Stayed by your feet the burden / sustain
Which my lame feet find all TOO strong 1or ~
WtngleSS upon your plnlonS Iorth ny .-,t,.
HeaVenWard your spirit strreth me 10 Stra1n'
Fen as you Will I blush and blaneh again.
Freeze in the sun, burn meath a rosy SAY
Your will includes and is the lord OF nine -.
Life TO my thoughts within r heart IS sLss@
My words begin to breathe upon your eLs3NA-
Alone; for lot eyes see nauShI II HeN-'N
Save what the living sun IuInIneIh
ROST6ND'S lucky NUMBER