The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 02

Our sonorous bells are just announcing the celebration of the anniversary of the Reformation. It resounds with a ring that must not leave us indifferent. Keep us, Lord, in Thy word, and guide.

1

Morgenblatt 1815. Nr. 113 12. Mai.

2

(King Henry IV, Part II, Act 4, Scene 4.)

3

The works referred to are the nine volumes of A. W. Schlegel's translation, which appeared 1797-1810, and were subsequently (since 1826) supplemented by the missing dramas, translated under Tieck's direction.

4

Delivered before the Amalia Lodge of Freemasons in Weimar, February 1813.

5

Permission The Macmillan Co., New York.

6

Permission The Macmillan Co., New York, and G. Bell & Sons, London.

7

It is almost needless to observe that the word "demon" is her reference to its Greek origin, and implies nothing evil.—Trans.

8

This is the first day in Eckermann's first book, and the first time in which he speaks in this book, as distinguished from Soret.—Trans.

9

The word "Gelegenheitsgedicht" (occasional poem) properly applies to poems written for special occasions, such as birthdays, weddings, etc., but Goethe here extends the meaning, as he himself explains. As the English word "occasional" often implies no more than "occurrence now and then," the phrase "occasional poem" is not very happy, and is only used for want of a better. The reader must conceive the word in the limited sense, produced on some special event.—Trans.

10

Goethe's "West-östliche (west-eastern) Divan," one of the twelve divisions of which is entitled "Das Buch des Unmuths" (The Book of Ill-Humor).—Trans.

11

Die Aufgeregten (the Agitated, in a political sense) is an unfinished drama by Goethe.—Trans.

12

The German phrase "Freund des Bestehenden," which, for want of a better expression, has been rendered above "friend of the powers that be," literally means "friend of the permanent," and was used by the detractors of Goethe to denote the "enemy of the progressive."—Trans.

13

Poetry and Truth, the title of Goethe's autobiography.—Trans.

14

This, doubtless, means the "Deformed Transformed," and the fact that this poem was not published till January, 1824, rendering it probable that Goethe had not actually seen it, accounts for the inaccuracy of the expression.—Trans.

15

It need scarcely be mentioned that this is the name given to a collection of sarcastic epigrams by Goethe and Schiller.—Trans.

16

"Die Natürliche Tochter" (the Natural Daughter).—Trans.

17

Vide p. 185, where a remark is made on the word nature, as applied to a person.—Trans.

18

These plays were intended to be in the Shakesperian style, and Goethe means that by writing them he freed himself from Shakespeare, just as by writing Werther he freed himself from thoughts of suicide.—Trans.

19

This doubtless refers to the Heath country in which Eckermann was born.—Trans.

20

This poem is simply entitled "Ballade," and begins "Herein, O du Guter! du Alter herein!"—Trans.

21

A It must be borne in mind that this was said before the appearance of "Robert le Diable," which was first produced in Paris, in November, 1831.—Trans.

22

B That is, the second act of the second part of "Faust," which was not published entire till after Goethe's death.—Trans.

23

In the original book this conversation follows immediately the one of December 21, 1831, and with the remainder of the book is prefaced thus:—"The following I noted down shortly afterwards (that is, after they took place) from memory."—Trans.

24

A distinguished die-cutter in Rome.

25

Giovanni Hamerani was papal die-cutter from 1675 to 1705.

26

A C. A. Bottiger had surrendered his position as director of the Gymnasium of Weimar and had gone to Dresden, while Heinrich Voss (1779-1822), an enthusiastic young admirer of Goethe, had come to the gymnasium.

27

An association of civil officials of Mannheim had intrusted to Goethe a sum of money to erect a memorial to Count von Dalberg, but the plan was never carried out.

28

a Theodor Körner (1791-1813), at that time a dramatist in Vienna, and closely connected with the Humboldt family through Wilhelm's friendship for Christian G. Körner.

29

J. H. Voss, although his translation of Æschylus was not printed until 1826.

30

Humboldt's translation of the Agamemnon of Æschylus.

31

Voss and his son.

32

August, who went to Italy, in March, 1830, and died there eight days after this letter was written.

33

Schiller died May 9, 1805

34

By Calderon

35

Zelter's eldest son had shot himself.