Translations Of German Poetry In American Magazines 1741-1810 Part 4

[Prose translation.]

_N. Y. Mag. or Lit. Repos._, VI-760, Dec. 1795, N. Y.

[S. Gessner, _Die Zephyre_.]

TRANSLATED POETRY.

For the New-York Magazine.

FIRST IDYL OF GESNER.

(Translated from the German by Wm. Dunlap.)

DAPHNE--CHLOE.

[Prose translation.]

_N. Y. Mag. or Lit. Repos._, n. s., p. 49, Jan. 1796, N. Y.

[S. Gessner, _Daphne. Chloe._ "Sieh, schon steigt der Mond hinter dem schwarzen Berg...." First idyl--Zweite Folge, 1772.]

THE OLD MAN.

Translated from the German of Gessner.

_Phila. Minerva_, I, Jan. 16, 1796, Phila.

[Also in _The Royal Amer. Mag._, p. 14, Jan. 1774, Boston.]

FABLE Imitated from the German of Gellert.

While a nightingale chanted in the midst of a forest, the neighbouring hills and vallies were delighted with her exquisite melody. Every wild bird forgot to sing, listening with fond admiration. Aurora tarried behind the hill, attending to her musical cadences; and Philomel, in honor of the G.o.ddess, warbled with unusual sweetness. At that she paused, and the lark took the opportunity of thus addressing her; 'Your music meets with just approbation; the variety, the clearness, and tenderness of the notes are inimitable; nevertheless, in one circ.u.mstance I am ent.i.tled to a preference. My melody is uninterrupted; and every morning is ushered with my gratulations. Your song on the contrary, is heard but seldom; and, except during a few weeks in the Summer, you have no claim to peculiar attention.' 'You have mentioned,' replied the Nightingale, 'the very cause of my superior excellence. I attend to, and obey, the dictates of Nature. I never sing but by her incitements; nor even yield to importunate, but uninspired inclination.'

_Phila. Minerva_, II, Apr. 23, 1796, Phila.

[C. F. Gellert, _Die Nachtigall and die Lerche_.

Free translation of the first stanza; the second, containing the application of the fable, omitted.]

A FABLE Imitated from the German of Gellert.

Clarine loved her husband with sincere affection--for he was a husband to her mind. Their desires and aversions were the same. It was Clarine's study to be agreeable, and by unwearied attention, to antic.i.p.ate her husband's wishes. "Such a wife," says my male reader, who has thoughts of matrimony, "such a wife would I desire."--And such a wife mayst thou obtain.--Clarine's husband fell sick--a dangerous illness.--"No hope" said the physician, and shook his awful whig.

Bitterly wept Clarine. "O death!" she cried, "O death! might I prefer a pet.i.tion? Spare my husband; let me be the victim in his stead."

Death heard, appeared, and "What," said the grim spectre, "is thy request?" "There," said Clarine sore dismayed, "There he lies; overcome with agony he implores thy speedy relief."

_The Nightingale_, I-199, June 16, 1796, Boston.

[C. F. Gellert, _Die zartliche Frau_. The introductory stanza not translated.]

THE La.s.s OF FAIR WONE.

From the German of Burger.

_Phila. Minerva_, II, Dec. 17, 1796, Phila.

[G. A. Burger, _Des Pfarrers Tochter von Taubenhain_.

W. Taylor of Norwich, _The La.s.s of Fair Wone_ in the _Monthly Magazine_, I-223, Apr. 1796, London. Also in Taylor's _Historic Survey of German Poetry_, 3 vols., 1830, London. II-32, under the t.i.tle _The Parson's Daughter_.]

VIRTUE REWARDED: A PASTORAL TALE.

(From the German of Gesner).

[Prose translation.]

_Phila. Minerva_, II, Dec. 17, 1796, Phila.

[S. Gessner, _Daphne_. W. Hooper, _New Idylles by Gessner_, p. 33, _Glicera_.]

MISCELLANEOUS.

By FERDINAND WALLHIME.

THE WISH (in imitation of Matthison).

Once more could I wish, ere yet my blest spirit Sunk in Elysium, peaceful mansion of shades!

That spot t' revisit, where Infancy In dreams aerial, play'd 'round my brows.

The shrub of my country, whose branches o'erspread The cool nest of the patridge, waves gentler my friend, Than all the gay forests of laurel O'er the dust of the world's mighty conq'rors.

The streamlet of that mead, where in childhood I cull'd early violets, more musically murmurs 'Midst the alders once rear'd by my sire, Than the silver Blandusian fountain.

The hill, on which swains, in bands youthful and gay Danc'd 'round the trunk of the sweet blossom'd poplar, With greater rapture inspir'd my heart, Than Alps dazzling heights in roset glimm'ring.

Therefore could I wish, ere yet my blest spirit Sunk in Elysium, peaceful mansion of shades That spot t' revisit, where infancy In dreams aerial, play'd 'round my brows.

Then may death's smirking genius, of a sudden, Extinguish life's taper, well pleas'd I'll hasten To Xenophon and Plato's musing shade And to Anacreon's myrtle tufted bow'r.

_Lit. Museum, or Mo. Mag._, p. 47, Jan. 1797, West-Chester.

[F. Matthisson, _Wunsch an Salis_. "Noch einmal mocht' ich, eh in die Schattenwelt...."]

BENEVOLENCE.

A FABLE.