THE
AWAKENING
TO SIGHT
From King René's Daughter'
Iolanthe
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From King René's Daughter'
Iolanthe
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Warner - World's Best Literature - v13 - Her to Hux
7313 (#107) ###########################################
ROBERT HERRICK
7313
TO DAISIES, NOT TO SHUT SO SOON
SHUT
HUT not so soon; the dull-eyed night
Has not as yet begun
To make a seisure on the light,
Or to seal up the sun.
XIII-458
No marigolds yet closed are;
No shadows great appear;
Nor doth the early shepherds'-star
Shine like a spangle here.
Stay ye but till my Julia close
Her life-begetting eye;
And let the whole world then dispose
Itself to live or die.
STAY
TAY while ye will, or go;
And leave no scent behind ye;
Yet trust me, I shall know
The place where I may find ye:
WHY
TO CARNATIONS
TO PRIMROSES FILLED WITH MORNING DEW
Y do ye weep, sweet babes? Can tears
Speak grief in you,
Who were but born
Just as the morn
Teemed her refreshing dew?
Alas! ye have not known that shower
That mars a flower;
Nor felt th' unkind
Breath of the blasting wind;
Nor are ye worn with years;
Or warped, as we,
Who think it strange to see
Within my Lucia's cheek
(Whose livery ye wear),
Play ye at hide-and-seek,—
I'm sure to find ye there.
## p. 7314 (#108) ###########################################
ROBERT HERRICK
7314
Such pretty flowers, like unto orphans young,
Speaking by tears before ye have a tongue.
Speak, whimpering younglings, and make known
The reason why
Ye droop and weep.
Is it for want of sleep,
Or childish lullaby?
Or that ye have not seen as yet
The violet?
Or brought a kiss
From that sweetheart to this?
No, no; this sorrow, shown
By your tears shed,
Would have this lecture read:
"That things of greatest, so of meanest worth,
Conceived with grief are, and with tears brought forth. ”
YⓇ
TO MEADOWS
E HAVE been fresh and green;
Ye have been filled with flowers;
And ye the walks have been
Where maids have spent their hours;
Ye have beheld where they
With wicker arks did come,
To kiss and bear away
The richer cowslips home;
You've heard them sweetly sing,
And seen them in a round;
Each virgin, like the spring.
With honeysuckles crowned.
But now we see none here
Whose silvery feet did tread,
And with disheveled hair
Adorned this smoother mead.
Like unthrifts, having spent
Your stock, and needy grown,
You're left here to lament
Your poor estates alone.
## p. 7315 (#109) ###########################################
ROBERT HERRICK
7315
TO VIOLETS
ELCOME, maids of honor:
You do bring
In the Spring,
WE
And wait upon her.
She has virgins many
Fresh and fair;
Yet you are
More sweet than any.
Y' are the maiden posies,
And so graced
To be placed
Fore damask roses.
Yet though thus respected,
By-and-by
Ye do lie,
Poor girls, neglected.
HⓇ
THE NIGHT PIECE-TO JULIA
ER eyes the glow-worm lend thee,
The shooting-stars attend thee;
And the elves also,
Whose little eyes glow
Like the sparks of fire, befriend thee.
No Will-o-th'-wisp mislight thee,
Nor snake nor slow-worm bite thee:
But on thy way
Not making stay,
Since ghost there's none t'affright thee!
Let not the dark thee cumber;
What though the moon does slumber?
The stars of the night
Will lend thee their light,
Like tapers clear, without number.
Then, Julia, let me woo thee
Thus, thus to come unto me;
And when I shall meet
Thy silvery feet,
My soul I'll pour into thee
## p. 7316 (#110) ###########################################
7316
ROBERT HERRICK
MRS. ELIZ. WHEELER
UNDER THE NAME OF THE LOST SHEPHERDESS
MONG the myrtles as I walkt,
Love and my sighs thus intertalkt:
Tell me, said I, in deep distress,
Where I may find my Shepherdess.
Thou fool, said Love, know'st thou not this?
A
In everything that's sweet, she is.
In yond' carnation go and seek
Where thou shalt find her lip and cheek;
In that enameled pansy by,
There thou shalt have her curious eye;
In bloom of peach and rose's bud,
There waves the streamer of her blood.
'Tis true, said I; and thereupon
I went to pluck them one by one,
To make of parts an union;
But on a sudden all were gone.
At which I stopt: said Love, these be
The true resemblances of thee;
For as these flowers, thy joys must die,
And in the turning of an eye;
And all thy hopes of her must wither,
Like those short sweets ere knit together.
DELIGHT IN DISORDER
A
SWEET disorder in the dress
Kindles in clothes a wantonness :
A Lawn about the shoulders thrown
Into a fine distractión-
An erring Lace, which here and there
Enthralls the crimson Stomacher-
A Cuffe neglectful, and thereby
Ribbands to flow confusedly.
A winning wave (deserving Note)
In the tempestuous petticoat-
A careless shoestring, in whose tye
I see a wild civility—
Do more bewitch me, than when Art
Is too precise in every part.
## p. 7317 (#111) ###########################################
7317
HENRIK HERTZ
(1798-1870)
HE literary activity of Henrik Hertz falls within the golden
age of Danish literature. The opening years of the nine-
teenth century brought Oehlenschläger's first great poem,
followed by his Poetical Writings' and tragedies. A little later,
Hauch began writing his lyrics and romances in verse; Heiberg was
taking his position as critic and as creator of the Danish vaudeville;
Heiberg's mother, the Baroness Gyllembourg, was writing her popu-
lar novels, shielding her identity by signing them "By the Author of
'An Every-Day Story" (her first successful
novel); and finally, Hans Christian Ander-
sen joined the ranks with his famous 'Fairy
Tales. ' On the threshold of the century
stood Baggesen, who in spite of his sincere
admiration for the rising school of roman-
ticism had remained the representative of
the classic school, and had fought a brave
battle for form, when Oehlenschläger in the
enthusiasm of a wider vision began to neg-
lect it.
Continuing the line of Denmark's liter-
ary men of the first rank came Hertz, whose
career at the outset had-temporarily-a
direct connection with Baggesen. As dis-
tinguished among the greater Danish lyrical poets and the writers of
his own time, he may be called the poet of passion, while Oehlen-
schläger stands as the poet of dignity, and Heiberg as the poet of
form. Born of Jewish parents in Copenhagen, on August 25th, 1798,
the boy was early orphaned, and brought up by a relative, an editor
of a leading newspaper. A literary atmosphere thus became his nat-
ural element early in life; and it is not remarkable that he showed his
preference for authorship and his gifts for it rather than for the bar,
to which he was nevertheless called in 1825. He began his literary
activity with three or four plays, including 'Buchardt and his Fam-
ily' (1827), 'Love and Policy,' and 'Cupid's Strokes of Genius' (1830).
But in the last-mentioned year, when Baggesen had been dead some
four years, Copenhagen was startled by the publication of a satirical
HENRIK HERTZ
## p. 7318 (#112) ###########################################
7318
HENRIK HERTZ
literary criticism, purporting to be the great poet's message and com-
mentary from another world, under the title of Letters of a Ghost. '
It exhibited Baggesen's ironical humor, critical insight, and finish of
style; but all was blended with a wider sympathy and a broader tol-
erance than Baggesen had shown during his later years. The volume
was by Henrik Hertz, who however did not acknowledge the author-
ship till later, though the book met with enormous success and was
the talk of the town for a season. It may be noted in passing that
the Letters' contained a cutting criticism of Hans Christian Ander-
sen's earlier writings, severe enough to cause that sensitive author
many an hour of depression; and that when Andersen met Hertz
some years later in Rome, he had not yet conquered his dread of
the critic. They became excellent friends; and when Andersen found
his true field and held it, with his fairy tales, Hertz became one of
his warmest admirers.
Continuing to devote himself to the stage, Hertz wrote The
Savings Bank,' a comedy which had a great success, and still holds
the stage to-day. In 1838 he advanced into the romantic drama in
verse, Svend Dyring's House. ' The subject of this piece he took
from the old Danish folk-songs, and kept throughout their tone of
simplicity and tenderness. We find in this drama the knightly lover
cutting runes in an apple, that he may by their help win the love of
the gentle Regisse. We have the wicked stepmother who tries to win
the knight for her own unlovable daughter, cruelly neglecting Regisse
and her little sisters. We have the ghost of the dead mother, who
comes at night to give her own little children the motherly care they
so sadly need. Finally, after much sorrow, the lovers are happily
united. All is framed in the most exquisite verse, and presented with
great literary charm and dramatic power. The subject was so essen-
tially Danish, however, that it did not spread Hertz's fame outside of
his own country.
To the foreign world, in fact, Henrik Hertz is principally known
by one work, 'King René's Daughter,' a charming romantic drama,
dated as late as 1845. It was read and acted with immediate and
immense success in Denmark, where it is still in every repertory,
and thence passed into the standard library of the cultivated world.
In 1848 followed the author's tragedy of 'Ninon,' a high proof of his
artistic and dramatic power; but 'Ninon' is not universally known
like its charming predecessor. King René's Daughter,' the scene
of which is laid in Provence, is of most simple texture. It is more
like a pretty folk-tale than a drama, although its half-dozen person-
ages include historical ones, and even its heroine, the gentle Iolanthe,
is an idealized Princess Yolande, daughter of the real King René. It
is full of the charm of innocence, pure love, and chivalric romance,
## p. 7319 (#113) ###########################################
HENRIK HERTZ
7319
and a certain idyllic freshness exhales from every page and situation
of it, like the perfume from the roses in the blind Iolanthe's garden.
Sweet, almost pastoral and yet moving to a romantic climax, it is in
touch with such things as Shakespeare's 'Winter's Tale,' or some of
those Provençal legends that the poets of Southern France have set
in verse. The diction is beautiful, and rarely has so happy a balance
between the play to read and the play to act been maintained. It
has passed into translations everywhere; and, a distinctively Southern
subject treated by a Northern poet, it stands for a kind of graft of
palm on pine.
Hertz's life was his literary work; and the record of that is its
most interesting element to the world. He died in Copenhagen,
February 25th, 1870.
THE BLIND PRINCESS
From King René's Daughter'
[The Princess Iolanthe, a lovely maid, has been brought up in complete
ignorance of the fact that her beautiful eyes have ever lacked the power of
sight, and in entire inability to judge of what the faculty of sight may be to
others. She has never heard of it, and is so free and unconstrained in all her
movements as not to need such a sense for her further happiness. Count Tris-
tan of Vaudemont makes his way to her garden retreat, and falls passionately
in love with her, unaware of her misfortune; and so ensues this dialogue. ]
RISTAN-Pray give me one of yonder blushing roses,
TRE
That rear their petals, fairest 'mongst all flowers,
As though they were the counterfeit of thee!
Iolanthe - A rose?
Tristan
Oh, willingly! [Plucks and gives him a white rose.
Ah, it is white!
-
Give me the red one, that is fair as thou!
Iolanthe - What meanest thou? – a red one?
Tristan [pointing]-
Iolanthe -Take it thyself!
Tristan-
One of these.
No; let me keep the rose
Which thou hast chosen, which thy fair hand has gathered.
And in good sooth, I do applaud thy choice.
For the white rose, within whose calyx sleeps
A faint and trembling ruddiness, betypes
The dream-like beauty of this garden fair.
Give me another rose a white one too;
Then with the twin flowers will I deck my cap,
And wear them as thy colors evermore.
## p. 7320 (#114) ###########################################
HENRIK HERTZ
7320
Iolanthe plucks and gives him a red rose] -
Here is a rose: meanest thou one like this?
Tristan [starts]—I asked thee for a white rose.
Iolanthe
Well, and this?
Tristan - Why this? [Aside. ] What thought comes o'er me?
[Aloud. ] Nay, then, tell me
How many roses have I in my hand?
Iolanthe [stretches out her hand towards them] –
――――
Give me them, then.
Tristan
Iolanthe
Tristan [aside]-
-
Iolanthe
-
[Holds up the two roses, along with another which he
has himself gathered]
How can I so?
Iolanthe
Tristan -
Tristan [confused]--
[Aloud, and with a faltering voice] —
Nay, I am sure you know.
Alas! alas! she's blind!
No; you mistake.
If I would know how anything is shaped,
Or what its number, I must touch it first.
Is not this clear?
Nay, tell me without touching.
Yes, certainly; you're right.
And yet sometimes-
—
Well, well?
sometimes? Speak! speak!
I think there are — that there are certain things
Which we distinguish by their hues alone,
-
As various kinds of flowers, and various stuffs.
Iolanthe - Thou mean'st by this their character, their form-
Is it not so?
Nay, not exactly that.
Tristan -
Iolanthe - Is it so hard, then, to distinguish flowers?
Are not the roses round and soft and fine,
Round to the feeling, as the zephyr's breath,
And soft and glowing as a summer's eve?
Are gilliflowers like roses? No; their scent
Bedizzies, like the wine I gave to thee.
And then a cactus- are its arrowy points
Not stinging, like the wind when frosts are keen?
Tristan [aside]- Amazement!
[Aloud. ]
Have they never told thee, then,
That objects, things, can be distinguished, though
Placed at a distance, with the aid-of-sight?
Iolanthe― At distance? Yes! I by his twittering know
The little bird that sits upon the roof,
And in like fashion, all men by their voice.
-
## p. 7321 (#115) ###########################################
HENRIK HERTZ
7321
The sprightly steed whereon I daily ride,
I know him in the distance by his pace,
And by his neigh. Yet-with the help of sight?
They told me not of that. An instrument
Fashioned by art, or but a tool, perhaps?
I do not know this sight. Canst teach me, then,
Its use and purpose?
Tristan [aside]-
O Almighty powers!
She does not know or dream that she is blind.
-
Iolanthe [after a pause] —
-
Whence art thou? Thou dost use so many words
I find impossible to understand;
And in thy converse, too, there is so much
For me quite new and strange! Say, is the vale
Which is thy home so very different
From this of ours? Then stay, if stay thou canst,
And teach me all that I am wanting in.
Tristan No, O thou sweet and gracious lady, no!
I cannot teach what thou art wanting in.
Iolanthe - - Didst thou but choose, I do believe thou couldst.
They tell me I am tractable and apt.
Many who erewhile have been here have taught me
Now this, now that, which readily I learned.
Make but the trial! I am very sure
Thou hat'st me not. Thy tones are mild and gentle.
Thou wilt not say me nay, when I entreat.
Oh speak! I'm all attention when thou speakest.
Tristan Alas! attention here will stead thee little.
Yet tell me one thing. Thou hast surely learned
That of thy lovely frame there is no part
Without its purpose, or without its use.
Thy hand and fingers serve to grasp at much;
Thy foot, so tiny as it is, with ease
Transports thee wheresoe'er thy wishes point;
The sound of words, the tone, doth pierce the soul
Through the ear's small and tortuous avenues;
The stream of language gushes from thy lips;
Within thy breast abides the delicate breath,
Which heaves, unclogged with care, and sinks again.
Iolanthe All this I've noted well. Prithee, go on.
Tristan - Then tell me, to what end dost thou suppose
Omnipotence hath gifted thee with eyes?
Of what avail to thee are those twin stars,
That sparkle with such wondrous brilliancy
They scorn to grasp the common light of day?
## p. 7322 (#116) ###########################################
7322
HENRIK HERTZ
Iolanthe [touches her eyes, then muses for a little]-
Tristan-
You ask of what avail ? - how can you ask?
And yet I ne'er have given the matter thought.
My eyes! my eyes! 'Tis easy to perceive.
At eve, when I am weary, slumber first
Droops heavy on my eyes, and thence it spreads
O'er all my body, with no thought of mine,
As feeling vibrates from each finger's tip.
Thus, then, I know my eyes avail me much.
And hast not thou experience had enough,
Wherein thine eyes can minister to thee?
Only the other morn, as I was planting
A little rosebush here, a nimble snake
Leapt out and bit me in the finger; then
With the sharp pain I wept. Another time,
When I had pined for many tedious days,
Because my father was detained from home,
I wept for very gladness when he came!
Through tears I gave my bursting heart relief,
And at mine eyes it found a gushing vent.
Then never ask me unto what avail
Omnipotence hath gifted me with eyes.
Through them when I am weary comes repose,
Through them my sorrow's lightened; and through them
My joy is raised to rapture.
Oh, forgive me!
The question was most foolish; for in thee
Is such an inward radiancy of soul,
Thou hast no need of that which by the light
We through the eye discern. Say, shall I deem
That thou of some unheard-of race art sprung,
Richly endowed with other powers than we?
Thou livest lonely here; this valley, too,
Seems conjured forth by magic 'mongst the hills.
Hast thou come hither from the golden East,
With Peris in thy train? or art thou one
Of Brahma's daughters, and from Ind hast been
Transported hither by a sorcerer ?
O beautiful unknown! if thou be'st sprung
Of mortal men who call the earth their mother,
Be thou to life's so transitory joys
Susceptible as I, and deign to look
With favor on a knight's devoted love!
Hear this his vow: No woman shall efface
## p. 7323 (#117) ###########################################
HENRIK HERTZ
7323
(Stand she in birth and beauty ne'er so high)
The image thou hast stamped upon my soul!
Iolanthe [after a pause-
Thy words are laden with a wondrous power.
Say, from what master didst thou learn the art
To charm by words which yet are mysteries?
Meseemed as though I trod some path alone,
Which I had never trod before; and yet
All seems to me-all, all that thou hast said-
So godlike, so enchanting! Oh speak on-
Yet no,- speak not! rather let me in thought
Linger along the words which thou hast spoken,
That mingled pain and rapture in my soul!
OLANTHE
Iolanthe
Enter Ebn Jahia, the Moorish Physician, leading Iolanthe by the hand.
He beckons to the others to retire
Where art thou leading me?
O God! where am I? Support me-oh, support me!
Ebn Jahia-
Calm thee, my child!
Ebn Jahia-
Translation of Theodore Martin.
THE AWAKENING TO SIGHT
From King René's Daughter'
Iolanthe
Support me. oh, stand still!
I ne'er was here before-what shall I do
Ebn Jahia -
In this strange place? Oh, what is that? Support me!
It comes so close on me it gives me pain.
Iolanthe, calm thee! Look upon the earth!
That still hath been to thee thy truest friend,
And now, too, greets thee with a cordial smile-
This is the garden thou hast ever tended.
Iolanthe -My garden - mine? Alas! I know it not.
The plants are terrible to see - take care!
They're falling on us!
Cease your fears, my child:
These stately trees are the date-palms, whose leaves
And fruit to thee have been long known.
Ah, no!
Indeed, I know them not! [Raises her eyes toward the sky.
This radiance, too,
That everywhere surrounds me-yon great vault,
## p. 7324 (#118) ###########################################
HENRIK HERTZ
7324
Ebn Jahia-
Iolanthe -
That arches there above us-oh, how high! —
What is it? Is it God? Is it his spirit,
Which as you said pervades the universe?
Ebn Jahia-
Yon radiance is the radiance of the light.
God is in it, like as he is in all.
Yon blue profound that fills yon airy vault,
It is the heaven, where, as we do believe,
God hath set up his glorious dwelling-place.
Kneel down, my child! and raise your hands on high,
To heaven's o'er-arching vault, to God—and pray!
Ah, teach me, then, to pray to him as I ought.
No one hath ever told me how I should
Pray to this Deity who rules the world!
Iolanthe [kneels] -
René-
--
Then kneel thee down, my darling child, and say –
"Mysterious Being, who to me hast spoken
When darkness veiled mine eyes, teach me to seek thee
In thy light's beams, that do illume this world;
Still, in the world, teach me to cling to thee! "
Mysterious Being, who to me hast spoken
When darkness veiled mine eyes, teach me to seek thee
In thy light's beams, that do illume this world;
Still, in the world, teach me to cling to thee! —
Yes, he hath heard me. I can feel he hath,
And on me pours the comfort of his peace.
He is the only one that speaks to me,
Invisible and kindly, as before.
Ebn Jahia-
Arise! arise, my child, and look around.
Iolanthe Say, what are these, that bear such noble forms?
Ebn Jahia -
Thou know'st them all.
Iolanthe
René [approaching Iolanthe --
Look on me, Iolanthe
Iolanthe [embracing him-
――
________________
Ah, no; I can know nothing.
me, thy father!
My father! Oh, my God! thou art my father!
I know thee now-thy voice, thy clasping hand.
Stay here! Be my protector, be my guide!
I am so strange here in this world of light.
They've taken all that I possessed away-
All that in old time was thy daughter's joy.
I have culled out a guide for thee, my child.
## p. 7325 (#119) ###########################################
HENRIK HERTZ
7325
René-
Iolanthe Whom mean'st thou?
René pointing to Tristan - See, he stands expecting thee.
Iolanthe -The stranger yonder? Is he one of those
Bright cherubim thou once didst tell me of?
Is he the Angel of the light come down?
Thou knowest him-hast spoken with him.
Iolanthe-With him? with him? [Holds her hands before her eyes.
Think!
Father, I understand.
In yonder glorious form must surely dwell
The voice that late I heard - gentle, yet strong;
The one sole voice that lives in nature's round.
[To Tristan, who advances towards her] —
Oh, but one word of what thou saidst before!
O sweet and gracious lady!
Tristan
Iolanthe
-
René-
List, oh list!
With these dear words the light's benignant rays
Found out a way to me; and these sweet words
With my heart's warmth are intimately blent.
Tristan [embraces her]-
Iolanthe! Dearest!
Blessings on you both
From God, whose wondrous works we all revere !
Translation of Theodore Martin.
## p. 7326 (#120) ###########################################
7326
HESIOD
(NINTH CENTURY B. C. ? )
OR as to Hesiod and Homer, I judge them to have been four
hundred years before me, and not more. It was they who
made a theogony for the Greeks, assigned names to the
gods, distributed their honors and arts, and revealed their forms. The
poets stated to have been before these really lived later than they, in
my judgment. " These words are from the credulous, shrewd, quaint
father of history, Herodotus, and were written between 450 and 400
B. C. The two poets, then, are assigned to the ninth century B. C.
As to the Homeric school, the latest investigations are in agreement
with this early estimate of their age. Hesiod, however, is a younger
member of that school; probably a century later than the chief author
of the Iliad, whom he clearly imitates. Indeed, the use of the Ionic
dialect and epic phrase at all, in an obscure Boeotian village, can
hardly have any other explanation. He is, however, the first of
Greek poets in another sense; for splendid as is the pageant of Tro-
jan myth, the personality of the Homeric singer or singers evades us
completely. The homely unheroic figure of Hesiod, dwelling in his
humble village of Ascra under Helicon, is the earliest of the poets
really visible to us.
Hesiod represents a back current of colonial Asiatic culture, re-
turning to the yet rude undeveloped motherland. His father had
emigrated from Kymè in Asia Minor, a chief centre of Trojan myth
and epic, back to-
"Ascra, in winter vile, most villainous
In summer, and at no time glorious,»
as the ungrateful minstrel describes his birthplace!
Hesiod actually
pastured his sheep on Helicon, and his vision of the Muses has located
them there forever.
The chief creation of Hesiod is called 'Works and Days'; i. e. ,
which to do them. It is
farmers' tasks, and lucky or fit days on
nowise like an almanac in form, however. The poem of a thousand
hexameter verses is dedicated, as it were, to his ungracious brother
Perses. The latter, we hear, had bribed the judges and so secured
the lion's share of the family estate. Again reduced to poverty by
appealed to the poet, who has nothing for
Moreover, Hesiod takes a pessimistic view
sloth and waste, he has
him but caustic advice.
## p. 7327 (#121) ###########################################
HESIOD
7327
of human life. His own iron age is the worst among five successive
periods, and life is hardly endurable. The only break, indeed, in the
gradual decay from the golden through the silvern and brazen ages,
is the interposition-between the latter and the poet's day of iron-
of the nobler heroic age; and the sieges of Thebes and Troy are ex-
pressly mentioned, to point this reminiscence of Homeric song. Zeus
has never forgiven men for Prometheus's theft of fire, and has "hidden
the means of subsistence"; i. e. , has said to man, "In the sweat of
thy brow shalt thou earn thy bread. " The Pandora episode, also, is
brought in to explain the manifold miseries that vex mortal life.
The transitions from one branch of this wide-ranging theme to
another are rather stiff and awkward. Some parts of the poem are
probably lost; and where it becomes, as often, a mere string of max-
ims, the temptation to interpolate similar apophthegms has haunted
the copyists in every age. Altogether, the poem is more interest-
ing piecemeal than as a whole. Still, in the main, it is a genuine
production of a feebly inspired, rather prosy eighth-century rustic
philosopher. In fact, it is our earliest didactic sermon in verse.
The other poem usually assigned to Hesiod- viz. , the 'Theogony'-
is the first connected attempt at tracing the origin of the Greek gods.
It is no description of creation, much less an attempt to solve the
mystery of existence. In the main we have a mere genealogy of the
family sprung from Uranus and Gê (Heaven and Earth), who in turn
are supplied with a sort of ancestry. Herodotus must not mislead us
into thinking these strange figures are the creation of Hesiod, or who-
ever of his school left us the 'Theogony. ' The poet does probably
little more than to record, and in some degree to harmonize, tales
already more or less generally current. Many stories of cannibalism
and outrageous immorality among the gods must have come down
from utterly savage forefathers. These uncanny heirlooms were never
definitely discarded in pagan Greece. Some of the worst accounts of
Divine wickedness were so entangled with beautiful and well-loved
myths that they have been immortalized in the drama, in lyric, in
works of plastic art, and cannot be ignored in any view of Greek
life and thought. Philosophers, and even poets, did indeed make
fearless protest against the ascription of any grievous wickedness to
Deity. Yet it must be confessed that from Homer's song downward,
the gods are altogether inferior in motive and action to the truly
heroic men and women, either of myth and poetry or of historic
record. And this crude and ignoble popular mythology was fixed
and nationalized above all by the Hesiodic Theogony. ' Even so
pure, devout, and original a poet as Eschylus, in the 'Prometheus'
copies Hesiod in many details, though he is probably combating di-
rectly the elder poet's view of Zeus's purpose and character.
-
## p. 7328 (#122) ###########################################
7328
HESIOD
It will be evident, then, that the works of Hesiod are of extreme
interest and value, not chiefly as poetry, but as an early record of
man's gropings about the roots of mystery. The moral philosopher,
the student of mythology, even the historian of agriculture, may find
here more inspiration than the poet.
Symonds (in his 'Greek Poets'), Jebb, and Mahaffy, all have genial
chapters upon Hesiod. We recommend first, however, the literal prose
version in the Bohn library, which is supplied with helpful notes.
The same volume contains metrical versions of both poems by Elton.
In the citations below from the Works and Days,' some attempt is
made to indicate the rhythm and line-for-line arrangement of the
original Greek. The only available edition of Hesiod's poems with
English notes is by F. A. Paley, in the 'Bibliotheca Classica. ' Much
better is the edition including the fragments of lost works, with Latin
notes, by Göttling.
PANDORA
From the Works and Days'
Z
EUS in the wrath of his heart hath hidden the means of subsistence,
Wrathful because he once was deceived by the wily Prometheus.
Therefore it was he devised most grievous troubles for mortals.
Fire he hid; yet that, for men, did the gallant Prometheus
Steal, in a hollow reed, from the dwelling of Zeus the Adviser;
Nor was he seen by the ruler of gods, who delights in the thunder.
Then, in his rage at the deed, cloud-gathering Zeus did address him:
"Iapetionides, in cunning greater than any,
Thou in the theft of the fire, and deceit of me, art exulting,-
Source of grief for thyself, and for men who shall be hereafter.
I in the place of fire will give them a bane, so that all men
May in spirit exult, and find in their misery comfort! "
Speaking thus, loud laughed he, the father of gods and of mortals.
Then he commanded Hephaistos, the cunning artificer, straightway
Mixing water and earth, with speech and force to endow it,
Making it like in face to the gods whose life is eternal.
Virginal, winning, and fair was the shape; and he ordered Athenè
Skillful devices to teach her, the beautiful works of the weaver.
Then did he bid Aphroditè the golden endow her with beauty.
Eager desire, and passion that wasteth the bodies of mortals.
Hermes, guider of men, the destroyer of Argus, he ordered,
Lastly, a shameless mind to accord her, and treacherous nature.
So did he speak. They obeyed Lord Zeus, who is offspring of Kronos.
Straightway out of the earth the renownèd Artificer fashioned
One like a shamefaced maid, at the will of the Ruler of heaven.
"
## p. 7329 (#123) ###########################################
HESIOD
Girdle and ornaments added the bright-eyed goddess Athenè,
Over her body the Graces divine and noble Persuasion
Hung their golden chains, and the Hours with beautiful tresses
Wove her garlands of flowers that bloom in the season of springtime.
All her adornment Pallas Athenè fitted upon her;
Into her bosom Hermes the guide, the destroyer of Argus,
Falsehood, treacherous thoughts, and a thievish nature imparted,--
Such was the will of Zeus who heavily thunders; and lastly
Hermes, herald of gods, endowed her with speech, and the woman
Named Pandora, because all gods who dwell in Olympus
Gave to her gifts that would make her a fatal bane unto mortals.
When now Zeus had finished this snare so deadly and certain,
Famous Argus-slayer, the herald of gods he commanded,
Leading her thence, as a gift to bestow her upon Epimetheus.
He then failed to remember Prometheus had bidden him never
Gifts to accept from Olympian Zeus, but still to return them
Straightway, lest some evil befall thereby unto mortals.
So he received her- and then, when the evil befell, he remembered.
Till that time, upon earth were dwelling the races of mortals
Free and secure from trouble, and free from wearisome labor;
Safe from painful diseases that bring mankind to destruction
(Since full swiftly in misery age unto mortals approacheth).
Now with her hands Pandora the great lid raised from the vessel,
Letting them loose; and grievous the evil for men she provided.
Only Hope was left, in the dwelling securely imprisoned,
Since she under the edge of the cover had lingered, and flew not
Forth; too soon Pandora had fastened the lid of the vessel,-
Such was the will of Zeus, cloud-gatherer, lord of the ægis.
Numberless evils beside to the haunts of men had departed;
Full is the earth of ills, and full no less are the waters.
Freely diseases among mankind by day and in darkness
Hither and thither may pass, and bring much woe upon mortals,-
Voiceless, since of speech high-counseling Zeus has bereft them.
Translation taken by permission from The School of Homer,' by William C.
Lawton
TH
XIII-459
7329
TARTARUS AND THE STYX
From the Theogony'
HE hollow-sounding palaces
Of subterraneous gods there in the front
Ascend, of mighty Pluto and his queen
Awful Persephone. A grisly dog,
## p. 7330 (#124) ###########################################
HESIOD
7330
Implacable, holds watch before the gates;
Of guile malicious. Them who enter there,
With tail and bended ears he fawning soothes;
But suffers not that they with backward step
Repass: whoe'er would issue from the gates
Of Pluto strong, and stern Persephone,
For them with marking eye he lurks; on them
Springs from his couch, and pitiless devours.
There, odious to immortals, dreadful Styx
Inhabits, refluent Ocean's eldest born:
She from the gods apart for ever dwells
In mansions known to fame, with arching roofs
O'erhung, of loftiest rock, and all around
The silver columns lean upon the skies.
Swift-footed Iris, nymph of Thaumas born,
Takes with no frequent embassy her way
O'er the broad main's expanse, when haply strife
Be risen, and 'midst the gods dissension sown.
And if there be among th' Olympian race
Who falsehood utters, Jove sends Iris down,
To bear from far in ewer of gold the wave
Renowned; that from the summit of a rock
Steep, lofty, cold distills. Beneath wide Earth
Abundant from the sacred parent flood,
Through shades of blackest night, the Stygian branch
Of Ocean flows; a tenth of all the streams
To the dread oath allotted. In nine streams,
Round and around earth and the ocean broad
With silver whirlpools mazy-rolled, at length
It falls into the main; one stream alone
Glides from the rock, a mighty bane to gods.
Who of immortals that inhabit still
Olympus topt with snow, libation pours
And is forsworn, he one whole year entire
Lies reft of breath, nor yet approaches once
The nectared and ambrosial sweet repast;
But still reclines on the spread festive couch,
Mute, breathless; and a mortal lethargy
O'erwhelms him; but, his malady absolved
With the great round of the revolving year,
More ills on ills afflictive seize: nine years
From ever-living deities remote
His lot is cast; in council nor in feast
Once joins he, till nine years entire are full;
## p. 7331 (#125) ###########################################
HESIOD
7331
The tenth again he mingles with the blest
In synod, who th' Olympian mansions hold.
So great an oath the deities of heaven
Decreed the waters incorruptible,
Ancient, of Styx.
Translation of Elton.
MAXIMS
From the Works and Days'
NEV
EVER a man hath won him a nobler prize than a woman,
If she be good; but again there is naught else worse than a
bad one.
EVEN the potter jealous of potter, and craftsman of craftsman ;
Even the beggar is grudging to beggar, and poet to poet!
BUT do thou store these matters away in thy memory, Perses!
Let not contention, the lover of mischief, withhold thee from labor,
While in the market-place thou art hearkening, eager for quarrels.
ONCE we our heritage shared already. Cajoling the rulers,—
Men who were greedy for bribes, and were willing to grant you the
judgment,
You then plundered and carried away far more than your portion.
Fools were they, unaware how the whole by a half is exceeded;
Little they know how great is the blessing with mallow and lentils.
TRULY, the gods keep hid from mortals the means of subsistence;
Else in a single day thou well mightst win by thy labor
What would suffice for a year, although thou idle remainest.
Ended then were the labors of toilsome mules and of oxen.
EVIL he worketh himself who worketh ill to another.
BUT remembering still my injunction,
Work, O Perses sprung from the gods, that Famine may ever
Hate you, and dear may you be to Demeter of beautiful garlands,
Awesome one, and still may she fill thy garner with plenty.
WORK is no disgrace; but the shame is, not to be working:
If you but work, then he who works not will envy you quickly,
Seeing your wealth increase; with wealth come honor and glory.
SUMMON the man who loves thee to banquet; thy enemy bid not.
Summon him most of all who dwells most closely beside thee;
## p. 7332 (#126) ###########################################
HESIOD
7332
Since if aught that is strange or evil chance to befall thee,
Neighbors come ungirt, but kinsmen wait to be girded.
TAKE your fill when the cask is broached and when it is failing.
Midway spare; at the lees 'tis not worth while to be sparing.
CALL with a smile-for a witness, although 'tis your brother you
deal with.
―
GET thee a dwelling first, and a woman, and ox for the plowing:
Buy thou a woman, not wed her, that she may follow the oxen.
THIS shall the remedy be, if thou art belated in plowing:
When in the leaves of the oak is heard the voice of the cuckoo
First, that across the unbounded earth brings pleasure to mortals,
Three days long let Zeus pour down his rain without ceasing,
So that the ox-hoof's print it fills, yet not overflows it:
Then may the plowman belated be equal with him who was timely.
PASS by the seat at the forge, and the well-warmed tavern, in winter.
That is the time when the man not slothful increases his substance.
SHUN thou seats in the shade, nor sleep till the dawn (! ) in the season
When it is harvest-time, and your skin is parched in the sunshine.
SEEK thou a homeless thrall, and a serving-maid who is childless.
PRAISE thou a little vessel; bestow thy freight in a large one.
DO NOT Stow in the hollowed vessel the whole of thy substance;
Leave thou more behind, and carry the less for a cargo.
Hateful is it to meet with a loss on the watery billows;
Hateful too if, loading excessive weight on a wagon,
Thou shouldst crush thine axle and so thy burden be wasted.
ROBERT HERRICK
7313
TO DAISIES, NOT TO SHUT SO SOON
SHUT
HUT not so soon; the dull-eyed night
Has not as yet begun
To make a seisure on the light,
Or to seal up the sun.
XIII-458
No marigolds yet closed are;
No shadows great appear;
Nor doth the early shepherds'-star
Shine like a spangle here.
Stay ye but till my Julia close
Her life-begetting eye;
And let the whole world then dispose
Itself to live or die.
STAY
TAY while ye will, or go;
And leave no scent behind ye;
Yet trust me, I shall know
The place where I may find ye:
WHY
TO CARNATIONS
TO PRIMROSES FILLED WITH MORNING DEW
Y do ye weep, sweet babes? Can tears
Speak grief in you,
Who were but born
Just as the morn
Teemed her refreshing dew?
Alas! ye have not known that shower
That mars a flower;
Nor felt th' unkind
Breath of the blasting wind;
Nor are ye worn with years;
Or warped, as we,
Who think it strange to see
Within my Lucia's cheek
(Whose livery ye wear),
Play ye at hide-and-seek,—
I'm sure to find ye there.
## p. 7314 (#108) ###########################################
ROBERT HERRICK
7314
Such pretty flowers, like unto orphans young,
Speaking by tears before ye have a tongue.
Speak, whimpering younglings, and make known
The reason why
Ye droop and weep.
Is it for want of sleep,
Or childish lullaby?
Or that ye have not seen as yet
The violet?
Or brought a kiss
From that sweetheart to this?
No, no; this sorrow, shown
By your tears shed,
Would have this lecture read:
"That things of greatest, so of meanest worth,
Conceived with grief are, and with tears brought forth. ”
YⓇ
TO MEADOWS
E HAVE been fresh and green;
Ye have been filled with flowers;
And ye the walks have been
Where maids have spent their hours;
Ye have beheld where they
With wicker arks did come,
To kiss and bear away
The richer cowslips home;
You've heard them sweetly sing,
And seen them in a round;
Each virgin, like the spring.
With honeysuckles crowned.
But now we see none here
Whose silvery feet did tread,
And with disheveled hair
Adorned this smoother mead.
Like unthrifts, having spent
Your stock, and needy grown,
You're left here to lament
Your poor estates alone.
## p. 7315 (#109) ###########################################
ROBERT HERRICK
7315
TO VIOLETS
ELCOME, maids of honor:
You do bring
In the Spring,
WE
And wait upon her.
She has virgins many
Fresh and fair;
Yet you are
More sweet than any.
Y' are the maiden posies,
And so graced
To be placed
Fore damask roses.
Yet though thus respected,
By-and-by
Ye do lie,
Poor girls, neglected.
HⓇ
THE NIGHT PIECE-TO JULIA
ER eyes the glow-worm lend thee,
The shooting-stars attend thee;
And the elves also,
Whose little eyes glow
Like the sparks of fire, befriend thee.
No Will-o-th'-wisp mislight thee,
Nor snake nor slow-worm bite thee:
But on thy way
Not making stay,
Since ghost there's none t'affright thee!
Let not the dark thee cumber;
What though the moon does slumber?
The stars of the night
Will lend thee their light,
Like tapers clear, without number.
Then, Julia, let me woo thee
Thus, thus to come unto me;
And when I shall meet
Thy silvery feet,
My soul I'll pour into thee
## p. 7316 (#110) ###########################################
7316
ROBERT HERRICK
MRS. ELIZ. WHEELER
UNDER THE NAME OF THE LOST SHEPHERDESS
MONG the myrtles as I walkt,
Love and my sighs thus intertalkt:
Tell me, said I, in deep distress,
Where I may find my Shepherdess.
Thou fool, said Love, know'st thou not this?
A
In everything that's sweet, she is.
In yond' carnation go and seek
Where thou shalt find her lip and cheek;
In that enameled pansy by,
There thou shalt have her curious eye;
In bloom of peach and rose's bud,
There waves the streamer of her blood.
'Tis true, said I; and thereupon
I went to pluck them one by one,
To make of parts an union;
But on a sudden all were gone.
At which I stopt: said Love, these be
The true resemblances of thee;
For as these flowers, thy joys must die,
And in the turning of an eye;
And all thy hopes of her must wither,
Like those short sweets ere knit together.
DELIGHT IN DISORDER
A
SWEET disorder in the dress
Kindles in clothes a wantonness :
A Lawn about the shoulders thrown
Into a fine distractión-
An erring Lace, which here and there
Enthralls the crimson Stomacher-
A Cuffe neglectful, and thereby
Ribbands to flow confusedly.
A winning wave (deserving Note)
In the tempestuous petticoat-
A careless shoestring, in whose tye
I see a wild civility—
Do more bewitch me, than when Art
Is too precise in every part.
## p. 7317 (#111) ###########################################
7317
HENRIK HERTZ
(1798-1870)
HE literary activity of Henrik Hertz falls within the golden
age of Danish literature. The opening years of the nine-
teenth century brought Oehlenschläger's first great poem,
followed by his Poetical Writings' and tragedies. A little later,
Hauch began writing his lyrics and romances in verse; Heiberg was
taking his position as critic and as creator of the Danish vaudeville;
Heiberg's mother, the Baroness Gyllembourg, was writing her popu-
lar novels, shielding her identity by signing them "By the Author of
'An Every-Day Story" (her first successful
novel); and finally, Hans Christian Ander-
sen joined the ranks with his famous 'Fairy
Tales. ' On the threshold of the century
stood Baggesen, who in spite of his sincere
admiration for the rising school of roman-
ticism had remained the representative of
the classic school, and had fought a brave
battle for form, when Oehlenschläger in the
enthusiasm of a wider vision began to neg-
lect it.
Continuing the line of Denmark's liter-
ary men of the first rank came Hertz, whose
career at the outset had-temporarily-a
direct connection with Baggesen. As dis-
tinguished among the greater Danish lyrical poets and the writers of
his own time, he may be called the poet of passion, while Oehlen-
schläger stands as the poet of dignity, and Heiberg as the poet of
form. Born of Jewish parents in Copenhagen, on August 25th, 1798,
the boy was early orphaned, and brought up by a relative, an editor
of a leading newspaper. A literary atmosphere thus became his nat-
ural element early in life; and it is not remarkable that he showed his
preference for authorship and his gifts for it rather than for the bar,
to which he was nevertheless called in 1825. He began his literary
activity with three or four plays, including 'Buchardt and his Fam-
ily' (1827), 'Love and Policy,' and 'Cupid's Strokes of Genius' (1830).
But in the last-mentioned year, when Baggesen had been dead some
four years, Copenhagen was startled by the publication of a satirical
HENRIK HERTZ
## p. 7318 (#112) ###########################################
7318
HENRIK HERTZ
literary criticism, purporting to be the great poet's message and com-
mentary from another world, under the title of Letters of a Ghost. '
It exhibited Baggesen's ironical humor, critical insight, and finish of
style; but all was blended with a wider sympathy and a broader tol-
erance than Baggesen had shown during his later years. The volume
was by Henrik Hertz, who however did not acknowledge the author-
ship till later, though the book met with enormous success and was
the talk of the town for a season. It may be noted in passing that
the Letters' contained a cutting criticism of Hans Christian Ander-
sen's earlier writings, severe enough to cause that sensitive author
many an hour of depression; and that when Andersen met Hertz
some years later in Rome, he had not yet conquered his dread of
the critic. They became excellent friends; and when Andersen found
his true field and held it, with his fairy tales, Hertz became one of
his warmest admirers.
Continuing to devote himself to the stage, Hertz wrote The
Savings Bank,' a comedy which had a great success, and still holds
the stage to-day. In 1838 he advanced into the romantic drama in
verse, Svend Dyring's House. ' The subject of this piece he took
from the old Danish folk-songs, and kept throughout their tone of
simplicity and tenderness. We find in this drama the knightly lover
cutting runes in an apple, that he may by their help win the love of
the gentle Regisse. We have the wicked stepmother who tries to win
the knight for her own unlovable daughter, cruelly neglecting Regisse
and her little sisters. We have the ghost of the dead mother, who
comes at night to give her own little children the motherly care they
so sadly need. Finally, after much sorrow, the lovers are happily
united. All is framed in the most exquisite verse, and presented with
great literary charm and dramatic power. The subject was so essen-
tially Danish, however, that it did not spread Hertz's fame outside of
his own country.
To the foreign world, in fact, Henrik Hertz is principally known
by one work, 'King René's Daughter,' a charming romantic drama,
dated as late as 1845. It was read and acted with immediate and
immense success in Denmark, where it is still in every repertory,
and thence passed into the standard library of the cultivated world.
In 1848 followed the author's tragedy of 'Ninon,' a high proof of his
artistic and dramatic power; but 'Ninon' is not universally known
like its charming predecessor. King René's Daughter,' the scene
of which is laid in Provence, is of most simple texture. It is more
like a pretty folk-tale than a drama, although its half-dozen person-
ages include historical ones, and even its heroine, the gentle Iolanthe,
is an idealized Princess Yolande, daughter of the real King René. It
is full of the charm of innocence, pure love, and chivalric romance,
## p. 7319 (#113) ###########################################
HENRIK HERTZ
7319
and a certain idyllic freshness exhales from every page and situation
of it, like the perfume from the roses in the blind Iolanthe's garden.
Sweet, almost pastoral and yet moving to a romantic climax, it is in
touch with such things as Shakespeare's 'Winter's Tale,' or some of
those Provençal legends that the poets of Southern France have set
in verse. The diction is beautiful, and rarely has so happy a balance
between the play to read and the play to act been maintained. It
has passed into translations everywhere; and, a distinctively Southern
subject treated by a Northern poet, it stands for a kind of graft of
palm on pine.
Hertz's life was his literary work; and the record of that is its
most interesting element to the world. He died in Copenhagen,
February 25th, 1870.
THE BLIND PRINCESS
From King René's Daughter'
[The Princess Iolanthe, a lovely maid, has been brought up in complete
ignorance of the fact that her beautiful eyes have ever lacked the power of
sight, and in entire inability to judge of what the faculty of sight may be to
others. She has never heard of it, and is so free and unconstrained in all her
movements as not to need such a sense for her further happiness. Count Tris-
tan of Vaudemont makes his way to her garden retreat, and falls passionately
in love with her, unaware of her misfortune; and so ensues this dialogue. ]
RISTAN-Pray give me one of yonder blushing roses,
TRE
That rear their petals, fairest 'mongst all flowers,
As though they were the counterfeit of thee!
Iolanthe - A rose?
Tristan
Oh, willingly! [Plucks and gives him a white rose.
Ah, it is white!
-
Give me the red one, that is fair as thou!
Iolanthe - What meanest thou? – a red one?
Tristan [pointing]-
Iolanthe -Take it thyself!
Tristan-
One of these.
No; let me keep the rose
Which thou hast chosen, which thy fair hand has gathered.
And in good sooth, I do applaud thy choice.
For the white rose, within whose calyx sleeps
A faint and trembling ruddiness, betypes
The dream-like beauty of this garden fair.
Give me another rose a white one too;
Then with the twin flowers will I deck my cap,
And wear them as thy colors evermore.
## p. 7320 (#114) ###########################################
HENRIK HERTZ
7320
Iolanthe plucks and gives him a red rose] -
Here is a rose: meanest thou one like this?
Tristan [starts]—I asked thee for a white rose.
Iolanthe
Well, and this?
Tristan - Why this? [Aside. ] What thought comes o'er me?
[Aloud. ] Nay, then, tell me
How many roses have I in my hand?
Iolanthe [stretches out her hand towards them] –
――――
Give me them, then.
Tristan
Iolanthe
Tristan [aside]-
-
Iolanthe
-
[Holds up the two roses, along with another which he
has himself gathered]
How can I so?
Iolanthe
Tristan -
Tristan [confused]--
[Aloud, and with a faltering voice] —
Nay, I am sure you know.
Alas! alas! she's blind!
No; you mistake.
If I would know how anything is shaped,
Or what its number, I must touch it first.
Is not this clear?
Nay, tell me without touching.
Yes, certainly; you're right.
And yet sometimes-
—
Well, well?
sometimes? Speak! speak!
I think there are — that there are certain things
Which we distinguish by their hues alone,
-
As various kinds of flowers, and various stuffs.
Iolanthe - Thou mean'st by this their character, their form-
Is it not so?
Nay, not exactly that.
Tristan -
Iolanthe - Is it so hard, then, to distinguish flowers?
Are not the roses round and soft and fine,
Round to the feeling, as the zephyr's breath,
And soft and glowing as a summer's eve?
Are gilliflowers like roses? No; their scent
Bedizzies, like the wine I gave to thee.
And then a cactus- are its arrowy points
Not stinging, like the wind when frosts are keen?
Tristan [aside]- Amazement!
[Aloud. ]
Have they never told thee, then,
That objects, things, can be distinguished, though
Placed at a distance, with the aid-of-sight?
Iolanthe― At distance? Yes! I by his twittering know
The little bird that sits upon the roof,
And in like fashion, all men by their voice.
-
## p. 7321 (#115) ###########################################
HENRIK HERTZ
7321
The sprightly steed whereon I daily ride,
I know him in the distance by his pace,
And by his neigh. Yet-with the help of sight?
They told me not of that. An instrument
Fashioned by art, or but a tool, perhaps?
I do not know this sight. Canst teach me, then,
Its use and purpose?
Tristan [aside]-
O Almighty powers!
She does not know or dream that she is blind.
-
Iolanthe [after a pause] —
-
Whence art thou? Thou dost use so many words
I find impossible to understand;
And in thy converse, too, there is so much
For me quite new and strange! Say, is the vale
Which is thy home so very different
From this of ours? Then stay, if stay thou canst,
And teach me all that I am wanting in.
Tristan No, O thou sweet and gracious lady, no!
I cannot teach what thou art wanting in.
Iolanthe - - Didst thou but choose, I do believe thou couldst.
They tell me I am tractable and apt.
Many who erewhile have been here have taught me
Now this, now that, which readily I learned.
Make but the trial! I am very sure
Thou hat'st me not. Thy tones are mild and gentle.
Thou wilt not say me nay, when I entreat.
Oh speak! I'm all attention when thou speakest.
Tristan Alas! attention here will stead thee little.
Yet tell me one thing. Thou hast surely learned
That of thy lovely frame there is no part
Without its purpose, or without its use.
Thy hand and fingers serve to grasp at much;
Thy foot, so tiny as it is, with ease
Transports thee wheresoe'er thy wishes point;
The sound of words, the tone, doth pierce the soul
Through the ear's small and tortuous avenues;
The stream of language gushes from thy lips;
Within thy breast abides the delicate breath,
Which heaves, unclogged with care, and sinks again.
Iolanthe All this I've noted well. Prithee, go on.
Tristan - Then tell me, to what end dost thou suppose
Omnipotence hath gifted thee with eyes?
Of what avail to thee are those twin stars,
That sparkle with such wondrous brilliancy
They scorn to grasp the common light of day?
## p. 7322 (#116) ###########################################
7322
HENRIK HERTZ
Iolanthe [touches her eyes, then muses for a little]-
Tristan-
You ask of what avail ? - how can you ask?
And yet I ne'er have given the matter thought.
My eyes! my eyes! 'Tis easy to perceive.
At eve, when I am weary, slumber first
Droops heavy on my eyes, and thence it spreads
O'er all my body, with no thought of mine,
As feeling vibrates from each finger's tip.
Thus, then, I know my eyes avail me much.
And hast not thou experience had enough,
Wherein thine eyes can minister to thee?
Only the other morn, as I was planting
A little rosebush here, a nimble snake
Leapt out and bit me in the finger; then
With the sharp pain I wept. Another time,
When I had pined for many tedious days,
Because my father was detained from home,
I wept for very gladness when he came!
Through tears I gave my bursting heart relief,
And at mine eyes it found a gushing vent.
Then never ask me unto what avail
Omnipotence hath gifted me with eyes.
Through them when I am weary comes repose,
Through them my sorrow's lightened; and through them
My joy is raised to rapture.
Oh, forgive me!
The question was most foolish; for in thee
Is such an inward radiancy of soul,
Thou hast no need of that which by the light
We through the eye discern. Say, shall I deem
That thou of some unheard-of race art sprung,
Richly endowed with other powers than we?
Thou livest lonely here; this valley, too,
Seems conjured forth by magic 'mongst the hills.
Hast thou come hither from the golden East,
With Peris in thy train? or art thou one
Of Brahma's daughters, and from Ind hast been
Transported hither by a sorcerer ?
O beautiful unknown! if thou be'st sprung
Of mortal men who call the earth their mother,
Be thou to life's so transitory joys
Susceptible as I, and deign to look
With favor on a knight's devoted love!
Hear this his vow: No woman shall efface
## p. 7323 (#117) ###########################################
HENRIK HERTZ
7323
(Stand she in birth and beauty ne'er so high)
The image thou hast stamped upon my soul!
Iolanthe [after a pause-
Thy words are laden with a wondrous power.
Say, from what master didst thou learn the art
To charm by words which yet are mysteries?
Meseemed as though I trod some path alone,
Which I had never trod before; and yet
All seems to me-all, all that thou hast said-
So godlike, so enchanting! Oh speak on-
Yet no,- speak not! rather let me in thought
Linger along the words which thou hast spoken,
That mingled pain and rapture in my soul!
OLANTHE
Iolanthe
Enter Ebn Jahia, the Moorish Physician, leading Iolanthe by the hand.
He beckons to the others to retire
Where art thou leading me?
O God! where am I? Support me-oh, support me!
Ebn Jahia-
Calm thee, my child!
Ebn Jahia-
Translation of Theodore Martin.
THE AWAKENING TO SIGHT
From King René's Daughter'
Iolanthe
Support me. oh, stand still!
I ne'er was here before-what shall I do
Ebn Jahia -
In this strange place? Oh, what is that? Support me!
It comes so close on me it gives me pain.
Iolanthe, calm thee! Look upon the earth!
That still hath been to thee thy truest friend,
And now, too, greets thee with a cordial smile-
This is the garden thou hast ever tended.
Iolanthe -My garden - mine? Alas! I know it not.
The plants are terrible to see - take care!
They're falling on us!
Cease your fears, my child:
These stately trees are the date-palms, whose leaves
And fruit to thee have been long known.
Ah, no!
Indeed, I know them not! [Raises her eyes toward the sky.
This radiance, too,
That everywhere surrounds me-yon great vault,
## p. 7324 (#118) ###########################################
HENRIK HERTZ
7324
Ebn Jahia-
Iolanthe -
That arches there above us-oh, how high! —
What is it? Is it God? Is it his spirit,
Which as you said pervades the universe?
Ebn Jahia-
Yon radiance is the radiance of the light.
God is in it, like as he is in all.
Yon blue profound that fills yon airy vault,
It is the heaven, where, as we do believe,
God hath set up his glorious dwelling-place.
Kneel down, my child! and raise your hands on high,
To heaven's o'er-arching vault, to God—and pray!
Ah, teach me, then, to pray to him as I ought.
No one hath ever told me how I should
Pray to this Deity who rules the world!
Iolanthe [kneels] -
René-
--
Then kneel thee down, my darling child, and say –
"Mysterious Being, who to me hast spoken
When darkness veiled mine eyes, teach me to seek thee
In thy light's beams, that do illume this world;
Still, in the world, teach me to cling to thee! "
Mysterious Being, who to me hast spoken
When darkness veiled mine eyes, teach me to seek thee
In thy light's beams, that do illume this world;
Still, in the world, teach me to cling to thee! —
Yes, he hath heard me. I can feel he hath,
And on me pours the comfort of his peace.
He is the only one that speaks to me,
Invisible and kindly, as before.
Ebn Jahia-
Arise! arise, my child, and look around.
Iolanthe Say, what are these, that bear such noble forms?
Ebn Jahia -
Thou know'st them all.
Iolanthe
René [approaching Iolanthe --
Look on me, Iolanthe
Iolanthe [embracing him-
――
________________
Ah, no; I can know nothing.
me, thy father!
My father! Oh, my God! thou art my father!
I know thee now-thy voice, thy clasping hand.
Stay here! Be my protector, be my guide!
I am so strange here in this world of light.
They've taken all that I possessed away-
All that in old time was thy daughter's joy.
I have culled out a guide for thee, my child.
## p. 7325 (#119) ###########################################
HENRIK HERTZ
7325
René-
Iolanthe Whom mean'st thou?
René pointing to Tristan - See, he stands expecting thee.
Iolanthe -The stranger yonder? Is he one of those
Bright cherubim thou once didst tell me of?
Is he the Angel of the light come down?
Thou knowest him-hast spoken with him.
Iolanthe-With him? with him? [Holds her hands before her eyes.
Think!
Father, I understand.
In yonder glorious form must surely dwell
The voice that late I heard - gentle, yet strong;
The one sole voice that lives in nature's round.
[To Tristan, who advances towards her] —
Oh, but one word of what thou saidst before!
O sweet and gracious lady!
Tristan
Iolanthe
-
René-
List, oh list!
With these dear words the light's benignant rays
Found out a way to me; and these sweet words
With my heart's warmth are intimately blent.
Tristan [embraces her]-
Iolanthe! Dearest!
Blessings on you both
From God, whose wondrous works we all revere !
Translation of Theodore Martin.
## p. 7326 (#120) ###########################################
7326
HESIOD
(NINTH CENTURY B. C. ? )
OR as to Hesiod and Homer, I judge them to have been four
hundred years before me, and not more. It was they who
made a theogony for the Greeks, assigned names to the
gods, distributed their honors and arts, and revealed their forms. The
poets stated to have been before these really lived later than they, in
my judgment. " These words are from the credulous, shrewd, quaint
father of history, Herodotus, and were written between 450 and 400
B. C. The two poets, then, are assigned to the ninth century B. C.
As to the Homeric school, the latest investigations are in agreement
with this early estimate of their age. Hesiod, however, is a younger
member of that school; probably a century later than the chief author
of the Iliad, whom he clearly imitates. Indeed, the use of the Ionic
dialect and epic phrase at all, in an obscure Boeotian village, can
hardly have any other explanation. He is, however, the first of
Greek poets in another sense; for splendid as is the pageant of Tro-
jan myth, the personality of the Homeric singer or singers evades us
completely. The homely unheroic figure of Hesiod, dwelling in his
humble village of Ascra under Helicon, is the earliest of the poets
really visible to us.
Hesiod represents a back current of colonial Asiatic culture, re-
turning to the yet rude undeveloped motherland. His father had
emigrated from Kymè in Asia Minor, a chief centre of Trojan myth
and epic, back to-
"Ascra, in winter vile, most villainous
In summer, and at no time glorious,»
as the ungrateful minstrel describes his birthplace!
Hesiod actually
pastured his sheep on Helicon, and his vision of the Muses has located
them there forever.
The chief creation of Hesiod is called 'Works and Days'; i. e. ,
which to do them. It is
farmers' tasks, and lucky or fit days on
nowise like an almanac in form, however. The poem of a thousand
hexameter verses is dedicated, as it were, to his ungracious brother
Perses. The latter, we hear, had bribed the judges and so secured
the lion's share of the family estate. Again reduced to poverty by
appealed to the poet, who has nothing for
Moreover, Hesiod takes a pessimistic view
sloth and waste, he has
him but caustic advice.
## p. 7327 (#121) ###########################################
HESIOD
7327
of human life. His own iron age is the worst among five successive
periods, and life is hardly endurable. The only break, indeed, in the
gradual decay from the golden through the silvern and brazen ages,
is the interposition-between the latter and the poet's day of iron-
of the nobler heroic age; and the sieges of Thebes and Troy are ex-
pressly mentioned, to point this reminiscence of Homeric song. Zeus
has never forgiven men for Prometheus's theft of fire, and has "hidden
the means of subsistence"; i. e. , has said to man, "In the sweat of
thy brow shalt thou earn thy bread. " The Pandora episode, also, is
brought in to explain the manifold miseries that vex mortal life.
The transitions from one branch of this wide-ranging theme to
another are rather stiff and awkward. Some parts of the poem are
probably lost; and where it becomes, as often, a mere string of max-
ims, the temptation to interpolate similar apophthegms has haunted
the copyists in every age. Altogether, the poem is more interest-
ing piecemeal than as a whole. Still, in the main, it is a genuine
production of a feebly inspired, rather prosy eighth-century rustic
philosopher. In fact, it is our earliest didactic sermon in verse.
The other poem usually assigned to Hesiod- viz. , the 'Theogony'-
is the first connected attempt at tracing the origin of the Greek gods.
It is no description of creation, much less an attempt to solve the
mystery of existence. In the main we have a mere genealogy of the
family sprung from Uranus and Gê (Heaven and Earth), who in turn
are supplied with a sort of ancestry. Herodotus must not mislead us
into thinking these strange figures are the creation of Hesiod, or who-
ever of his school left us the 'Theogony. ' The poet does probably
little more than to record, and in some degree to harmonize, tales
already more or less generally current. Many stories of cannibalism
and outrageous immorality among the gods must have come down
from utterly savage forefathers. These uncanny heirlooms were never
definitely discarded in pagan Greece. Some of the worst accounts of
Divine wickedness were so entangled with beautiful and well-loved
myths that they have been immortalized in the drama, in lyric, in
works of plastic art, and cannot be ignored in any view of Greek
life and thought. Philosophers, and even poets, did indeed make
fearless protest against the ascription of any grievous wickedness to
Deity. Yet it must be confessed that from Homer's song downward,
the gods are altogether inferior in motive and action to the truly
heroic men and women, either of myth and poetry or of historic
record. And this crude and ignoble popular mythology was fixed
and nationalized above all by the Hesiodic Theogony. ' Even so
pure, devout, and original a poet as Eschylus, in the 'Prometheus'
copies Hesiod in many details, though he is probably combating di-
rectly the elder poet's view of Zeus's purpose and character.
-
## p. 7328 (#122) ###########################################
7328
HESIOD
It will be evident, then, that the works of Hesiod are of extreme
interest and value, not chiefly as poetry, but as an early record of
man's gropings about the roots of mystery. The moral philosopher,
the student of mythology, even the historian of agriculture, may find
here more inspiration than the poet.
Symonds (in his 'Greek Poets'), Jebb, and Mahaffy, all have genial
chapters upon Hesiod. We recommend first, however, the literal prose
version in the Bohn library, which is supplied with helpful notes.
The same volume contains metrical versions of both poems by Elton.
In the citations below from the Works and Days,' some attempt is
made to indicate the rhythm and line-for-line arrangement of the
original Greek. The only available edition of Hesiod's poems with
English notes is by F. A. Paley, in the 'Bibliotheca Classica. ' Much
better is the edition including the fragments of lost works, with Latin
notes, by Göttling.
PANDORA
From the Works and Days'
Z
EUS in the wrath of his heart hath hidden the means of subsistence,
Wrathful because he once was deceived by the wily Prometheus.
Therefore it was he devised most grievous troubles for mortals.
Fire he hid; yet that, for men, did the gallant Prometheus
Steal, in a hollow reed, from the dwelling of Zeus the Adviser;
Nor was he seen by the ruler of gods, who delights in the thunder.
Then, in his rage at the deed, cloud-gathering Zeus did address him:
"Iapetionides, in cunning greater than any,
Thou in the theft of the fire, and deceit of me, art exulting,-
Source of grief for thyself, and for men who shall be hereafter.
I in the place of fire will give them a bane, so that all men
May in spirit exult, and find in their misery comfort! "
Speaking thus, loud laughed he, the father of gods and of mortals.
Then he commanded Hephaistos, the cunning artificer, straightway
Mixing water and earth, with speech and force to endow it,
Making it like in face to the gods whose life is eternal.
Virginal, winning, and fair was the shape; and he ordered Athenè
Skillful devices to teach her, the beautiful works of the weaver.
Then did he bid Aphroditè the golden endow her with beauty.
Eager desire, and passion that wasteth the bodies of mortals.
Hermes, guider of men, the destroyer of Argus, he ordered,
Lastly, a shameless mind to accord her, and treacherous nature.
So did he speak. They obeyed Lord Zeus, who is offspring of Kronos.
Straightway out of the earth the renownèd Artificer fashioned
One like a shamefaced maid, at the will of the Ruler of heaven.
"
## p. 7329 (#123) ###########################################
HESIOD
Girdle and ornaments added the bright-eyed goddess Athenè,
Over her body the Graces divine and noble Persuasion
Hung their golden chains, and the Hours with beautiful tresses
Wove her garlands of flowers that bloom in the season of springtime.
All her adornment Pallas Athenè fitted upon her;
Into her bosom Hermes the guide, the destroyer of Argus,
Falsehood, treacherous thoughts, and a thievish nature imparted,--
Such was the will of Zeus who heavily thunders; and lastly
Hermes, herald of gods, endowed her with speech, and the woman
Named Pandora, because all gods who dwell in Olympus
Gave to her gifts that would make her a fatal bane unto mortals.
When now Zeus had finished this snare so deadly and certain,
Famous Argus-slayer, the herald of gods he commanded,
Leading her thence, as a gift to bestow her upon Epimetheus.
He then failed to remember Prometheus had bidden him never
Gifts to accept from Olympian Zeus, but still to return them
Straightway, lest some evil befall thereby unto mortals.
So he received her- and then, when the evil befell, he remembered.
Till that time, upon earth were dwelling the races of mortals
Free and secure from trouble, and free from wearisome labor;
Safe from painful diseases that bring mankind to destruction
(Since full swiftly in misery age unto mortals approacheth).
Now with her hands Pandora the great lid raised from the vessel,
Letting them loose; and grievous the evil for men she provided.
Only Hope was left, in the dwelling securely imprisoned,
Since she under the edge of the cover had lingered, and flew not
Forth; too soon Pandora had fastened the lid of the vessel,-
Such was the will of Zeus, cloud-gatherer, lord of the ægis.
Numberless evils beside to the haunts of men had departed;
Full is the earth of ills, and full no less are the waters.
Freely diseases among mankind by day and in darkness
Hither and thither may pass, and bring much woe upon mortals,-
Voiceless, since of speech high-counseling Zeus has bereft them.
Translation taken by permission from The School of Homer,' by William C.
Lawton
TH
XIII-459
7329
TARTARUS AND THE STYX
From the Theogony'
HE hollow-sounding palaces
Of subterraneous gods there in the front
Ascend, of mighty Pluto and his queen
Awful Persephone. A grisly dog,
## p. 7330 (#124) ###########################################
HESIOD
7330
Implacable, holds watch before the gates;
Of guile malicious. Them who enter there,
With tail and bended ears he fawning soothes;
But suffers not that they with backward step
Repass: whoe'er would issue from the gates
Of Pluto strong, and stern Persephone,
For them with marking eye he lurks; on them
Springs from his couch, and pitiless devours.
There, odious to immortals, dreadful Styx
Inhabits, refluent Ocean's eldest born:
She from the gods apart for ever dwells
In mansions known to fame, with arching roofs
O'erhung, of loftiest rock, and all around
The silver columns lean upon the skies.
Swift-footed Iris, nymph of Thaumas born,
Takes with no frequent embassy her way
O'er the broad main's expanse, when haply strife
Be risen, and 'midst the gods dissension sown.
And if there be among th' Olympian race
Who falsehood utters, Jove sends Iris down,
To bear from far in ewer of gold the wave
Renowned; that from the summit of a rock
Steep, lofty, cold distills. Beneath wide Earth
Abundant from the sacred parent flood,
Through shades of blackest night, the Stygian branch
Of Ocean flows; a tenth of all the streams
To the dread oath allotted. In nine streams,
Round and around earth and the ocean broad
With silver whirlpools mazy-rolled, at length
It falls into the main; one stream alone
Glides from the rock, a mighty bane to gods.
Who of immortals that inhabit still
Olympus topt with snow, libation pours
And is forsworn, he one whole year entire
Lies reft of breath, nor yet approaches once
The nectared and ambrosial sweet repast;
But still reclines on the spread festive couch,
Mute, breathless; and a mortal lethargy
O'erwhelms him; but, his malady absolved
With the great round of the revolving year,
More ills on ills afflictive seize: nine years
From ever-living deities remote
His lot is cast; in council nor in feast
Once joins he, till nine years entire are full;
## p. 7331 (#125) ###########################################
HESIOD
7331
The tenth again he mingles with the blest
In synod, who th' Olympian mansions hold.
So great an oath the deities of heaven
Decreed the waters incorruptible,
Ancient, of Styx.
Translation of Elton.
MAXIMS
From the Works and Days'
NEV
EVER a man hath won him a nobler prize than a woman,
If she be good; but again there is naught else worse than a
bad one.
EVEN the potter jealous of potter, and craftsman of craftsman ;
Even the beggar is grudging to beggar, and poet to poet!
BUT do thou store these matters away in thy memory, Perses!
Let not contention, the lover of mischief, withhold thee from labor,
While in the market-place thou art hearkening, eager for quarrels.
ONCE we our heritage shared already. Cajoling the rulers,—
Men who were greedy for bribes, and were willing to grant you the
judgment,
You then plundered and carried away far more than your portion.
Fools were they, unaware how the whole by a half is exceeded;
Little they know how great is the blessing with mallow and lentils.
TRULY, the gods keep hid from mortals the means of subsistence;
Else in a single day thou well mightst win by thy labor
What would suffice for a year, although thou idle remainest.
Ended then were the labors of toilsome mules and of oxen.
EVIL he worketh himself who worketh ill to another.
BUT remembering still my injunction,
Work, O Perses sprung from the gods, that Famine may ever
Hate you, and dear may you be to Demeter of beautiful garlands,
Awesome one, and still may she fill thy garner with plenty.
WORK is no disgrace; but the shame is, not to be working:
If you but work, then he who works not will envy you quickly,
Seeing your wealth increase; with wealth come honor and glory.
SUMMON the man who loves thee to banquet; thy enemy bid not.
Summon him most of all who dwells most closely beside thee;
## p. 7332 (#126) ###########################################
HESIOD
7332
Since if aught that is strange or evil chance to befall thee,
Neighbors come ungirt, but kinsmen wait to be girded.
TAKE your fill when the cask is broached and when it is failing.
Midway spare; at the lees 'tis not worth while to be sparing.
CALL with a smile-for a witness, although 'tis your brother you
deal with.
―
GET thee a dwelling first, and a woman, and ox for the plowing:
Buy thou a woman, not wed her, that she may follow the oxen.
THIS shall the remedy be, if thou art belated in plowing:
When in the leaves of the oak is heard the voice of the cuckoo
First, that across the unbounded earth brings pleasure to mortals,
Three days long let Zeus pour down his rain without ceasing,
So that the ox-hoof's print it fills, yet not overflows it:
Then may the plowman belated be equal with him who was timely.
PASS by the seat at the forge, and the well-warmed tavern, in winter.
That is the time when the man not slothful increases his substance.
SHUN thou seats in the shade, nor sleep till the dawn (! ) in the season
When it is harvest-time, and your skin is parched in the sunshine.
SEEK thou a homeless thrall, and a serving-maid who is childless.
PRAISE thou a little vessel; bestow thy freight in a large one.
DO NOT Stow in the hollowed vessel the whole of thy substance;
Leave thou more behind, and carry the less for a cargo.
Hateful is it to meet with a loss on the watery billows;
Hateful too if, loading excessive weight on a wagon,
Thou shouldst crush thine axle and so thy burden be wasted.
