Some a place relatively subordinate among the works of this "Dutch In point of fact, it has been assigned by The Dutch critics, however, are by no manner of means That the choral drama of "Lucifer" is the great masterpiece of Dutch It has become a matter of literary tradition, in Holland and out of it, ![]() The University of Louisiana, I also express my thanks for some excellent Thomas Hume, Professor of English Literature in the University Interest in my work, and for his invaluable introduction.Īnd, finally, to my friends, Prof. Carpenter of Columbia University for his kind Volume, is an added reason for my gratitude. The brilliantĪrticle on Vondel and his "Lucifer," with which he has favored this Most painstaking care examined every part of my translation, giving me,įurthermore, the benefit of his critical observations. Of Utrecht, who, though overwhelmed with professional duties, with the Kalff, Professor of Dutch Literature in the University I must also take this opportunity to record the kindness of that eminent ![]() Kalff's "Life of Vondel."īefore closing I wish to thank the poets and scholars of the Netherlandsįor their encouragement. Gosse's charmingĮssays on Vondel, in his "Northern Studies." I must also acknowledge my In writing the former, I found much of value in Mr. Since there is so little in English on the subject. With this version of Vondel's masterpiece I have also been asked to giveĪ sketch of the poet and his time, and an interpretation of the drama, Incidentally fills a wide gap in the Miltonic criticism, and that it My desire has been to give Vondel and VondelĪt the same time, I was not displeased when I received a letter from aĭistinguished American scholar, stating that this translation also To commend it namely, the intrinsic value of the original as a poem andĪs a national masterpiece. Influence on his great English contemporary. Version was not made that it might be adduced as proof of Vondel's With the much discussed question of Milton's indebtedness to Vondel thisĮffort has nothing to do. I have also generally followed Vondel'sĬapitalization and punctuation, and his spelling of the names of theĬharacters, as Belzebub, Rafael, Apollion, etc. Utility and beauty of the chorus is in its music, and the music consists The antique-even to preserving the feminine and interior rimes for the I have, however, scrupulously adhered to the original metres of all theĬhoruses-most of them very involved and intricate, some modelled after It is obvious, too, that this admits of much greater Part of the play I have rendered into blank verse-a metrical form farīetter suited to the English drama, and also more adapted to the genius The body of the drama was written by Vondel in rimed Alexandrines. I have therefore followed the text of the Mere prettinesses are surely not to be expected in a Felicitous paraphrasing is often only aĬonfession of inability to translate an author into the true terms of The original, is but the alloy that lessens the proportion of true gold Every word in a translation of a classic, not in Seems to me, would have weakened a poem-a poem whose chief merit is its Have produced a more ornate and highly finished rendering but this, it I am aware that less accuracy and a greater freedom might in many places Version of Vondel's grand drama-I lay down my pen content. Original beauty linger around the fragment of this offering-this Translation of a great classic prove other than the breaking of theĬhalice and the spilling of the wine! Yet if but some faint aroma of its Spirit-the elusive properties of its soul! But how seldom does the Sacred as is the body of such a poem, yet how much holier is its It is sacred, and every change is but a desecration. ![]() Simplicity, for every syllable of this classic has been hallowed byĬenturies. It has been my aim to preserve the old poet in all his rugged My object has been to give merely a literal but sympathetic Study, and I may therefore be pardoned for calling it a conscientiousĮffort. This translation of the "Lucifer" is the result of years of careful Hath pent within its sphere a name wherewithĮurope should else have rung from side to side." Southey's words on Bilderdÿk, another Dutch bard, might also have been The first English version of that unknown Titan, Vondel, a poet of whom It is with a feeling of diffidence that I offer to American readers this Gabriel, the Herald and Interpreter of Heaven Letter from the Board of the Queen Wilhelmina Lectureship.Īpollion's Meeting with Belzebub and Belial Dedicated by permission To the Holland Society of New Vork Which has ever shown a great interest in the achievements of the heroic race to which it proudly traces its origin and To my brother Charles Leonard van Noppen Whose inspiring love and self-sacrificing devotion have made this effort possible
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |