Daneben reiht sich Haus an Haus, Verschwunden ist die alte Zeit Noch aber geht in diesem Haus Manch wackrer Bürger ein und aus, Goslar, du warst zugethan NOTES. FIRST PERIOD. P. 1, No. I. The incident upon which this popular and heroic ballad, written in 1776, is based, occurred near Verona, on the breaking up of the ice on the Adige, in 1775. The name of the noble rescuer, who is described as a 'poor countryman,' has not been preserved; that of the Count was Spolverini. Bürger wrote the poem, in a moment of inspiration, at one sitting, and he prized it so highly that he designated it as a model ballad,' and called it his 'schönster Sang.' In point of language and rhythm it is certainly the most perfect of his poems, Goethe's ballad on a similar subject will be found further on.* St. 2. Entfleuch, obsol. and poet. for entflich. P. 6, No. II. This adaptation of the popular riddle-ballad, King John and the Abbot of Canterbury,' was first published in 1785. Bürger considerably modified the original, so that the harmless, humorous character of the poem is retained throughout. The subject of the ballad belongs to an almost universal cycle, and occurs in a great many different versions. P. 2, No. P. 7, No. St. 1. Viel Weile-Langeweile. Das Gräschen wachsen hören, is expressive of 'supernatural,' or rather 'impossible wisdom.' St. 5. Kein Tüttelchen, 'not an iota.' St. 6. Statt des Zaumes, &c. This degrading punishment was formerly often inflicted for sloth, neglect of duty, &c. St. 7. Schwulität. Familiar expression for Angst. P. 8, No. -St. 4. Mein Sixchen (a common form of affirmation of obscure origin), 'upon my soul.' P. 9, No. -St. 5. So weisz ich, &c. Percy's Reliques have Now cheare up, Sire Abbot, did you never hear yet, That a fool he may learne a wise man witt? * Cp. p. 38, No. XII. in this volume. t St. stands for Stanza. P. 10, No. and clamour." St. 1. So sehr, &c., 'however much you may boast St. 7. Ihr denket, &c. In the version usually given in editions of Percy's Reliques the Shepherd is made to resemble the Abbot, and in the folio edition they are described as half-brothers.* Bürger wished to localise the occurrence, and he probably chose St. Gallen for the sake of the rhyme. P. 11, No.-St. 2. Quid juris, 'what is right'; here 'what's what.' St. 6. A Panisbrief, 'letter of sustenance'; in mediæval German history, 'an imperial order to some monastery to maintain a Layman.' P. 12, No. III. This mythical ballad, published in 1786, is based on an ancient and widely-spread legend, occurring in various forms, and made popular by art, music and poetry. Bürger himself considered this poem, which is distinguished throughout by a lively dramatic movement, as his 'sun' and Lenore as his 'moon'; but the general verdict has reversed his judgment. - St. I. Wild- und Rheingraf was the title of some count living on the Rhine. In some versions of the legend the Wild Hunter is called Hans von Hackelberg, and in others Falkenberg or Rodenstein. Laut klifft, &c., there was loud yelling and yelping.' St. 3. Rischrasch, &c. The interjections occurring in this ballad are mostly those used by German hunters. P. 19, No. - St. 1. Hui! steht sein, &c. This circumstance is related in some versions of the legend. St. 5: The legend says that the hunters who have seen the 'Wild Chase' are not allowed to mention the fact. In his Wilde Jäger Bürger gives expression to his indignation at the oppression exercised by some nobles upon their subjects. His vigorous lines, superscribed, Der Bauer an seinen durchlauchtigen Tyrannen, refer to the same subject. P. 20, No. IV. This ballad of ballads, begun in April, 1773, and finished September 20th of the same year, is mainly based on the heathenish notions that the power of love overcomes all obstacles-even death, and that excessive grief of the survivors disturbs the rest of the departed; and finally, on the Christian precept that man should, in his despair, not murmur against Divine Providence. The external impulses received by Bürger for this poem were, first a Volkslied he heard sung in Hanover; secondly, a legendary tale communicated to him by a peasant girl, 'how a phantom trooper fetched his disconsolate sweetheart at midnight to his grave.' The reciter remembered literally the following scraps only : Cp. Percy's Reliques, folio MS., edited by J. W. Hales and F. J. Furnivall, Vol. I., p. 310. † A version of the above mentioned Volkslied has been discovered by Professor K. J. Schröer, at Gottschee, in Carniola. It has been reprinted by Dr. H. Proehle, the greatest living authority on Lenoreliterature, in his monograph, Abhandlungen über Goethe, Schiller, Bürger, &c. |