Dryden's Relation to Germany g 



wird der Leser, dem hiesiger Ort kiindig, ohne meine Anmerkung 

 gleich von selbst ermessen konnen, dass obgleich dem Englischen 

 Poeten die Erfindung und Ordnung desselben abgeborget, mir 

 dennoch zum Wenigsten die Helfte der Gedanken eigentiimlich 

 zugehore." In the second edition he lays even greater claims to 

 original ideas : " Die Erfindung desselben hat man einem Eng- 

 lischen Poeten abgelehnet, die meisten Einfalle aber von selbst 

 nehmen miissen." 



As Wernicke has said, the general plan of Hans Sachs is 

 borrowed from Mac Flecknoe. Both present the coronation 

 celebration of the chosen heir in the realm of nonsense. They 

 consist of two monologues by the sire king set in a framework of 

 three explanatory links — the introduction, a connecting link, and 

 the conclusion. The introduction (both Dryden and Wernicke 

 1-13) describes the aged monarch who resolves to abdicate the 

 throne in favor of one of his numerous sons ; the first monologue 

 (Dryden 14-59, Wernicke 14-86) names and characterizes the 

 successor, setting forth the reason for the choice; the connecting 

 link (Dryden 60-138, Wernicke 87-170) gives a detailed descrip- 

 tion of the seat and the ceremony of the coronation; the second 

 monologue (Dryden 139-210, Wernicke 171-263) contains the 

 retiring king's prophecy and testament to the enthroned heir ; and 

 the conclusion (Dryden 211-217, Wernicke 264-269) depicts the 

 disappearance of the declaiming king through a trap door, leaving 

 behind his robe which is to clothe his heir with a double portion of 

 his art. 



Wernicke follows Dryden throughout in the motives, except 

 where he refers to the literary conditions at Hamburg, and quotes 

 or parodies the works of Postel. The general motive, however, 

 of parodying and quoting from Postel is borrowed from Dryden. 

 He imitates Dryden even in minute details : as for example, Dry- 

 den signs himself: "by the Author of Absolem and Achitophel " 

 and Wernicke: "Von dem Verfasser der Uberschriffte und 

 Schafer-Gedichte." The motives which Wernicke borrows from 

 Dryden are : Human things decay and are subject to the decree of 

 fate ; an old monarch in the realm of ignorance, weary of rule, 

 wishes to abdicate in favor of an heir; the choice from among 



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