Dryden's Relation to Germany 



13 



The influence of Dryden upon Wernicke is conclusively proven 

 by the direct translation. Not only did he follow the general 

 plan of Mac Flecknoe in Hans Sachs and incorporate many of 

 the motives but he has also translated a large number of the lines, 

 either word for word, or freely adopted them in his satire, espe- 

 cially in the first edition. Nevertheless, the omission of "aus dem 

 Englischen iibersetzet" in the title of the second edition is justi- 

 fied. He has expanded Mac Flecknoe, which has 217 lines, into 

 a German satire of 269. The material he rejected in Dryden's 

 satire dealt with literary conditions in England which would not 

 apply to the literary conditions in Germany ; and the new material 

 introduced has to do entirely with literary and personal criticism 

 of Postel, and literary conditions of Hamburg and Germany. The 

 connecting links show the larger percentage of parallel lines. The 

 parallel lines follow : 



Dryden 



1/2. All human things are subject 



to decay 

 And, when fate summons, mon- 



archs must obey. 



3. This Flecknoe found, who . . 

 had governed long, 



5/6. In prose and verse was owned 

 without dispute 



Through all the realm of Non- 

 sense absolute. 



7/9. This aged prince, now flour- 

 ishing in peace 



And blest with issue of a large 

 increase, 



Worn out with business, did at 

 length debate 



10. To settle the succession of the 



state ; 



11. And pondering which of all his 



sons was fit 

 12/14. To reign and wage im- 

 mortal war with wit, 



Wernicke 



1/2. Was Irrdisch ist, vergeht ; 



was Menschlich ist nimmt ab 

 Und ein Monarch fiillt selbst, 



wenn's Schicksal winckt, ins 



Grab. 

 3. Diss wurd Hans Sachs gewahr, 



der Deutschland lang be- 



herrscht. 

 5/6. Der in der Dummheit Reich, 



sonst Lobesan genannt, 

 Durch Reim ohn' alien Streit er- 



hielt die Oberhand. 

 7/9. Lang war in Fried' und Ruh 



ihm wiedrigs nicht begegnet, 

 Er fand mit manchem Sohn Unzehl- 



bar sich gesegnet ; 

 Doch alt, und durch die Last der 



Sorgen matt gemacht, 



10. So war er, wer im Reich'ihm 



folgen solt, bedacht. 



11. Er dachte welchem Sohn es 



mochte meist gebiihren, 

 12/14. Unendlich Zanck und Streit 

 mit der Vernunft zu fiihren. 



301 



