Dry den's Relation to Germany 87 



Hagedorn even used Philemon and Baucis as a source for a fable. 

 In addition to Philemon and Baucis there were translated The 

 Cock and the Fox, and Theodore and Honoria. The relation of 

 Dryden's fables to Germany was not limited to one literary center, 

 nor to one period of time. The poetic-classical translations, par- 

 ticularly that of Virgil, found admiration in Germany during the 

 greater part of the century. 



As a lyricist Dryden was esteemed in both England and Ger- 

 many during the eighteenth century. His fame as a lyricist rests 

 primarily on Alexander's Feast. Its popularity in England also 

 gave it popularity in Germany. The change in the nature of Ger- 

 man poetry during the latter half of the eighteenth century also 

 accounts for its cordial reception, as the descriptive and rational- 

 istic literary currents gave way to the enthusiasm for folk-songs 

 and lyrics. The favorable criticism of recognized critics and 

 translations by renowned poets, combined with Handel's musical 

 compositions, made Dryden a factor in shaping the lyrical poetry 

 of Germany. 



Although not all the translations of Dryden faithfully interpret 

 the English author, and Dryden at no time, and in no particular 

 literary center was as prominent as Shakspere, Pope, and Young, 

 nevertheless the recognition in the numerous fields of poetry, and 

 his wide dissemination in Germany during the eighteenth century 

 prove that his relation to Germany was of considerable importance. 



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