PASTOnAL LITERATUni? FltOM OPITZ TO GERKXER. 2:p 



an idyl proper. Hence, only a brief sni'vey and characterization 

 of this body of literature is necessary for our purpose. 



The influence of Opitz and of pastoral literature hi general was 

 greatly furthered by the Sprachgesellschaften, which were founded 

 all over Germany. Their chief purpose and aim was to cherish 

 and cultivate the German language, and to preserve German cus- 

 toms. The first and most important of these societies was Die 

 Fruchtbringende Oesellscbait, or Palmenorden,^ founded 1617, 

 of which Opitz later became a member. Most prominent of those 

 that sprung up in imitation of it was Die GeseUschait der Pegnitz- 

 Scbafer, instituted 1614 at Niirnberg by Harsdorffer and Klaj. 

 Especially did these Pegnitz-shepherds recognize Opitz as their 

 chief model, ^ and they imitated him in numerous shepherd-plays. 

 But they "outheroded Herod" and went far beyond Opitz in the 

 introduction of allegorj^ and metrical conceits into their works; 

 so that compared with their plays the Hercynie of Opitz really 

 seems a work of superior merit. 



The ascendancy of foreign literature which Opitz introduced 

 soon showed itself in numerous romances and pastoral dramas. 

 The romances^ imitated Hercynie, with its alternating prose and 



1 Die Fruchtbringende Gesellscliaft was founded by some princes and no- 

 blemen the very year that Opitz wrote his Aristarctius. See F. W. Barthold's 

 Gescbiclite der Fruchtbringenden Oesellschaft, Berlin, 1848. 



Other similar societies were Die aufrichtige Tannen-geseliscbait, BtTaahmg 

 1G33, Weckherlin being- one of its members; Die Teutschgesinnte Gesellscbaft, 

 Hamburg 1643; Der Elbscbwanenorden, founded by Johann Rist 1660. 



2 Siegmund t. Birken (1626-1681), for some time ''Oberhirte der Pegnitz- 

 schafer," in his Deutsche Redebind und Dichtliunst 1679 (p. 301). in speaking 

 of the pastorals says: "Die erste in Teutschland, gleichwie auch die edelste, ist 

 Opitzens unvergleichliche Uercinie: massen auch er der erste und edelste Teutscher 

 Poet ist." 



3 Up to 1640 the following pastoral romances were published: Tbeatrum 

 Amoris 1630, Schafferey Oder keusclie Liehesbescbreibung 1632, which went 

 through eight editions, Wintertags Schafferey hj Dachsdoril&SQ, Filawon 

 und Bellitlora by Neumark 1640. (For full titles see table No. 2). 



These romances also imitated Hercynie in the use of alternating prose and 

 poetry; the action was carried on by the prose, while the lyric parts were reflect- 

 ive. 



The Idyl in German Literature. 8 



