SCHILLER'S LYRICAL POEMS.

POEMS OF THE MIDDLE PERIOD. 1785-1788.

ET. 26-29.

An die Freude.

HYMN TO JOY.

THE following Poem was the earliest production of that period of the Poet's life when, emerging from the obscurity of a state of apparently hopeless want and privation, he attracted the notice, speedily followed by the more substantial patronage, of the munificent Court of Weimar; a change in his fortune and prospects which he thus acknowledges in a strain of gratitude to Providence, and of love towards his whole brotherhood of the human race, not always to be found in unison even with the largest allotment of earthly felicity. It is to the credit of the national taste and feeling that this joyful strain found an immediate and universal echo in the German mind. The Ode was speedily set to music, and sung at all festive meetings. The village of Gohlis, at the distance from Leipzig of a quarter of an hour's walk through the beautiful little forest of the Rosenthal, is still pointed out as the place of its composition; and it is further recorded that, about six years later, on a false report of Schiller's death, a meeting took place on the shores of the Baltic, at which one of the Dukes of Holstein presided, in celebration of his funeral obsequies, when the performance of this Ode, with an additional stanza in honour of the Author, by the Danish poet Baggesen, was the principal solemnity of the occasion.

It must be added, that the last stanza of the Poem (enclosed, therefore, in brackets) was omitted by the Author in his latest collection; but it is too characteristic of the Poet's mind to be excluded from this translation; and the sentiment is one which, however it may be regarded in point of doctrine, has been sometimes shared by divines and philosophers as well as poets; and is at least natural and appropriate to the social spirit which pervades the whole of this composition.

BRIGHTEST spark of Heaven's bestowing,
Daughter of Elysian race,
Joy! with ardent rapture glowing,
Tread we now thy holy place;
By thy spells again are plighted
Bands disjoin'd by custom's sway,
All in Brother-love united,

Where thy gentle pinions stay.
Chorus. Let our love embrace the million.
Brothers all! we know full well

That a loving Sire must dwell
High above this world-pavilion.

Who hath felt the bliss, heart-cheering,
Of a friend the friend to be,
Whoso woman's smiles endearing—
Let him join our social glee.
Aye-who one true heart can gladly

Claim for his on Earth's round ball

And, who cannot, let him sadly

Steal from our high festival.

Chorus. All within this circle zonéd

Worship holy Sympathy;

Leading to the galaxy

Where THE UNKNOWN sits enthronéd.

Joy all who our globe inherit

From the breasts of Nature draw;

Good or evil-every spirit

Follows her benignant law:

Grapes she gives-she gives us kisses—
Friends, who true to death have trod;
On the worm are shower'd blisses,

And the Cherub faces GOD.

Chorus. Bend

ye then your

knees, ye

million!

Dost thou, World, thy Maker own?
Seek him o'er the starry zone!
O'er the stars is his pavilion.

Joy-the spring, the secret notion,
That directs the Vast Unseen.
Joy-that sets the wheels in motion
Of the mighty world-machine.
Flowerets from their buds alluring,
Suns from elemental night;

And through boundless space conjuring
Orbs yet hid from gifted sight.
Chorus. Gladsome as those suns, careering

High o'er Heaven's majestic face,

Brothers! run your joyous race,

Like a Hero, Victory-steering.

From pure Truth's translucent fountain
upon the Inquirer smiles;

Joy

Up to Virtue's steepy mountain
SHE the sufferer's path beguiles.
High on Faith's bright peak, before us
We behold Her banners wave,
And Herself, in Angel-chorus,
Thro' the fissures of the grave.
Chorus. Bravely suffer then, ye million,
For a better world prepar'd!
Great is your Divine reward,
High above the star-pavilion.

Man may still the Gods resemble, Though all powerless to requite; Let him Woe and Want assemble, With the glad to share delight. Stern Revenge and Hate forsaken; Pardon to the deadly foe; Let no groans repentance 'waken ; Let no tears to wound him flow. Chorus. Cancell'd be our debt-book, Brothers-

Reconcil'd the great account!

High above the starry mount,
Judge us, God, as we judge others.

Joy is in the wine-cup sparkling,
In the grape's rich amber blood;
Softness drinks the Savage, darkling,
And Despair new fortitude.

Brothers, let the toast be given ! When the brimming goblets pass, Bid the foam mount up to HeavenToss in thankfulness the glass! Chorus. Thanks be to the BOUNTEOUS SPIRIT Whom the circling planets praiseTo whom Seraph-hymnings raise All who Earth or Heaven inherit.

Constant mind in grief severest,
Help for tears that guiltless flow;
Oaths maintain'd with faith sincerest;
Truth, alike with friend or foe;
Thrones controll'd by manly daring,
E'en though goods and life the price ;
High reward for noble bearing;

Ruin swift to fraudful vice.

Chorus. Draw the holy circle closer!
By this golden vintage swear
Faith's unbroken badge to wear-
Swear it by the STAR-DISPOSER !

[Tyrant-fetters Virtue rending;
Grandeur e'en in Nature's brute;
At the death-bed Hope attending;
Mercy at the gallows' foot.
Yes! the Dead shall live in Heaven.
Brothers! drink in social glee !

Sinners all at last forgiven;

Hell itself shall cease to be.