Dein Gelübde treu zu seyn Schwört es bei dem Welten richter Rettung von tyrannen ketten CHORUS. Eine heitre abschiede stunde Aus den todten Richters Mund. Prince William had frequently heard his father speak in the most enthusiastic terms of this most glorious composition, which stamped the author as the first lyric poet of the age, although it subjected him to some very severe attacks on account of the pretended blasphemy, which some of the German Agnews fancied they discovered in it. The line which is marked in italics gave the greatest offence, and by way of retaliation, Schiller wrote his celebrated "Ode of Die Gotter Grichenlands (the Gods of Greece) which set all Germany in a ferment. To attempt to infuse the spirit of Schiller into an English translation, would, indeed, be a hopeless and a presumptuous task. If, however, we can in any manner approach the matchless beauties of the original, we are certain that we are there by conferring a high degree of pleasure to the English reader. Joy unceasing source of motion, Suns she draws from realms above: CHORUS. Joyous as the rolling year, Wanders through the ethereal space; Smiling sweet in truth's bright mirror, CHORUS. Learn the ills of life to bear High above yon spangled sphere. Naught requites indulgent Heaven, Sons of Poverty and Sorrow, Haste and find a welcome here. Fell Revenge and bitter rancour, CHORUS. Jars and broils no more be heard, Sparkling high in flowing glasses, Wild despair-heroic fire. Gaily quaff the generous wine, Wine, the gift of bounteous Heaven, Praise the Power, who gave the vine. CHORUS. He, whose praise, the tuneful spheres, He who dwells above the sky, Gave the vine to soothe our cares. Calmly bear the frowns of fortune, Give to modest worth its due; CHORUS. Closer knit our holy bonds, Wide may sacred freedom triumph, Mortals list, and Heaven adore; Ev'ry crime shall be forgiven, Death and Hell shall be no more. CHORUS. Peace at Life's departing scene, Soft repose beneath the tomb, The arrival of an English Prince in a German town, was an event of so rare an occurrence, that had an earthquake happened, the good people of Stade could not have been put into a greater commotion, and, especially when that Prince brought with him the character of a bold and skilful sailor, which in a maritime town, is the best recommendation which a man can bring with him. The Germans were always particularly attached to illuminations, and it was suggested by some of the sapient heads of the town council, met in solemn deliberation, as to the most respectful method which could be adopted of testifying their extreme delight in beholding a son of the King of England within the walls of their city; and it was suggested, that no method could be attended with a more striking effect, than by recommending to their fellow-citizens, to set the whole town in a blaze with lamps and tallow candles. There was, however, amongst them, one antiquated, greyheaded Senator, who, when the plan of the illumination was proposed, shook his head, and exhibited that smile on his countenance, which sagacity is apt to assume, when ignorance or folly has projected a scheme, which under existing circumstances cannot be carried into execution. "Pray," asked the old Senator, "at what time do you intend the illuminations to commence ?" 66 Why at night to be sure," answered one of the illuminists, "and," he continued "pray tell me, Herr Schuster, when would you have it commence?" "Why at night also," said the old Senator "Then, we are both agreed," said the illuminist. "Exactly so" said the old Senator, drily, "but at this time of the year, pray tell me when your night begins ?" "Why, when it is dark," responded the illuminist. "Exactly so," said the old Senator-"but at this time of the year, half the inhabitants of the city go to bed by daylight, when then are they to commence their illuminations?" This question rather confounded the illuminists, and on investigating the matter a little more minutely, it was discovered that the old Senator was the wisest amongst them, for as an illumination by daylight would be a direct absurdity, some other method of testifying their respect for the royal youth must necessarily be adopted. In the midst of these cogitations, information was received, that it was the intention of his Royal Highness to leave the city at an early hour on the following morning, as it was his anxious wish to hasten his arrival at Hanover, where he expected to meet his royal brother, the bishop of Osnaburg. Prince William was now in the land of his progenitors, of home istory his so rich in its descriptions, and with whom the present race of men form so strong, and in many instances a degrading contrast. The march of improvement has not been very rapid in some parts of Germany, especially in the northern parts of the Hanoverian territory; but it has now in many places, rather the appearance of a well-cultivated garden, than the rough, cold, inhospitable country, which it formerly presented. The traveller, however, who expects to find in the Hanoverian territory, any grandeur or simplicity of scenery, will find himself most egregiously disappointed, for it is in general, a flat, tame, monotonous plain, with scarcely the slightest undulation to relieve the eye, and appearing in some parts to be almost an interminable forest, through which the main road passes in one undeviating line, which stretches out as far as the eye can see, closing in a point. An Hanoverian has no idea of a mountain, and, therefore, according to Johnson, in his Criticism on Glover's Leonidas, no Hanoverian can write an epic poem, and in confirmation of Johnson, an epic poem was never known to have been composed by a native of Hanover. Prince William, though not deeply read in the history of Germany, was still not wholly ignorant of the character of the Germans, as they have been depicted by the ancient historians, nor of the country itself, as it appeared in the time of the celebrated Hermann. From the sources of the Rhine, to the coasts of Pomerania, it was one continued forest; bears and wolves were the sole inhabitants of the recesses of the mountains, and animals which are now extirpated, had the dominion of the tremendous forests, over which, impenetrable as they were to the beams of the sun, a cold, damp, fog constantly floated. In the German plains, however, now and then a thinly sowed cornfield was to be seen, with here and there two or three meadows, on which some miserable cattle were feeding, and in some retired nook stood, a wretched hovel, the residence of the self-chosen proprietor of the surrounding territory. Here, resided at a distance from the vanity and ambition of the world, a stranger to the vices and passions of the effeminate Romans, happy and cheerful in the consciousness of their freedom, a strong, courageous, heroic race; rude |