Part 10 (1/2)

Simrock's translation is commendable for its faithfulness. It is, moreover, a simple and readable version, though in these respects it is not equal to Heyne's rendering which was to follow it; but it was easily superior to Grein's. Yet, in spite of this, the book is not well known among German translations, and has never pa.s.sed into a second edition.

This is surprising when we consider the success of Simrock's previous translations. The partial failure is accounted for by two facts: (1) Simrock's reputation as a scholar was not equal to that of Grein or Heyne, nor had he the advantage of editing the text; (2) the measure which the translation employed has never been popular among readers. No German translation in imitative measures, with the single exception of Grein's (which has made its appeal as a scholarly work and not as a piece of literature), has ever pa.s.sed into a second edition; while versions couched in iambic lines or Nibelungen meters have been reprinted.

[Footnote 1: See supra, p. 37.] [[Ettmuller]]

[Footnote 2: See supra, p. 55.] [[Grein]]

[Footnote 3: See infra, p. 99.] [[Hoffmann]]

[Footnote 4: See supra, p. 56.] [[Grein's Texts]]

HEYNE'S TRANSLATION

Beowulf. Angelsachsisches Heldengedicht ubersetzt von Moritz Heyne.

Paderborn: Druck und Verlag von Ferd. Schoningh, 1863. 12mo, pp. viii, 127.

Zweite Auflage. Paderborn: Schoningh, 1898. 8vo, pp. viii, 134.

Fourth German Translation. Iambic Pentameter.

_Heyne._

The name of Moritz Heyne is one of the most ill.u.s.trious in the history of Beowulf scholars.h.i.+p. The Heyne editions of the text[1] have been standard for nearly forty years, while the translation has been recently reprinted (1898). Beside his work on the _Beowulf_, this scholar was to become prominent as editor of the _Heliand_ and of _Ulfilas_, and as one of the staff appointed to complete Grimm's Dictionary.

At the time when he printed his edition of the _Beowulf,_ Heyne was a student at Halle, and but twenty-six years of age (born 1837)[2]. In his work he had some a.s.sistance from Professor Leo[3] of Halle.

_Relation of Text and Translation._

The translation was founded on the text of 1863. At the time it was by far the best edition that had yet appeared. It was furnished with an excellent glossary. The text had the advantage of the valuable work done by Grundtvig[4] in collating the two transcripts made by Thorkelin[5].

It thus came a stage nearer the MS. readings than any other existing edition, while it avoided the unnecessary conjectures of the Danish editor.

Heyne's text having been five times re-edited, the first edition of the translation often fails to conform to readings which have been introduced into the text in later editions; but the free nature of the translation makes this of no great importance.

_Differences between the First and Second Editions of the Translation._

The differences between the two editions are not of much importance. The translation is in general, though not always, brought up to the late editions of the text, and some changes are made for the improvement of the meter.

The first edition contains 3201 lines; the second 3207. The theory and aim of the translation are not changed at all.

_Aim of Heyne's Translation._

In this translation of the _Beowulf_, Heyne attempts to popularize what he considers the most beautiful of the Old English poems. He says of it--

'Es ist nicht die erste, die ich biete; gleichwol hoffe ich es werde die erste sein, die auch einem grossern Public.u.m, das noch nicht Gelegenheit hatte, sich mit den altern Dialecten unserer Sprache zu beschaftigen, verstandlich ist. Die altern deutschen Uebersetzer haben, bei allen Verdiensten ihrer Arbeit, unserer neuhochdeutschen Muttersprache teilweise ubel mitgespielt.'