*(2) Julia Nyberg, author of the "Dikter von Euphrosyne."
It is our purpose hereafter, when occasion shall be afforded us,
to controvert in an article of some length, the popular idea that
the poets, just mentioned owe to novelty, to trickeries of expression,
and to other meretricious effects, their appreciation by certain
readers:- to demonstrate (for the matter is susceptible of
demonstration) that such poetry and such alone has fulfilled the
legitimate office of the muse; has thoroughly satisfied an earnest and
unquenchable desire existing in the heart of man. In the present
number of our Magazine we have left ourselves barely room to say a few
random words of welcome to these "Ballads," by Longfellow, and to
tender him, and all such as he, the homage of our most earnest love
and admiration.
The volume before us (in whose outward appearance the keen "taste"
of genius is evinced with nearly as much precision as in its
internal soul) includes, with several brief original pieces, a
translation from the Swedish of Tegner. In attempting (what never
should be attempted) a literal version of both the words and the metre
of this poem, Professor Longfellow has failed to do justice either
to his author or himself. He has striven to do what no man ever did
well and what, from the nature of the language itself, never can be
well done.
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