Volume 2

Cosmos : sketch of a physical description of the universe / by Alexander von Humboldt ; translated under the superintendence of Edward Sabine.

  • Humboldt, Alexander von, 1769-1859. Kosmos. English
Date:
1854-1858 [v. 1, 1856]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Cosmos : sketch of a physical description of the universe / by Alexander von Humboldt ; translated under the superintendence of Edward Sabine. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    46/520 page 34
    magnificent residence of a powerful king. In neither poet is the description of nature a primary or independent object. Opposed to these simple popular epics, are the more varied and artificial narrations of the chivalrous poets of the tliirteenth century; among whom, Hartmann von Aue, Wolfram von Eschenbach, and Gottfried von Strasburg (s*), in the early part of the century, are so much distinguished above the rest, that they may be called great and classical. It would be easy to bring together from their extensive writings sufficient proof of their deep feeling for nature, as it breaks forth in simihtudes; but distinct and independent descriptions of natural scenes are never found in their pages; they never arrest the progress of the action to contemplate the tranquil life of nature. How different is this from the writers of modem poetic compositions ! Bernardin de St.- Pierre uses the occurrences of his narratives only as fi-ames for his pictures. The lyric poets of the 13th century, especiaUy when singing of love, (which is not, however, then constant theme), speak, indeed, often of ^gentle May,' of the 'song of the nightingale,' and 'the dew gUstening on the beUs^ of heather,' but always in connection with sentiments springing from other sources, which these outward images serve to reflect. Thus, when feehngs of sadness ai-e to be indicated, mention is made of fading leaves, birds whose songs are mute, and the fruits of the field bmied in snow. The same thoughts recur incessantly, not indeed without considerable variety as well as beauty in the manner in which they are expressed. Walther von der Vogelweide, and Wolfi-am von Eschenbach, the former characterised by tenderness and the latter by deep thought have left us some lync pieces.
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