ÜBER DIE LAIS, EIN BEITRAG ZUR GESCHICHTE DER RHYTHMISCHEN FORMEN UND TIBKYBA Le sujet est neuf et digne d'un homme de lettres. Pour nous, contens de l'avoir ébauché, nous laissons la gloire de l'approfondir à ceux qui voudront l'entreprendre, et qui seront en état de répandre des fleurs dans un champ d'où l'on écarte difficilement les épines. PAPON, Hist. gén. de Provence, Tome II. P. 472. Yet the investigation of the early poetry of every nation, even the rudest, carries with it an object of curiosity and interest. It is a chapter in the history of the childhood of society, and its resemblance to, or dissimilarity from, the popular rhymes of other nations in the same stage, must needs illustrate the ancient history of states; their gradual or more rapid adoption of manners, sentiments, and religion. The study, therefore, of lays rescued from the gulf of oblivion, must in every case possess considerable interest for the moral philosopher and general historian. W. SCOTT, Poetical Works, Edinb. 1933. 8. Vol. I. p. 13 14. |