Lay of the Bell

LAY OF THE BELL

Schiller, Friedrich von. Lay of the Bell. Translated by the right Hon. Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton, Bart.

Published by Boston, Roberts Brothers, 1875

Forty-two illustrations, original green Victorian cloth, decorative gilt title and bell on the front cover. Very good condition throughout.

Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller (German: November 1759 – 9 May 1805) was a German poet, philosopher, physician, historian and playwright. During the last seventeen years of his life (1788–1805), Schiller developed a productive, if complicated, friendship with the already famous and influential Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. They frequently discussed issues concerning aesthetics, and Schiller encouraged Goethe to finish works he left as sketches. This relationship and these discussions led to a period now referred to as Weimar Classicism. They also worked together on Xenien, a collection of short satirical poems in which both Schiller and Goethe challenge opponents of their philosophical vision.

The Lay Of The Bell by Friedrich von Schiller

Fast, in its prison-walls of earth,

Awaits the mould of baked clay.

Up, comrades, up, and aid the birth

The bell that shall be born to-day!

Who would honor obtain,

With the sweat and the pain,

The praise that man gives to the master must buy.--

But the blessing withal must descend from on high!