part which was composed about the year 1250. Jacob van Maerlant, the father of the Flemish chroniclers and Poets, so early as 1270, complains of the alterations and additions made by copyists of Reinaert's boerden, merry jests and tricks. 14. That some of the materials of this fine poem are taken from French works, is confessed by Willem van Utenhoven himself: Daerom dedi de vite soeken, Ende heeftse uten walschen boeken In dietsche aldus begonnen.-Willems' Pref. p. xiv. 1. 7. Therefore did he the tricks (of the fox) seek, 15. There have been many editions of this work. We have the erudite volume of Reinardus Vulpes, Carmen epicum seculis IX et XII conscriptum, ad fidem Codd. MSS. edidit et adnotationibus illustravit Franciscus Josephus Mone, Stuttgardiæ et Tubinga, 1832; also Mr. O. M. Meon's highly interesting edition of nearly all the parts of the fables and tales of the Fox, treated by Piere de St. Cloud, Richard de Lison, Marie de France, &c. which appeared under the title Le Roman du Renard, publié d'après les MSS. de la Bibliothèque du Roi des XIII. XIV. et xv. siécles, Paris, 1826, chez Treuttel et Würz, 4 vols. 8vo. avec figures. The indefatigable researches of the learned Professor, J. Grimm are published under the title Reinhart Fuchs, Berlin, 1834. These and other numerous editions, as well as the complaint of Waltherus de Coinsi, Prior of Vic sur Aisne in his Louanges de nostre Dame, and Miracles de la Vierge, that Renard was preferred to the reading of legends, sufficiently show how many pens it has occupied, and at what an early period this celebrated poem served for entertainment and instruction. A slight comparison of all these productions with the Flemish Reinaert de Vos must lead to the conviction, that whatever use its author may have made of the works of his predecesssors, he has far surpassed them all, and has composed a work fully deserving the praises which the most competent judges have bestowed upon it. It is important both for matter and composition; and if it were the only interesting and valuable work existing in the old Dutch, it alone would fully repay the trouble of learning that language. This poem gives a true picture of the world, with all its orders, states, conditions, passions, and characters, in an easy Hoffmann von Fallersleben, to whom we are indebted for a very correct edition of Reineke Vos, from the Lubeck edition of 1498, with a valuable glossary). Besides, the article de is never used before Dutch proper names. That all may judge for themselves, the passage is here cited: "Willem die Madok maecte "Willem, who wrote (made) Madok, Willems' Reinaert de Vos, p. XIII. Annoyed himself so much That the actions of Reinaerde and flowing versification, in a rich, powerful, and sonorous language, hitherto, for want of knowing its powers, not so valued as it deserves. 16. Professor Grimm's invaluable Reinhart Fuchs is a rich mine of philology, history, and general information, that cannot fail to revive. a love for the old Dutch or Flemish, which, notwithstanding all endeavours to suppress it, has still preserved its pristine vigour and strength. In the present age, the Flemish owes much to the patriotic feeling and well-directed energy of a native Fleming, J. F. Willems, Esq. whose exertions are above all praise.* 17. The first example is taken from Grimm's Reinhart Fuchs, Berlin, 1834, printed from the Codex Comburgensis, an old Flemish manuscript preserved at Stuttgardt. There is still a manuscript of it at Antwerp; there was also one at Amsterdam, which a few years ago was sold to an Englishman. The other example is taken from the modernised Flemish edition by J. F. Willems 12mo. Eecloo, 1834. These may serve to show the great affinity of the Flemish dialect with the English: OLD FLEMISH. Het was in enen pinxen daghe, met groenen loveren waren bevaen. dat hi waende, hadde his gheval, hi hadde te hove so vele mesdaen, dat hire niet dorste gaen: die hem besculdich kent, onsiet. also was Reinaerde ghesciet: ende hier omme scuwedi sconinx hof, daer hi in hadde cranken lof. Grimm's Reinhart Fuchs, p. 116. MODERNISED FLEMISH VERSION. 'T was omtrent de Sinxendagen. Over bosschen over hagen Koning Nobel riep ten hoov' Verhandeling over de Nederduitsche tael en letterkunde opzigtelyk de zuydelyke Provintien der Nederlanden, J. F. Willems, Antwerpen, 1819.-Willems' over de hollandsche en vlaemsche schryfwyzen van het Nederduitsch, Antwerpen, 1824, 8vo. + Mr. Heber, at whose sale, as I am informed by the friendly communication of Mr. Willems, it was purchased by the Belgian government, and printed under the learned and judicious superintendence of Mr. Willems, in royal 8vo. containing 352 pages, a glossary of the antiquated words, and 13 well-executed lithographic plates, with a short specimen of the MS. in each plate. It's title is-Reinaert de Vos Episch Fabeldicht van de twaelfde en dertiende eeuw, met aenmerkingen en ophelderingen van J. F. Willems, Gent, 1836. A warm interest for the early literature of the Belgians has been revived, not only by the well edited works of Mr. Willems, but by Theophilus, a Flemish poem of the 14th century, and other pieces, published by Mr. Blommaert of Gent. Al wie hy, om hof te houden, Die zich schuldig kent wil vluchten. Daerom schuwde hy het hof, En dit bracht hem kranken lof.-Willems, p. 1. LITERAL ENGLISH. It was upon a Whitsunday, When over hedge and bush so gay That to the court no more he came, Where he did bear so ill a name.*-Morrell. 18. JACOB VAN MAERLANT is the father of the Dutch Poets. He was born at Damme in Flanders, A.D. 1235, and died in 1300. Maerlant was a layman, and distinguished as a philosopher and orator. He translated several works into Dutch rhyme, such as The Beauties of Aristotle, of which MAERLANT SAYS: Dese bloemen hebben wi besocht En uten Latine in Dietsche brocht Ute Aristotiles boeken. IMITATED IN THE ENGLISH OF CHAUCER. All these beauties haue we soughte, 19. His famous work is, "Spiegel Historiael," or "Historic Mirror." In his Leven van Franciscus, he makes the following apology for using Flemish words. * For the German of this passage, see High-German, § 56, 57; and Low German, § 26. 20. In power, extent, and population, Holland soon became the predominant province; and after the Union, the States-General was held at the Hague in this district: hence, the language of Holland became the language of the government, the learned, and the press-in short, the arbiter of what was to be considered true Dutch, and it is therefore often denominated Hollandsche taal or Hollandsch. 21. MELIS STOKE began his "Rijmkronijk," or "Poetical Chronicle," before the year 1296, perhaps about 1283, as it was dedicated to Count Floris the Fifth, who died in 1296.* This Chronicle was published in 1591, and again in 3 vols. 4to. 1772, by Huydecoper, with valuable notes. This last is by far the best edition.† MELIS STOKE'S DEDICATION. Ende bi wat redenen dat ghi soect Vrieslant, dat u so sere vloect. Huydecoper's Melis Stoke, b. i. v. 27. LITERAL ENGLISH. The fruit of my pains, and thoughts also, Sir Count Florens, send I to you; Ypey's Beknopte geschiedenis der Nederlandsche Taal, Utrecht, O. S. van Paddenburg, 1812, vol. i. p. 334. + B. Huydecoper Rijmkronijk van Melis Stoke, met Historie-Oudheid-en Taalkundige aanmerkingen, Leyden, Johannes Le Mair, 1772. That you might see, and also hear, 22. CHARTER OF LEYDEN, A.D. 1294. Morrell. In het Jaar, 1294. Wy Florens, Grave van Hollant, van Zelant, ende Here van Vrieslant, maken cont alle den ghenen, die desen brief sullen sien, of horen lesen, dat wi hebben ghegheven Rutghere den Scomakere, ende Kerstanse sinen broder, derdalf morghens Lants in eghindoem, die ligghen alrenast der Burch van Leiden, ende dat vorseide Lant hevet Daniel van den Warde quite gheschouden, als dat hy't held van ons te lene. Ghegheven alsmen scrivet vire ende neghentie. Handvesten der Stad Leyden, folio, Leyden, 1759, p. 478. LITERAL ENGLISH. In the year 1294. We Florens, Count of Holland, of Zealand, and Lord of Friesland, make known to all those who this letter shall see, or hear read, that we have given to Rutghere the Shoemaker, and Kerstanse his brother, two and a half acres of land, in property, which lie nearest the castle of Leyden, and this aforesaid land has Daniel van den Warde quite paid, so as he held it from us in fief. Given, as men date, four and ninety. JAN VAN HEElu. 23. Jan van Heelu, or van Leeuwe, so called from the name of the place in Brabant where he dwelt. About 1291 he wrote the chronicle of the feats of Jan I. Duke of Brabant,* which has just appeared in a splendid edition with this title "Rijmkronijk van Jan van Heelu," &c. van J. F. Willems Lid der Koninglijke Academie van Brussel. 4to. 1836. JAN VAN HEELU. Want, gelyc dat die Euerzwyn, Dat si doen den Hertoghe neder Twee orsen onder hem staken. A VERSION IN THE LANGUAGE OF CHAUCER. As the furious boare, pursued By the daring hunter rude, Teares the earth, and, raging loudlie, Rushes on the hunter proudlie, So the fierce Brabanter then Driues the Hertoch back agen, Under him two horses stagger. * Professor Siegenbeek's Beknopte Geschiedenis der Nederlandsche Letterkunde, 8vo. 1826, p. 27. |