es its close.

[Signature: Edward Dowden]

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE.--Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was born at
Frankfort-on-the-Main, August 28th, 1749; he attended the
University of Leipzig 1765-1768, and went to Strassburg in
1770, where he met Herder, made the acquaintance of
Shakespeare, and in 1771 took his degree. 'Goetz von
Berlichingen' in 1773 announced the dawn of a new era in
German letters, and in 1774 'The Sorrows of Werther' made the
poet world-famous. In 1775 Goethe accepted the invitation of
Duke Carl August and went to Weimar, which remained
thenceforth his home. The Italian journey, marking an epoch in
the poet's life, took place in 1786-1787. The 'Faust Fragment'
appeared in 1790. The friendship with Schiller, also of
far-reaching importance in Goethe's life, began in 1794 and
was terminated only by Schiller's death in 1805. 'Hermann and
Dorothea' was published in 1797. In 1806 Goethe married
Christiane Vulpius. The First Part of 'Faust' appeared in
1808;--in 1816 the poet is at work upon his 'Autobiography'
and the 'Italian Journey'; the first part of 'Wilhelm
Meister's Apprenticeship' appeared in 1821, and was completed
in 1829. 'Faust' was finished on July 20th, 1831. Goethe died
at Weimar on March 22d, 1832.

FROM 'FAUST'

CHORUS OF THE ARCHANGELS; FROM THE PROLOGUE IN HEAVEN

Shelley's Translation

_Raphael_--
The sun makes music as of old
Amid the rival spheres of heaven,
On its predestined circle rolled
With thunder speed; the angels even
Draw strength from gazing on its glance,
Though none its meaning fathom may
The world's unwithered countenance
Is bright as at creation's day.

_Gabriel_--
And swift and swift with rapid lightness
The adorned earth spins silently,
Alternating Elysian brightness
With deep and dreadful night; the sea
Foams in broad billows from the deep
Up to the rocks, and rocks and ocean,
Onward, with spheres which never sleep,
Are hurried in eternal motion.
_Michael_--
And tempests in contention roar