The Bymns of Denmark. Translated by Gilbert Tait. (Strahan.)— We
welcome a book which helps to make us acquainted with a literature not so well known as it deserves to be. There is plenty of vigour of thought and poetical feeling about these hymns ; we are not so certain that they will add much to our store of what is practically useful. "We have selected," says Mr. Tait, in his preface, "those which appeared to combine in the largest degree religious fullness and
she won for herself, when she did choose to display feeling, by her lyrical fervour. Without this combination, a hymn, however otherwise usual reserve:— remarkable, cannot be a good hymn." Something more is wanted, a certain easy flow of sounds and a careful management of syllables, adapting them to the needs of the music and the capacities of the voice. The rubbish which constitutes nine-tenths of what is sung to religions and secular music, though neither rhyme nor reason, yet has this quality. It is often wanting in Mr. Tait's translations. We may take as a specimen the following, which we select because it seems as good a hymn in some respects as any in the volume. It is entitled " Christ, King and Judge," and the author's name is Ingeman
"Rejoice, 0 Zion! earth rejoice: Behold thy King, He conies to thee; Hear, wintry north, the gladsome voice, Eternal summer bringeth He.
"Each stone of stumbling and offence Sweep from His path; green branches straw,— Strew festive garments. Love immense And joy immense before him go.
"Blessed each spot He deigns to tread, Each nation, kingdom, Ho draws near. He comes! Already grief bath lied,— Away have fled death, sin, cud fear; "And charity her succours yields. The palms of peace greet. waving, Hint ; And hope sustains and cheers and shields, Shadowed by wings of cherubim.
"Bow down before thy King, my soul ! Earth's Kings, before Hint bow ye down ; Before Hint monarchs humbly roll.—
Sleight, might, and splendour, throne and crown, " He in the tnystR Laud divine The sceptre wields with valiant hand. In vain dark, evil powers combine,— He Victor rules the Better Laud "
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