Page:A Danish and Dano-Norwegian grammar.djvu/163

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HE present edition is based on Goethe's final revision as contained in his collected works, which were being published at the time of his death. It gives also the readings of the earlier editions. The editor, in the preparation of this edition, has sought to lead from the study of this poem to a larger knowledge of the language, and especially to acquaintance with the thoughts of the author as illustrated in this and in his other writings.

Hence the notes have not been confined to brief grammatical explanations, but an effort has been made to interpret the poem from the poet himself. The sources of the poem, the author’s language and the language of the time have been carefully studied. The history of the composition of the poem has been shown more fully by the recent publications of the Weimar Goethe Society, especially as contained in Goethe's Diary and Letters, and use has been made of these fresh materials.

It is believed that this edition will not only guide to an intelligent knowledge of the poem itself, but afford useful material for the critical study of the language and writings of the author.