Page:History of the Literature of the Scandinavian North.djvu/213

Rh tal horizon was enlarged and thousands of healthy germs began their development. But the germs had sprung from the people themselves, and being fertilized by contact with foreign elements they were made to blossom and bear fruit in the vernacular, and Latin was forever dethroned. Through his many sided and stimulating activity as a popular writer Holberg laid a solid foundation on which a truly popular literature would be built. Meanwhile some time was needed before the fruits of his work could ripen. The fermentation which he had provoked must subside before the new elements could become established. But it was he who paved the way, and for this reason and regardless of the immortal intrinsic value of his poetical works he must be considered as the founder of modern Danish literature. Herewith is connected the characteristic circumstance that he stands alone, that he founded no school, and that he had no followers, at least none of any considerable mark. He had a definite task before him, that of preparing the soil for the fulness of time,—an immediate continuation of his work was impossible simply on account of its negative character.

(1690-1752), also distinguished as a linguist, is the one among Holberg's contemporaries who ranks nearest to him as poet. He is the author of a num-