Page:History of the Literature of the Scandinavian North.djvu/354

336 were partly influenced by the Marinists and their followers in Germany. But there were also a few who occupied more independent positions. Lasse Lucidor, surnamed the Unfortunate (about 1640-1674), was a man of great talent and vast knowledge, particularly of languages. Already as a youth he wrote poems in seven different languages. But he early fell into bad ways and led a sad life in Stockholm, eking out a living by composing wedding songs and funeral hymns, until he at length happened to be killed in a pot- house quarrel. Many of his poems, which were published after his death with the title, "Helicons Blomster," are coarse and insipid, while some of his religious songs evince a deep and truly poetic feeling. His poems generally breathe that sadness which is characteristic of Swedish poetry, and which in Bellmann, the greatest of Swedish poets, appears combined with the humorous element, which is also one of the main characteristics of this poetry. The humorous element is especially represented in (1660- 1708), a merry, cheerful singer, who has often been called Bellmann's predecessor, and who in some of his light, jovial songs struck chords that remind us of Bellmann's sparkling humor. But neither Holmström nor Lucidor can really be compared with Bellmann.

Sweden's first satirist was (1688-1743), who, from choice and with great success, vented his scathing, though not very poetical humor against the insipid festive songs which were then in vogue. His model was Boileau, who was very popular in Sweden, and people found Triewald's imitations so clever that they surnamed him the "Swedish Boileau."

The Finlander, (1691-1729), deserves special mention. He was a man of genuine poetical talent, and one of the few during this period whose poetry has something more than mere historical value. In his works is found little or nothing of that artificial and highly strained mannerism, which prevailed in the poetry of that period, while in respect to form he is second to none. His natural, simple