Page:Stories Translated from the German.djvu/226

 "Well! what is the matter? What are you trying to conceal?"

The German said, "You all know how this English author introduces the history of his countrymen into his works, that he describes their character, that he also frequently introduces the Italians; he brings forward the French people, the Romans, the ancient Greeks, whilst only in one single work, in his universally celebrated Hamlet, has he any thing to do with the Danes. But, good heavens! how does he represent this nation to us? Full of indecision, faithless, irresolute, as much inclined to good as to evil; they all speak in a very reasonable manner, even wisely, but act foolishly; the principal character, however amiable and generous it may be drawn, torments himself with contradictions, and would fall to the ground, if unsupported. All appear excited, and are carried away by magnificent precepts and heroic resolutions, but turn back and break down as they approach, or even after they have arrived at a favourable opportunity to execute their magnanimous resolves. Such contradictions are not found in any other of Shakspeare's works, and the question or the suspicion may well be entertained