Zur Geschichte der Vers libres in der neufranzösischen Poesie by Ph. Aug. BeckerReview by: F. M. WarrenModern Language Notes, Vol. 5, No. 2 (Feb., 1890), p. 58Published by: The Johns Hopkins University PressStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2918917 .

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II5 FebruGary. MODERN LANGUAGE NO TES, I890. No. 2. ii6

Zur Geschich/e der Vers libres in der neu- franzbsischen Poesie von PH. AUG. BECK- ER. Halle, i888.- 8vo, pp. 37.

In this doctor's dissertation, offered at Stras- burg and published also in the Zei/schrifl fiur romanische Phiilologie (vol. xii, pp. 89- 125), the author examines the origin and development of free verse in modern French poetry. Free verse he defines: a non-strophic metrical structure, consisting of lines of un- equal length, arranged at will, and having a free disposition of rimes.

The history of free verse begins in the Greek chorus, continues in the church sequences, and is traced in the paslourelles and mole/s of medizeval French literature. The Pre-renais- sance poetry of France contains also certain elements of free verse, which however dis- appeared before the rise of classical imitation. Its modern form BECKER determines to be atn importation from Italy and to have arrived full-fledged on French soil in a madrigal and a basquin (before 1525 ?) of MELLIN DE SAINT- GELAIs. This first French madrigal was followed considerably later by others of RON- SARD an1d BAiF. The latter wrote also dithy- rambs after the Greek. These imitations however were sporadic anid remained without abiding influence.

The pastorals of the seventeenth century reintroduced, fronm their Italian models, the madrigal into France. The voguie of the 'Astree ' and of its imitations, the Florentine complexion of the royal court, the Roman polish of the H6tel de Rambouillet, all com- bined to make the madrigal the poetical verse of society, as was instanced by the 'Guirlainde de Julie' (i641). UnIder its influence the form of the epigram was gradually clhanged in the direction of free verse, as is seen in the works of GOMBAULD and BREBEUF, Un1til the two kinds were hardly distinguislhed save by their sub- ject.

The introduction of free verse into other forms of poetry than the madrigal and epigram is due to VOITURE. His example was followed by the poets of the Pre'cieuse school, but was restricted for a time to epistles, Z/re'unes, and the like. With the sixth decade of the century the use of this style became general in eclogs, elegies anid idylls, and reached lasting celebri-

ty in the 'Contes' and 'Fables' of LA FON- TAINE. The letters and tales of the age show also in their mingled prose and poetry the popularity of the vers libres, and free strophes were evolved from them as legitimate de- scendants.

An important part of the dissertation is devoted to the history of free verse on the stage, united to musical compositions of Italian origin, as the ballet and the musical drama. In this phase it attained its highest development in the sceniic plays of CORNEILLE and MOLIERE, and the librettos of QUINAULT.

In the eighteenth century VOLTAIRE and the librettists continued the tradition of free verse. The Romantic school, however, drove it from artistic works, and its last traces are found in ALFRED DE MUSSET, a conscious imitationi of LA FONTAINE. Free verse, as a form of poetry, passed away with the society which fostered it.

A review of DR. BECKER'S work can be little else than a summary, so complete is his treatment. He would have added attractive- ness to his subject by a more systematic ex- position, coupled with clearness of phrase.

F. M. WARREN. Johns Hopkinis University.

THE MODERN LANGUAGE ASSOCI- A TION OF OHIO.

In vol. iii (p. 263) of this Journal, attention was called to the formationi of a Modern Language Association in connectioni with the Teachers' Association of North Carolina. The gratifying news comes to us of the establishment also in Ohio of a second organisation similar to that of the Old North State, and we hope that the time may not be far distant when associationis -of like import may be formed in maniy states of the Union; they would naturally serve an important enid in arousing sympathy and de- velopitng higher ideals for modern language work, by the discussion of questions of a local character and of detail that canniot come before the general organisation. As a valu- able auxiliary, therefore, in the promotion of the best interests of modern linguistic culture, we would give the new organisation a hearty welcome and augur for it a successful career of missionary labor. Below will be found a

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