I'm with Fritz: Moliere's verses are a masterpiece. :) Also this is another superb bit of work by our Royal Detective.
Many years ago, I saw a modern adaption of The Misanthrope, starring Damian Lewis as Alceste, no less, but while I still remember the general outline, I'd forgotten the details, including how applicable the scene with Oronte is to the Hille and Fritz situation. It's really perfect, and btw, it says something about just how deeply steeped into French culture an 18th century German noble was if even an FW approved official like Hille knows his Moliere well enough to have the correct allusion ready. (BTW, given Fritz at this stage was just to read theology, I wonder what Dad would have said to the lengthy Moliere quotation?)
As for Wilke, I shall honor him by trying my hand at a verse translation again.
Most noble Prince! Your purple here will shine, where there's a portrait of the founder of your line, Both eyes and shield across our borders was he, and justly called a wise Prince across Germany.
Oh Lord! Will you indulge us with a gaze of brightness, such as your mind otherwise produces in abundance, and like our sun's rays warm your good servant, whose devotion never lies.
Please let us kiss your hand in due humility, and pledge our hearts to you forevermore, and do excuse the probability that, noble Prince, in obedience they were yours before.
Your glamor dazzles us and makes us now retreat, and our humbleness must hem our tongue, but praying for you shall be an easy feat, for you, dear Prince, and also for the throne.
Fritz' short German reply poem:
The Prince is grateful for the effort made, and gracefully accepts poetry's fruit; If your loyality and duty do not fade, he will reward such service, and such good.
Re: Molière - Küstrin poetry
Many years ago, I saw a modern adaption of The Misanthrope, starring Damian Lewis as Alceste, no less, but while I still remember the general outline, I'd forgotten the details, including how applicable the scene with Oronte is to the Hille and Fritz situation. It's really perfect, and btw, it says something about just how deeply steeped into French culture an 18th century German noble was if even an FW approved official like Hille knows his Moliere well enough to have the correct allusion ready. (BTW, given Fritz at this stage was just to read theology, I wonder what Dad would have said to the lengthy Moliere quotation?)
As for Wilke, I shall honor him by trying my hand at a verse translation again.
Most noble Prince! Your purple here will shine,
where there's a portrait of the founder of your line,
Both eyes and shield across our borders was he,
and justly called a wise Prince across Germany.
Oh Lord! Will you indulge us with a gaze
of brightness, such as your mind otherwise
produces in abundance, and like our sun's rays
warm your good servant, whose devotion never lies.
Please let us kiss your hand in due humility,
and pledge our hearts to you forevermore,
and do excuse the probability
that, noble Prince, in obedience they were yours before.
Your glamor dazzles us and makes us now retreat,
and our humbleness must hem our tongue,
but praying for you shall be an easy feat,
for you, dear Prince, and also for the throne.
Fritz' short German reply poem:
The Prince is grateful for the effort made,
and gracefully accepts poetry's fruit;
If your loyality and duty do not fade,
he will reward such service, and such good.