Grillparzer As a Poet of Nature

, also, must obey. This law of nature surrounds man like an invisible net from which there is no escape, and the transgression of which means death and destruction. Man is well aware of the existence of this law, but he is unable to comprehend it, for in spite of all the knowledge he boasts, he is a king without sceptre: he sits upon the throne of creation, but nature rules. In the poem of 1842 Wie viel weisst du, o Mensch, der Schopfung Konig,1 Grillparzer sets forth this idea with considerable sarcasm. But this is not the only place where one may find a recognition of the exalted position of nature, mingled with sarcastic, pessimistic reflections on the physical and mental imperfections of man. So, for example, in the poem Pflanzenwelt2 the poet shows that nature, conscious of her purpose, follows gladly the outlined paths, and is satisfied with her lot, while man? shiftless and malcontent?might learn a valuable lesson from trees and flowers. A melancholy note is sounded in the poem Im Gewachshaus8 where Grillparzer laments the brevity of human life, in contrast with the permanency of nature: Aloe! Aloe! Bliihest so schon. Aber nur einmal in Menschengedenken. Aloe! Wir leben nur eines, Ein einziges Menschengedenken. Wenn die erste Bliite voruber, '11, p. 55- 2I, p. 175. Aloe, Aloe! Wo Zeit fur die zweite? Nature is looked upon by Grillparzer as perfect, while man is imperfect; nature is permanent, man is transitory; nature follow...