The noble Lord, however, did not abandon his purpose of proclaiming to the world his valued kindness towards his German contemporary and brother poet, a precious evidence of which was placed in front of the tragedy of Werner. It will be readily believed, when so unhoped for an honour was conferred upon the German poet,--one seldom experienced in life, and that too from one himself so highly distinguished,--he was by no means reluctant to express the high esteem and sympathising sentiment with which his unsurpassed contemporary had inspired him. The task was difficult, and was found the more so, the more it was contemplated;--for what can be said of one whose unfathomable qualities are not to be reached by words? But when a young gentleman, Mr. Sterling, of pleasing person and excellent character, in the spring of 1823, on a journey from Genoa to Weimar, delivered a few lines under the hand of the great man as an introduction, and when the report was soon after spread that the noble Peer was about to direct his great mind and various power to deeds of sublime daring beyond the ocean, there appeared to be no time left for further delay, and the following lines were hastily written[1]:-- [Footnote 1: I insert the verses in the original language, as an English version gives but a very imperfect notion of their meaning.] "Ein freundlich Wort kommt eines nach dem andern Von Sueden her und bringt uns frohe Stunden; Es ruft uns auf zum Edelsten zu wandern, Nich ist der Geist, doch ist der Fuss gebunden. "Wie soil ich dem, den ich so lang begleitet, Nun etwas Traulich's in die Ferne sagen? Ihm der sich selbst im Innersten bestreitet, Stark angewohnt das tiefste Weh zu tragen. "Wohl sey ihm doch, wenn er sich selbst empfindet! Er wage selbst sich hoch beglueckt zu nennen, Wenn Musenkraft die Schmerzen ueberwindet, Und wie ich ihn erkannt moeg' er sich kennen.