Among many tributes to the work of this poet a few may be cited from the monograph, compiled by Eugen Diederichs Verlag in Jena, translated for this book by Thekla E. Hodge. Michael Georg Conrad, often compared with Spitteler as a leading exponent of modern German literature, writes: “The marked superiority of Spitteler over his contemporaries in the realm of _belles-lettres_ is due to his brilliant creative genius, and the rare combination of deep feeling and keen humor.” Widman, another author-critic, writes of _Prometheus_: “In this poem he blends poetry with religion (mythology) and thought (philosophy). Unfortunately, we can draw no comparison for nothing like it is found in literature.” The same critic is enthusiastic about the poems, _Butterflies_ (_Schmetterlinge_). “The fate of these wondrous little creatures, whose transformation has ever brought to the human mind a mysterious and touching symbolism, was wrought by the poet’s touch into scenes of dramatic tragedy, and irresistible charm.” Several commentators have stressed the qualities of vigor and grotesqueness, combined with idyllic poetry in the epics and lyrics by Spitteler. One of the most sincere tributes was that of Romain Rolland, written soon after he had received the Nobel prize and before that honor was given to Carl Spitteler. He regrets that it was not bestowed upon the Swiss writer and adds: “Spitteler is to my mind the greatest European poet, the only one today who approaches the most famous names of the past.... Strange blindness of the world to pass by the living flame of the genius of the most inspired poet without even divining its splendour.” The award of 1919 was the fulfilment of Rolland’s desire. FOOTNOTES: [109] Inscription with the Nobel Prize Award in Literature, 1916. [110] _Sweden’s Laureate: Selected Poems_ translated by Charles Wharton Stork, New Haven, 1919. By permission of Yale University Press. [111] _Ibid._, “Mother.” [112] By permission of Yale University Press. [113] _Sweden’s Laureate: Selected Poems_, translated by Charles Wharton Stork, New Haven, 1919. By permission of Yale University Press. [114] Inscription with the Nobel Prize Award in Literature, 1917. [115] New York, 1925, p. 27. [116] Vol. VI, p. 109. [117] Inscription with the Nobel Prize Award in Literature, 1917. [118] Vol. VI, 1918. [119] Inscription with the Nobel Prize Award in Literature, 1918. [120] _Carl Spitteler_; monograph compiled by Eugen Diederichs Verlag in Jena. [121] _Studies from Ten Literatures_ by Ernest Boyd, New York, 1925. [122] _The German Classics_, edited by Kuno Francke, New York, 1914, _Carl Spitteler: Life and Works_, Vol. XIV, pp. 493-515. [123] _Contemporary Review_, January, 1920, article by J. G. Robertson. [124] _The German Classics_, edited by Kuno Francke, New York, 1914, Vol. XIV, p. 515. CHAPTER XIII KNUT HAMSUN AND HIS NOVELS OF NORWEGIAN LIFE The prize of 1920 has been awarded: