Let me lastly acknowledge my deep indebtedness to Mr. G. G. Nicholson, B.A., B.C.L., of the University of Sydney, whose fine scholarship and ready advice have been invaluable. If the rendering be correct, it is his virtue; the defects that will become apparent must be laid at the door of my own deficiencies. L. H. ALLEN. SYDNEY, N.S.W., _February_ 7, 1914. BIBLIOGRAPHY Judith, 1841; Gedichte, 1842; Genoveva, 1843; Maria Magdalena, 1844; Der Diamant, 1847; Neue Gedichte, 1848; Herodes und Mariamne, 1850; Der Rubin, 1851; Ein Trauerspiel in Sicilien, 1851; Julia, 1851; Michel Angelo, 1855; Agnes Bernauer, 1855; Gyges und sein Ring, 1856; Mutter und Kind (Gedicht), 1859; Die Nibelungen, 1862; Demetrius, 1864; Tagebücher, 1885-87; Briefwechsel mit Freunden und berühmten Zeitgenossen, 1890-92; Briefe, 1908, 1913. COLLECTED WORKS: Edition by E. Kuh, 12 vols., 1866-68; edition by Krumm, 12 vols., 1900; edition by Werner, 12 vols., 1901-7. LIFE: E. Kuh, 1877; Kulke, 1878; Bartels, 1899; A. von Winterfeld, 1908. _See also_ Wuetschke, H., Hebbel, Bibliographie, 1910; A. Gubelmann, Studies in the Lyric Poems of F. Hebbel, 1912. CONTENTS PAGE GYGES AND HIS RING (_translated by_ L. H. ALLEN) 1 HEROD AND MARIAMNE (_translated by_ L. H. ALLEN) 67 MARIA MAGDALENA (_translated by_ BARBER FAIRLEY) 185 GYGES AND HIS RING A TRAGEDY IN FIVE ACTS TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH VERSE BY L. H. ALLEN DRAMATIS PERSONÆ KANDAULES, _King of Lydia_. RHODOPE, _his Queen_. GYGES, _a Greek_. LESBIA } HERO } _Slave Maidens_. THOAS } KARNA } _Slaves_. THE PEOPLE. _The action is prehistoric and mythical. It takes place within a period of twenty-four hours._ HEBBEL’S PLAYS GYGES AND HIS RING ACT I SCENE 1 _A Hall_ _Enter_ KANDAULES _and_ GYGES. KANDAULES _buckles on his sword_. THOAS _follows with the diadem_. KANDAULES. To-day you’ll see what Lydia can achieve! I know you Grecians, though your necks are bended, Just for your standstill plight bear the old yoke With gnashing teeth and lip-curl at your lords. No thing on earth were easily invented You were not quick to better, were’t alone The crown you add, you set it on--and lo, The thing’s your work, you see that it is good! [THOAS _hands him the diadem_. Bring the new diadem! What use is this? Has your dolt’s hand the sword as well mistaken? [_Looks at his sword._ Why yes, by Herakles whose feast we’re holding! What, Thoas, are you doddering ere your time? THOAS. I thought---- KAN.