Joyful praise of the beauties of spring mixed with a melancholy presentiment of an early death is the predominant mood of the poetry of Ludwig Christoph Heinrich Hölty. In spite of a short life and a relatively slim output, he is represented in most collections of German poetry. Indeed, some of his poems set to music by Johann Friedrich Reichardt and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart have become familiar as folk songs; most notable among them is the first stanza of "Der alte Landmann an seinen Sohn" (The Old Farmer to His Son), beginning with the words "Üb' immer Treu und Redlichkeit" (Be steadfast in faithfulness and honesty).

Born into times of political and social changes, Hölty was instrumental in paving the way for a poetry that reflected a new spirit. Along with nationalistic enthusiasm, characterized by heralding the tradition of bards and minnesingers, H...