Preface to the Second Edition.
I have taken advantage of the publication of a Second Edition of my translation of the Poems of Goethe（originally published in），to ad d to the Collection a version[1]of the much admired classical Poem of Hermann and Dorothea，which was previously omitted[2]by me in consequence of its length.Its universal popularity[3]，however，and the fact that it exhibits the versatility[4]of Goethe’s talents to a greater extent than，perhaps，any other of his poetical works，seem to call for its admission into the present volume.
On the other hand I have not thought it necessary to include the sketch of Goethe’s Life that accompanied[5]the First Edition.At the time of its publication，comparatively little was known in this country of the incidents of his career，and my sketch was avowedly[6]written as a temporary stop-gap，as it were，pending the production of some work really deserving the tittle of a life of Goethe.Not to mention other contributions to the literature of the subject，Mr.Lewis’s important volumes give the English reader all the information he is likely to require respecting[7]Goethe’s career，and my short memoir appeared to be no longer required.
I need scarcely add that I have availed[8]myself of this opportunity to make whatever improvements have suggested themselves to me in my original version of these Poems.
E.A.B.
London,1874.
[1]version n.译文，译本，翻译
[2]omit vt.省略，疏忽，遗漏
[3]popularity n.普及，流行，声望
[4]versatility n.多功能性
[5]accompany v.附加；补充
[6]avowedly adv.公然地
[7]respecting prep.关系，说到
[8]avail vi.有益于，有帮助，有用，有利vt.有利于n.效用，利益