Note 21 — LUTHER AND THE REFORMATION. (continued 2)
Reading edition
Luther's first poetic publication seems to have been certain verses composed on the martyrdom of two young Christian monks, who were burned alive at Brussels in 1523 for their faithful confession of the evangelical doctrines. A translation of a part of this composition is given in D'Aubigné's History of the Reformation in these beautiful and stirring words:
"Flung to the heedless winds or on the waters cast, Their ashes shall be watched, and gathered at the last; And from that scattered dust, around us and abroad, Shall spring a plenteous seed of witnesses for God. "Jesus hath now received their latest living breath, Yet vain is Satan's boast of victory in their death. Still, still, though dead, they speak, and trumpet-tongued proclaim To many a wakening land the One availing Name."
Audin, though a Romanist, says: "The hymns which he translated from the Latin into German may be unreservedly praised, as also those which he composed for the members of his own communion. He did not travesty the sacred Word nor set his anger to music. He is grave, simple, solemn, and grand. He was at once the poet and musician of a great number of his hymns."