Hymns to the Night Spiritual Songs
By Novalis
1980
First Published
152
Number of Pages
Novalis was the most significant representative of German romanticism at the end of the eighteenth century. A true contemporary of the approaching scientific age, he excelled not only as a poet, writer, religious thinker, and philosopher, but also as an enthusiastic student of science, mathematics, chemistry, physics, medicine, mineralogy and mining—even working as an inspector of coal pits.The full revelation of Novalis' creative genius came as a result of the tragic death of his bride-to-be, Sophie von Kuhn. While visiting her grave, Novalis experienced a condition of spiritual enlightenment-the fruit of which can be found in these inspired verses. Hymns to the Night gives a poetic description of Novalis' spiritual awakening, while Spiritual Songs expresses the new relationship to the world, humanity, and Christianity that became accessible to his transmuted soul.
