Hungary and the Hungarians . homScott introduces in Quentin Durward. But we mustnot linger over the age of Matthias. The Reformation did this much for Hungarianprose, it stimulated biblical translation and fosteredreligious controversy. These preachers of a newgospel to men founded schools and developed amarvellous literary activity. Printing offices spranginto being, pouring out a grammar, dictionaries,translations from the classics, historical works, andsome of the initial attempts of Hungarian Karolyi translated the Bible in 1589-90. Notonly did these preachers influenc
Hungary and the Hungarians . homScott introduces in Quentin Durward. But we mustnot linger over the age of Matthias. The Reformation did this much for Hungarianprose, it stimulated biblical translation and fosteredreligious controversy. These preachers of a newgospel to men founded schools and developed amarvellous literary activity. Printing offices spranginto being, pouring out a grammar, dictionaries,translations from the classics, historical works, andsome of the initial attempts of Hungarian Karolyi translated the Bible in 1589-90. Notonly did these preachers influence literature, butwandering minstrels culled from the ranks of retiredclerks, schoolmasters, and soldiers, were intenselypopular with all classes. They were both grave andgay. But though able to compose religious verse andsing comic songs, where the real heart of men cameout was when versifying the histories and feats of warof their own time. Sebastian Tinodi, an unimaginativeminstrel, was a king amongst this vagabond people,. LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE 131 Tin6di sang of Szondy, the gallant defender of Dr^gel,and of Losonczy of Temesvar. In these chronicles,which stirred many a baronial hail, patriotism and theenthusiasm of the eye-witness is present, though theversification is very primitive. Valentine Balassa, whofollowed Tin6di, enjoys a more lasting reputation. Atthe coronation of Rudolph II. he was chosen to leadthe Hungarian national dance. Balassas life wascertainly eventful, and he died on the battlefield. Theposition he occupies in Hungarian literature, despitehis quarrelsome nature, is unique. Dov/n to theadvent of Petofi he remained Hungarys best lyricpoet. A century after he lived his poems were thedelight of the Kurucz world, and from the sixteenthto the nineteenth century he had no lyrical was grace, euphony, and wonderful techniquein his rhymes. At the dawn of the seventeenthcentury literature underwent a change. Protestantismlost its position, and an
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