He left Leipsic in 1748, and went to reside at Langen salza ; where. in consequtnce of a disappointment in love, he was, for some time, thrown into a state of mental dejec tion. About this time he published ten books of his Mes siah, by which his reputation as a poet was completely established. Tile work, indeed, was hailed with rapture by the lovers of poetry and devotion; the critics looked upon it as forming an era in the poetical annals of Germa nv ; and the author was generally regarded as the Homer of his native country.
In 1750, he made a journey into Switzerland, in conse. quence or an invitation from Bodmer to visit him at Zu rich. Here he was received with great respect ; and he appears to have formed a strong attachment to the country and its inhabitants ; among whom he would, in all proba bility, have spent the greater part of his life, had not Baron Bernstorff, who had conceived a high regard for the talents of Klopstock, invited him to Copenhagen, with the assu rance of conferring upon him such a pension as would make him independent. He accordingly set out for Copenha gen, in the year 1751; and, in passing through Hamburgh, be became acquainted with a young lady, Miss Moller, of amiable qualities and literary accomplishments, whom he soon afterwards married. The congeniality of their dispo sitions seemed to promise much happiness to both ; but Klopstock was very soon deprived of his partner, who died in childbed ; and he lamented her death, and cherished her memory, to the last hour of his existence. He remained
chiefly at Copenhagen until the year 1771 ; after which period he remained at Ilamburgh, in the capacity of Danish legate, and counsellor of the Margrave of Baden, from whom he enjoyed a pension. He died at Hamburgh in the month of March, 1803, in the 79th year of his age.
The moral character of Klopstock was exceedingly amiable; and this, no less than his poetical talents, made him be regarded with sentiments of veneration by all those who enjoyed his acquaintance. His natural diffidence was so great, that he seldom felt at his ease in the presence of strangers, especially persons of rank.
As a poet, Klopstock has been justly placed among the number of those who have attained the very first eminence. His productions display a fertile imagination and a cultivat ed taste ; and they abound in sublime imagery and pathetic sentiment. The Messiah—which extends to twenty can toes—is perhaps too long for a devotional poem. There is in it a paucity of incident, which the inspiration of genius finds it difficult to supply ; and it cannot be denied, that the sublimity of his conceptions frequently carries the muse of Klopstock into the obscure regions of mysticism. His ly rical effusions are remarkably spirited ; yet not altogether free front the characteristic defect to which we have allud ed. His dramatic pieces are also written with great spirit and force, but are not properly adapted for theatrical repre sentation. (z)