Sáfrán Györgyi: Arany János-gyűjtemény. Petőfi Sándor–Szendrey Júlia kéziratok (A MTAK kézirattárának katalógusai 13., 1982)
Angol nyelvű kivonat
Our catalogue gives information about the manuscript material of JÁNOS ARANY (1817-1882) and SÁNDOR PETŐFI (1823-1849) to be found in the Manuscript Department of the Library of the Academy. Out of the two collections the one belonging to Arany is the bulkier. Although they both were cultivators of Hungarian literature matching the standards of world literature, it is only Petőfi that is known abroad as our greatest lyricist. Arany is less known — since a major part of his works is epic and besides, owing to his use of indigenous Hungarian parlance, his works are not easily rendered into a foreign language. Both poets deserve credit for their achievement in translating English literature into Hungarian. Together with MIHÁLY VÖRÖSMARTHY (1800-1855) the three poets started to launch the Hungarian edition of Shakespeare's complete works. Petőfi's translation of "Coriolanus" was published, but the War of Independence in 1848-49 suspended this initiative. As Petőfi fell victim to the War of Independence the translation of Shakespeare was carried on by his best friend, János Arany, When still a student in Debrecen Arany had been encouraged by one of his teachers: "You should translate nobody but Shakespeare, Domine!" János Arany gained distinction at liferary competitions. His epic poem Toldi based on historical legend was a success all over the country. Petőfi hailed him in a poem, though they were not yet acquainted. From that time on, however, they had correspondence with each other. The letters written by Petőfi to Arany are preserved in the Manuscript Section of the Library of the Academy, those by Arany are in the Széchényi Public Library. Later Arany worked up "Toldi" into a trilogy and drawing on the Hun-Magyar legendary cycle, he wrote the story of Attila and his brother with the title "The Death of Buda". Because of his epic works he was called the "Hungarian Homer". He borrowed the subject of his dramatic ballads from Hungarian folklore and history. Impressed also by Scottish folk-ballads, he translated "Sir Patrick Spens". After the suppression of the War of Independence he wrote a ballad titled "The Bards of Wales" to get round censorship, he first published as a "Scottish folk-ballad". In 1873 when he was already secretary-general of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, the Prince of Wales, the would-be king Edward II visited Budapest and was guided by Arany in the Hall of the Academy. According to the report in The'Times, the Prince of Wales asked the poet when he had written "The Bards of Wales". Arany answered: "In a time when the Hungarian nation, just like the Welsh bards in the ballad, refused to praise her oppressors."
