Thus far in general as to the nature and method of the poem, and the form of the versification; it remains to offer a few remarks concerning the subject and the style.

In

That the subject of the Lamentations is the destruction of the holy city and temple, the overthrow of the state, the extermination of the people, and that these events are described as actually accomplished, and not in the style of prediction merely, must be evident to every reader. Though some authors of considerable reputation" have imagined this poem to have been composed on the death of king Josiah. The prophet, indeed, has so copiously, so tenderly, and poetically bewailed the misfortunes of his country, that he seems completely to have fulfilled the office and duty of a mourner. my opinion, there is not extant any poem, which displays such a happy and splendid selection of imagery in so concentrated a state. What can be more elegant and poetical, than the description of that once flourishing city, lately chief among the nations, sitting in the character of a female, solitary, afflicted, in a state of widowhood, deserted by her friends, betrayed by her dearest connections, imploring relief, and seeking consolation in vain? What a beautiful personification is that of "the Ways of Sion mourning because none are come "to her solemn feasts ?" How tender and pathetic are the following complaints?

"Is this nothing to all you who pass along the way? behold and

" see,

"If there be any sorrow, like unto my sorrow, which is inflicted

" on me;

"Which JEHOVAH inflicted on me in the day of the violence of

his wrath.

"For these things I weep, my eyes stream with water;

JOSEPHUS, JEROME, USSERIUS, &c.

"Because the comforter is far away, that should tranquillize my

"soul:

"My children are desolate, because the enemy was strong."

But to detail its beauties would be to transcribe the entire poem. I shall make but one remark relative to certain passages, and to the former part of the second alphabet in particular. If, in this passage, the Prophet should be thought by some to affect a style too bold and ener getic for the expression of sorrow, let them only advert to the greatness of the subject, its importance, sanctity, and solemnity; and let them consider that the nature of the performance absolutely required these to be set forth in a style suitable, in some degree at least, to their inherent dignity; let them attentively consider these things, and I have not a doubt, but they will readily excuse the sublimity of the prophet.

18 LAM. i. 12, and 16. In the last verse the word is not repeated in the old translations.

LECTURE XXIII.

OF THE REMAINING ELEGIES OF THE HEBREWS.

Many poems of this kind still extant in the writings of the Hebrews.-One collection of Elegies or Lamentations appears to be lost.-Elegies in Ezekiel. Many passages in Job may be accounted Elegiac.—About a seventh part of the book of Psalms consists of Elegies.-A perfect specimen of elegiac poetry from the Psalms.-The Lamentation of David over Saul and Jonathan explained: attempted in English verse.

In the last Lecture the nature and origin of the Hebrew Elegy was explained; the form and commencement of that species of poetry was traced into the solemn dirges which were chanted at funerals by the professed mourners; and this was confirmed by instances taken from those short Elegies or Lamentations which occur in the Prophets, and by an accurate examination of that remarkable poem, the Lamentations of Jeremiah. I shall now treat of some other poems, which, although they do not exactly assume the form of a funereal dirge, are nevertheless to be comprehended in this class.

That the Hebrews were formerly possessed of some collection of elegies or lamentations, which has not been transmitted to us, we may understand from that passage of sacred history,' in which mention is made of the solemn mourning publicly celebrated at the funeral of Josiah; where it appears that a poem, composed for the occasion by Jeremiah the prophet, amongst others had a place. Though the book, which is on this occasion

1 2 Chron. xxxv. 25.

referred to, and which probably contained the most excellent of the Hebrew elegies, appears to be lost, there are still extant many specimens of this kind of poetry; whence we may reasonably infer, that no species of composition was more in use among the Hebrews than the elegiac, the ode perhaps only excepted.

In the first place, beside those short dirges, which occur in the writings of almost all the prophets, as was before remarked, there are some in Ezekiel, which are actually distinguished by the title of Lamentations, and which may with the utmost propriety be referred to the class of Elegies. Among these are the two lamentations concerning Tyre, and the king of Tyre. In these,

though the intent of the prophet be to denounce vengeance and punishment against these objects of the di vine wrath, rather than to lament their misfortunes; and though he succeed in his aim of exciting terror instead of pity, yet the mournful nature of the subject fully corresponds with the title, and both the matter and the sentiments bear some degree of resemblance to the funereal songs. According to the custom which prevailed on those solemn occasions, the glory, riches, and power of the deceased are pompously enumerated; and thus by contrasting his former prosperity with the present calamity, the effect is considerably augmented. As for the two prophecies, in which the destruction of Egypt is predicted, they seem to have been entitled Lamentations merely from the mournful nature of the subject; for they contain nothing of the elegiac form or style, scarcely any sentiment expressive of sorrow, and seem altogether composed for the denunciation of vengeance, and the exciting of terror. Two other Lamentations, the one over the princes of Judah, and the other

2 EZEK. xxvii. and xxviii. 12-19.

4 EZEK. Xix.

3 EZEK. Xxxii.

over Jerusalem, may be explained upon similar principles: they are indeed poetical parables, and have been already noticed in their proper place.

There are also many passages in that most admirable poem, which bears the name of Job, deserving to be accounted legitimate elegies: and indeed I do not know any more perfect specimens of this species of composition; so completely are the inmost recesses of sorrow displayed, and the remotest fountains of pity explored and laid open. But since these are parts of an entire poem, they are not rashly to be detached from the body of the work; and since the elegant disposition, and the extraordinary beauties of this inimitable composition, will deserve a fuller examination, it is sufficient in this place to have mentioned these passages as exquisite treasures, which the Muse of Sorrow might legally claim as her own, were she disposed to assert her rigid rights.

I proceed, therefore, to the book of Psalms, which is a collection, under the general title of hymns to the praise of God, containing poems of different kinds, and elegies among the rest. If indeed the contents of the book were methodically arranged in their proper classes, not less than a sixth or seventh part would appear to be elegiac. Since, however, this is a matter dependant in a great measure upon opinion, and not to be clearly demonstrated upon determinate principles; since the nature of the subject, the complexion of the style, or the general form and disposition of each poem, must decide the question; and since different persons will judge differently upon these points; it will hardly be expected that I should on this occasion proceed to the regular classification of them. It will indeed be more to your advantage, and more to our present purpose, to select

See Jos, chap. iii. vi. vii. x. xiv. xvii. xix. xxix. xxx.