Secondly, the declension of epigram-writing is to be lamented as a loss in an historical and national point of view. Epigrammatic literature displays national history. The various turns of events, as they quickly pass, are caught and, as it were, photographed in the epigrams of the day; and minor circumstances, which may eventually enable the historian to discover the small causes of great changes, are chronicled in a serious distich or a witty quatrain. It reflects, too, the national mind. The characteristics of the time; the temperament, manners, and habits of the people are portrayed. The great writer of each particular period,' says the author of an article on the "Life of Bentley," in the 46th volume of the "Quarterly Review," "is the image and representative of the state of the public mind during his own age. The popular poet embodies the passions and feelings of his time; he is the perpetual record of the tone of thought, of taste, of imaginative excitement prevalent in his own country and during his own day. . . . There is always a strong reciprocal action and reaction of the popular mind on the literature, as well as of the literature on the public mind; it is at once an exciting cause and the living expression of the events, the manners, the character of each separate period of history." True as this is of poets in general, especially is it true of Epigrammatists. Authors of this class have, from the earliest times, not only been affected by the passions and feelings of the people, but have worked upon those feelings, and directed. their course. This is seen most distinctly in the Greek epigram-writers. The warlike character of his countrymen is reflected in the soul-stirring inscriptions of Simonides, and none can doubt the effect which those burning words must have had in rousing the martial spirit of the people to yet greater deeds of glory. In later times we view the decay of Greek prowess in the silence of the Epigrammatists on warlike themes. Love and wine are the subjects of their verse, as marrying and giving in marriage and convivial entertainments were the chief care of the people in the days of their national humiliation. So, in Roman times, when, amidst excessive luxury and effeminate pleasures, the ruin of the empire was slowly but surely advancing, we see in the conviviality and the lewdness of the epigrams of Petronius Arbiter, a reflection of the manners of his countrymen, sunk in debauchery and sloth; and we cannot doubt that the vices were aided by the vicious teaching of the poet. In modern times the same effects may be observed. The reaction from Puritanism is displayed in the epigrams of the reign of Charles II., and the passions excited by the Revolution are strongly reflected in those of the reign of William III. The decline of epigrammatic literature at the time when Napoleon was devastating Europe, makes any reference to that period of more doubtful import but even the inferior epigrams written during the war, which may be found in abundance in such works as the "Spirit of the Public Journals," display decided evidence of the influence of popular feeling on these productions, though it can hardly be supposed that epigrams of so low a class, and of such halting numbers, can have had much effect on the passions of the people. But if epigrammatic literature should rise again from its low estate, and take once more its place in the high ranks of poetry, we may expect that it will again exercise a legitimate power, and stir the public sentiment. The purer its character, the holier will be its influence; the nobler its sentiments, the more beneficial will be its results. Should domestic troubles come, it will inspire loyal and patriotic aspirations. Should war be sent to scourge us, it will incite to valour. THE EPIGRAMMATISTS. GREEK EPIGRAMMATISTS. B.C. 690-A.D. 530. ARCHILOCHUS. Flourished B.C. 690. He was born in the Isle of Paros, and in his youth emigrated to Thasos. It is said that the Lacedæmonians laid a prohibition on his verses on account of their immorality. His humour was malevolent, and his habit of raillery and abuse made him many enemies. ON THE LOSS OF HIS SHIELD (Jacobs I. 41, iii.). Translated by Merivale. The foeman glories in my shield I left it on the battle field; I threw it down beside the wood, Unscath'd by scars, unstain'd with blood. And let him glory! Since, from death Escap'd, I keep my forfeit breath, I soon may find, at little cost, As good a shield as that I've lost. Archilochus, who threw away his shield, and thus endeavours to put a fair face upon his cowardice, seems to have held the view of the man of peace, whom Massinger makes to say ("The Picture," Act I. sc. 2): This military art I grant to be the noblest of professions; B The epigram recalls the satire of Butler in “Hudibras” (Part IIL Canto iii. line 243): For those that fly may fight again, Which he can never do that's slain. CONTENTMENT (Jacobs I. 42, x.). Archilochus was contemporary with Gyges, whose wealth, like that of Croesus, early passed into a proverb. Spenser in a single line expresses much ("Faerie Queene," Book I. Canto ii., 35): The noblest mind the best contentment has. Cowley, in a portion of his epitaph for himself (translated from the Latin by Addison), describes his own happiness in his retirement: With decent poverty content, His hours of ease not idly spent ; Some other pieces on this subject will be found under Martyn. ADDRESS TO HIS SOUL (Jacobs I. 43, xiv.). My soul, my soul, by cares past all relief Cast down. But still let moderation prove Philemon shows that an equable frame of mind is the possession of a wise man. Cumberland thus translates the epigram in the "Observer" (No. 139): Extremes of fortune are true wisdom's test, And he's of men most wise, who bears them best. Agathias in an amusing epigram (Jacobs IV. 25, lxiv.) shows the result of unexpected good fortune. The translation is by Philip Smyth: Euseia, rich in gold and land, To a poor fisher gave her hand. ALCMAN. Flourished B.C. 650. He was probably a native of Lydia, but was brought early to Lacedæmon. He is supposed to have been a slave in the family of Agesidas, a Spartan citizen, by whom he was emancipated. NIGHT (Frag. X. Ed. Welcker). Translated by the late Colonel Mure, of Caldwell. Now o'er the drowsy earth still night prevails. The wild beasts slumber in their dens; No more with noisy hum of insect rings; And all the feather'd tribes, by gentle sleep subdued, Colonel Mure justly speaks of this as "a description unsurpassed. perhaps unrivalled, by any similar passage in the Greek or any other language." Very different as are the following lines by the Scotch poet, Robert Fergusson, it must be acknowledged that they are not unworthy of a place beside those of Aleman: Now murky shades surround the pole: To the notes of buzzing owl, Lions roar and tigers howl, |