E LEG I ES, WRITTEN ON MANY DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. "Tantùm inter denfas, umbrofa cacumina, fagos "Affiduè veniebat; ibi hæc incondita, folus, "Montibus et fylvis studio jactabat inani !” A PREFATORY ESSAY I Ο Ν EL EGY. T is obfervable, that discourses prefixed to poetry are contrived very frequently to inculcate fuch tenets as may exhibit the performance to the greatest advantage. The fabric is very commonly raised in the first place, and the measures, by which we are to judge of its merit, are afterwards adjusted. There have been few rules given us by the critics concerning the structure of elegiac poetry; and far be it from the author of the following trifles to dignify his own opinions with that denomination. He would only intimate the great variety of fubjects, and the different Styles in which the writers of elegy have hitherto indulged themselves, and endeavour to fhield the following ones by the latitude of their example. If we confider the etymology* of the word, the epithet which † Horace gives it, or the confeffion : * which Ovid makes concerning it, I think we may con clude thus much however; that elegy, in its true and genuine acceptation, includes a tender and querulous idea that it looks upon this as its peculiar characteriftic, and so long as this is thoroughly sustained, admits of a variety of fubjects; which, by its manner of treating them, it renders its own. It throws its melancholy fole over pretty different objects; which, like the dresses at a funeral proceffion, gives them all a kind of folemn and uniform appearance. It is probable that elegies were written at firft upon the death of intimate friends and near relations ; celebrated beauties, or favourite mistresses; beneficent governors and illuftrious men one may add perhaps, of all thofe, who are placed by Virgil in the laurel-grove of his Elyfium. (See Hurd's Differtation on Horace's Epiftle.) "Quique fui memores alios fecere merendo." After thefe fubjects were fufficiently exhaufted, and the feverity of fate displayed in the most affecting inftances, the poets fought occafion to vary their complaints; and the next tender species of forrow that prefented itself, was the grief of absent or neglected lovers. And this indulgence might be indeed allowed them; but with this they were not contented. They had obtained a finall corner in the province of love, and they took advantage, from thence, to over-run the whole territory. *Heu.nimis ex vero nunc tibi nomen erit." OVID. de Morte Tibulli. |