A

PREFATORY ESSAY

ON

ELE GY.

I

T is obfervable, that difcourfes prefixed tồ 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 B 2

be

4 A PREFATORY ESSAY ON ELEGY,

*

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 subjects, and the different ftyles in which the writers of elegy have hitherto indulged themselves, and endeavour to fhield the following ones by the latitude of their example.

word, the

If we confider the etymology of the epithet which HORACE gives it, or the confeffion which § OVID makes concerning it, I think ve may conclude 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 characteristic, and fo long as this is thoroughly fuftained, admits of a variety of subjects; which by its manner of treating them, it renders its own. It throws its melancholy ftole over pretty different objets, which, like the dreffes at a funeral proceffion, gives them all a kind of folemn and uniform appear

ance.

It is probable that elegies were written at first upon the death of intimate friends and near relations;

*This effay was written near twenty years ago. te-λeyer, e-particulam dolendi.

↑ Miferabiles elegos.

HOR.

§ Heu nimis ex vero nunc tibi nomen erit.

OVID. de Morte Tibulli.

celebrated

A PREFATORY ESSAY ON ELEGY. 5

celebrated beauties, or favourite miftreffes; beneficent governors and illuftrious men one may add perhaps, of all thofe, who are placed by VIRGIL in the laurel-grove of his Elyfium, (Vide HURD's Differtation on HORACE's Epistle)

Quique fui memores alios fecere merendo.

After thefe fubjects were fufficiently exhausted, and the feverity of fate difplayed 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 abfent or neglected lovers. And this indulgence might be indeed allowed them; but with this they were not contented. They bad obtained a fmall corner in the province of love, and they took advantage, from thence, to over-run the whole territory. They fung its poils, triumphs, evations, and rejoicings*, as well as the captivity and exequies that attended it. They gave the name of elegy to their pleafantries as well as lamentations; 'till at laft, through their abundant fondness for the myrtle, they forgot that the cyprefs was their peculiar garland.

In this it is probable they deviated from the original defign of elegy; and it should feem, that any kind of fubjects, treated in fuch a manner as to diffufe a pleafing

* Dicite Io Pæan, & Io bis dicite Paan.

B 3

OVID.

melancholy,

melancholy, might far better deferve the name, than the facetious mirth and libertine festivity of the fuccessful votaries of love.

But not to dwell too long upon an opinion which may feem perhaps introduced to favour the following performance, it may not be improper to examine into the ufe and end of elegy. The most important end of all poetry is to encourage virtue. Epic and tragedy chiefly recommend the public virtues; elegy is of a fpecies which illuftrates and endears the private. There is a truly virtuous pleasure connected with many penfive contemplations, which it is the province and excellency of elegy to enforce. This, by prefenting fuitable ideas, has difcovered fweets in melancholy which we could not find in mirth; and has led us with fuccefs to the dufty urn, when we could draw no pleasure from the Sparkling bowl; as paftorel conveys an idea of fimplicity and innocence, it is in particular the task and merit of elegy to fhew the innocence and fimplicity of rural life to advantage, and that, in a way diftinct from paftoral, as much as the plain but judicious landlord may be imagined to surpass his tenant both in dignity and understanding. It should also tend to elevate the more tranquil virtues of humility, difinterestedness, fimplicity, and innocence: but then there is a degree of elegance and refinement, no way inconfiftent with thefe rural virtues; and that raifes elegy above

that