Page:History of the Literature of Ancient Greece (Müller) 2ed.djvu/474

452 452 HISTORY OF THE have quite the character of the contemporary Dithyramb, of which they perhaps furnish a most vivid picture. § 4. From these productions of Euripides which intrude on the domain of lyric poetry, we may also observe that, in addition to this pictorial delineation of sensible impressions, a species of reflexion which set about analyzing and dissecting every thing, and a sort of transcendental reason- ing had established themselves also in the lyric poetry of the time. The Dithyramb furnished less room for this than the other more tranquil forms of poetry. We call attention especially to the abstract subjects introduced into the encomiastic poetry, which was exhibited under the form of Pceans, such as Health, and others of the same kind, which were in fashion at the time. We have several verses of a similar' poem by Licymnius,* most of which are contained in a short paean on health, by Aiupiiron, which has been preserved, and in which avc are told with perfect truth, but at the same time in the most insipid manner, that neither wealth, nor power, nor any other human bliss, can be properly enjoyed without health.f The Psean or scolium on " Virtue " by the great Aristotle is no doubt lyric in form, but quite as abstract as these in its composition. Virtue, at the beginning of the ode, is ostentatiously repre- sented with all the warmth of inspiration as a young beauty, to die for whom is considered in Hellas as an enviable lot : and the series of mighty heroes who had suffered and died for her is closed by a transition, which, though abrupt, no doubt proceeded from the deepest feelings of Aristotle, to the praise of his noble-minded friend Hermeias, the ruler of Atarneus. § 5. The Eleqy still continued a favourite poetical amusement while Attic literature flourished ; it remained true to its original destination, to enliven the banquet and to shed the gentle light of a higher poetic feeling- over the convivialities of the feast. Consequently, the fragments of elegies of this time by Ion of Chios, Dionysius of Athens, Evenus the sophist of Paros, and Critias of Athens, all speak much of wine, of the proper mode of drinking, of dancing and singing at banquets, of the cottabus- game, which young people were then so fond of, and of other things of the same kind, and they took as their subject the joys of the banquet and the right measure to be observed at it. This elegiac poetry proceeds on the principle that we should enjoy ourselves in society, combining the pleasures of the senses with intellectual gratifications, and not forgetting our higher calling in the midst of such enjoyments. " To drink and sport and be right-minded" — is the expression of Ion. J As however the thoughts easily passed from the festal board to the general social ■J- Athen. XV. p. 702, A. Boeekh. Corp. Inicrip/. I. p. 477, seqq. Schneidewin Delectus poes. Gr. eley. iamb, me/wee, p. 450. J nivitv xxi vra'ifyii) xxi tk }i'xaia tpoovilv.
 * Sextus Emphicus adv. Malhemalicos, p. 447 c.