Page:Lauda Syon ancient Latin hymns of the English and other churches.pdf/379



The tranlator, with all humility, commends this volume to the attention of thoe who are engaged in the laudable tak of compiling Hymnals in the vernacular language for the public ue of the Church. To thoe who are acquainted with the ubject, the vat uperiority of ancient over nine-tenths of modern hymnody, is ufficiently apparent.

The compoitions of the early and middle age of Chritianity, are moty couched in majetic and olemn language—dignified, yet flowing metres, and always embody and expres deep and catholic truths, conjoined with earnet and fervid prayer and acriptions of praie.

To this excellence the entimental effuions of more modern times carcely ever attain, although often uperior in mere poetical and imaginative feeling.

The tranlator may further be permitted to remark, that the ballad metre (eights and fixes) never occurs in any of the approved ancient or medieval hymns, and to expres his great regret that o ecular and lovenly a meaure hould ever have been adopted for etting forth the majetic praies of the Holy Trinity, and of celebrating the glorious memories of the Saints departed.

May, 1866.