a Where shalt thou rest them' at noon?
b For why should I be as a stranger
By the flocks of thy companions?

BRIDEGROOM OR SHEPHERD.

If thou shalt not thyself perceive,
O thou fairest among women,

Go forth along the footsteps of the flock,
And feed thy kids

Beside the tents of the shepherds.

a Desirous to be separated as little as possible from her husband during the labours of the day, and anxious, especially, to enjoy his company at noon, when, according to the practice of these hot countries, his flock would lie down in the shade, his affectionate wife requests directions where she shall find him.

Parkhurst. Like a

66

wrapt up, veiled, muffled up. mourner, or like a woman among strangers. Operta, deliquium animi patiens." Simon. "As a wanderer." Percy and Good. The language is exceedingly beautiful, and full of tenderness. If she lose sight of him, and find herself at a distance from him, when the sultry hour shall compel her to desist from her employments, and to retire somewhere for shelter, how uncomfortable will it be to her, to spend that season of leisure and retirement among other shepherds! Amidst their flocks she shall be as one sorrowful and forlorn, under the inconvenient restraints, at least, of a stranger.

"Feed or assemble." She too, it appears, has a charge to attend, the flock of kids, while her husband is employed with the flock in general. In such circumstances, it might easily happen in an open desert, that, in following their respective cares, they would be separated from each other. Should this be the case, and she should lose him, she is to follow the track made by his flock; the tents, also, of his under shepherds, objects discernible at a distance, will serve her for a guide and a signal.

C

INTERPRETATION OF THE SECOND IDYL, OR PARABLE.

THE imagination of mankind seems, in a particular manner, to have singled out the scene described in this idyl, as the summit of ideal felicity. The shepherdess and her faithful shepherd, happy in each other's affection, following together, at a distance from the noisy contest and contaminating crowd, their not laborious employment amidst the beauties of nature, is the perpetual theme of almost every poet. In comparison of the supposed hap piness of such a pair, the enjoyments of more cultivated life, the rewards of industry and ambition, and the splendid amusements of courts, are affected to be despised.

The picture, it is feared, as it has been wont to be painted, exists not but in imagination. However, we have the opinion of the poets, whose peculiar study is human nature, that amidst the more refined pleasures of polished society, true and satisfactory happiness in love has not usually been obtained.

The reason of this disappointment is not, indeed, in the artificial structure of society alone, nor in the multiplied wants of man in a state highly civilized. The cause is more deeply rooted in human nature: it must be sought for in the moral depravity of mankind. It is a cause which would

affect the shepherds in Arcadia, as well as the corrupted inhabitants of the luxurious metropolis. Yet it must be admitted, that where there has been a considerable departure in the manners of society from primitive simplicity, such a state of society will be still less likely to afford examples of conjugal affection and domestic happiness.

This I conceive to be the reason that, in order to exhibit a better prototype for the loves of Christ and his church, the Spirit of inspiration has, by the introduction of this parable, led us from the palace of Solomon to the cot of the shepherd.

But, in actual life, whether among princes or peasants, the reflection forces itself upon us, how are the pleasures of love mixed with alloy !-how liable to be turned into sorrows the most painful to the feeling mind! The best beloved is not always faithful; the adored idol not always worthy of the passion, or found, on further acquaintance, by no means resembling the picture presented to the fond imagination! How many are betrayed, forsaken, or quit the indulgent guidance of gentle parents, for what turns out nothing better than the service of an unfeeling stranger!

And, supposing all circumstances of the union to be favourable, how uncertain still the tenure of this happiness!—how liable, all along this troublesome pilgrimage, to be made an additional source of care and anxiety! And whence the widow and the fatherless? the parent bereaved of his children,

up

you

"refusing to be comforted because they are not?" Ah, dream not of lasting happiness on earth, made of earthly things. Look not to a mortal to fill the place of God. Have felt of what your heart is capable, even towards a fellow-creature, when your partial regards overlooked his imperfections, and you forgot his perishable nature? remember, there is an object revealed to the children of men worthy of your affections, one whose beauty and whose goodness ought to call them forth in their tenderest form. Here no suspicion of treachery, no anticipated change, need check your confidence ; nor will you hazard the shame of disappointment in the indulgence of the fondest expectations.

O that those, who are already become the victims of some unfortunate attachment, or who are about, through the deception of a lying imagination, to part, perhaps for ever, with quiet and peace of mind, could be brought to transfer their passion to this heavenly Lover! Ah, check your roving fancies, feigning what is not, what cannot be !-sure to cover you with shame and remorse! And come, meditate on his excellencies, whom having not seen the faithful Christian loves, in whom, though now he sees him not, yet, believing, he rejoices with joy unspeakable, and full of glory a.

The beloved spouse, in the parable before us, is supposed to express her anxiety on going forth to

a 1 Pet. i. 8.

the labours of the day, lest she should be separated from the object of her affections: Tell me, O

thou that art the love of my soul, where shalt thou feed the flock, where shalt thou rest them at noon." To hold communion with Christ, and enjoy his presence, is the great delight of the spiritual mind. This to some will necessarily appear as fancy and enthusiasm. There are those, however, whose experience can attest, that it is an experience warranted by the word of God, that a sense of joy, such as no tongue can describe, or earthly comparison reach, is, at certain seasons, vouchsafed to the followers of Christ-" times" they are, indeed, "of refreshing from the presence of the Lord."

To those who have tasted that the Lord is gracious, how painful the apprehension of the loss of his presence of being employed at a distance as it were, from him who is "the love of the soul!" But duties call for attention. Much time in this lower world must, in usual circumstances, be occupied in the want of all sensible experience of the divine presence: - in employments, frequently, which cannot but abstract the mind from religious meditation. It is this consideration which makes it the earnest desire and prayer of the renewed and spiritual Christian, that the wisdom of God would inspire him, so to conduct himself in the management of temporal affairs; and his providence so overrule events, and order the circumstances of his