Reflections on Aristotle's treatise of poesie containing the necessary, rational, and universal rules for epick, dramatick, and the other sorts of poetry : with reflections on the works of the ancient and modern poets, and their faults noted / by R. Rapin.

XXIX.

THe Elegy, by the quality of its name, is destined to Tears and Complaints: and therefore ought to be of a doleful Character. But afterwards it has been used in Subjects of Tenderness, as in Lov••-matters, and the like. The Latins have been more successful therein (by what appears to us) than the Greeks. For little remains to us of Philetas and Tyrtues, who were famous in Greece for this kind of Verse. They who have writ Elegy best amongst the Latins, are Tibullus, Propertius, Ovid. Tibullus is elegant and polite, Propertius noble and high; but Ovid is to be prefer'd to both; because he is more natural, more

moving, and more passionate; and there∣by he has better express'd the Character of Elegy, than the others. Some Elegies are left us of Catullus, of Mecaenas, and Cornelius Gallus, which are of a great purity, and are exceedingly delicate; but the Verse of Catullus and Me••aenas have too much softness, and a negligence too affected: those of Cornelius Gallus are more round▪ and support themselves better. In these latter Ages have ap∣pear'd a German nam'd Lotichius, an Ita∣lian call'd Molsa, a Flemming call'd Si∣dronius, who have writ Elegies with great elegancy. I speak not of the French Elegies, it is a kind of Verse which they distinguish not from Heroick; and they call indifferently Elegy, what they please, whereby the distinction of the tru•• Character of this Verse seems not yet well establish'd amongst them.