NOTES. They communicated their doctrines in riddles and allegories. Καὶ φασὶ τοὺς μὲν Γυμνοσοφιστὰς καὶ Δρυΐδας αἰνιγματωδῶς φιλοσοφῆσαι. DIOG. LAERT. L. 6. 2 Twenty years was the period of education for those who were to be initiated: it was to be conducted" in locis ruinosis et sylvestribus." * Beltane-fires to the Sun in spring. ♦ I have followed the example of Mason in using the modern name of this mountain. Of course I mean not to insinuate, by using this word, that the Druid had any idea of the Greek division of the choral ode. I could find no other word that reached what I wished to express so well: I have therefore ventured it. 66 6 Their idea of the doctrine of transmigration was, that the soul, after progressive perfection, in various forms, was finally settled in " an island of the blest." 'Hoc genus Vatum Medicorumque.—PLIN. xxx. 1. The Druids appear to have considered themselves obliged to celibacy. ? I have endeavoured here to observe the three different orders of Druids. The Bards-The Faids or prophets-The Druids or priests. 10 Since they divined by the actions of the victim, after the fatal blow, the omen thus elicited would be favourable. -horrensque feris altaribus Hesus.-LUCAN. 12 "The feast of shells.”—OSSIAN. So called from the drinking vessels being shells. 13 The first of the Druid mysteries revealed to the initiated. 14 Conditum mundum credebant, et aliquando igne periturum.AMMIAN. MARCELLIN. 15 The Druids held many doctrines in common with the Persians. Their veneration for fire was one. 16 Love of the parent soil, much inculcated among the Druids. 17 The Druids believed in the existence of a retributive Providence. 18 Fœminæ, in furore turbatæ "adesse exitium" canebant. Externosque fremitus in curia eorum auditos: consonuisse ululatibus theatrum, visamque speciem in æstuario subversæ coloniæ, jam Oceanum, cruento aspectu; delabente æstu, humanorum corporum effigies relictas ut Britanni ad spem, ita veterani ad metum trahebant. -TACIT. Ann. xiv. 32. The storming of Camalodunum immediately succeeded the devastation of Mona. MY LONELY LYRE. "We'll hush the unsuccessful strain And seek our silent woods again." ELLEN FITZ-ARTHUR. My lonely lyre! thou hast betrayed me now!- I know not what, but something would inspire My soul with gladness;-as the breast of Saul Melted to such deep eloquence-such fire Of sound. Thou hast betrayed me now-my lonely lyre! My lonely lyre !-thou knowest me as I am,— Not as I seem to others: and to thee My fears-hopes-feelings-passions-every flame My soul poured forth its treasures-that wild sea The dearest friend can never win from me The secrets thou hast won-thou badest them flow, Like tears that grief had frozen-thou hast betrayed me now. I trusted thee for fame-it was weak trust: But thou didst promise, and I dared believe— And so I trusted thee-it was unjust, At least unkind thus coldly to deceive And fling me forth, men's mockery to receive "Or, what is worse, their pity"-I had borne, With lip that writhed not-heart that would not grieve, The sneer of envy or the smile of scorn, Hadst thou been faithful-but to have my patience worn With comfort and condolence-and for thee Thou tinkling plaything!-thou soft lady's toy!— Thou gilded nonsense! to whose minstrelsy It had been hard to task the veriest boy To listen for an hour-it might annoy A mind more patient far than mine ;—begone !— 'Twas thus I thought-and when I do remember The blight and blackening that at once effaced My dream of hope-and how thy clouds, December, O'er my bright sky their gloomy shadows castHow, in a moment, stripped the flattering past Of all its smiles-and from my future lot Dashed each fair form, hope's rainbow touch had traced, And changed it into bitterness-such thought Howe'er I grieve that I indulged—I marvel not. с с |