The Song of Solomon : and the Lamentations of Jeremiah

AS
CHAPTER XVII
DE PROFUNDIS
iii. 55-56
this third elegy— the richest and the most
elaborate of the five that constitute the Book of
Lamentations—draws to a close it retains its curious
character of variability, not aiming at any climax, but
simply winding on till its threefold acrostics are com-
pleted by the limits of the Hebrew alphabet, like a
river that is monotonous in the very succession of its
changes, now flowing through a dark gorge, then
rippling in clear sunlight, and again plunging into
gloomy caverns. The beauty and brightness of this
very variegated poem is found at its centre. Sadder
thoughts follow. But these are not so wholly com-
plaining as the opening passages had been. There is
one thread of continuity that may be traced right
through the series of changes which occupy the latter
part of the poem. The poet having once turned to the
refuge of prayer never altogether forsakes it. The
meditations as much as the petitions that here occur
are all directed to God.
A peculiarity of the last portion of the elegy that
claims special attention is the interesting reminiscence
with which the poet finds encouragement for his
present prayers. He is recalling the scenes of that
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