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composed by him on his death bed. But this is a mistake. Zuinger probably retained Buchanan's. composition strongly in his recollection, and in his last hours, ut inspicienti patebit, had adapted the Jewish parts to the language and sentiment of the Christian dispensation. I insert the two versions, and the reader may determine fo himself.

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Et sedem fore Davidis
Cuncta in sæcula proli.

Mater nobilis urbium,
Semper te bona pax amet
Et te semper amantibus
Cédant omnia recte.

Semper pax tua monia
Colat: semper in ædibus
Tuis copia dexterâ

Largâ munera fundat,

Dulcis Isacidum domus,
Te pax incola sospitet:
Sedes Numinis, omnia
Succedant tibi fauste.

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Urbem, quam procul infimis
Terræ finibus exciti

Petunt Christiade, ut Deum

Laudent voce perenni;

Jussam cœlitus oppidis
Urbem jus dare ceteris,
Et sedem fore Davidis
Cuncta in sæcla beati,

Mater nobilis urbium!
Semper te bona pax amat:
Et te semper amantibus
Cedunt omnia recte.

Semper pax tua moenia
Colit; semper in atriis
Tuis copia dextera

Largâ munera fundit.

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SOP'S FABLES.

EVERY modern nation has been studious to produce ornamented editions of these favourite moral lessons. Barlow's Esop, Barlow's Esop, in English, French, and Latin, (Fol. 1677) are particularly valued for the spirited, etchings with which they were adorned by the Editor himself. There is also a French Æsop, published under the quaint title of "Esbatiment Moral des Animaux," from which Barlow seems to have caught the spirit, if not exactly the invention of his sculptures. They are in a very similar style, but more highly finished; and the frontispiece, representing a kind of theatre, where the lion and several other beasts appear on the stage, and a part of the audience is represented below, is a specimen of the most beautiful etching that can be seen; this principal print being surrounded by designs from several histories and fables, in very small medallions. The book was printed at Antwerp by Philip Galle, and the dedication is dated 1578. The engraver appears to have been Peter Heyns, who addresses a copy of verses to the reader, immediately after the dedication: each plate being marked with the initials P. H. Who the Poet was, does not

appear,

appear, for the dedication has no signature, but "Votre tres humble Esbatement moral." But the verses are said, by Heyns, to have been begun in London.

Et toy Poéte François, vray amateur des Muses,
Tu y verras aussi des Heroique vers

En Sonet bien troussez: qui par deux cornemuses
(A Londres entonnez et finiz en Anvers)

Font sauter, a l'ennvy, Oyseaux, bestes, et vers.

Each fable is comprised in a French Sonnet, placed opposite to the plate which represents the subject; and each plate has a French motto above, and one or two texts of Scripture under neath. The book contains 125 Fables, and as many plates, all well designed and well executed. The fables are not all Æsopian, but selected from various authors. Though the sonnets are not very excellent, yet, as the book is, I believe, of rare occurrence, it may be worth while to introduce one as a specimen. I take a fable which I do not recollect to have seen elsewhere. The motto is,

Dissention des Amis les faict proye aux
Estrangers.

DE LA GRENOUILLE ET DE LA SOURI.

De cet aspre conflict des Raines et des Rats,
Qui dura si long temps (dont Homere n'a honte

En

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