But the Egyptians were of a gloomy turn of mind, which infected the whole of their worship. Their hymns were always composed in melancholy affecting airs, and consisted of lamentations for the loss of Osiris, the mystic flight of Bacchus, the wanderings of Isis, and the sufferings of the Gods. Apuleius takes notice of this difference in the rites and worship of the two nations: [155]Ægyptiaca numinum fana plena plangoribus: Græca plerumque choreis. Hence the author of the Orphic Argonautica, speaking of the initiations in Egypt, mentions, [156]Θρενους τ' Αιγυπτιον, και Οσιριδος ἱερα χυτλα. The Canaanites at Byblus, Berytus, Sidon, and afterwards at Tyre, used particularly mournful dirges for the loss of Adonis, or Thamuz; who was the same as Thamas, and Osiris in Egypt. The Cretans had the like mournful hymns, in which they commemorated the grief of Apollo for the loss of Atymnius. [157]Αιλινα μελπειν, Ὁια παρα Κρητεσσιν αναξ ελιγαινεν Απολλων Δακρυχεων ερατεινον Ατυμνιον. The measures and harmony of the Canaanites seem to have been very affecting, and to have made a wonderful impression on the minds of their audience. The infectious mode of worship prevailed so far, that the children of Israel were forbidden to weep, and make lamentation upon a festival: [158]Ειναι γαρ ἑορτην, και μη δειν εν αυτῃ κλαιειν, ου γαρ εξειναι. And Nehemiah gives the people a caution to the same purpose: [159]_This day is holy unto the Lord your God: mourn not, nor weep_. And Esdras counsels them in the same manner: [160]_This day is holy unto the Lord: be not sorrowful_. It is likewise in another place mentioned, that [161]_the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy: neither be ye grieved_. Such was the prohibition given to the Israelites: but among the Canaanites this shew of sorrow was encouraged, and made part of their [162]rites.