Page:Chapters on Jewish literature (IA chaptersonjewish00abra).pdf/109

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DAWN OF THE SPANISH ERA
105

lyrics of the Psalter. His individual triumphs and woes were merged in the triumphs and woes of his people. In all, Samuel added some thirty new hymns to the liturgy of the Synagogue. But his muse was as versatile as his mind. Samuel also wrote some stirring wine songs. The marvellous range of his powers helped him to complete what Chasdai had begun. The centre of Judaism became more firmly fixed than ever in Spain. When Samuel the Nagid died in 1055, the golden age of Spanish literature was in sight. Above the horizon were rising in a glorious constellation, Solomon Ibn Gebirol, the Ibn Ezras, and Jehuda Halevi.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Chasdai.

Graetz.—III, p. 215 [220].

Dunash and Menachem.

Graetz.—III, p. 223 [228].

Janach.

Encycl. Brit., Vol. XIII, p. 737.