Note 3 — LESSON II. Music of the Babylonians, Egyptians and Hebrews.

Maspéro, the Egyptologist, says that after the tomb has been sealed, the family and guests return to the house of the deceased, to a banquet, after which the “last link which holds the dead to the family is broken. The sacred harpist plays a prelude, then, standing before a statue of the deceased, chants the dirge first sung long ago at the funeral of the Pharaoh Antouf: ‘The world is but perpetual movement and change.... Not all the lamentations in the world will restore happiness to the man who is in the sepulchre; make then a good-day and do not be idle in enjoying thyself.’”