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1 (1842) Heathen mythology
ds of Barry Cornwall — “Oh! ye delicious fables, where the wave,      And wood, were peopled; and the air, with things So l
ret imaginings? Why seared the delicate flowers that genius gave,      And dash the diamond drops from fancy’s wings. Alas!
nd water were in one. Thus air was void of light, and earth unstable, And waters dark abyss unnavigable. No certain form on
and each disturbed the rest. For hot and cold were in one body fix’d; And soft with hard, and light with heavy mix’d.     B
rds put an end: Then earth from air, and seas from earth were driven, And grosser air sunk from ethereal Heaven. The force
sunk from ethereal Heaven. The force of fire ascended first on high, And took its dwelling in the vaulted sky: Then air su
us, thick, unwieldy seeds along. About her coasts unruly waters roar, And , rising on a ridge, insult the shore. Thus when t
nto a spacious round: Then, with a breath, he gave the winds to blew; And bade the congregated waters flow: ‌He adds the r
gated waters flow: ‌He adds the running springs, and standing lakes, And bounding banks for winding rivers makes. Some par
he valleys he restrains With rocky mountains, and extends the plains. And as five zones the ethereal regions bind, Five, co
…… —— Or who with Saturn old Fled over Adria to the Hesperian fields, And o’er the Celtic roamed the utmost Isles.” Milton
the mother gave him to devour; Greedy he seized the imaginary child, And swallowed heedless, by the dress beguiled; Nor th
age was first; when man yet new, No rule but uncorrupted reason knew, And with a native bent did good pursue! Unforced by p
e descended to the seas; Ere sails were spread new oceans to explore, And happy mortals unconcerned for more, Confined thei
lept away their time; The teeming earth, yet guiltless of the plough, And unprovoked did fruitful stores allow; ‌Content w
awberries they fed: The flowers unsown in fields and meadows reigned, And western winds immortal spring maintained; In foll
was that earth renewed; From veins of valleys, milk and nectar broke, And honey sweating thro’ the pores of oak.” Ovid. F
ss flood, which in thy ebb and flow Claspest the limits of mortality! And sick of prey, yet howling on for more, Vomitest w
— oh! mercy; tho’ my sin be great, Life is so beautiful I cannot die; And earth seems smiling with intenser light, And flow
beautiful I cannot die; And earth seems smiling with intenser light, And flowers give forth an odour ever new, The stars l
the Goddess of her due, The vow thou gavest to her thou hast broken, And thou must pay the awful penalty!     Vestal. The
g trees against “high Olympus.”     “But vainly came Typhæus on,      And vainly huge Porphyrion,     Fierce Rhœtus of the
While quick against the giant foes     Juno, and ardent Vulcan, rose; And to the fight the young Apollo sped, Glittering af
———— “Typhon, whose hands Of strength are fitted to tremendous deeds; And indefatigable are the feet Of the strong God: and
who shouted “Courage, courage!” his bravery turned the tide of war. “ And now the murmur of incitement flies, All ranged in
ing from his vengeful hand; He walks majestic round the starry frame; And now the lightnings from Olympus flame. The earth
s, but more excelled by gold; Then summer, autumn, winter did appear, And spring was but a season of the year. The sun his
eat began to glow; The wings of winds were clogged with ice and snow; And shivering mortals into houses driven, Sought shel
nd moss their beds: Then ploughs for seed the fruitful farrows broke, And oxen laboured first beneath the yoke.” Ovid. No
ivide the weary years From which there is no refuge, long have taught And long must teach. Even now the Torturer arms With
might of unimagined pains The powers who scheme slow agonies in hell; And my commission is to lead them here, Or what more
d leave them to their task. Oh that we might be spared: I to inflict, And thou to suffer! once more answer me: Thou knowest
ehold such execrable shapes, Methinks I grow like what I contemplate, And laugh and stare in loathsome sympathy.     First
athsome sympathy.     First Fury. We are ministers of pain, and fear, And disappointment, and mistrust, and hate, And cling
isters of pain, and fear, And disappointment, and mistrust, and hate, And clinging crime; and, as lean dogs pursue Thro’ wo
pain.     First Fury. Thou thinkest we will rend thee bone from bone, And nerve from nerve, working like fire within!     P
ntent of wisest men: That we will be dread thought beneath thy brain, And foul desire round thine astonished heart, And blo
ught beneath thy brain, And foul desire round thine astonished heart, And blood within thy labyrinthine veins, Crawling lik
captivated by her charms. “He spoke, and told to Mulciber his will, And smiling bade him his command fulfil; To use his g
first in virgin lustre shine, In form a goddess, with a bloom divine; And next the sire demands Minerva’s aid, In all her v
ecrets of the loom impart, To cast a curious thread with happy heart; And golden Venus was to teach the fair The wiles of l
enus was to teach the fair The wiles of love, and to improve her air; And then in awful majesty to shed A thousand graceful
all the sweets of spring: Each present Pallas gives its proper place, And adds to every ornament a grace! Next Hermes taugh
maid the gods Pandora call, Because a tribute she received from all; And thus ’twas Jove’s command the sex began A lovely
alone remained entire within! Such was the fatal present from above, And such the will of cloud compelling Jove: And now u
fatal present from above, And such the will of cloud compelling Jove: And now unnumbered woes o’er mortals reign Alike infe
fected is the land and main; O’er human race distempers silent stray, And multiply their strength by night and day! ’Twas J
was thy delighted measure?     Still it whispered promised pleasure, And bade the lovely scenes at distance hail!     Stil
cenes at distance hail!     Still would her touch the strain prolong, And from the rocks, the woods, the vale,     She call
he woods, the vale,     She called on Echo still throughout the song; And where her sweetest theme she chose A soft respons
has the wondrous virtue to educe, From emptiness itself, a real use; And while she takes, as at a father’s hand, What heal
ns of love, jealousy, and vengeance. ——— “Hard steel succeeded then: And stubborn as the metal were the men. Truth, modest
first the precious ore, Which next to hell the prudent Gods had laid, And that alluring ill to sight displayed. Thus cursed
more accursed gold, Gave mischief birth, and made the mischief bold, And double did wretched man invade, By steel assaulte
ires into his father’s years. Faith flies, and piety in exile mourns; And justice, here opprest, to heaven returns.” Ovid.
ing mist in early days, Rose from the flood the daughter of the seas; And to the seats divine her flight addressed. There f
lease thee, or my actions aid; Some marks of honour on my son bestow, And pay in glory what in life you owe. Fame is at lea
s grace, oh! heavenly Jove, Waited thy blooming years: inventive wit, And perfect judgment crowned thy youthful act. Thou t
irtue, grant us wealth, For without virtue, wealth to man avails not, And virtue without wealth exerts less power, And less
ealth to man avails not, And virtue without wealth exerts less power, And less diffuses good. Then grant us, Gracious, Virt
ell the dissevered head, Opening its eyes in death, and falling bled, And marked the passage with a crimson trail; Thus Arg
ssage with a crimson trail; Thus Argus lies in pieces, cold and pale, And all his hundred eyes with all their light Are clo
in one perpetual night; These Juno takes, that they no more may fail, And spreads them in her peacock’s gaudy tail.” Ovid.
ughter, as she played Among the fields, the milk white bull surveyed, And viewed his spotless body with delight, And at a d
milk white bull surveyed, And viewed his spotless body with delight, And at a distance kept him still in sight; At length
and gives the breeze to blow. ‌Rent is the fleecy mantle of the sky, And back by fits the shadows sweep along. A gaily che
or offends the shades: Fresh fragrant breezes fan the verdant bowers, And the moist ground smiles with enamelled flowers, T
es with enamelled flowers, The cheerful birds their airy carols sing, And the whole year is one eternal spring.     Here wh
h at the shades arrives; Sees her thus sporting on the flowery green, And loves the blooming maid as soon as seen. ‌The fr
mpatient of delay, Swift as his thought he seized the beauteous prey, And bore her in his sooty car away. Far she behind he
eaves her virgin train; To them too cries, and cries to them in vain. And while with passion she repeats her call, The viol
raging his foamy steeds; He rattles o’er their necks the rusty reins, And ruffles with the stroke their shaggy manes Throws
their shaggy manes Throws to his dreadful steeds the slackened rein, And strikes his iron sceptre through the main; The de
hrough the main; The depths profound thro’ yielding waves he cleaves, And to hell’s centre a free passage leaves; Down sink
to our sore troubled souls. Yet no! perchance the burden is too much, And is in mercy hidden from our eyes. Earth is made u
every creature’s share; One draught, as dear as life I should esteem, And water, now I thirst, would nectar seem: Oh! let m
I thirst, would nectar seem: Oh! let my little babes your pity move, And melt your hearts to charitable love: They (as by
hands, and my request pursue!’ Yet they the goddess’s request refuse, And , with rude words, reproachfully abuse. Her thirst
nation was suppressed; Bent on revenge, the Goddess stood confessed! ‘ And may you live,’ she passionately cried, ‘Doomed in
thless poet and the poem crown! Thou shalt the Roman festivals adorn, And after poets, be by victors worn! Thou shalt retur
a long procession pass; Wreathed on the posts before his palace wait, And be the sacred guardian of the gate; Secure from t
thunder and unharmed by Jove, Unfading as the immortal powers above; And as the locks of Phœbus are unshorn So shall perpe
the fond leaves pursue, Still move their root, the moving sun to view And in the Heliotrope the nymph is true.” Ovid. ‌T
she would sing; The waters closed above her face, With many a ring. “ And still I stayed a little more, — Alas! she never c
ore, — Alas! she never comes again, I throw my flowers from the shore And watch in vain.” Hood. After this, Apollo lost t
sing prudent, and a parlous wit. To this sagacious confessor he went, And told her what a gift the Gods had sent: But told
ction never to reveal. The secret heard, she plighted him her troth, ( And secret sure is every woman’s oath,) The royal mal
arrow-bones she kneeled, Then to the water’s brink she laid her head, And , as a bittern sounds within a reed, ‘To thee alon
n sounds within a reed, ‘To thee alone, oh! lake,’ she said, ‘I tell, And as thy queen, command thee to conceal, Beneath hi
vibrates all its strings; Accordant aisles the tender tones prolong, And holy echoes swell the adoring song.” Darwin. Ap
een shot — the arrow, bright With an immortal’s vengeance; in his eye And nostril, beautiful disdain, and might, And majest
al’s vengeance; in his eye And nostril, beautiful disdain, and might, And majesty, flash their full lightnings by, Developi
solitary nymph, whose breast Longed for a deathless lover from above, And maddened in that vision, are exprest All that ide
rtality, and stood Star like, around, until they gathered to a God! “ And if it be Prometheus stole from Heaven The fire wh
named Hecate and revered by magicians. ———— “Hecate, loved by Jove, And honour’d by the inhabitants above, Profusely gift
d from the almighty hand, With power extensive o’er the sea and land; And great the honour, she, by Jove’s high leave, Does
ar. This however was before “The veiled Dian lost her lonely sphere, And her proud name of chaste, for him whose sleep Dra
mos top, what time there blew Soft breezes from the Myrtle vale below And brought in faintness, solemn, sweet, and slow A h
eauty should be desolate: So in fine wrath some golden sounds he won, And gave meek Cynthia her Endymion.” Keats. ‌The b
Crescented Dian, who ’Tis said once wandered from the wastes of blue, And all for love; filling a shepherd’s dreams With be
ling a shepherd’s dreams With beauty and delight. He slept, he slept, And on his eyelids white, the huntress wept Till morn
er more upon the Latmos hill May she descend to kiss that forest boy, And give — receive, gentle and innocent joy When clou
u art beautiful, however it be, Huntress, or Dian, or whatever named, And he the veriest Pagan, that first framed A silver
r thou shouldst have my knee; Too late now for the old Ephesian vows, And not divine the crescent on thy brows: Yet call th
ul for that simple boon In many a thoughtful verse, and anthem sweet, And bless thy dainty face whene’er we meet. “So let
gazing from thy hills. Blest be thy loving light, where’er it spills, And blessed thy fair face, O mother mild! Still shine
ul of rivers as they run, Still lend thy lonely lamp, to lovers fond, And blend their plighted shadows into one: Still smil
r plighted shadows into one: Still smile at even on the bedded child, And close his eyelids with thy silver wand.” Hood.
thousands; all her days, Dismally doom’d! meanwhile the billows come, And coldly dabble with her quiet feet, Like any bleac
th her quiet feet, Like any bleaching stones they wont to greet.      And thence into her lap have boldly sprung, Washing h
lf away. …………………………………………………… To her relief the blooming Bacchus ran, And with him brought his ever jovial train: Satyrs an
od sought his Ariadne’s love. Around in wild distorted airs they fly, And make the mountains echo to their cry: Some brandi
twinkling cymbals shake; While many swell the horn in hoarser strain, And make the shrill, discordant pipe complain, While
blushing, yielded to the God, His car he mounted and sublimely rode: And while with eager arms he grasped the fair, Lashed
with their prize.‌ “The beauteous youth now found himself betrayed, And from the deck the rising waves surveyed, And seem
found himself betrayed, And from the deck the rising waves surveyed, And seemed to weep, and as he wept he said, ‘And do y
e rising waves surveyed, And seemed to weep, and as he wept he said, ‘ And do you thus my easy faith beguile? Thus, do you b
s and panthers. Insérer image anonyme_heathen-mythology_1842_img061 “ And as I sat over the light blue hills, There came a
. Trifling his ivy dart, in dancing mood,     With sidelong laughing, And little rills of crimson wine embrued His plump wh
mp white arms and shoulders, enough white,     For Venus pearly bite; And near him rode Silenus on his ass, Pelted with flo
ft our kernel tree; For wine we left our heath and yellow brooms,      And cold mushrooms; For wine we follow Bacchus throug
our mad minstrelsy. “Over wide streams and mountains great we went, And save when Bacchus kept his ivy tent, Onward the t
they scour about the plains; A three days’ journey in a moment done, And always at the rising of the sun, About the wilds
  Old Tartary the fierce, The kings of eld their jewel sceptres vail, And from their treasures scatter pearled hail; Great
scatter pearled hail; Great Brahma from his mystic heaven groans,      And all his priesthood moans, Before young Bacchus’ e
are thy peculiar care; For thee large bunches load the bending vine, And the last blessings of the year are thine; To thee
mns they praise the god of wine, Whose earthen images adorn the pine; And there are hung on high, in honour of the vine A m
leys, and on rising hills, On whate’er side he turns his honest face, And dances in the wind, those fields are in his grace
fields are in his grace. To Bacchus, therefore, let us tune our lays, And in our mother tongue resound his praise.” Virgil
after shedding many tears at his death, changed him into a flower. “ And in his blood, that on the ground lay spilled, A p
s her blushing car, Each circling wheel a wreath of flowers entwines, And gemmed with flowers, the silken harness shines; T
silken harness shines; The golden bits with flowery studs are decked, And knots of flowers the crimson reins connect. And n
ery studs are decked, And knots of flowers the crimson reins connect. And now on earth the silver axle rings, And the shell
rs the crimson reins connect. And now on earth the silver axle rings, And the shell sinks upon its slender springs; Light f
pon its slender springs; Light from her airy seat the Goddess bounds, And steps celestial, press the pansied grounds.” Dar
Paphos and the Cyprian isle,     Forsake those loved retreats awhile, And to the temple bend thy flight, Where Glycera, the
 Invokes thy presence high, While clouds of incense fill the air,      And waft her suppliant sigh.     “Bring in thy train
ning in their thoughtless joy. Let Hermes grace the jocund scene,      And youth so gay and free; For what is youth, though
nd with a chastened light, Hid in the fringes of your eye-lids white, And meekly let your fair hands joined be, As if so ge
safe o’er the deeps profound, To Cyprus, watered by the waves around: And here she walks, endowed with every grace To charm
Cythera came; Whence, beauteous crown’d, she safely cross’d the sea, And call’d, O Cyprus, Cypria from thee; Nor less by P
a towered structure high, Where sceptred angels held their residence, And sate as princes; Nor was his name unheard, or una
cave, or sheltering wood, Th’ inventive powers of dædal art to know, And all the joys from social life that flow; In searc
clops was their name, From that round eye-ball in their brow infixed; And strength, and force, and manual craft were theirs
anvil the lame artist rose, Wide with distorted leg, oblique he goes; And stills the bellows, and in order laid, Locks in t
rges flaming round; While bathed in sweat, from fire to fire he flew, And puffing loud, the roaring bellows blew.” Homer.
smiles of her lovers. “Vulcan with awkward grace, his office plies, And unextinguished laughter shakes the skies.” Homer
ight with gems and gold, From his fair plumed shoulder graceful hung, And from its top in brilliant chords enrolled, Each l
ch his tresses flung: While odours dropped from every ringlet bright, And from his blue eyes beamed ineffable delight.” Mr
y, ringlets curled,     Ripe lips, and bosoms white, and starry eyes, And wheresoe’er his colours are unfurled,     Full ma
nt veil alone arrayed, Her bosom’s opening charms were half revealed, And scarce the lucid folds her polished limbs conceal
ull lips First touched; …………………………………… ……………………… With all their sighs And how they kist each other’s tremulous eyes: The si
id seeks the Cyprian grove; To his wide arms enamoured Psyche springs And clasps her lover with Aurelian wings, A purple sa
r lover with Aurelian wings, A purple sash across his shoulder bends, And fringed with gold the quivered shafts suspends; T
he quivered shafts suspends; The bending bow obeys the silken string, And , as he steps, the silver arrows ring. Thin folds
ivered hero leads; Charmed round their heads pursuing Zephyrs throng, And scatter roses as they move along; Bright beams of
ses as they move along; Bright beams of spring in soft effusion play, And halcyon hours invite them on their way. Delighted
invite them on their way. Delighted Hymen hears their whispered vows, And binds his chaplets round their polished brows, Gu
nd their polished brows, Guides to his altar, ties the flowery bands, And as they kneel unites their willing hands.” Darwi
ng place procured the light and the dagger. —————— “She softly rose, And seized the lamp — where it obscurely lay, With ha
d the sleeping Eros by, What time she to the couch had, daring, trod; And , by the glad light, saw her bridegroom God! O’er
death’s icy dart, The groan scarce uttered, dies, but half expressed, And down she sinks in deadly swoon oppressed: But whe
the ethereal throne; Won with coy smiles the admiring court of Jove, And warmed the bosom of unconquered love. Beneath a m
em in his golden chain; Joins the fond pair, indulgent to their vows, And hides with mystic veil their blushing brows. Roun
epeoples all her realms; Soft joys disport on purple plumes unfurled, And love and beauty rule the willing world.” Darwin.
uneless numbers, wrung     By sweet enforcement and remembrance dear, And pardon that thy secrets should be sung,     Even
nged Psyche with awakened eyes? I wandered in a forest thoughtlessly, And , on the sudden, fainting with surprise, Saw two f
not, but had not bade adieu, As if disjoined by soft handed slumber, And ready still, past kisses to outnumber,     At ten
reathes and blushes flowers, To Love, for heaven and earth adore him, And gods and mortals bow before him!” Anacreon. Amo
? “I went then forth into the world,     To see what might be there; And there I heard a voice of woe,     Of weeping, and
    With her deliverer’s name: “I saw him hurry from the crowd,      And fling his laurel crown, In weariness, in hopeless
rel crown, In weariness, in hopelessness,     In utter misery down. “ And what the sorrow, then I asked.     Can thus the w
e,     To rend its bonds in vain: Again I heard the cause of ill,      And heard loves name again. “I saw an Urn, and round
“I turned to tales of other days,     They spoke of breath and bloom: And proud hearts that were bowed by love,     Into an
s awful head sprang forth to light, In golden panoply superbly dight; And while the glittering spear thy hands essayed, Oly
at the martial maid. Affrighted earth sounds from her deepest caves, And swell of Ocean tides the sable waves; The turgid
, shone in every line. This the proud maid, with scornful air denies, And e’en the goddess at her work defies, Disowns her
mien, excelled the rest, His nine forked mace the dewy sea-god shook, And , looking sternly, smote the ragged rock; When, fr
s the city for the deed. Herself she blazons with a glittering spear, And crested helm that veiled her braided hair, With s
the affront with patience bore; A boxen shuttle in her hand she took, And more than once, Arachne’s forehead struck.” The
in burnished gold Flashed on her brandished arm the immortal shield, And terror lightened o’er the dazzled field.” Darwin
and the glare of pain, Which humanize and harmonize the strain.     “ And from its head as from one body grow,     As grass
of a watery rock, Hairs which are vipers, and they curl and flow,      And their long tangles in each other lock: And with u
nd they curl and flow,     And their long tangles in each other lock: And with unending involutions show,     Their mailed
ortress and embattled wall. “Father of victory! whose mighty powers, And brazen spears, protect Olympus’ towers; By whom t
before the immortal throne. Can Jove, supine, flagitious acts survey And brook the furies of the daring day? For mortal me
he furies of the daring day? For mortal men, celestial powers engage, And gods on gods exert eternal rage. From thee, O fat
gods exert eternal rage. From thee, O father! all these ills we bear, And thy fell daughter with the shield and spear. ‌Th
er, and the rage of fight. No bound, no law, thy fiery temper quells, And all thy mother in thy soul rebels. In vain our th
s care the bleeding god. With gentle hand, the balm he poured around, And healed th’ immortal flesh, and closed the wound.
d; He saw the mystic darts, and smiled Derision on the archer child. ‘ And dost thou smile?’ said little Love; ‘Take this da
.” Insérer image anonyme_heathen-mythology_1842_img097      “Rivers. And this is he, the fabled God of War.     Evadne. A
e orphans’ tears of woe, The love that watcheth at the midnight hour, And hopeth on, but hopeth on in vain.     Evadne. And
the midnight hour, And hopeth on, but hopeth on in vain.     Evadne. And that is lost too in their country’s shouts The vo
nation’s loud applause, Writes on their tombs in characters of brass. And graves within our very souls, the words, ‘Here li
er pay the wrung in heart: Pride is a poor exchange for those adored: And even a nation with its giant strength, Cannot sup
he image to fill up my heart, Be thou the spirit leading me to glory, And be my latest hour still cheered by thee, While ro
heaven. Thou art not For scenes like this; an empire stern hast thou; And it hath furrowed that large front: yet now, As ne
——— “Great Neptune! I would be Advanced to the freedom of the main, And stand before your vast creation’s plain, And roam
the freedom of the main, And stand before your vast creation’s plain, And roam your watery kingdom thro’ and thro’ ‌And se
vast creation’s plain, And roam your watery kingdom thro’ and thro’ ‌ And see your branching woods and palace blue, Spar-bu
med with crystal: aye and view The bedded wonders of the lonely deep; And see on coral banks, the sea-maids sleep, Children
hearth so long; The prayer went up thro’ midnight’s breathless gloom, And the vain yearning woke midst festal song! Hold fa
a’s golden plains; Plucked with fair hand the silver blossomed bower, And purpled mead, — herself a fairer flower; “Sudden
ped their demon wings; Earth with deep yawn received the fair amazed, And far in night, celestial beauty blazed.” Darwin.
and sought the realms below; Charmed into life unreal forms respired, And list’ning shades the dulcet note admired. Love le
licks his baby hands; In wondering groups the shadowy nations throng, And sigh or simper, as he steps along; Sad swains, an
the goddess. ———— “On the ground, She sinks without a single sound, And all her garments float around; Again, again she r
nd; Again, again she rises light, Her head is like a fountain bright, And her glossy ringlets fall With a murmur musical, O
of visionary ghosts: Fair, pensive youths, and young enamoured maids; And withered elders, pale and wrinkled shades; Ghastl
a martial train; These and a thousand more, swarmed o’er the ground, And all the dire assembly shrieked around. Astonished
re assembly shrieked around. Astonished at the sight, aghast I stood, And a cold fear ran shivering through my blood.” Whi
s all hell resounds); Ev’n in the circling floods refreshment craves, And pines with thirst amidst a sea of waves; When to
, the pomegranate grows, There dangling pears exalting scents unfold, And yellow apples ripen into gold: The fruit he striv
born at the first peep of day, He began playing on the lyre at noon, And the same evening did he steal away Apollo’s herds
nd men, even from that day Mingled and wrought the latter much annoy, And little profit, going far astray, Through the dun
lley. “O Hermes, thou who couldst of yore     Amphion’s bosom warm, And breathe into his strains the power,     The rugge
e rugged rocks to charm; Breathe, breathe into my lyre’s soft string, And bid its music sweet notes fling, For what O lyre,
ening woods thou draw’st along, The rivers stay to hear thy song,      And listen still as death. Tityos with pleasure heard
rs, in Ida’s cool retreat, The boy had told, he left his native seat, And sought fresh fountains in a foreign soil: The ple
ed the attending toil. With eager steps the Lycian fields he crossed, And fields that border on the Lycian coast; A river h
d from human sight. The fruitful banks with cheerful verdure crowned, And kept the spring eternal on the ground. A nymph pr
maeis, what always idle! fye; Or take the quiver, or the arrows seize And mix the toils of hunting with thy ease.’ Nor quiv
her dewy locks divide; Now in the limped streams she views her face, And dressed her image in the floating glass: On beds
reposed her limbs, Now gathered flowers that grew about her streams, And there by chance was gathering as she stood To vie
yore, by thy words Couldst soften the hearts of the barbarous hordes, And by the Palæstia taught him of the wild To be gent
sary to introduce those who are considered to be the most celebrated. And for the future, the poetry offered will principal
, and his rugged beard: But Hermes from her hands received the child, And on the infant god auspicious smiled. In the thick
he hamadryads dress Their ruffled locks, where meeting hazels darken, And through whole solemn hours, dost sit and harken T
h, and burns with new desires. A crown of pine upon his head he wore, And then began her pity to implore. But ere he thus b
rict embrace, He filled his arms with reeds, new rising in the place: And while he sighs his ill success to find, The tende
hs his ill success to find, The tender canes were shaken by the wind, And breathed a mournful air unheard before, That much
t be the partner of my bed, At least shall be the consort of my mind, And often, often to my lips be joined.’ He formed the
his numerous amours, she fell in love with the beautiful Narcissus. “ And at the sight of the fair youth she glows, And fol
beautiful Narcissus. “And at the sight of the fair youth she glows, And follows silently where’er he goes.” Unable, howe
d of his beloved voice. “Now several ways his young companions gone, And for some time Narcissus left alone, ‘Where are yo
arcissus left alone, ‘Where are you all?’ at last she hears him call, And she straight answers him, ‘where are you all?’ “
pleasure to the intrusion, “With all his strength unlocks her fold, And breaks unkindly from her feeble hold; Then proudl
om the depths. At last “Streaming tears from his full eye-lids fell, And drop by drop, raised circles in the well, The sev
ised circles in the well, The several rings larger and larger spread, And by degrees dispersed the fleeting shade.” Insére
ous ramble, he had found A little space, with boughs all woven round, And in the midst of all a clearer pool Than ere refle
ere divinely peeping Through tendril wreaths, fantastically creeping; And on the bank a lonely flower he spied, A meek and
welling, From each sister voice     Round thy rocky dwelling;          And their sweetness fills         All the hollow hill
e, The birds in the myrtle bushes,     The cicale above in the thyme, And the lizard below in the grass, Were as silent as
        Listening to my sweet pipings. Liquid Peneus was flowing,      And all dark Tempe lay In Pelion’s shadow, outgrowing
 Speeded by my sweet pipings. The Sileni, and Sylvans, and Fauns,      And the nymphs of woods, and waves, To the edge of th
nymphs of woods, and waves, To the edge of the moist river lawns,      And the brink of the dewy caves, And all that did the
e edge of the moist river lawns,     And the brink of the dewy caves, And all that did there attendant follow, Were silent
pipings. “I sang of the dancing stars,     I sang of the dædal earth, And of heaven, and giant wars,     And love, and deat
rs,     I sang of the dædal earth, And of heaven, and giant wars,      And love, and death, and birth, —                    
iant wars,     And love, and death, and birth, —                       And then I changed my pipings. ‌Singing how down the
I appear, With the victim’s votive blood, Mighty monarch of the wood, And upon thy sacred shrine, Place the love inspiring
the wood, And upon thy sacred shrine, Place the love inspiring wine, And , o’er all that hallowed ground, Make the incense
reless on a pillar lays, With shining gold, the fluted pillars blaze. And while he wishes, as the servants pour, His touch
sked so earnestly before: Amidst his gold with pinching famine curst, And justly tortured with an equal thirst. At last his
red with an equal thirst. At last his shining arms to heaven he rears And , in distress, for refuge flies to prayers. ‘O fat
efuge flies to prayers. ‘O father Bacchus, I have sinned,’ he cried, ‘ And foolishly thy gracious gift applied, Thy pity now
                  *             But oh!     Bright Hebe, what a tear, And what a blush were thine, When, as the breath of e
tread,     Raising its amorous head To kiss those matchless feet,      And all heaven’s host of eyes.     Checked thy career
felt with a start, The life blood rush back in one throb to my heart, And saw the pale lips where the rest of that spell Ha
e of bold wonder, to feel The hair of my side and to lift up my heel, And questioned his face with wide eyes, but when unde
such as this ‌And I yearned at his cheeks in my love, and down bent And lifted him up in my arms with intent To kiss him
ar, and took her place. Her heavenly form beheld, all wished her joy; And little wanted, but in vain their wishes all emplo
ke a pale and solitary star, The languid hyacinth, and wild primrose, And daisy, trodden down like modesty, The fox-glove,
the tangled woodbine Lilacs and flowering limes, and scented thorns, And some from whom the voluptuous winds of June Catch
he laboured to continue free From chains of love and nuptial tyranny; And in her orchard’s small extent immured, Her vow’d
h a load of bearded grain. Sometimes a dresser of the vine he feigns, And lawless tendrils to their boughs restrains. Somet
, so soon can youth persuade; Consent on eager wings succeeds desire, And both the lovers glow with mutual fire.” Ovid. P
the chesnut flowers, By thousands have burst from the forest bowers, And the ancient graves, and the fallen fanes, Are vei
ruin or the tomb. I have looked o’er the hills of the stormy north, And the larch has hung all his tassels forth, The fis
has hung all his tassels forth, The fisher is out in the stormy sea, And the rein-deer bounds o’er the pastures free, And
t in the stormy sea, And the rein-deer bounds o’er the pastures free, And the fence has a fringe of softer green, And the m
s o’er the pastures free, And the fence has a fringe of softer green, And the moss looks bright where my foot hath been. I
my foot hath been. I have sent thro’ the wood-paths a glowing sigh, And called out each voice of the deep blue sky; From
r the forest boughs, They are bursting fresh from their sparry caves, And the earth resounds with the joy of waves! Come f
lets lie may be now your home. Ye of the rose-lip and dew-bright eye, And the bounding footstep to meet me fly! With the ly
g in breezy mirth! Their light stems thrill to the wild wood strains. And youth is abroad in my green domains. But ye! ye
arth were spread; There were voices that rung thro’ the sapphire sky, And had not a sound of mortality! Are they gone? is t
ye are mine no more, I go where the loved, who have left you, dwell, And the flowers are not death’s — farewell, farewell!
glad with beauty, the sky Smiles in calm grandeur over vale and hill, And the breeze murmurs forth a gentle sigh, And the f
ndeur over vale and hill, And the breeze murmurs forth a gentle sigh, And the fish leap from out the smiling rill. The town
forth to breathe. The free, fresh air, and lave their fevered brows; And beauty loves young fairy flowers to wreathe Benea
he dusky eyelids of the south, Till shade and silence waken up alone, And morning sings with a warm odorous mouth. Where ar
t skies,         Lest owls should prey         Undazzled at noon-day, And tear with horny beak their lustrous eyes. Where
d hoard, The Ants have trimm’d their garners with ripe grain,          And honey bees have stored The sweets of summer in th
inged across the main; But here the Autumn melancholy dwells,          And sighs her tearful spells, Amongst the sunless sha
one. But howling Winter fled afar, To hills that prop the polar star, And loves on deer-borne car to ride With barren Darkn
He travels on his native storm, Deflowering Nature’s grassy robe,      And trampling on her faded form: Till light’s returni
rives him to his polar field, Of power to pierce his raven plume,      And chrystal covered shield. Oh, sire of storms, whos
Spells to touch thy stony heart? Then, sullen Winter, hear my prayer, And gently rule the ruined year; Nor chill the wander
ering want’s unmantled bed, Thy horror-breathing agues cease to lead, And gently on the orphan head Of innocence descend. B
sailor on his airy shrouds; When wrecks and beacons strew the steep, And spectres walk along the deep. Milder yet thy snow
ness, should eclipse his own. On happy Peleus he bestowed her charms, And blessed his grandson in the goddess’ arms: — A si
her favourite shore: Here Peleus seized her slumbering where she lay, And urged his suit, with all that love could say: The
that love could say: The nymph o’erpowered, to art for succour flies, And various shapes the eager youth surprize. “A bird
ation on the ocean pours; While the fat entrails crackle in the fire, And sheets of smoke in sweet perfume aspire: Till Pro
grot she slumbering lies: Then bind her fast with unrelenting hands, And strain her tender limbs with knotted bands; Still
ries no longer to escape? Thus he then sunk beneath the glassy flood, And broken accents fluttered where he stood. Bright S
fluttered where he stood. Bright Sol had almost now his journey done, And down the steepy, western convex run; When the fai
steepy, western convex run; When the fair Nereid left the briny wave, And , as she used, retreated to her cave, He scarce ha
retreated to her cave, He scarce had bound her fast, when she arose, And into various shapes her body throws; She went to
then found them tied, Then with a sigh ‘Some god assists,’ she cried, And in her proper shape stood blushing by his side.”
and the future shows;‌ So Neptune pleased who Proteus thus inspired, And with such wages to his service hired, Gave him th
s, or gambols in the storms. A dolphin now, his scaly sides he laves; And bears the sportive damsel on the waves; She strik
rtive damsel on the waves; She strikes the cymbals as he moves along, And wondering Ocean listens to the song. And now a sp
e cymbals as he moves along, And wondering Ocean listens to the song. And now a spotted pard the lover stalks, Plays round
her favoured walks; As with white teeth he prints her hand, caressed, And lays his velvet paw upon her breast, O’er his rou
ce her snowy fingers strain The silken knots and fit the ribbon-rein. And now a swan he spreads his plumy sails, And proudl
s and fit the ribbon-rein. And now a swan he spreads his plumy sails, And proudly glides before the fanning gales; Pleased
on her glowing cheek, Spreads his broad wings, elates his ebon crest, And clasps the beauty to his downy breast.” Darwin.
minstrel wild and strong thou art,     With a mastery all thine own, And the spirit is thy harp, O wind!     That gives th
u hast been across red fields of war,     Where shivered helmets lie, And thou bringest thence the thrilling note     Of a
 As when a leader comes.     “Thou hast been o’er solitary seas,      And from their wastes brought back Each noise of wate
u art come from forests dark and deep,     Thou mighty, rushing wind! And thou bearest all their unisons     In one, full s
North Wind.     “I’ve blastingly wandered     Where nature doth pant; And gloomily pondered     O’er sadness and want. An
d man was sighing     O’er angel lips gone, His cherub was dying,      And he was alone. On his grey locks I clotted     An
;     His tale is told.” South Wind.     “I met two young lovers,      And listed their vows, Where the woodbine covers     
he old oak boughs. Enhancing their pleasures     I fluttered around. And joined with glad measures     Their soft sighs’ s
st Wind.     “I’ve wafted through bowers     Where angels might muse, And kiss their bright flowers     Of loveliest hues.
els might muse, And kiss their bright flowers     Of loveliest hues. And maidens were singing     Of beauty and love, Thei
.” West Wind.     “I’ve rolled o’er the regions     Of earth and sea, And laughed at the legions     That trembled at me.
That trembled at me. I’ve madly gambolled     With clouds and waves; And closed, as I rambled,     My victim’s grave. I’v
a corse to land?                           O, I could weep with thee, And sit whole tides upon the pebbly shore, And listen
O, I could weep with thee, And sit whole tides upon the pebbly shore, And listen to the waves lamenting roar,              
gy_1842_img147     “Who, as they sung, would take the prisoned soul, And lap it in Elysium: Scylla wept And chid her barki
ung, would take the prisoned soul, And lap it in Elysium: Scylla wept And chid her barking waves into attention, And fell C
it in Elysium: Scylla wept And chid her barking waves into attention, And fell Charybdis murmured soft applause.” Ovid. C
ows not what it is she fears, In vain she offers from herself to run, And drag’s about her what she strives to shun. “Oppre
t she strives to shun. “Oppressed with grief the pitying god appears, And swells the rising surges with his tears; From the
e as its axle turn; Round which eight spheres in beauteous order run, And as they turn, revolving Time is spun, Whose motio
eel the fatal thread she flings; The Parcæ answer, in the choir agree And all those voices make one harmony.” The worship
heart, Steal out the thoughts the soul has kept In silence and apart: And voices we have pined to hear, Through many a long
nely day, Come back upon the dreaming ear, From grave lands far away, And gleams look forth of spirit eyes Like stars along
the banquet room,     Ceased is the noisy mirth, the red wine’s flow, And men look pale at thee, and gasp for breath, Thou
, but, fighting, fell; It was thine arm that laid the victor low,      And toll’d amid the triumph, a lone knell For his dep
the monarch in his hour     Of pomp, and pride, and royalty’s array; And the next victim of thy reckless power     May be
ouch of doom,     Stern Manhood shrinks beneath thy grasp, oh, death, And fragile Age by worldly cares opprest, Sinks, soft
orldly cares opprest, Sinks, softly sinks, into those arms for rest. And then methought death’s hollow voice replied,     
d from the rock below, The palace moats, and o’er the pebbles creeps, And with soft murmurs calls the coming sleeps. Around
rmurs calls the coming sleeps. Around its entry nodding poppies grew, And all cool simples that sweet rest bestow; Night fr
sweet rest bestow; Night from the plants their sleepy virtue drains, And passing, sheds it on the silent plains: No door t
, and in an ebon stead; Black was the covering too where lay the god, And slept supine, his limbs displayed abroad.” Ovid.
ightly tread,     A holy thing is sleep; On the worn spirit shed,      And eyes that wake to weep. A holy thing from heaven,
the murmuring of the breeze; Still slowly passed the melancholy day, And still the stranger wist not where to stray. The w
er wist not where to stray. The world was sad; the garden was a wild! And man, the hermit, sighed, — till woman smiled!” C
of the soul, I sing to thee, for many a joy is thine,                  And many a virtue comes                 To join thy h
he ruddy children round,                 Climbing the father’s knee. And oft will fancy rise above the lot Of honest pover
ch, The beacon light of bliss, young Love draws near,                  And leads his willing slaves                 To wear
“All bountiful, who roams Earth, and the expanded surface of the sea; And him that meets him on his way, whose hands He gra
m on his way, whose hands He grasps, him gifts he with abundant gold, And large felicity.” Hesiod. Plutus is the god of R
ere many an ancient, kingly head     Slumbers, immortalized in stone; And where, through marble grots beneath,     The life
ing aught of life, but breath,     Lie in their painted loveliness, ‌ And in each new successive race,     That visit their
ay wonder never seen before; Transported to the skies she seems to be And thinks she gazes on a deity, ‌But when he spoke
gazes on a deity, ‌But when he spoke and pressed her trembling hand, And did with tender words her heart demand, With vows
 and to your oath be true.’ He swears by Hecate, he would all fulfil, And by her grandfather’s prophetic skill By everythin
nd teaches him their use, Their mystic names, and virtues he admires. And with his booty joyfully retires.” Ovid. He made
rbage by their breath expires, As forges rumble with excessive fires, And furnaces with fiercer fury glow, When water in th
with soothing hand; ‌To unknown yokes their brawny necks they yield, And like tame oxen, plough the wondering field. The C
g with enchanted juice, Makes the snakes’ teeth a human crop produce, And from the labouring earth, no single birth But a w
earth, no single birth But a whole troop of lusty youths rush forth, And what’s more strange, with martial fury warmed, An
youths rush forth, And what’s more strange, with martial fury warmed, And for encounter all completely armed; In rank and f
yal bride, the richer spoil, To sea both prize and patroness he bore, And lands triumphant on his native shore.” Ovid. Al
unsubdued by toil: Her weeping sire, and beckoning friends withstood, And launched enamoured in the boiling flood; One rudd
amoured in the boiling flood; One ruddy boy her gentle lips caressed, And one fair girl was pillowed on her breast; While h
heroine from the main; While hours of triumph sound, and altars burn. And shouting nations hail their Queen’s return: Aghas
ail their Queen’s return: Aghast, she saw new-decked the nuptial bed, And proud Creusa to the temple led; Saw her in Jason’
, her virtues saved. ‌“To the stern King of Ghosts she next applied. And gentle Proserpine, his ravished bride, That for o
rant, and at last prevails; Then calls to have decrepid Æson brought, And stupifies him with a sleeping draught; This done,
tar trips a frantic round; Piecemeal the consecrated wood she splits, And dips the splinters in the gory pits, Then hurls t
own his hoary head of hair, The meagre paleness from his aspect fled, And in its room sprung up a florid red: Through all h
t with a vital flood: Your father’s life and health are in your hand, And can ye thus, like idle gazers stand? Unless you a
, the poor deluded maids proceed Betrayed by zeal to an inhuman deed, And in compassion, make a father bleed. Yes, she who
the wounds they made, ‌With stern regard she eyed the traitor king, And felt ingratitude, the keenest sting; “Nor Heaven”
he thirst of gold! Stamped with wild foot and shook her torrent brow, And called the furies from their dens below!” Ovid.
………………………………………………………… When o’er each babe you look a last adieu,      And gaze on Innocence that smiles asleep, Shall no fo
! Yet, ere Colchia’s rugged daughter     Perpetrate the dire design, And consign to kindred slaughter     Children of the
Hercules. This hath my thanks, indeed, I thought thee good. Theseus. And for that good deed, now I pity thee! Hercules. I
aven. Hercules. I therefore am prepared, and fixed to die. Theseus. And deemest thou the gods regard thy threats? Hercul
slew his sons and wife? Then bid me thence with curses on my head. ‌ And to the man, whose former days were passed In happ
hath been trained, Naught grieves, as though lie were allied to ills. And to this misery shall I come, I ween. The earth wi
y aloud, forbidding me To touch her soil, to pass its waves, the sea, And every fountain whence the rivers flow. Thus like
of the sleeping God; Waked by the shrilling hiss, and rustling sound, And shrieks of fair attendants trembling round, Their
clenching hands he holds; Till death entwists their convoluted folds. And in red torrents from her seven gold heads Fell Hy
lood in Lerna’s lake he sheds; Grasps Achelous with resistless force, And drags the roaring river to his course: Binds with
on to his dusky cave; Seized by the throat the howling fiend disarms, And tears his gaping jaws with sinewy arms; Lifts pro
ing jaws with sinewy arms; Lifts proud Antæus from his mother-plains, And with strong grasp, the struggling giant strains;
his forest den! Where breathing flames through brazen lips, he fled, And shakes the rock-roofed cavern o’er his head! Last
ope’s salient strand, Crests with opposing towers the splendid scene, And pours from urns immense, the sea between. Loud o’
s the fatal arrow flew, The Centaur’s back admits the feathered wood, And thro’ his breast the barbed arrow stood, Which wh
t to her husband’s hands. Th’ unwilling hero takes the gift in haste, And o’er his shoulders Lerna’s poison cast, At first
s Lerna’s poison cast, At first the fire with frankincense he strews, And utters to the gods his holy vows; And on the marb
re with frankincense he strews, And utters to the gods his holy vows; And on the marble altar’s polished frame Pours forth
and all his nerves bedews. ‌With wonted fortitude he bore the smart, And not a groan confessed his burning heart, At lengt
m in his curdling blood. Now with the greedy flame his entrails glow, And livid sweats down all his body flow. The cracking
noured offspring drove: High o’er the hollow clouds the coursers fly, And lodge the hero in the starry sky.” Ovid. If his
, and Hebe for a wife! Her golden youth did with new transports play, And crowned his toils in empyrean day. Yet did he oft
his toils in empyrean day. Yet did he oft, though in her arms he lay, And tasted to the height immortal youth, Sigh for you
to the height immortal youth, Sigh for young Iole, who, soft as May, And rich as Summer, yielded up her truth; There by Eu
by Euripus, ever fickle stream, He won a world in her immortal arms, And found his prized honour but a dream Lost in the O
ouble, and to labours born. Death is the gift most welcome to my woe, And such a gift a stepdame may bestow. Was it for thi
ighty toils in Elis told? Did not Stymphalian lakes proclaim my fame? And fair Parthenian woods resound my name? Who seized
enian woods resound my name? Who seized the golden belt of Thermodon? And who the dragon-guarded apples won? Could the fair
eir raging course, Devouring flame through my racked entrails strays, And on my lungs and shrivelled muscles preys.’” Ovid
nds his airy journey sped. The gory drops distilled as swift he flew, And from each drop envenomed serpents grew. The misch
envenomed serpents grew. The mischiefs brooded on the barren plains, And still the unhappy fruitfulness remains. Thence Pe
g winds unable to control, He saw the southern and the northern pole: And eastward thrice, and westward thrice was whirled,
northern pole: And eastward thrice, and westward thrice was whirled, And from the skies surveyed the nether world. But whe
ness to pursue his flight. He poised his pinions, and forgot to soar, And sinking, closed them on th’ Hesperian shore: Then
morn to wake the sun.     Here Atlas reigned of more than human size, And in his kingdom the world’s limit lies. Here Titan
m the world’s limit lies. Here Titan bids his wearied coursers sleep, And cools the burning axle in the deep. The mighty mo
progeny enjoy the prize.     For this, the fruit he loftily immured, And a fierce dragon the strait pass secured; For this
the strait pass secured; For this, all strangers he forbade to land, And drove them from the inhospitable strand,     To P
a statue by a hand divine, Had not the wind her waving tresses shewed And down her cheeks the melting sorrows flowed. Her f
oks, the more he still admires. Th’ admirer almost had forgot to fly, And swift descended, fluttering, from on high.” Ovid
a kindly shower of fruitful gold, Medusa’s snaky head is now my prey, And through the clouds I boldly wing my way. ‌If suc
he clouds I boldly wing my way. ‌If such desert be worthy of esteem, And , if your daughter I from death redeem. Shall she
Phineus first appeared, The rash ringleader of this boisterous herd, And brandishing his brazen pointed lance, ‘Behold,’ h
ou, but the jealous spite Of envious Nereids, and Jove’s high degree, And that devouring monster of the sea, That, ready wi
e fairest of my blood. You lost her then when she seemed past relief, And wish’d, perhaps, her death, to ease your grief Wi
le, will you grieve that he Exposed his life, the dying maid to free? And shall you claim his merit? Had you thought Her ch
ssful against Atlas. “Fierce Phineus now repents the wrongful fight, And views his varied friends, a dreadful sight; He kn
ends, a dreadful sight; He knows their faces, for their help he sues, And thinks, not hearing him, that they refuse, By nam
far as winds and seas Can bear thee: Hence; oh! quit the Cephan shore And never curse it with Medusa more; That horrid head
ng upon the stone like ice; In suppliant posture, with uplifted hands And fearful look, the guilty statue stands.” Ovid.
re he had slain the Minotaur. Alas! Fond Ariadne, thee did he desert, And heartless left thee on the Naiad’s shore To langu
hat beetles o’er the flood, With daily care the pensive father stood; And when he saw impatient from afar? The fatal signal
n ten thousand streams, With winds that move in perfume and in music, And more than all, the gift of woman’s beauty. What m
rant. Hidden in the dark recess Of a wide labyrinth, a monster dwelt, And every year was human tribute paid By the Athenian
year was human tribute paid By the Athenians. They had bowed in war; And every spring the flowers of all the city, Young m
has been woman’s fate, to love, To know one summer day of happiness, And then to be most wretched!     Leonarde.          
msoned the blue sea, a sound Of music and of mirth, came on the wind, And radiant shapes and laughing nymphs danced by, And
, came on the wind, And radiant shapes and laughing nymphs danced by, And he the Theban god, looked on the maid, And looked
laughing nymphs danced by, And he the Theban god, looked on the maid, And looked and loved, and was beloved again. He has j
d, and was beloved again. He has just flung her starry crown on high, And bade it there, a long memorial shine, How a god l
— now my breast is free Of the stern secret which so long hath burned And given a fever to my very looks.     Hip. Madam! I
rning love is mine, For you, Hippolytus, the son of Theseus!     Hip. And you his wife?     Phæ. Aye, boy, ’tis even so; Na
ssion which I now avow, Daily, and hourly, have I striven against it: And night by night, when visions and when dreams Pres
adoring thee!     Hip. Madam, I would not, could not wrong my father; And thou, how canst thou meet his face? Shame, shame,
anton love that leaves The marriage bed, even were it but in thought: And thou above thy compeers raised afar, In that thy
with an impure lip, Thy words have pierced her to the soul.     Hip. And dost thou doubt me father?     The. Perfidious wr
aped Jove’s fearful thunder, After a love filled with an awful horror And transports of affection fiercely urged, That woul
hy father’s marriage bed, Thou darest present to me thy traitor brow, And vow thine innocence. Away from these scenes of th
I shall hold with dread, ‌For ever will the curse cling to my name, And endless infamy my memory, That, having given birt
lsehood to thine infamy?     Hip. Thy words are most unjust!     The. And there thou standest with a brow as calm As innoce
d entreat her To come back to the straight path of her duty.     The. And dost thou think that thou canst thus deceive me?
                    When masts were on the seas,                      And spears in Marathon.     “There was one a leader
    And spears in Marathon.     “There was one a leader crowned,      And armed for Greece that day; But the falchions made
none! His voice was not of those     That swelled the rolling blast, And his steps fell hushed like snows, —     ’Twas the
    “Far sweeping thro’ the foe,     With a furious charge he bore, And the Mede left many a bow     On the sounding ocea
e bore, And the Mede left many a bow     On the sounding ocean shore, And the foaming waves grew red,     And the sails wer
    On the sounding ocean shore, And the foaming waves grew red,      And the sails were crowded fast, When the sons of Asi
                    When masts were on the seas,                      And spears in Marathon!” Hemans. ‌Insérer image an
tful of the rest, Amazed the Centaur saw; his clapping hands he beat, And stamped in ecstacy the rock with hoofed and horny
eathen-mythology_1842_img208 “His own despair the very stones admire And rolling follow his melodious lyre, He forced the
llow his melodious lyre, He forced the heart of hardest oak to groan, And made fierce tigers leave their rage and moan.” W
ven the Furies relented. “Already had he passed the courts of Death, And charmed with sacred verse the powers beneath; Whi
flinty seats of death: Snakes round the Furies heads did upward rear, And seemed to listen to the pleasing air, While fiery
l and unable to forbear, Mistrusting also lest her steps might stray, And gladsome of the glimpse of dawning day, He stoppe
opes, and Hell’s conditions broke, A fatal messenger from Pluto flew, And snatched the forfeit from a second view, For inst
n, he saw her, but at the same moment she was turned into a shadow. “ And fainting cries, ‘What fury thee possest? What fre
zed upon thy breast? Once more my eyes are seized with endless sleep, And now farewell, I sink into the deep.’ Oblivious ce
like savage creatures clad, Warbling in air perceived his lovely lay, And from a rising ground beheld him play: When one, t
s suppliant hands, in vain He tries, before his never failing strain; And , from those sacred lips, whose thrilling sound Fi
Death-Song of Alcestis. “She came forth in her bridal robes arrayed, And midst the graceful statues round the hall Sheddin
om, and the star-like gleam Of jewels trembling from her braided hair And death upon her brow! but glorious death! Her own
notes from the vales, Echoes of song — the last sweet sounds of life And the glad sunshine of the golden clime Streamed, a
joy! — or if a thought Of the warm sunlight, and the scented breeze, And the sweet Dorian songs, o’erswept the tide Of her
s trembles to the breath ‌Of unborn oracles! then flushed her cheek, And all the triumph, all the agony, Born on the battl
w!     Its glory and its might —     Are they not written on my brow? And will that image ever quit thy sight?     No! deat
glad light! the light is fair,     The soft breeze warm and free;      And rich notes fill the scented air, And all are gift
e soft breeze warm and free;     And rich notes fill the scented air, And all are gifts, my love’s last gifts to thee!     
when treacherously a blow, Such as thou sees’t here, he aimed at me, And pierced my clothes. The weapon grazed my flesh Th
dless was my rage. Blind with revenge I snatched the dagger from him, And weltering in his blood he lay transfixed.’” Alfi
d sulphurous flames. He shall be bound and gashed, his skin flead off And burned alive. Phor. O spare my age. Œd. Who gav
that infant to thee? Phor. O wretched state! I die, unless I speak; And if I speak most certain death attends me. Œd. Th
bow him gently forward, Chafe, chafe his temples — He breathes again, And vigorous nature breaks through opposition. How fa
ax, all blazing fire. Stand from this spot, I wish you as my friends, And come not near me, lest the gaping earth Swallow y
—————— “From the flying troops Eteocles leaps forth in furious guise, And with a terrible accent he exclaims, ‘To Polynice.
a conclusion bring This unjust waste of blood, within your presence, And on this field of death — And thou, whom I Should
st waste of blood, within your presence, And on this field of death —  And thou, whom I Should call no more my brother, do t
tant.                                               Drunk with blood, And fury, of his own life quite regardless, Provided
aven and Thebes Thou will’st it!’ While to heaven his eyes he raised, And thus exclaimed, his sword he onward thrust: The h
the same bright drop, Shall bear the crown thou did’st usurp from me. And that thy soul may fly with more regret Know trait
plot the better to disguise Styles it some unknown mystic sacrifice: And such the nature of the hallowed rite, The wife he
n a throne of antique state, Loftily raised, before the banquet sate; And , glutton-like, luxuriously pleased With his own f
ling answer with surprise, Around the room he winds his curious eyes; And , as he still enquired, and called aloud; Fierce P
d of Itys, gory as it was: Nor ever longed so much to use her tongue, And , with a just reproach, to vindicate her wrong.   
cries the vaulted parlour rings; His imprecations echo down to hell, And rouse the snaky furies from their Stygian cell. O
rom their Stygian cell. One while, he labours to disgorge his breast, And free his stomach from the cursed feast; Then, wee
h so swift a force Across the fields, they seem to wing their course: And now, on real wings themselves they raise, And ste
m to wing their course: And now, on real wings themselves they raise, And steer their airy flight by different ways: One to
harpened like a spear; Thus armed, his looks his inward mind display, And , to a lapwing turned, he fans his way.” Ovid.
h, and stopped the coming blow. A mist before the ministers she cast, And in the virgin’s room a hind she placed.” After t
ly described: — “Iphigenia. Father! I now may lean upon your breast, And you with unreverted eyes will grasp Iphigenia’s h
      We are not shades Surely! for yours throbs yet,                  And did my blood Win Troy for Greece?                
              Tell me then, Tell how my mother fares who loved me so, And grieved, as ‘twere for you, to see me part. Frown
nia! O my child! the Earth Has gendered crimes unheard of heretofore, And nature may have changed in her last depths, Toget
heard, with bitter rage Lashes his foaming steeds against the skies, And , laughing with loud yell at winged fire, Innoxiou
le from the sceptred hand; While Pluto, gentlest brother of the three And happiest in obedience, views sedate His tranquil
be your spirit! none on earth ‌Ever was half so kindly in his house, And so compliant, even to a child. Never was snatched
the sceptre and the sword. What then can make you speak thus rapidly And briefly? in your step thus hesitate? Are you afra
oman! ever false! false was thy last Denunciation, as thy bridal vow; And yet even that found faith with me! the dirk Which
e, and let me be unblest; But, O my faultless father! why should you? And shun so my embraces?                 Am I wild An
r! why should you? And shun so my embraces?                 Am I wild And wandering in my fondness?                 We are
the fearful weapon went, His corslet pierces, and his garment rends, And , glancing downward, near his flank descends. The
ding voice and angry eyes. ‘Then is it vain in Jove himself to trust? And is it thus the Gods assist the just? When crimes
d for the Prince of Troy; Unseen she came, and burst the golden band, And left an empty helmet in his hand.” Homer. The G
e, Patroclus yields to fear, Retires for succour to his social train, And flies the fate which Heaven decreed, in vain. Ste
hauled along the plain. Proud on his car th’ insulting victor stood, And bore aloft his arms distilling blood. He smites t
noured, in his native land, Given to the rage of an insulting throng, And in his parents sight now dragged along. The mothe
er first beheld with sad survey, She rent her tresses venerably gray: And cast far off the regal veils away. With piercing
s groans with groans; Tears after tears his mournful cheeks o’erflow, And the whole city wears one face of woe.” Homer. A
her fated fall; Whirled his fierce spear with more than mortal force, And pierced the thick ribs of the echoing horse; Two
dant train, Arched their blue necks, and shook their towering crests, And ploughed their foamy way with speckled breasts; T
y a tangled fold, Close and more close their writhing limbs surround, And fix with foamy teeth the envenomed wound. With br
ience blending: — vain The struggle; vain, against the coiling strain And gripe, and deepening of the dragon’s grasp, The o
heir flying souls pursue? Rather with steel thy guilty breast invade, And take the fortune thou thyself hast made!” Dryden
n-mythology_1842_img246 “Then swiftly to the fatal place she passed, And mounts the funeral pile with furious haste; Unshe
e ghosts below,’ ‌Then kissed the couch ‘and must I die,’ she said, ‘ And unrevenged, ’tis doubly to be dead; Yet even this
came streaming on her hands; Her sad attendants saw the deadly stroke And with loud cries, the sounding palace shook. Thric
sounding palace shook. Thrice Dido tried to raise her drooping head, And , panting, thrice fell grovelling on the bed. Thri
eyes, and saw the light, But having found it, sickened at the sight, And closed her lids at last in endless night.” Dryde
air, she beat her breast, She raised the body, and embraced it round, And bathed with tears unfeigned, the gaping wound, Th
ned, the gaping wound, Then her warm lips to the cold face applied — ‘ And is it thus, ah! thus we meet,’ she cried My Pyram
bles say, the shepherd boy Into a stream, and on its banks would lie, And utter her laments in such a tone, As might have m
cily — shepherd swains For many an age would lie by that lone stream, And from its watery melodies catch an air, And tune i
d lie by that lone stream, And from its watery melodies catch an air, And tune it to their simple instruments.” Barry Corn
emple passed the Sestian maid, Her face a softened dignity displayed; And as she shone superior to the rest, In the sweet b
er avowed his passion. “Her lily hand he seized, and gently pressed, And softly sighed the passion of his breast, Then to
ere fixed upon the ground, Her cheeks she hid, in rosy blushes drest, And veiled her lily shoulders with her vest.” Musæus
turret torch was blazing high, Though rising gale and breaking foam, And shrieking sea birds warned him home; And clouds a
sing gale and breaking foam, And shrieking sea birds warned him home; And clouds aloft, and tides below, With sighs, and so
and gained in safety the shore which the blazing light had signalled. And , oh! the tenderness of that meeting; the obstacle
head, with each a history Of love told by its light; and waving trees And perfumed breathings upon every breeze.” L. E. L.
. ———————— “One night the sky, As if with passion, darkened angrily, And gusts of wind swept o’er the troubled main Like h
o by her beacon kept Her silent watch, and blamed the night and wept, And scarcely dared to look upon the sky; Yet lulling
own of the same name in Cyprus. “There was a statuary, one who loved And worshipped the white marble that he shaped; Till,
form like that of Jove serene, With sparkling eyes, and flowing hair, And wit, that ever charms the fair.” He gave himself
n God or Goddess gave Her swan-like wings wherewith to fly to heaven. And now, at times, when gloomy tempests roar Along th
nd still and moonlight seas, Of love, and loneliness, and fancy gone, And hopes decayed for ever: and my ear Caught well re
     Did’st thou, as day by day,                 Rolled heavily away, And left thee anxious, nerveless and dejected,       
his return, ‌Unwilling to believe thyself forsaken?                  And when contrition came,                 Chilling th
From the Lucadian steep,                 Dash, with a desperate leap, And hide thyself within the whelming waters?         
ed goddess, and the cell Haunted by holy love — the earliest oracle! And did’st thou not, thy breast to his replying, Blen
ot, thy breast to his replying, Blend a celestial with a human heart; And love, which dies as it was born, in sighing, Shar
venom and not blunt the dart — The dull satiety which all destroys — And root from out the soul the deadly weed which cloy
is worldly sphere,     Its cradle, and its altar, and its throne:      And there the new born river lies,     Outspread bene
nds for food. Then quitting, reared, and stretched and waved his neck And glanced his forky tongue.” Southey. A cow, of w
air while living flowers, With sunny twine the vocal arbours wreathe, And gales enamoured, heavenly fragrance breathe?     
! for at thy beck         Vales and groves their bosoms deck,          And every laughing blossom dresses         With gems
ms of dew, his musky tresses. I feel, I feel thy genial flame divine, And hallow thee and kiss thy shrine. “‘Knowest thou
braids ethereal streaming, Thy scaly standards, thy mysterious arms, And all thy pains, and all thy charms. ‘O thou for a
or ages born, yet ever young, For ages may thy Brahmins’ lay be sung! And when thy glory spreads his emerald wings To waft
pale light         Pours her soft radiance through the night,          And to each floating cloud discovers,         The hau
2 (1897) Stories of Long Ago in a New Dress
come all our joys and sorrows. Let us worship them and sing of them.” And they called these mighty people gods and goddesse
e in weaving and embroidering, for she was very fond of this pastime. And then there was Mercury, fleet-footed Mercury. He
rom harm, and played his pipes and danced with them in many a frolic. And , if we believe the stories told by the Greeks, in
eautiful, wonderful world, With the wonderful water round you curled, And the wonderful grass upon your breast — World, you
 — World, you are beautifully dressed. The wonderful air is over me, And the wonderful wind is shaking the tree; It walks
ind is shaking the tree; It walks on the water, and whirls the mills, And talks to itself on the tops of the hills. You fr
the rivers that flow. With cities and gardens, and cliffs and isles, And people upon you for thousands of miles? Ah! you
Nature laughs around; When even the deep blue heavens look glad,      And gladness breathes from the blossoming ground? Th
ming ground? There are notes of joy from the hang-bird and wren,      And the gossip of swallows through all the sky; The g
through all the sky; The ground-squirrel gayly chirps by his den,      And the wilding bee hums merrily by. The clouds are
g bee hums merrily by. The clouds are at play in the azure space      And their shadows at play on the bright green vale, A
e azure space     And their shadows at play on the bright green vale, And here they stretch to the frolic chase,     And th
the bright green vale, And here they stretch to the frolic chase,      And there they roll on the easy gale. There’s a danc
en tree, There’s a smile on the fruit, and a smile on the flower,      And a laugh from the brook that runs to the sea. And
on the flower,     And a laugh from the brook that runs to the sea. And look at the broad-faced sun, how he smiles     On
earth. Ceres had one fair young daughter, whom she loved very dearly. And no wonder, for Proserpine was the sunniest, happi
opening as I pass. I have looked o’er the hills of the stormy North, And the larch has hung all his tassels forth; The fis
h has hung all his tassels forth; The fisher is out on the sunny sea, And the reindeer bounds o’er the pastures free, And t
out on the sunny sea, And the reindeer bounds o’er the pastures free, And the pine has a fringe of softer green, And the mo
ds o’er the pastures free, And the pine has a fringe of softer green, And the moss looks bright, where my step has been. F
r the forest boughs, They are bursting fresh from their sparry caves, And the earth resounds with the joy of waves. Felici
ear her bubbling louder and louder, until at last it seemed to speak. And this is what it said: “I am the nymph of the foun
o Latona. In fact, it was as lovely a home as any one could wish for. And here Latona lived for a long, long time. She was
so cruel to these little children who stretch out their arms to you.” And , as she put aside her cloak, the little boy and g
rook I come from haunts of coot and hern,     I make a sudden sally, And sparkle out among the fern,     To bicker down a
ever. I wind about, and in and out,     With here a blossom sailing, And here and there a lusty trout,     And here and th
   With here a blossom sailing, And here and there a lusty trout,      And here and there a grayling. And here and there a
And here and there a lusty trout,     And here and there a grayling. And here and there a foamy flake     Upon me, as I tr
I travel With many a silvery waterbreak     Above the golden gravel. And draw them all along, and flow     To join the bri
lows; I make the netted sunbeam dance     Against my sandy shallows. And out again I curve and flow     To join the brimmi
of the rivers and the wood nymphs all mourned for their dead friend. And they prepared the funeral pile, for in those days
r and soft, white petals, which nodded to its reflection in the pool. And to this day the lovely flower, called the narciss
with the color glowing in her cheeks and her breath coming very fast. And such beauty as grew under her skillful fingers! Y
heads of victors, and shall be green alike in summer and in winter.” And so it came to pass, — the laurel, Apollo’s emblem
lifeless rocks became living and trembled at the beauty of his song. And he could so charm people that they would forget a
parted. ——— Orpheus with His Lute Orpheus with his lute made trees, And the mountain tops that freeze,     Bow themselves
  Come back to life and love!” Oh, all my heart went out to him,      And the sweet air above; With happy tears my eyes wer
    I heard him wail, “Oh, love, What have I done! what have I done!” And then I saw no more the sun,     And lost were lif
t have I done! what have I done!” And then I saw no more the sun,      And lost were life and love. Francis W. Bourdillon
of the hunter’s horn. Now through the copse where the fox is found, And over the stream, at a mighty bound, And over the
copse where the fox is found, And over the stream, at a mighty bound, And over the high lands and over the low, O’er furrow
ndertake a task that I am saving for the bravest man in my kingdom.” “ And do you think me worthy of this honor?” cried Pers
and said, “Sister, it is my turn to use the eye now. Give it to me.” And the third sister said quickly, “No, that is not t
the third sister said quickly, “No, that is not true. It is my turn.” And the middle one, who had the eye, cried out, “I pr
ains and led her to her parents. Such happy tears as the people shed! And such rejoicing and praises of Perseus on all side
come down to earth, he met Io in the woods and began to talk to her. And he found her so lovable that he came again and ag
o keep you.” So she set one of her servants, Argus, to watch the cow. And a very good watchman Argus made; for he had a hun
r of Latona, the mother of the beautiful twin gods, Apollo and Diana. And one year, when, as usual, the women of the city h
me, I should still have my children, seven times the number of hers. And even should fortune take one half of them from me
rrow in her life that she took all the joy that was within her reach. And it was always joy to her to hear the hymns sung i
n upon the plain among her dead, and gazed about her in silent grief. And thus she sat, day after day, and never moved nor
untain overlooking Thebes, and placed it there among the other rocks. And to this day, you can see the woman of stone seate
Children Come to me, O ye children!     For I hear you at your play, And the questions that perplexed me     Have vanished
    That look toward the sun, Where thoughts are singing swallows      And the brooks of morning run. In your hearts are th
r thoughts the brooklet’s flow, But in mine is the wind of autumn      And the first fall of the snow. Ah! what would the w
te     Than reaches the trunks below. Come to me, O ye children!      And whisper in my ear What the birds and the winds ar
g     In your sunny atmosphere. For what are all our contrivings      And the wisdom of our books, When compared with your
   And the wisdom of our books, When compared with your caresses,      And the gladness of your looks? Ye are better than a
ballads     That ever were sung or said; For ye are living poems,      And all the rest are dead. Henry Wadsworth Longfell
uited Hercules better, for he delighted in danger and deeds of valor. And that is how the hero came to perform those wonder
slew serpents thrice your size when I was but a baby in the cradle.” And he sprang upon the serpent, and in an instant wou
led it with her autumn fruits and flowers and took it for her emblem. And this is the story of the origin of the horn of pl
at open to sun and stars and moon; That open to the bright, blue sky, And the frolicsome winds as they wander by! They hav
nests on the forest bough; Those homes of delight they need not now; And the young and the old they wander out, And traver
delight they need not now; And the young and the old they wander out, And traverse their green world round about; And hark!
the old they wander out, And traverse their green world round about; And hark! at the top of this leafy hall, How, one to
r the world is fair, Where the merry leaves dance in the summer air.” And the birds below give back the cry, “We come, we c
asant the lives of the birds must be, Living in love in a leafy tree; And away through the air what joy to go, And to look
ing in love in a leafy tree; And away through the air what joy to go, And to look on the green, bright earth below! How pl
ree wing, through the rosy morn! To meet the young sun, face to face, And pierce like a shaft the boundless space, To pass
give, like a bird, to go Right on through the arch of the sunlit bow, And see how the water drops are kissed Into green and
o soar, and to see beneath The wastes of the blossoming purple heath, And the yellow furze, like fields of gold, That gladd
happened which made them forget all about the young prince of Crete. And this was nothing less than the coming of their ow
ting and rejoicing at the coming of the heir to the throne of Athens. And that was the reason why no one asked after the ot
, and vowed that he would take vengeance on the cruel king of Athens. And one day, as Aegeus was walking in the palace gard
——— Rise! For the Day Is Passing Rise! for the day is passing,      And you lie dreaming on; The others have buckled thei
    And you lie dreaming on; The others have buckled their armor      And forth to the fight are gone. A place in the ranks
is one deed by which she might win his love would not leave her mind. And at last, it no longer seemed so dreadful a thing.
ear not — I will kill the Minotaur, and come back to you in triumph.” And so he went on his way. During the journey Theseus
d in the doorway. “Come,” said the elder, “follow us to the hilltop.” And there was something so commanding in his look and
no longer seemed beautiful to them, and they no longer cared to live. And one evening, as they were standing hand in hand i
y trees, which stood for centuries in front of the temple of Jupiter. And strangers, who came to the place and heard the be
low. Then the halcyon birds may be seen floating on the quiet waters. And because of the name of the birds that are suppose
she dances about the sun. I wield the flail of the lashing hail,      And whiten the green plains under; And then again I d
the flail of the lashing hail,     And whiten the green plains under; And then again I dissolve it in rain,     And laugh a
ten the green plains under; And then again I dissolve it in rain,      And laugh as I pass in thunder. I am the daughter of
augh as I pass in thunder. I am the daughter of Earth and Water,      And the nursling of the Sky; I pass through the pores
ing it hither, for it would add greatly to our wealth and happiness.” And then he told the story of Phryxus and Helle, and
g? Long, long afterwards, in an oak I found the arrow, still unbroke; And the song, from beginning to end, I found again in
aright the three tasks I have set can carry away the Golden Fleece.” And the tone in which the king gave this answer showe
to conquer all the armed men that will then spring up from the earth. And the third is to kill the fierce dragon which guar
so much that she would be willing to give up everything for his sake. And so it really was Juno who was helping Jason. The
the green forests, with the birds and the flowers he loved so dearly. And to this day the cypress tree is planted above gra
thy mantle, fringed with green,     Broidered with leaf and blossom, And lay him tenderly to sleep     Dear Earth, upon th
  Thy woods and waters, only, Gave him their sweet companionship,      And made his hours less lonely. Then part thy mantle
thy mantle, fringed with green,     Broidered with leaf and blossom, And lay him tenderly to sleep     Dear Earth, upon th
love. Great are the sea and the heaven,     Yet greater is my heart; And fairer than pearls and stars     Flashes and beam
w that Hyacinthus was gone, he turned to this old friend for comfort. And he sang a song of love and mourning for the boy,
lmost the color of the blood that had flowed from the boy’s forehead. And since that day, so long ago, the beautiful purple
ise. Tears fell, when thou wert dying,     From eyes unused to weep, And long, where thou art lying,     Will tears the co
d to murmur in the woodland, That the wood birds ceased from singing, And the squirrel Ceased his chatter in the oak tree,
ed from singing, And the squirrel Ceased his chatter in the oak tree, And the rabbit Sat upright to look and listen.       
s graze, and making a great deal of noise on his hundred-reeded pipe. And as he sat there, he watched the sea nymphs sporti
d, and the frightened sea nymphs hid themselves in their green caves. And this is the song he sang: “O Galatea, you are fai
The Shepherd’s Song To His Love Come, live with me and be my love, And we will all the pleasures prove That hills and va
will all the pleasures prove That hills and valleys, dale and field, And all the craggy mountains yield. There will I mak
all the craggy mountains yield. There will I make thee beds of roses And a thousand fragrant posies, A cap of flowers, and
old; A belt of straw and ivy buds With coral clasps and amber studs; And if these pleasures may thee move, Come, live with
3 (1898) Classic myths in english literature
of One whose purposes hold good for every race, and through all time. And , so, the knowledge of mythic lore has led men bro
he and lived a new sympathy, an unselfish thrill, a purified delight! And not only as an impulse toward artistic output, or
d where men and things exist simply for the purpose of delighting us. And the enduring measure of delight which the æstheti
. How, then, did the senseless and cruel stories come into existence? And were they ever believed? How accounted for. — Th
ame to be male, and not female, or how it came to be a person at all. And this latter, in studying the origin of myths, is
s through half a summer’s day, With music lulled his indolent repose; And , in some fit of weariness, if he, When his own br
azing chariot of the Sun A beardless youth who touched a golden lute, And filled the illumined groves with ravishment. The
ly Wanderer who bestowed That timely light to share his joyous sport; And hence a beaming goddess with her nymphs Across th
aggy covert peeping forth In the low vale, or on steep mountain side; And sometimes intermixed with stirring horns Of the l
to understand the first words spoken of them by the children of men. And then, in all the most beautiful and enduring myth
attles at their shoulder, and the chariot bends beneath their weight. And , on the other hand, collaterally with these corpo
c tradition,” while plausible, are but unsubstantiated contributions. And until we possess the earliest records of those un
h notes as warbled to the string, Drew iron tears down Pluto’s cheek, And made Hell grant what love did seek.” 25 Other l
re heard a most celestial sound Of dainty music which did next ensue, And , on the floating waters as enthroned, Arion with
seas from pirates’ view, Stood still, by him astonished at his lore, And all the raging seas for joy forgot to roar.” Si
ed from the oaks. This Golden Age had begun in the reign of Cronus.58 And when these heroes fell asleep in death, they were
w the plough. This was a race of manly men, but insolent and impious. And when they died, Jupiter made them ghosts of the u
e her beauty, another persuasive charm, a third the faculty of music. And they named her Pandora, “the gift of all the gods
hough cautioned by his brother to beware of Jupiter and all his ways. And the caution was not groundless. In the hand of Pa
ow, The suffocating sense of woe, Which speaks but in its loneliness, And then is jealous lest the sky Should have a listen
kind, To render with thy precepts less The sum of human wretchedness, And strengthen man with his own mind. But, baffled as
“But the glories so transcendent That around their memories cluster, And , on all their steps attendant, Make their darkene
trength for such sublime endeavor, Thus to scale the walls of heaven, And to leaven with fiery leaven All the hearts of men
his shadowy brows; Waved on th’ immortal head th’ ambrosial locks, — And all Olympus trembled at his nod.”72 Unfortunate
ainbows, and the flowers With their ethereal colors; the moon’s globe And the pure stars in their eternal bowers Are cinctu
ished sight, Goddess excellently bright. Lay thy bow of pearl apart, And thy crystal-shining quiver; Give unto the flying
lls the twain are wandering:86 The Medicean’s sly and servile grace, And the immortal beauty of thy face. One is the spir
mortal beauty of thy face. One is the spirit of all short-lived love And outward, earthly loveliness: The tremulous rosy m
sy morn is her mouth’s smile, The sky, her laughing azure eyes above; And , waiting for caress, Lie bare the soft hill-slope
Along the chilling mist: Cheating and cheated love that grows to hate And ever deeper loathing, soon or late. Thou, too, O
mmeasurably, and thy face Wavers and glimmers there and is withdrawn. And many days, when all one’s work is vain, And life
s there and is withdrawn. And many days, when all one’s work is vain, And life goes stretching on, a waste gray plain, With
t there before me suddenly, With shade as if a summer cloud did pass, And spray of fountains whispering to the grass. Oh, s
e me from the haste and noise and heat That spoil life’s music sweet: And from that lesser Aphrodite there — Even now she s
ny rose, Were like a flower that overflows With honey pure and sweet; And clustering round that holy mouth, The golden bees
age, entertainment kind, Sweet semblance, friendly offices that bind, And all the complements of courtesy; They teach us ho
[Terra-cotta relief: Arch. Zeit.] Here life has death for neighbor, And far from eye or ear Wan waves and wet winds labor
whither They wot not who make thither; But no such winds blow hither, And no such things grow here. No growth of moor or c
men born; Forgets the earth her mother, The life of fruits and corn; And spring and seed and swallow Take wing for her and
swallow Take wing for her and follow Where summer song rings hollow, And flowers are put to scorn. ………………………………… We are no
nd flowers are put to scorn. ………………………………… We are not sure of sorrow, And joy was never sure; To-day will die to-morrow; Ti
never sure; To-day will die to-morrow; Time stoops to no man’s lure; And love, grown faint and fretful, With lips but half
f his former life in a land of spring, sunlight, happiness, and song. And by the Fields there flowed the river Lethe, from
fairest meadow that may be, With all green fragrant trees for shade, And every scented wind to fan, And sweetest flowers t
th all green fragrant trees for shade, And every scented wind to fan, And sweetest flowers to strew the lea; The soft winds
soft winds are their servants fleet To fetch them every fruit at will And water from the river chill; And every bird that s
eet To fetch them every fruit at will And water from the river chill; And every bird that singeth sweet, Throstle, and merl
and rose, and asphodel, — With these doth each guest twine his crown And wreathe his cup, and lay him down Beside some fri
s her bosom to the moon; The winds that will be howling at all hours, And are upgathered now like sleeping flowers; For thi
r, with beating heart, in such clear vision had she beheld the dream… And she said, “Ah! who was the alien woman that I beh
was scattered afar, exceeding even the sweet perfume of the meadows. And he stood before the feet of fair Europa, and kept
uropa, and kept licking her neck, and cast his spell over the maiden. And she still caressed him, and gently with her hands
pastime, for truly, he will bear is on his back, and carry all of us! And how mild he is, and dear, and gentle to behold, a
sped like a dolphin, faring with unwetted hooves over the wide waves. And the sea, as he came, grew smooth, and the sea-mon
of them came on in orderly array, riding on the backs of sea-beasts. And himself, the thunderous shaker of the world, appe
ent, lest it might trail and be wet in the hoar sea’s infinite spray. And her deep robe was swelled out by the winds, like
like any shepherd girl? One night he sware to grant whate’er I asked: And straight I cried, ‘To know thee as thou art! To h
e upon Olympus’ height, I look down, through that oval ring of stars, And see the far-off Earth, a twinkling speck — Dust-m
twinkling speck — Dust-mote whirled up from the Sun’s chariot wheel — And pity their small hearts that hold a man As if he
onely grove He set up his forlorn pipes, The gouty oak began to move, And flounder into hornpipes. The mountain stirred it
, And flounder into hornpipes. The mountain stirred its bushy crown, And , as tradition teaches, Young ashes pirouetted dow
n teaches, Young ashes pirouetted down Coquetting with young beeches; And briony-vine and ivy-wreath Ran forward to his rhy
g beeches; And briony-vine and ivy-wreath Ran forward to his rhyming, And from the valleys underneath Came little copses cl
e linden broke her ranks and rent The woodbine wreaths that bind her, And down the middle, buzz! she went With all her bees
ld elms came breaking from the vine, The vine streamed out to follow, And , sweating rosin, plumped the pine From many a clo
ow, And, sweating rosin, plumped the pine From many a cloudy hollow. And wasn’t it a sight to see, When, ere his song was
, Like some great landslip, tree by tree, The country-side descended; And shepherds from the mountain-eaves Looked down, ha
gher, Became a steeple with a spire. The kettle to the top was hoist, And there stood fastened to a joist, But with the ups
roast, A sudden alteration feels, Increased by new intestine wheels; And , what exalts the wonder more, The number made the
But up against the steeple reared, Became a clock, and still adhered; And still its love to household cares By a shrill voi
Like a huge snail, along the wall; There stuck aloft in public view, And with small change, a pulpit grew. A bedstead of t
, and since no steer Stayed in the byre, dragged out the chariot old, And wore themselves the galling yoke, and brought The
and by his brother’s side Lay Biton, smiling through ambrosial curls, And when the people touched them they were dead.124
d off into one another so adroitly that the joining deceives the eye. And the effect is like the bow whose long arch tinges
colors, and his glistening eyes. Which when Arachne saw, as overlaid And mastered with workmanship so rare, She stood asto
th workmanship so rare, She stood astonished long, ne aught gainsaid; And with fast-fixed eyes on her did stare.127 So wo
omede, he made. straight at him. 38. Minerva. [Statue: Müller.] … And when they were come nigh in onset on one another,
claimed, “May they never quit that pool, but pass their lives there!” And it came to pass accordingly. They still live in t
wroth at heart, bearing on his shoulders his bow and covered quiver. And the arrows clanged upon his shoulders in his wrat
ught down the scath Whence all nine fell, rais’d it, and stood erect, And thus bespake the goddess enthroned on high: ‘Thou
children in the pass Of virtue, through the tangling wilds of youth, And thou didst ever guide them: was it just To smite
e, Decreed his singing not too bad To hear between the cups of wine: And so, well pleased with being soothed Into a sweet
ed Into a sweet half-sleep, Three times his kingly beard he smoothed, And made him viceroy o’er his sheep. His words were
made him viceroy o’er his sheep. His words were simple words enough, And yet he used them so, That what in other mouths wa
low. Men called him but a shiftless youth, In whom no good they saw; And yet, unwittingly, in truth, They made his careles
ghed, and called him good-for-naught. Yet after he was dead and gone And e’en his memory dim, Earth seemed more sweet to l
h seemed more sweet to live upon, More full of love, because of him. And day by day more holy grew Each spot where he had
I shall find him, sure, Drinking, beside the tomb, o’ the sacrifice: And if I lie in ambuscade, and leap Out of my lair, a
the whole magnific frame, Each sinew to its service, — up he caught, And over shoulder cast the lion-shag, Let the club go
er cast the lion-shag, Let the club go, — for had he not those hands? And so went striding off, on that straight way Leads
is is the authentic sign and seal Of Godship that it ever waxes glad, And more glad, until gladness blossoms, bursts Into a
d, until gladness blossoms, bursts Into a rage to suffer for mankind, And recommence at sorrow: drops like seed After the b
more die into the ground, Taste cold and darkness and oblivion there: And thence rise, tree-like grow through pain to joy,
ad. When — but can it be? — … Ay, he it was advancing! In he strode, And took his stand before Admetos, — turned Now by de
the hero twitched The veil off; and there stood, with such fixed eyes And such slow smile, Alkestis’ silent self! It was th
me, Alkestis moved not once Out of the set gaze and the silent smile; And a cold fear ran through Admetos’ frame: “Why does
o tell thee; let evanish quite That consecration to the lower Gods, - And on our upper world the third day rise! Lead her i
thyme, The birds on the myrtle bushes, The cicale above in the lime, And the lizards below in the grass, Were as silent as
Tmolus was Listening to my sweet pipings. Liquid Peneüs was flowing, And all dark Tempe lay, In Pelion’s shadow, outgrowin
day, Speeded by my sweet pipings. The Sileni, and Sylvans, and Fauns, And the Nymphs of the woods and waves, To the edge of
Nymphs of the woods and waves, To the edge of the moist river-lawns, And the brink of the dewy caves, And all that did the
o the edge of the moist river-lawns, And the brink of the dewy caves, And all that did then attend and follow Were silent w
eet pipings. I sang of the dancing stars, I sang of the dædal Earth, And of Heaven — and the giant wars, And Love, and Dea
And of Heaven — and the giant wars, And Love, and Death, and Birth, — And then I changed my pipings, — Singing how down the
omp to the Capitol, thou shalt be woven into wreaths for their brows. And , as eternal youth is mine, thou also shalt be alw
his pursuing; Be the cause what it might, from his offers she shrunk, And , Ginevra-like, shut herself up in a trunk; And, t
his offers she shrunk, And, Ginevra-like, shut herself up in a trunk; And , though ’twas a step into which he had driven her
istress! What romance would be left? — who can flatter or kiss trees? And , for mercy’s sake, how could one keep up a dialog
ed with green The downward ravine Which slopes to the western gleams: And gliding and springing She went, ever singing, In
pheus bold, On his glacier cold, With his trident the mountain strook And opened a chasm In the rocks; — with the spasm All
d opened a chasm In the rocks; — with the spasm All Erymanthus shook. And the black south wind It concealed behind The urns
the black south wind It concealed behind The urns of the silent snow, And earthquake and thunder Did rend in sunder The bar
flight To the brink of the Dorian deep. “Oh, save me! Oh, guide me! And bid the deep hide me, For he grasps me now by the
me now by the hair!” The loud Ocean heard, To its blue depth stirred, And divided at her prayer; And under the water The Ea
ud Ocean heard, To its blue depth stirred, And divided at her prayer; And under the water The Earth’s white daughter Fled l
he dim beams Which amid the streams Weave a network of colored light; And under the caves, Where the shadowy waves Are as g
dowy waves Are as green as the forest’s night: Outspeeding the shark, And the sword-fish dark, Under the ocean foam, And up
Outspeeding the shark, And the sword-fish dark, Under the ocean foam, And up through the rifts Of the mountain clifts They
ugh the rifts Of the mountain clifts They past to their Dorian home. And now from their fountains In Enna’s mountains, Dow
e of the shelving hill; At noontide they flow Through the woods below And the meadows of Asphodel: And at night they sleep
ontide they flow Through the woods below And the meadows of Asphodel: And at night they sleep In the rocking deep Beneath t
he part of the cold-hearted and apparently unyielding huntress-queen. And such satisfaction Venus once enjoyed, if we may t
and freshening beads, Lashed from the crystal roof by fishes’ tails. And so he kept, until the rosy veils, Mantling the ea
died with Adonis! Woe, woe for Cypris, the mountains all are saying. And the oak-trees answer, Woe for Adonis! And the riv
e mountains all are saying. And the oak-trees answer, Woe for Adonis! And the rivers bewail the sorrows of Aphrodite, and t
aw; for there before her lay The very Love brighter than dawn of day; And as he lay there smiling, her own name His gentle
there smiling, her own name His gentle lips in sleep began to frame, And , as to touch her face, his hand did move; O then,
his hand did move; O then, indeed, her faint heart swelled for love, And she began to sob, and tears fell fast Upon the be
lict I than to leave thee forever. Love cannot dwell with suspicion.” And so he flew away. When Psyche had recovered some d
es of her beloved husband. Therewith down by the wayside did she sit And turned the box round, long regarding it; But at t
’s painted wings; When truth’s clear river flowed o’er sands of gold, And told in song its high and mystic things! And such
owed o’er sands of gold, And told in song its high and mystic things! And such the sweet and solemn tale of her The pilgrim
lley, and the scented air, She heard far echoes of the voice of Love, And found his footsteps’ traces everywhere. But neve
and blight the earth, Had come ‘twixt her, a child of sin and tears, And that bright spirit of immortal birth; Until her p
ek him only in the skies; Till wings unto the weary heart were given, And she became Love’s angel bride in heaven!181 The
se tuneless numbers, wrung By sweet enforcement and remembrance dear, And pardon that thy secrets should be sung Even into
nged Psyche with awakened eyes? I wandered in a forest thoughtlessly, And , on the sudden, fainting with surprise, Saw two f
not, but had not bade adieu, As if disjointed by soft-handed slumber, And ready still past kisses to outnumber At tender ey
dark-clustered trees Fledge the wild-ridged mountains steep by steep; And there by zephyrs, streams, and birds and bees, Th
s, and birds and bees, The moss-lain Dryads shall be lulled to sleep; And in the midst of this wide quietness A rosy sanctu
cy e’er could feign, Who breeding flowers, will never breed the same; And there shall be for thee all soft delight That sha
air; the prize was won. Now each walkt slowly forward, both so tired, And both alike breathed hard, and stopt at times. Whe
os Hero dwelt; Hero the fair, Whom young Apollo courted for her hair, And offer’d as a dower his burning throne, Where she
it, for men to gaze upon… Some say, for her the fairest Cupid pin’d, And , looking in her face, was strooken blind. But thi
true: so like was one the other, As he imagined Hero was his mother; And oftentimes into her bosom flew, About her naked n
ntimes into her bosom flew, About her naked neck his bare arms threw, And laid his childish head upon her breast, And, with
neck his bare arms threw, And laid his childish head upon her breast, And , with still panting rockt, there took his rest.
as this had Venus none; The walls were of discolored jasper-stone, … And in the midst a silver altar stood: There Hero, sa
cing turtle’s blood, Vail’d to the ground, veiling her eyelids close; And modestly they opened as she rose: Thence flew Lov
ey opened as she rose: Thence flew Love’s arrow with the golden head; And thus Leander was enamoured. Stone-still he stood,
g e’er the course begin, We wish that one should lose, the other win; And one especially do we affect Of two gold ingots, l
f thus softly said, ‘Were I the saint he worships, I would hear him’; And , as she spake those words, came somewhat near him
deeper was she strook: Yet, evilly feigning anger, strove she still, And would be thought to grant against her will. So ha
hetoric to deceive a maid? Ay me! such words as these should I abhor, And yet I like them for the orator.’ With that Leande
to have embrac’d her, But from his spreading arms away she cast her, And thus bespake him: ‘Gentle youth, forbear To touch
, her tongue tripp’d, For unawares, ‘Come thither,’ from her slipp’d; And suddenly her former colour chang’d, And here and
e thither,’ from her slipp’d; And suddenly her former colour chang’d, And here and there her eyes through anger rang’d; And
mer colour chang’d, And here and there her eyes through anger rang’d; And , like a planet moving several ways At one self in
ove at all, and every part Strove to resist the motions of her heart: And hands so pure, so innocent, nay, such As might ha
and with a chasten’d light, Hid in the fringes of your eyelids white, And meekly let your fair hands joined be, As if so ge
r, That what thou wilt canst give, Oh, listen to a sculptor’s prayer, And bid mine image live! For me the ivory and gold Th
ame! Oh, bid her move those lips of rose, Bid float that golden hair, And let her choose me, as I chose, This fairest of th
en hair, And let her choose me, as I chose, This fairest of the fair! And then an altar in thy court I’ll offer, decked wit
he fair! And then an altar in thy court I’ll offer, decked with gold; And there thy servants shall resort, Thy doves be bou
ll of hope there came, A shaft of new desire now pierced him through, And therewithal a soft voice called his name, And whe
ow pierced him through, And therewithal a soft voice called his name, And when he turned, with eager eyes aflame, He saw be
sight, for though her eyes, Her very lips, were such as he had made, And though her tresses fell but in such guise As he h
tood, but she now drew anear, Simple and sweet as she was wont to be, And once again her silver voice rang clear, Filling h
in her silver voice rang clear, Filling his soul with great felicity, And thus she spoke, “Wilt thou not come to me, O dear
I opened first mine eyes I stood within the niche thou knowest well, And from my hand a heavy thing there fell Carved like
when I saw her there, For with my life was born some touch of dread, And therewithal I heard her voice that said, ‘Come do
ely pure: Exchange this endless life of art For beauty that must die, And blossom with a beating heart Into mortality! Chan
d request. As love and death have joined us, let one tomb contain us. And thou, tree, retain the marks of slaughter. Let th
this innocent replied, in effect, “I know a trick better than that!” And when the puzzled Apollo, having traced the knaver
hus follow; Ivy crowns that brow, supernal As the forehead of Apollo, And possessing youth eternal. Round about him fair B
d in another section.199 Behold, behold! the granite gates unclose, And down the vales a lyric people flows; Dancing to m
their dance they fling Their frantic robes to every wind that blows, And deathless praises to the vine-god sing. Nearer th
e, in stately rows, With eye that flashes, and with cheek that glows, And all the while their tribute-songs they bring, And
h cheek that glows, And all the while their tribute-songs they bring, And newer glories of the past disclose, And deathless
eir tribute-songs they bring, And newer glories of the past disclose, And deathless praises to the vine-god sing. … But oh!
y, what inspired ire! The brindled panthers know the prize they bear, And harmonize their steps with stately care; Bent to
ning, like a living rose, The immortal splendor of his face he shows, And where he glances, leaf and flower and wing Trembl
af and flower and wing Tremble with rapture, stirred in their repose, And deathless praises to the vine-god sing.200 …
by his strains. The very trees and rocks were sensible to the charm. And so also was Eurydice, — whom he loved and won.
Ixion’s wheel stood still. Now, past all peril, free was his return, And now was hastening into upper air Eurydice, when s
rpheus! there was all Thy labour shed, there burst the Dynast’s bond, And thrice arose that rumour from the lake. “Ah, wha
d, like a vapour, into air Flew, nor beheld him as he claspt the void And sought to speak; in vain; the ferry-guard Now wou
ontinued months, ‘tis said, He breath’d his sorrows in a desert cave, And sooth’d the tiger, moved the oak, with song.209
to join and past Down to the trackless wood, full pale and overcast. And all day long her slight spear devious flew, And h
l pale and overcast. And all day long her slight spear devious flew, And harmless swerved her arrows from their aim, For e
n the still unwounded game. Then, at last, a hunter’s cry there came, And , lo! a hart that panted with the chase. Thereat h
panted with the chase. Thereat her cheek was lightened as with flame, And swift she gat her to a leafy place, Thinking, “I
bly with a wistful fear, Till, at the dawn, the hornèd wood-men found And bore her gently on a sylvan bier, To lie beside t
en to the ground, Man comes and tills the field and lies beneath, And after many a summer dies the swan. Me only crue
how they give; But thy strong Hours indignant work’d their wills, And beat me down and marr’d- and wasted me, And tho
t work’d their wills, And beat me down and marr’d- and wasted me, And tho’ they could not end me, left me maim’d To d
n presence of immortal youth, Immortal age beside immortal youth, And all I was, in ashes. Can thy love, Thy beauty,
glimmer steals From thy pure brows, and from thy shoulders pure, And bosom beating with a heart renew’d. Thy cheek b
and the wild team Which love thee, yearning for thy yoke, arise, And shake the darkness from their loosen’d manes, A
hy yoke, arise, And shake the darkness from their loosen’d manes, And beat the twilight into flakes of fire. “Lo! ev
rs are on my cheek. “Why wilt thou ever scare me with thy tears, And make me tremble lest a saying learnt In days fa
m fields about the homes Of happy men that have the power to die, And grassy barrows of the happier dead. Release me,
beauty morn by morn; I earth in earth forget these empty courts, And thee returning on thy silver wheels.” § 115. Me
vibrates all its strings; Accordant aisles the tender tones prolong, And holy echoes swell the adoring song.” 224 Cha
ies sent wandering in cold and darkness. “The lonely mountains o’er, And the resounding shore, A voice of weeping heard an
ad. “Earth outgrows the mythic fancies Sung beside her in her youth; And those debonair romances Sound but dull beside the
not be finished so long as there is a sun, or a poet to gaze upon it. And that Pan is not yet dead, but alive even in the p
the cries of greed and gain, The curbstone war, the auction’s hammer, And swift, on Music’s misty ways, It led, from all th
, To ancient sweet-do-nothing days Among the kirtle-robed Sicilians. And as it still’d the multitude, And yet more joyous
s Among the kirtle-robed Sicilians. And as it still’d the multitude, And yet more joyous rose, and shriller, I saw the min
s Pan himself had wandered here, A-strolling through the sordid city, And piping to the civic ear The prelude of some pasto
, cased in rusty shoes, Were cross’d, as on some frieze you see them, And trousers, patch’d of divers hues, Conceal’d his c
ooked shanks beneath them. He fill’d the quivering reeds with sound, And o’er his mouth their changes shifted, And with hi
quivering reeds with sound, And o’er his mouth their changes shifted, And with his goat’s eyes look’d around Where’er the p
h his goat’s eyes look’d around Where’er the passing current drifted; And soon, as on Trinacrian hills The nymphs and herds
le old Silenus stagger’d out From some new-fangled lunch-house handy, And bade the piper, with a shout, To strike up “Yanke
His hair was all in tangled curl, Her tawny legs were bare and taper. And still the gathering larger grew, And gave its pen
tawny legs were bare and taper. And still the gathering larger grew, And gave its pence and crowded nigher. While aye the
s! So thought I; — but among us trod A man in blue with legal baton; And scoff’d the vagrant demigod, And push’d him from
trod A man in blue with legal baton; And scoff’d the vagrant demigod, And push’d him from the step I sat on. Doubting I mus
n the greenness below; Dusky and brown’d Close the leaves all around; And yet, all the while, Thro’ the boughs I can see A
ing at me. ... “Why, all day long, I run about With a madcap throng, And laugh and shout. Silenus grips My ears and stride
laugh and shout. Silenus grips My ears and strides On my shaggy hips, And up and down In an ivy crown Tipsily rides; And wh
des On my shaggy hips, And up and down In an ivy crown Tipsily rides; And when in doze His eyelids close, Off he tumbles, a
lls, I stagger after The wood-nymphs fleet, Who with mocking laughter And smiles retreat; And just as I clasp A yielding wa
The wood-nymphs fleet, Who with mocking laughter And smiles retreat; And just as I clasp A yielding waist, With a cry embr
With a cry embraced, — Gush! it melts from my grasp Into water cool, And — bubble! trouble! Seeing double I! I stumble and
me in, the flowers That prink my fountain’s brim, are hers and mine; And when the days are mild and fair, And grass is spr
ntain’s brim, are hers and mine; And when the days are mild and fair, And grass is springing, buds are blowing, Sweet it is
er down the mountain-side Creep thro’ dark greenness in the eventide; And at the fountain’s brink Casting great shades, the
By Dian’s truthful brow, The great god Pan himself did pass this way, And , all in festal oak-leaves clad, His limbs among t
’d to their music glad, Saw and heard them flowing, flowing, flowing, And ah! his face was worn and sad! “Mild joys like s
round the stars above, Swimming proudly, swimming proudly, swimming, And waiting on the Moon I love. “So tenderly I keep t
guerdon of a daring heart. So Rhœcus made no doubt that he was blest, And all along unto the city’s gate Earth seemed to sp
th him as he walked, The clear, broad sky looked bluer than its wont, And he could scarce believe he had not wings, Such su
mountain-peak of Thessaly Against the red disk of the setting sun, — And instantly the blood sank from his heart. … … Quit
rom his heart. … … Quite spent and out of breath he reached the tree, And , listening fearfully, he heard once more The low
ith nectar any mortal heart: But thou didst scorn my humble messenger And sent’st him back to me with bruised wings. We spi
. We spirits only show to gentle eyes, We ever ask an undivided love, And he who scorns the least of Nature’s works Is then
never see me more.” Then Rhœcus beat his breast, and groaned aloud, And cried, “Be pitiful! forgive me yet This once and
round him: o’er the plain The city sparkled with its thousand lights, And sounds of revel fell upon his ear Harshly and lik
my forehead, from this to the other ear, one long, unbroken eyebrow. And but one eye is on my forehead, and broad is the n
cattle, and from these I draw and drink the best, milk in the world. And cheese I never lack, in summer time or autumn, na
et apple, and of myself, too, I sing, many a time, deep in the night. And for thee I tend eleven fawns, all crescent browed
work of pain; so not enough Can I admire how crystal-smooth it felt, And buoyant round my limbs. At first I dwelt Whole da
ce, And Tethys’ grave, majestic pace, By hoary Nereus’ wrinkled look, And the Carpathian wizard’s hook, By scaly Triton’s w
k, And the Carpathian wizard’s hook, By scaly Triton’s winding shell, And old soothsaying Glaucus’ spell, By Leucothea’s lo
ell, And old soothsaying Glaucus’ spell, By Leucothea’s lovely hands, And her son that rules the strands, By Thetis’ tinsel
And her son that rules the strands, By Thetis’ tinsel-slippered feet, And the songs of Sirens sweet, By dead Parthenope’s25
eet, And the songs of Sirens sweet, By dead Parthenope’s254 dear tomb And fair Ligea’s 255 golden comb, Wherewith she sits
glance; Rise, rise, and heave thy rosy head From thy coral-paven bed, And bridle in thy headlong wave, Till thou our summon
dreadful their faces were, Carved all about with wrinkles of despair; And as they sat they crooned a dreary song, Complaini
ce that no one came anear, In that wan place desert of hope and fear; And singing, still they rocked their bodies bent, And
t of hope and fear; And singing, still they rocked their bodies bent, And ever each to each the eye they sent.272 Snatchi
ce sat two of the sisters, — But a third woman paced about the hall, And ever turned her head from wall to wall And moaned
oman paced about the hall, And ever turned her head from wall to wall And moaned aloud, and shrieked in her despair; Becaus
zed her foes to congealed stone, But rigid looks of chaste austerity, And noble grace that dashed brute violence With sudde
country people, Eunice, and Malis, and Nycheia, with her April eyes. And now the boy was holding out the wide-mouthed pitc
from the water, and, hard by though he was, he seemed very far away. And as when a bearded lion, a ravening lion on the hi
’ sandy shore they thronged, Gleaming in armor, ardent of exploits, — And soon, the laurel cord and the huge stone Upliftin
ous length the skilful hand Of Argus fashioned for the proud attempt; And in the extended keel a lofty mast Upraised, and s
ta! no man dares Praise thee, though fairer than whom all men praise, And godlike for thy grace of hallowed hair And holy h
than whom all men praise, And godlike for thy grace of hallowed hair And holy habit of thine eyes, and feet That make the
nnow and whirl it; yet we praise Gods, found because of thee adorable And for thy sake praiseworthiest from all men: Thee t
from her side Sprang her hounds, laboring at the leash, and slipped. And plashed ear-deep with plunging feet; but she Sayi
mbling round the barbed wound, Hateful; and fiery with invasive eyes, And bristling with intolerable hair, Plunged, and the
l handled spear, Grasped where the ash was knottiest hewn, and smote, And with no missile wound, the monstrous boar Right i
ess. Thereat she laughed — Lit with a low blush to the braided hair, And rose-colored and cold like very dawn, Golden and
with chaste lips, A faint grave laugh; and all they held their peace, And she passed by them. Then one cried, “Lo now, Shal
shoot out lips at us, Saying all we were despoiled by this one girl?” And all they rode against her violently And cast the
despoiled by this one girl?” And all they rode against her violently And cast the fresh crown from her hair, and now They
for him, too, stricken through both sides The earth felt falling, … … And these being slain, None moved, nor spake.320 Of
ted and dishevelled hair; His scattered plumage danced upon the wave, And sorrowing Nereïds decked his watery grave; O’er h
his watery grave; O’er his pale corse their pearly sea-flowers shed, And strewed with crimson moss his marble bed; Struck
n moss his marble bed; Struck in their coral towers the passing bell, And wide in ocean tolled his echoing knell.”324 Dæd
d, unquench’d, deep-sunken, old-world pain — Say, will it never heal? And can this fragrant lawn With its cool trees, and n
ever heal? And can this fragrant lawn With its cool trees, and night, And the sweet, tranquil Thames, And moonshine, and th
lawn With its cool trees, and night, And the sweet, tranquil Thames, And moonshine, and the dew, To thy rack’d heart and b
ustained him to the last. Both his daughters were, also, with him: — And then he called his girls, and bade them fetch Cle
r water from the stream, and bring to him For cleansing and libation. And they went, Both of them, to yon hill we look upon
m, to yon hill we look upon, Owned by Demeter of the fair green corn, And quickly did his bidding, bathed his limbs, And cl
f the fair green corn, And quickly did his bidding, bathed his limbs, And clothed them in the garment that is meet. And whe
ding, bathed his limbs, And clothed them in the garment that is meet. And when he had his will in all they did, And not one
n the garment that is meet. And when he had his will in all they did, And not one wish continued unfulfilled, Zeus from the
hey then forbear Smiting their breasts, nor groanings lengthened out; And when he heard their bitter cry, forthwith Folding
n this day ye cease to have A father. All my days are spent and gone; And ye no more shall lead your wretched life, Caring
ch furnished ample materials for the epic and tragic poets of Greece. And here the younger heroes of Greece make their appe
d die I knew (how should I not?), though thy decree Had never spoken. And before my time If I shall die, I reckon this a ga
lives, as I, in many woes, How can it be but he shall gain by death? And so for me to bear this doom of thine Has nothing
that the aged Creon recognizes the insolence of his narrow judgment. And those that stand beside him say: — Man’s highest
eside him say: — Man’s highest blessedness In wisdom chiefly stands; And in the things that touch upon the gods, ’Tis best
o shun unholy pride; Great words of boasting bring great punishments, And so to gray-haired age Teach wisdom at the last.34
g verdurous Tempe — Tempe embowered deep mid superimpendent forests. And after the river-god, who bore with him nodding pl
as they span, as they span, was the tooth kept nipping and smoothing, And to the withered lip clung morsels of wool as they
were white as snow. Never on earthly anvil Did such rare armor gleam, And never did such gallant steeds Drink of an earthly
sell’d marble, standing there; A daughter of the gods, divinely tall, And most divinely fair. Her loveliness with shame an
d-for wind was given; I then revolved The oracle upon the silent sea; And if no worthier led the way, resolved That of a th
loss I thought, beloved Wife! On thee too fondly did my memory hang, And on the joys we shared in mortal life, — The paths
spiry trees for ages grew From out the tomb of him for whom she died; And ever when such stature they had gained That Ilium
since the death of Patroclus was at the sight of this splendid armor. And now arrayed in it, he went forth to the camp, cal
t they reared a pile of stones. “Such honors Ilium to her hero paid, And peaceful slept the mighty Hector’s shade.”354
pent’s coils. … Vain The struggle; vain, against the coiling strain And gripe, and deepening of the dragon’s grasp, The o
ng the Lotos, day by day, To watch the crisping ripples on the beach, And tender curving lines of creamy spray; To lend our
t, shut in an urn of brass! “Dear is the memory of our wedded lives, And dear the last embraces of our wives And their war
e memory of our wedded lives, And dear the last embraces of our wives And their warm tears: but all hath suffered change; F
usehold hearths are cold: Our sons inherit us: our looks are strange: And we should come like ghosts to trouble joy. “… Bu
n’s hearts to bleed! — To waste long days in yearning, dumb distress, And memory of things gone, and utter hopelessness! …
n hopeless bitterness were fain To rend the oaken woodwork as before, And tear the troughs in impotence of pain, — Not know
and with his tail glad sign he gave Of gratulation, impotent to rise, And to approach his master as of old. Ulysses, noting
roaming with a hungry heart Much have I seen and known; cities of men And manners, climates, councils, governments, Myself
es, councils, governments, Myself not least, but honor’d of them all; And drunk delight of battle with my peers, Far on the
hings; and vile it were For some three suns to store and hoard myself And this gray spirit yearning in desire To follow kno
he gulfs will wash us down: It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles, And see the great Achilles, whom we knew. Tho’ much i
ry. Shall I trust Æneas to the chances of the weather and the winds?” And he continued to grasp the helm and to keep his ey
d, “Wouldst thou then, Nisus, refuse to share thy enterprise with me? And shall I let thee go into such danger alone? Not s
at he could not deny but that he had brought great shame on himself. “ And what grieves me most,” he added, “is that ye will
which so long as I live and have my way thou shalt never enter again. And , by my troth, had I known beforehand, that thou h
and battle-axes; for do what they would none of them could harm him. And this became a favorite pastime with them and was
nwitting Höder threw — ‘Gainst that alone had Balder’s life no charm. And all the gods and all the heroes came, And stood r
had Balder’s life no charm. And all the gods and all the heroes came, And stood round Balder on the bloody floor, Weeping a
wailing; and Valhalla rang Up to its golden roof with sobs and cries; And on the tables stood the untasted meats, And in th
roof with sobs and cries; And on the tables stood the untasted meats, And in the horns and gold-rimmed skulls the wine. And
the untasted meats, And in the horns and gold-rimmed skulls the wine. And now would night have fall’n and found them yet Wa
away to Lidskialf; and the gods in Valhalla returned to the feast: — And before each the cooks, who served them, placed Ne
oks, who served them, placed New messes of the boar Serimnir’s flesh, And the Valkyries crowned their horns with mead. So t
see his brother’s face, For it grew dark; but Höder touched his arm. And as a spray honeysuckle flower Brushes across a ti
the deep dew-moisten’d dust On a May evening, in the darkened lanes, And starts him, that he thinks a ghost went by, So Ho
ermod, and set forth with dawn To Hela’s kingdom, to ask Balder back; And they shall be thy guides who have the power.” He
leet-footed Hermod came Home, and lay down to sleep in his own house; And all the gods lay down in their own homes. And Hod
ome distraught with grief, Loathing to meet, at dawn, the other gods; And he went in, and shut the door, and fixt His sword
idskialf Odin rose, The throne, from which his eye surveys the world; And mounted Sleipnir, and in darkness rode To Asgard.
veys the world; And mounted Sleipnir, and in darkness rode To Asgard. And the stars came out in heaven, High over Asgard, t
, to light home the king. But fiercely Odin gallop’d, moved in heart: And swift to Asgard, to the gate he came, And terribl
n gallop’d, moved in heart: And swift to Asgard, to the gate he came, And terribly the hoofs of Sleipnir rang Along the fli
the hoofs of Sleipnir rang Along the flinty floor of Asgard streets, And the gods trembled on their golden beds Hearing th
hful father* coming home — For dread, for like a whirlwind Odin came. And to Valhalla’s gate he rode, and left Sleipnir; an
gate he rode, and left Sleipnir; and Sleipnir went to his own stall; And in Valhalla Odin laid him down. That night in a
is the life they lead In that dim world, in Hela’s mouldering realm; And doleful are the ghosts, the troops of dead, Whom
ther’s look and speech, Wandering together through that gloomy world, And talking of the life we led in heaven, While we ye
rds him with a cry, but he Mournfully shook his head and disappeared. And as the woodman sees a little smoke Hang in the ai
set free her airy soul, Which took, on Balder’s track, the way below; And instantly the sacred morn appeared. With the mor
from a cold place into a hot one. Then the messengers returned, — … And they rode home together, through the wood Of Jarn
n Balder and Hermod, after Hermod has a second time ridden to Hel: — And the fleet-footed Hermod made reply: — 392 “Thou
for ever; and the years roll on, The generations pass, the ages grow, And bring us nearer to the final day When from the so
earer to the final day When from the south shall march the fiery band And cross the bridge of heaven, with Lok for guide, A
the giant Rymer steers His ship, and the great serpent makes to land; And all are marshall’d in one flaming square Against
these can nought avail? Yet, doubtless, when the day of battle comes, And the two hosts are marshall’d, and in heaven The g
marshall’d, and in heaven The golden-crested cock shall sound alarm, And his black brother-bird from hence reply, And buck
cock shall sound alarm, And his black brother-bird from hence reply, And bucklers clash, and spears begin to pour — Longin
e these, what happier day? Tell me, that I may ponder it when gone.” And the ray-crownèd Balder answered him: — “Far to th
present earth and heavens The tempest of the latter days hath swept, And they from sight have disappeared and sunk, Shall
with wonder, never fill Our eyes with gazing, and rebuild with tears. And we shall tread once more the well-known plain Of
ong the grass shall find The golden dice wherewith we played of-yore; And that shall bring to mind the former life And past
ewith we played of-yore; And that shall bring to mind the former life And pastime of the gods — the wise discourse Of Odin,
by name; and of the sons Sigmund was the eldest and the most valiant. And the Volsungs abode in peace till Siggeir, king of
ass394 O’er the cloudless noontide heaven; and some men turned about And deemed that in the doorway they heard a man laugh
rnt bright with the flame of the sea, and the blended silver’s gleam. And such was the guise of his raiment as the Volsung
any lord, But forth from his cloudy raiment he drew a gleaming sword, And smote it deep in the tree-bole, and the wild hawk
f the tale. Be merry, Earls of the Goth-folk, O Volsung Sons be wise, And reap the battle-acre that ripening for you lies:
tain-side That the shining house of heaven is wrought exceeding wide, And that there the Early-comers shall have abundant r
rest While Earth grows scant of great ones, and fadeth from its best, And fadeth from its midward, and groweth poor and vil
a happy dream We stir not lest we waken; but there his speech had end And slowly down the hall-floor, and outward did he we
eech had end And slowly down the hall-floor, and outward did he wend; And none would cast him a question or follow on his w
ke flame; Gleaming-gray was his kirtle, and his hood was cloudy-blue; And he bore a mighty twi-bill, as he waded the fight-
And he bore a mighty twi-bill, as he waded the fight-sheaves through, And stood face to face with Sigmund, and upheaved the
of war. Then clashed the meeting edges with Sigmund’s latest stroke, And in shivering shards fell earthward that fear of w
e Drave on the unbroken spear-wood ’gainst the Volsung’s empty hands: And there they smote down Sigmund, the wonder of all
re him on his horse, Greyfell, Sigurd comes to the Hill of Hindfell. And sitteth awhile on Greyfell on the marvellous thin
to gaze: For lo, the side of Hindfell enwrapped by the fervent blaze, And naught ‘twixt earth and heaven save a world of fl
And naught ‘twixt earth and heaven save a world of flickering flame, And a hurrying, shifting tangle, where the dark rents
Now Sigurd turns in his saddle, and the hilt of the Wrath he shifts, And draws a girth the tighter; then the gathered rein
fts, And draws a girth the tighter; then the gathered reins he lifts, And crieth aloud to Greyfell, and rides at the wildfi
t the white wall wavers before him and the flame-flood rusheth apart, And high o’er his head it riseth, and wide and wild i
The white flame licks his raiment and sweeps through Greyfell’s mane, And bathes both hands of Sigurd and the hilts of Fafn
mane, And bathes both hands of Sigurd and the hilts of Fafnir’s bane, And winds about his war-helm and mingles with his hai
ar; — Then it falls and fades and darkens till all seems left behind, And dawn and the blaze is swallowed in mid-mirk stark
den buckler, instead of a banner, which rings against the flag-staff. And he enters and finds the form of one asleep — in a
So he draweth the helm from the head, and, lo, the brow snow-white, And the smooth unfurrowed cheeks, and the wise lips b
And the smooth unfurrowed cheeks, and the wise lips breathing light; And the face of a woman it is, and the fairest that e
t he looketh, and loveth her sore, and he longeth her spirit to move, And awaken her heart to the world, that she may behol
And awaken her heart to the world, that she may behold him and love. And he toucheth her breast and her hands, and he love
he toucheth her breast and her hands, and he loveth her passing sore; And he saith, “Awake! I am Sigurd,” but she moveth ne
Then a flush cometh over her visage and a sigh upheaveth her breast, And her eyelids quiver and open, and she wakeneth int
st; Wide-eyed on the dawning she gazeth, too glad to change or smile, And but little moveth her body, nor speaketh she yet
le, And but little moveth her body, nor speaketh she yet for a while; And yet kneels Sigurd, moveless, her wakening speech
While soft the waves of the daylight o’er the starless heavens speed, And the gleaming vines of the Shield-burg yet bright
d the gleaming vines of the Shield-burg yet bright and brighter grow, And the thin moon hangeth her horns dead-white in the
she turned and gazed on Sigurd, and her eyes met the Volsung’s eyes. And mighty and measureless now did the tide of his lo
urd awakened; and she loved him, for he was without fear and godlike. And she taught him many wise sayings; and they plight
future, knew even this. Sigurd was to wed with another than Brynhild. And it befell in this wise. In the land of the Niblun
interpretation of the dream. “The hawk,” said Brynhild, “is Sigurd.” And so it came to pass. Sigurd visiting the court of
ood From the breast of the mighty Sigurd: he heard it and understood, And rose up on the sword of Guttorm, and turned from
ose up on the sword of Guttorm, and turned from the country of death, And spake words of loving-kindness as he strove for l
upon her, as he had promised, from his abiding-place among the dead. And thus had the words of her sorrow an end. Her sons
so might be, That she the absent Kriemhild yet once again might see, And told him, too, in secret, whereon her thoughts we
ng Oak: — “That Thessalian growth on which the swarthy ring-dove sat And mystic sentence spoke,” etc. Poem: Lewis Morris,
been shot — the arrow bright With an immortal’s vengeance; in his eye And nostril, beautiful disdain, and might And majesty
tal’s vengeance; in his eye And nostril, beautiful disdain, and might And majesty flash their full lightnings by, Developin
r a Month; J. G. Saxe, Death and Cupid, on their exchange of arrows, “ And that explains the reasdn why Despite the gods abo
on’s cheek (but none knows how) With these, the crystal of his brow, And then the dimple of his chin; All these did my Cam
says 4: 176. “Another age shall see the golden ear Imbrown the slope… And laughing Ceres reassume the land.” Spring 66; Sum
Hawthornden, “Nymphs, sister nymphs, which haunt this crystal brook, And happy in these floating bowers abide,” etc.; Pope
beauty lies The Cynosure of neighb’ring eyes” (L’Allegro); also his “ And thou shalt be our star of Arcady, Or Tyrian Cynos
led over heaven before the age of Saturn (Cronus). So Milton, P. L., “ And fabled how the serpent, whom they called Ophion,
Twas in his carriage the sublime Sir Richard Blackmore used to rhyme, And , if the wits don’t do him wrong, ‘Twixt death and
romwell (chorus, Endymion and Laura); O. W. Holmes, Metrical Essays, “ And , Night’s chaste empress, in her bridal play. Laug
aë. — Tennyson, Princess, “Now lies the earth all Danaë to the stars, And all thy heart lies open unto me.” Translations of
permnestra and Lynceus). Gorgons and Medusa. Spenser, Epithalamion, “ And stand astonished like to those which read Medusa’
ll with virtuous wing assay To mount to heaven, on Pegasus must ride, And with sweet Poet’s verse be glorified”; also F. Q.
he winds are high, and Helle’s tide Rolls darkly heaving to the main; And night’s descending shadows hide That field with b
4 (1836) The new pantheon; or, an introduction to the mythology of the ancients
g lions whirl thy mighty car! Oh! kindly second this auspicious sign, And grace thy Phrygians with thy aid divine. Inspir’d
ts enthron’d in gold. High heaven the footstool of his feet he makes, And , wide beneath him, all Olympus shakes. He speaks,
tion of the God; High heav’n, with trembling, the dread signal takes, And all Olympus to the centre shakes. Pope’s Homer’s
e level on the deep; Earth to the centre shakes; high heav’n is awed, And all th’ immortal pow’rs stand trembling at the Go
s of the clouds, With lightning arm’d, his red right hand puts forth, And shakes, with burning bolts, the solid earth; The
sunk and pierc’d with dread; He strikes vast Rhodope’s exalted crown, And hurls huge Athos and Ceraunia down. Thick fall th
o Lucina. Juno’s Chariot. She speaks; Minerva burns to meet the war, And now heav’n’s empress calls her blazing car. At he
e form’d an arch before. Silver the beam, th’ extended yoke was gold, And golden reins the immortal coursers hold; Herself,
and flaming jewels blaz’d. The folding gates diffus’d a silver light, And with a milder gleam refresh’d the sight. Of polis
pe courts the eyes, Men, towns, and beasts in distant prospects rise; And nymphs and streams and woods and rural deities. O
heaten garlands crown’d; Here Autumn the rich trodden grapes besmear, And hoary Winter shivers in the rear. ——— Chariot a
he gen’rous steeds retire, Dropping ambrosial foam and snorting fire, And now the fiery horses neigh’d aloud, Breathing out
louds and yielding air. With winged speed, outstrip the eastern wind, And leave the breezes of the morn behind. Ovid’s Met
swan. The Fall of Phaeton. Jove call’d to witness every power above, And e’en the God whose son the chariot drove, That wh
thunderstruck from heav’n; The coursers started with a sudden bound, And flung the reins and chariot to the ground: The st
l, and here a silver spoke; Here, the bright beam and axle torn away, And scatter’d o’er the earth, the shining fragments l
d, familiar to the dome. With gentle blandishment, our men they meet, And wag their tails, and fawning lick their feet. Now
fawning lick their feet. Now on the threshold of the dome they stood, And heard a voice resounding thro’ the wood. Placed a
nhappy men she plac’d. Milk newly press’d, the sacred flour of wheat, And honey fresh and Pramnian wines, the treat. But ve
rken all the soul. Soon, in the luscious feast, themselves they lost, And drank oblivion of their native coast. Instant her
bristle into swine. Still curst with sense, their minds remain alone, And their own voice affrights them when they groan.
d the palace blaze. Here, wolves with howlings scare the naval train, And lions roar, reluctant to the chain. Here, growlin
ant to the chain. Here, growling bears and swine their ears affright, And break the solemn silence of the night. These once
estilence upon the Greeks. Apollo heard. The favouring power attends, And from Olympus’ lofty tops descends Pent was his bo
s silver shafts resound. Breathing revenge, a sudden night he spread, And gloomy darkness roll’d around his head. The fleet
roll’d around his head. The fleet in view, he twang’d his deadly bow; And hissing fly the feather’d fates below. On mules a
feather’d fates below. On mules and dogs, the infection first began; And last the vengeful arrows fixed on man. Pope’s Ho
y called orgies. Bacchus. Bacchus, on thee we call, in hymns divine, And hang thy statues on the lofty pine. Hence, plenty
s the rich plantations grace. Then let us Bacchus’ praises duly sing, And consecrated cakes and chargers bring; Dragg’d by
and chargers bring; Dragg’d by their horns, let victim goats expire; And roast on hazel spits before the sacred fire. Come
of thy reign abound; Each field replete, with blushing autumn, glow, And in deep tides, by thee, the foaming vintage flow.
mble Flight and Fear, Here storm’d Contention, and here Fury frown’d, And the dire orb portentous Gorgon crown’d. The massy
e the thund’ring field. Both armies start, and trembling gaze around, And earth and heav’n re-echo to the sound. As vapours
estial charms divinely glow’d, Her waving locks immortal odours shed, And breath’d ambrosial scents around her head. Her sw
cents around her head. Her sweeping robe trail’d pompous as she trod, And her majestic port confess’d the God. To the soft
os and her blooming groves; Where to her pow’r a hundred altars rise, And breathing odours scent the balmy skies. Conceal’d
ighty ruins fall. Through breaking ranks his furious course he bends, And at the Goddess his broad lance extends. Through h
which all the Graces wove: Her snowy hand the razing steel profan’d, And the transparent skin with crimson stain’d. From t
ges flaming round, While, bathed in sweat, from lire to fire he flew; And puffing loud, the roaring bellows blew. Then from
anvil the lame artist rose; Wide with distorted legs oblique he goes, And stills the bellows, and (in order laid) Locks in
om the tortur’d steel. Huge strokes, rough Steropes and Brontes gave, And strong Pyracmon shook the gloomy cave. Before the
eals the wakeful eye; Then shoots from heav’n to high Pieria’s steep, And stoops incumbent on the rolling deep. Homer’s Od
olden wings he bound, That speed his progress o’er the seas profound, And earth’s unmeasur’d regions as he flies, Wrapt in
o the Stygian coasts, Invites, or chases, sleep with wond’rous pow’r, And opes those eyes that death had seal’d before. Thu
ations rush to arms. Now, through the trembling shores Minerva calls, And now, she thunders from the Grecian walls. Mars, h
rapid stream stands still. Above, the Sire of Gods his thunder rolls, And peals on peals, redoubled, rend the poles. Beneat
mountains nod around. Through all their summits, tremble Ida’s woods; And from their sources, boil their hundred floods. Tr
oil their hundred floods. Troy’s turrets totter on the rocking plain; And the toss’d navies beat the heaving main. Deep in
ne, lest Neptune’s arm should lay His dark dominions open to the day, And pour in light on Pluto’s drear abodes, Abhorred b
hattered ramparts rise, Stone rent from stone, in dreadful ruin lies, And black with rolling smoke the dusty whirlwind flie
endous at the Scæan gate: Radiant in arms the furious goddess stands, And from the navy calls her Argive bands. On yon high
martial maid behold, With her dread Gorgon, blaze in clouds of gold. And lo! the Gods with dreadful faces frown’d, And low
laze in clouds of gold. And lo! the Gods with dreadful faces frown’d, And lower’d, majestically stern, around. Then, fell p
eansed the gather’d blood From his bor’d eye-ball, in the briny main, And , bellowing, grinds his teeth in agonizing pain: T
h in agonizing pain: Then, stalks enormous through the midmost tides, And scarce the topmost surges reach his sides. Pitt’
nknowing of deceit. Pleas’d with the false review secure he lies, And leaden slumbers press his drooping eyes, Shouti
dragon rides; Here, from our strict embrace, a stream he glides. And , last, sublime his stately growth he rears A tr
stem the desperate way: Dire Scylla, there, a scene of horror forms, And , here, Charybdis fills the deep with storms. When
rms are stretch’d no more. In the wide dungeon, she devours her food, And the flesh trembles, while she churns the blood.
l captives pent; O’er their wild rage the pond’rous rocks he spread, And hurl’d huge heaps of mountains on their head \ A
rocks he spread, And hurl’d huge heaps of mountains on their head \ And gave a king, commission’d to restrain, And curb t
mountains on their head \ And gave a king, commission’d to restrain, And curb the tempest, or to loose the rein. Who was
mies to flight. The Athenians had a statue of him, like that of Mars. And in some antique gems and sculptures, his figure i
bellows in the gate: Base Want, low Fear, and Famine’s lawless rage, And pale Disease, and slow repining Age. Fierce formi
st a mighty shade. Each trembling leaf, with some light vision teems, And heaves, impregnated with airy dreams. The Elysia
here pleasure endless reigns. Here glowing æther shoots a purple ray. And o’er the region pours a double day. From sky to s
ion pours a double day. From sky to sky th’ unwearied splendour runs, And nobler planets roll round brighter suns. Some wre
oll round brighter suns. Some wrestle on the sands; and some in play, And games heroic, pass the hours away. Those raise th
to form the solemn dance. Others, beneath a laurel grove, were laid, And , joyful, feasted in the fragrant shade. Here, gli
descending from the day. Here, a blest train advance along the meads, And snowy wreaths adorn their graceful heads: Patriot
thro’ hell resound; E’en in the circling floods, refreshment craves, And pines with thirst, amidst a sea of waves. When to
oud-born Centaurs in the fight, Hylæus, Pholus sunk beneath thy feet, And the grim bull whose rage dispeopled Crete. Beneat
e earth was void and waste; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved on the face of the waters
-rooted on a mountain top it grew; Rear’d its unrival’d head on high, And stretch’d a thousand branches o’er the sky, Drink
aromatic trees Half seen, the cataracts shoot their gleams of light, And pour upon the breeze Their thousand voices; far a
icuous, like another sky, The elements had rear’d their king’s abode. And form’d a palace worthy of the God, Built on the l
lace worthy of the God, Built on the lake, the waters were its floor; And here, its walls were water arch’d with fire, And
ters were its floor; And here, its walls were water arch’d with fire, And here, were fire with water vaulted o’er. And spir
water arch’d with fire, And here, were fire with water vaulted o’er. And spires and pinnacles of fire Round watery cupolas
d o’er. And spires and pinnacles of fire Round watery cupolas aspire, And domes of rainbow rest on fiery towers, And roofs
und watery cupolas aspire, And domes of rainbow rest on fiery towers, And roofs of flame are turreted around With cloud; an
e tempering justice with parental love, Goodness, and heav’nly grace, And sweetest mercy shine. Yet is he still Himself the
hine. Yet is he still Himself the same, one form, one face, one will; And these his twofold aspects are but one; And change
form, one face, one will; And these his twofold aspects are but one; And change is none In him; for change in Yamen could
were spangled; how the sun Refulgent Mithras, purest spring of light, And genial warmth, whence teeming nature smiles, Burs
h the nymphs resort; But barb’rous priests some dreadful pow’r adore, And lustrate ev’ry tree with human gore.” Rowe’s Luc
. Hard by the eastern gate of Hell In ancient time, great Vala fell; And there she lies in massive tomb, Shrowded by night
But yet if rumour rightly tells, In her cold bones the Spirit dwells; And still if bold intruder come, Her voice unfolds hi
; And still if bold intruder come, Her voice unfolds his hidden doom. And oft the rugged ear of Hell Is sooth’d by some mel
an Cerberus, guarded the entrance. Uprose the King of men with speed And saddled strait, his coal-black steed; Down the y
ir chargers of ethereal birth. Paw’d, with impatient hoof, the earth, And snorting fiercel ’gan to neigh, As if they heard
And snorting fiercel ’gan to neigh, As if they heard the battle bray, And burn’d to join the bloody fray. But They unmov’d
sive brow, and look sedate. Proudly each couch’d her glittering spear And seem’d to know nor hope nor fear. So mildly firm
ith giant form, and frequent flings The tempest from his eagle wings. And that dark power, whose ample shield Before the su
his flesh the glebe is made; From his veins the tide is welling,      And his locks are verdant shade. Hark his crest with
— —————A few grey stones Now mark the spot where Odin’s temple stood, And there the traveller seeks with busy eye His altar
; head and hands lopp’d off. Dagon his name; sea monster; upward man, And downward fish; yet had his temple high, Rear’d in
heron’s Tartarean flood, Whose furious whirlpools boil on every side, And in Cocytus pour the roaring tide. All stain’d wit
with sanguine fire. Though old, still unimpair’d by years, he stood, And hoary vigour blest the surly God. Himself still p
blest the surly God. Himself still plied the oars, the canvas spread, And in his sable bark convey’d the dead. 5. Cerbe
ormous monster lay: His three wide mouths, with many a dreadful yell, And long loud bellowings, shook the realms of hell No
age, and devours the prize; Then, by the charm subdu’d, he sunk away; And stretch’d o’er all the cave, the slumb’ring monst
5 (1900) Myths of old Greece in story and song
forms they hewed from living stone Survive the waste of years, alone, And , scattered with their ashes, show What greatness
and slender, and beautiful? Were her eyes blue, and her locks golden? And did she wear violets and lilies in her hair and d
opened and swallowed him up, chariot, black horses, maiden, and all. “ And to-day, in the underworld, I saw her again. She w
in the underworld. But Ceres always mourns until Proserpina returns. And she allows nothing to grow upon the earth until t
eter’s daughter, fresh and fair, A child of light, a radiant lass,     And gamesome as the morning air.    The daffodils wer
rowth    Than orchis or anemone: For it the maiden left them both,     And parted from her company.    Drawn nigh she deemed
parted from her company.    Drawn nigh she deemed it fairer still,     And stooped to gather by the rill    The daffodil, th
 What ailed the air of Sicily? She wondered by the brattling brook     And trembled with the trembling lea.     “The coal-bl
ails her that she comes not home?    Demeter seeks her far and wide, And gloomy-browed doth ceaseless roam    From many a
eated on the Elysian hill    She dreams of earthly daylight still,     And murmurs of the daffodil. A voice in Hades sounde
hadows mourn and flit below; It cries — “Thou Lord of Hades, hear,     And let Demeter’s daughter go.    The tender corn upo
and to land she raging flies,    The green fruit falleth in her wake, And harvest fields beneath her eyes    To earth the g
fair Eleusian meads.    Her mother meets her. “Hail!” saith she;    “ And doth our daylight dazzle thee    My love, my chil
moved thee, daughter, to forsake    Thy fellow-maids that fatal morn, And give thy dark lord power to take    Thee living t
daffodil, the daffodil!” Her eyelids droop with light oppressed,     And sunny wafts that round her stir, Her cheek upon h
her destined course, the moon    Meets the deep shadow of this world, And laboring on doth seem to swoon    Through awful w
silvery sweet — Persephone. The greater world may near the less,     And draw it through her weltering shade, But not one
ught long, but at last he spoke. “It is an unwise wish, O Epimetheus! And yet it may be done. Go back to earth. Tomorrow th
ested the box, which shone and sparkled as if it were a living thing. And whether it was Pandora, or the box, it seemed to
he earth prospered and how their altars were smoking with sacrifices. And of all the world, the spot most blessed was the h
he came to her senses and let it go. “I must not do it,” she thought. And then she knelt down beside the box and began to r
To the Sun-god all our hearts and lyres    By day, by night, belong; And the breath we draw from his living fires,    We g
song. From us descends the maid who brings    To Delos gifts divine; And our wild bees lend their rainbow wings    To glit
long, long time afterward, the world was for him a very lonely place. And as for Cupid, we do not hear that Apollo ever aga
ed and rolled, he seemed to hear in them the very voices of the gods. And he himself could sing. Apollo, god of light and s
ars. Orpheus with his Lute. Orpheus, with his lute, made trees, And the mountain-tops that freeze,         Bow themse
to himself; but to her he said, “Pray, what is your name, fair one?” And she answered, “Men call me Happiness.” “Surely,”
He looked up, and all he said was, “Fair one, what do men call you?” And she answered, “Men and gods alike call me Virtue.
I around That gem with whose splendor    Thou yet shalt be crown’d. “ And see, while I’m speaking,    Yon soft light afar; 
floats like a star! In the deep Indian Ocean    I see the gem shine, And quick as light’s motion    Its wealth shall be th
ero-god flew, His sunny looks bright’ning    The air he went through. And sweet was the duty,    And hallowed the hour, Whi
ks bright’ning    The air he went through. And sweet was the duty,     And hallowed the hour, Which saw thus young Beauty   
That what thou wilt canst give, Oh, listen to a sculptor’s prayer,     And bid mine image live! For me the ivory and gold   
! Oh, bid her move those lips of rose,    Bid float that golden hair, And let her choose me, as I chose    This fairest of
hair, And let her choose me, as I chose    This fairest of the fair! And then an altar in thy court    I’ll offer, decked
fair! And then an altar in thy court    I’ll offer, decked with gold; And there thy servants shall resort,    Thy doves be
pure: Exchange this endless life of art    For beauty that must die, And blossom with a beating heart,    Into mortality!
s quarreling with Epaphus, a youth of his own age, he boasted of it. “ And is Helios proud of such a son?” said Epaphus, wit
the astonished skies, His father’s steeds he could not safely guide, And in the glorious enterprise he died. Pegasus in
as Autumn, and incessant    Piped the quails from shocks and sheaves, And , like living coals, the apples    Burned among th
. There upon the village common    By the school-boys he was found — And the wise men, in their wisdom,    Put him straigh
andered down the street, proclaiming    There was an estray to sell. And the curious country people,    Rich and poor, you
Then, with nostrils wide distended,    Breaking from his iron chain And unfolding far his pinions,    To those stars he s
Woke to all its toil and care, Lo I the strange steed had departed     And they knew not when nor where. But they found upo
hunter once in that grove reclined,    To shun the noon’s bright eye, And oft he wooed the wandering wind,    To cool his b
ut the bridal veil, as pure as snow,    Of his own young wedded love. And , ah, too sure that arrow sped,    For pale at his
ims    The monstrous immolation. Seven sires must send their sons,     And seven dames their daughters, The ripest and the l
. Minos there, who lords the deep,    With fate shall overpower them, And in his darksome-winding keep    The Minotaur devo
   The fresh sea breeze is blowing; ’Tis the feast of Pyanepsion,     And the sweet new wine is glowing. A cheer, — a cheer
. Welcome to thy country’s shore,    Thou king’s son girt with glory; And live in song forevermore    The pride of Attic st
With her dark disheveled tresses    Dank with dewdrops of the night, And her face all wan and haggard,    Still she waited
g, Swiftly o’er the quivering water;    To the lonely isle returning, And the King’s deserted daughter.     “In vain I in v
at mid the light, a long dark band, Lies dim and shadowy far away;     And still from morn till eve I’ve scanned That weary
e white as snow. Never on earthly anvil    Did such rare armor gleam, And never did such gallant steeds    Drink of an eart
imself upon the earth and threw dust upon his head and tore his hair. And all his friends, as they saw the great hero lying
r hearts as they saw the great form and the shining head of Achilles. And the hero shouted again, and a third time, his ter
ctor said, “Who knows but that I may slay him, though he is so great? And for me, it were better to die than to live in sha
l’d marble, standing there, A daughter of the gods, divinely tall,     And most divinely fair. Her loveliness with shame an
. Many drew swords and died. Where’er I came    I brought calamity.” And then continuing with a downward brow:    “I would
s like the clashing of metal, as if the inside was full of armed men. And so indeed it was. The Greeks had not gone home. T
e, Paris had given the golden apple to Venus. But now Paris was dead. And the most beautiful woman in the world, Queen Hele
her with his wondrous song.    The birds flew down to list his lyre; And wild and bloody beasts athrong    Came with a pea
ame with a peaceful sweet desire. Cassandra heard the loving plea,     And gladly heard — but in it all Heard only “Come bey
lend,” saith she, “an ear again. For what to me the sound of lyre,     And what thy loved sweet-voiced call, If amid blood a
   But if the truth I boldly speak? If from the city heights I cry     And through the market week by week Warn of the fierc
god,    “Troy-town must fall.” O then she stood up fair and brave     And answered “Death I can endure, But not keep back t
n let me perish that day, too!    Leave me to that,” the maiden said. And sadly-slow the god withdrew,    Sighing for one a
down with his arms outstretched to catch the Greeks as they came out. And as he sat there, he roared with pain and rage. Bu
mariner, furl your sails, For here are the blissful downs and dales, And merrily, merrily carol the gales, Over the island
d dales, And merrily, merrily carol the gales, Over the islands free; And the rainbow hangs on the poising wave, And sweet
es, Over the islands free; And the rainbow hangs on the poising wave, And sweet is the color of cove and cave, And sweet sh
w hangs on the poising wave, And sweet is the color of cove and cave, And sweet shall your welcome be: O listen, listen, yo
slands, thronged to her palace, urging her to marry some one of them. And while they wooed her, they treated her palace as
ntinoüs, the most insolent of the suitors. “We want no beggars here.” And when Ulysses began to beg round the table, as was
that hath a weary dream. Full-faced above the valley stood the moon; And like a downward smoke, the slender stream Along t
and fruit, whereof they gave To each, but whose did receive of them, And taste, to him the gushing of the wave Far far awa
nd if his fellow spake, His voice was thin, as voices from the grave; And deep-asleep he seem’d, yet all awake, And music i
, as voices from the grave; And deep-asleep he seem’d, yet all awake, And music in his ears his beating heart did make. Th
m down upon the yellow sand, Between the sun and moon upon the shore; And sweet it was to dream of Father-land, Of child, a
fields of barren foam. Then someone said, “We will return no ‘more”: And all at once they sang, “Our island home Is far be
6 (1909) The myths of Greece and Rome
ing heavens, were known, The face of nature, o’er the world, was one; And men have called it Chaos; formless, rude, The mas
he Sun god all our hearts and lyres         By day, by night, belong; And the breath we draw from his living fires         
of the gods, who shared their innocent pleasures with great delight. And far away, on the shore of this same marvellous ri
eadly conflict.                         “When gods began with wrath, And war rose up between their starry brows, Some choo
s, the ocean, and the land; I fix the chain to great Olympus’ height, And the vast world hangs trembling in my sight! For s
d hangs trembling in my sight! For such I reign, unbounded and above; And such are men and gods, compar’d to Jove.” Homer
ent mountain’s weight, Lies stretched supine, eternal prey of flames; And , when he heaves against the burning load, Relucta
dful under ground, Then pours cut smoke in wreathing curls convolved, And shades the sun’s bright orb, and blots out day.”
  To render with thy precepts less     The sum of human wretchedness, And strengthen man with his own mind.” Byron. Ep
, but more excell’d by gold. Then summer, autumn, winter, did appear, And spring was but a season of the year; The sun his
ats began to glow, The wings of winds were clogg’d with ice and snow; And shivering mortals into houses driven, Sought shel
moss their beds. Then ploughs, for seed, the fruitful furrows broke, And oxen labour’d first beneath the yoke.” Ovid ( Dr
heir seething depths. “Now hills and vales no more distinction know, And levell’d nature lies oppress’d below; The most of
t, enthroned in gold, High heaven the footstool of his feet he makes, And wide beneath him all Olympus shakes.” “He spoke,
anction of the god: High heaven with trembling the dread signal took, And all Olympus to the centre shook.” Homer ( Pope’s
structed in the duties he was called upon to perform in the future. “ And godlike Ganymede, most beautiful Of men; the gods
hidias, thus his skill to prove, Through many a god advanc’d to Jove, And taught the polish’d rocks to shine With airs and
through the purple air; When loosely girt her dazzling mantle flows, And ’gainst the sun in arching colours glows.” Flacc
re was Strife, and there Was Fortitude, and there was fierce Pursuit, And there the Gorgon’s head, a ghastly sight, Deforme
— and thine is gone! Empires have sunk since thou wert first revered, And varying rites have sanctified thy shrine. The dus
untain side, or in the vale Are nestled calmly. Thou at whom the pale And weary earth looks up, when winter flees, With pat
k deep of the light That glitters in thine eye: thou in whose bright And hottest rays the eagle fills his eye With quenchl
suitor. “Flirted with another lover     (So at least the story goes) And was wont to meet him slyly,     Underneath the bl
! “‘Weary Pluto with thy tattle!     Hither, monster, come not back; And  — to match thy disposition —     Henceforth be th
, Decreed his singing not too bad To hear between the cups of wine: “ And so, well pleased with being soothed     Into a sw
    Into a sweet half sleep, Three times his kingly beard he smoothed And made him viceroy o’er his sheep.” Lowell. Time
less poet, and the poem, crown; Thou shalt the Roman festivals adorn, And , after poets, be by victors worn.” Ovid ( Dryden
unter once in that grove reclin’d,     To shun the noon’s bright eye, And oft he woo’d the wandering wind,     To cool his
given, From the moment when roseate-fingered Eos kindles the dews      And spurns the salt sea-floors, ascending silvery the
or the south wind’s spells, From out his reedy flute the player drew, And as the music clearer, louder grew, Wild creatures
sing all present, and the very Muses too, to hail him as conqueror. “ And , when now the westering sun Touch’d the hills, th
d, when now the westering sun Touch’d the hills, the strife was done, And the attentive Muses said: ‘Marsyas, thou art vanq
ents’ musical and poetical gifts. “Orpheus with his lute made trees, And the mountain-tops, that freeze,     Bow themselve
    To hear the Poet’s prayer:     Stern Proserpine relented,          And gave him back the fair.             Thus song cou
he uttered, — how could Love Too anxious be upbraided? — but one last And sad ‘Farewell!’ scarce audible, she sighed, And v
aided? — but one last And sad ‘Farewell!’ scarce audible, she sighed, And vanisht to the Ghosts that late she left.” Ovid
ove     He set up his forlorn pipes, The gouty oak began to move,      And flounder into hornpipes.” Tennyson. This musici
gean seas from Pirates vew, Stood still by him astonisht at his lore, And all the raging seas for joy forgot to rore.” Spe
and flaming jewels blaz’d, The folding gates diffus’d a silver light, And with a milder gleam refresh’d the sight.” Addiso
of the Eridanus River.         “And Phaethon, caught in mid career, And hurled from the Sun to utter sunlessness, Like a
loved, not one alone; — Into his hands they put the lyre of gold,      And , crowned with sacred laurel at their fount,     P
      “Mild pastoral Muse! That, to the sparkling crown Urania wears, And to her sister Clio’s laurel wreath, Preferr’st a
purple mantle spread O’er half the skies; gems pave thy radiant way, And orient pearls from every shrub depend.” Somervil
not, O sun! that unto thee In adoration man should bow the knee,      And pour his prayers of mingled awe and love, For lik
been shot — the arrow bright With an immortal’s vengeance; in his eye And nostril beautiful disdain, and might And majesty,
rtal’s vengeance; in his eye And nostril beautiful disdain, and might And majesty, flash their full lightnings by, Developi
rostrate on the ground; One seeks her breast; one eyes the coming woe And shudders; one in terror crouches low.” Meleager.
hours of the night. “’Twas now the time when Phœbus yields to night, And rising Cynthia sheds her silver light, Wide o’er
ls ever keeping, Sped through the silent space from star to star,      And , blushing, stooped to kiss Endymion sleeping.” B
hdrew from sight to hide her anguish from the curious eyes of men. “ And is there glory from the heavens departed? —     O
 — “When, blinded by Œnopion, He sought the blacksmith at his forge, And , climbing up the mountain gorge, Fixed his blank
d sight, Goddess excellently bright. Lay thy bow of pearl apart,      And thy crystal-shining quiver; Give unto the flying
ummer, golden store In Autumn’s sickle, Winter frosty hoar.” Keats. And they were not alone to watch for her coming, for
entertainement kynde, Sweete semblaunt, friendly offices that bynde, And all the complements of curtesie: They teach us ho
rows and bosom her deep hair Ambrosial, golden round her lucid throat And shoulder: from the violets her light foot Shone r
ard, and condemned him to give daily warning of the sun’s approach. “ And , from out a neighbouring farmyard,     Loud the c
…………………         “The youth lieth dead while his dogs howl around,      And the nymphs weep aloud from the mists of the hill.
Hero, of a princely race, Was priestess to Queen Venus in that place; And at her father’s tower, by the sea set — Herself a
osoms with one shaft-shooting, A maiden’s and a youth’s — Leander he, And lovely Hero, Sestos’ sweetest, she; She of her to
d the summer shadows in delight: Leander came as surely as the night, And when the morning woke upon the sea, It saw him no
wildest of the year, When the wind smote like edge of hissing spear, And the pale breakers thundered on the beach.” Edwin
with a chasten’d light,     Hid in the fringes of your eyelids white, And meekly let your fair hands joined be, As if so ge
turret-torch was blazing high, Though rising gale, and breaking foam, And shrieking sea-birds warn’d him home » And clouds
ng gale, and breaking foam, And shrieking sea-birds warn’d him home » And clouds aloft and tides below, With signs and soun
ous ramble, he had found A little space, with boughs all woven round; And in the midst of all, a clearer pool Than e’er ref
hat what thou wilt canst give, Oh, listen to a sculptor’s prayer,      And bid mine image live!” Andrew Lang. Pygmalio
d seeks the Cyprian grove; To his wide arms enamour’d Psyche springs, And clasps her lover with aurelian wings. A purple sa
r lover with aurelian wings. A purple sash across his shoulder bends, And fringed with gold the quiver’d shafts suspends.”
e mountain gorge, cast themselves over the precipice, and — perished. And now night was come, bringing Cupid, usually so we
ll upon Cupid’s naked shoulder. “Now trembling now distracted; bold, And now irresolute she seems; The blue lamp glimmers
ld, And now irresolute she seems; The blue lamp glimmers in her hold, And in her hand the dagger gleams. Prepared to strike
ue light glimmering from above, The hideous sight expects with fear — And gazes on the god of Love.” Apollonius. The sudd
indow, exclaiming, — “‘Farewell! There is no Love except with Faith, And thine is dead! Farewell! I come no more!’” Lewis
their altars were the only ones ever polluted by human sacrifices. “ And to the fire-ey’d maid of smoky war, All hot and b
t, Shall Romulus the line assert, Invite them to his new raised home, And call the martial city Rome.” Virgil ( Conington’
l ripples.          “He spake, and round about him called the clouds And roused the ocean, — wielding in his hand The trid
ere, a dragon rides; Here, from our strict embrace a stream he glides And last, sublime, his stately growth he rears, A tre
heaven. Thou art not For scenes like this: an empire stem hast thou; And it hath furrow’d that large front: yet now, As ne
next ferry across the stream             “The shiv’ring army stands, And press for passage with extended hands. Now these,
        Shrieks of woe,         Sullen moans,         Hollow groans, And cries of tortured ghosts.” Pope. The Story o
low arches of resounding brass, To rival thunder in its rapid course, And imitate inimitable force!” Virgil ( Dryden’s tr.
r his head suspended. Thus he sat In continual dread of its downfall, And lost to every comfort.” Pindar. Tityus St
ge, and her hoary hairs; Whilst in her trembling gait she totters on, And learns to tattle in the nurse’s tone.” Ovid ( Ad
ye, waters of the Styx, That flow beneath us, mightiest oath of all, And most revered by the blessed gods! Homer ( Bryant
und, in terrible array, His thunders rattle, and his lightnings play. And yet, the dazzling lustre to abate, He set not out
n all his pomp and state, Clad in the mildest lightning of the skies, And arm’d with thunder of the smallest size: Not thos
and turn’d it to his hand, Work’d up less flame and fury in its make, And quench’d it sooner in the standing lake. Thus dre
e upon Olympus’ height, I look down, through that oval ring of stars, And see the far-off Earth, a twinkling speck — Dust-m
twinkling speck — Dust-mote whirled up from the Sun’s chariot wheel — And pity their small hearts that hold a man As if he
d him, mounted on an ass, supported on either side by an attendant. “ And near him rode Silenus on his ass, Pelted with flo
she caught sight of a merry procession, headed by the God of Wine. “‘ And as I sat, over the light blue hills There came a
rms a brilliant constellation, known as Ariadne’s Crown, or Corona. “ And still her sign is seen in heaven, And, ’midst the
s Ariadne’s Crown, or Corona. “And still her sign is seen in heaven, And , ’midst the glittering symbols of the sky, The st
n by all participants. “Bacchus, on thee they call, in hymns divine, And hang thy statues on the lofty pine: Hence plenty
s the rich plantations grace. Then let us Bacchus’ praises duly sing, And consecrated cakes and chargers bring, Dragg’d by
s and chargers bring, Dragg’d by their horns let victim goats expire, And roast on hazel spits before the sacred fire.” “C
s of thy reign abound; Each field replete with blushing autumn glows, And in deep tides for thee the foaming vintage flows.
ails her that she comes not home?     Demeter seeks her far and wide, And gloomy-browed doth ceaseless roam     From many a
ent was scattered, and afar Shone light emitted from her skin divine, And yellow locks upon her shoulders waved; White as f
Alpheus, Elis’ stream, they say, Beneath the seas here found his way, And now his waters interfuse With thine, O fountain A
is arms and listened to his louder tones of rapturous love.         “ And now from their fountains         In Edna’s mounta
light, through caves below, Wafting in triumph all the flowery braids And festal rings, with which Olympic maids Have decke
ts his fountain bride What perfect love must thrill the blended tide! And lost in each, till mingling into one, Their lot t
rds trilled forth their merry lays, and all was joy and brightness. “ And when, in springtime, with sweet-smelling flowers
gh the main streets of the city on all solemn occasions.              And from the temple brings Dread Vesta, with her holy
the latent god. These realms, in peace, the monarch long controlled, And blessed the nations with an age of gold.” Virgil
s from the rock below, The palace moats, and o’er the pebbles creeps, And with soft murmurs calls the coming sleeps; Around
rmurs calls the coming sleeps; Around its entry nodding poppies grow, And all cool simples that sweet rest bestow; Night fr
sweet rest bestow; Night from the plants their sleepy virtue drains, And passing sheds it on the silent plains: No door th
, and on an ebon sted: Black was the covering too, where lay the god, And slept supine, his limbs display’d abroad. About h
is head fantastic visions fly, Which various images of things supply, And mock their forms; the leaves on trees not more, N
in the course of time. “Of dreams, O stranger, some are meaningless And idle, and can never be fulfilled. Two portals are
never are made good; But those which pass the doors of polished horn, And are beheld of men, are ever true.” Homer ( Bryan
ears his dreadful head, Th’ obedient deep his potent breath controls, And , mountain-high, the foamy flood he rolls; Him the
foamy flood he rolls; Him the North-east encountering fierce, defied, And back rebuffeted the yielding tide. The curling su
win his way to heaven; Twelve labours shall he work; and all accurst And brutal things o’erthrow, brute men the worst; And
rk; and all accurst And brutal things o’erthrow, brute men the worst; And in Trachinia shall the funeral pyre Purge his mor
rachinia shall the funeral pyre Purge his mortalities away with fire; And he shall mount amid the stars, and be Acknowledg’
unt amid the stars, and be Acknowledg’d kin to those who envied thee, And sent these den-born shapes to crush his destiny.”
of the sleeping God; Waked by the shrilling hiss, and rustling sound, And shrieks of fair attendants trembling round, Their
leasure’s harlot train; To valiant toils his forceful limbs assign’d, And gave to Virtue all his mighty mind.” Darwin. Co
cules’ crushing embrace. “Lifts proud Antæus from his mother-plains, And with strong grasp the struggling giant strains; B
ished his renowned club. “His lion spoils the laughing Fair demands, And gives the distaff to his awkward hands.” Darwin.
               Achelous came, The river god, to ask a father’s voice, And snatched me to his arms.” Sophocles ( Francklin’
r, nor can any love Fix theirs for long — take it and wrap him in it, And he shall love again.’” Lewis Morris. Deianeira
ish the charm may be of power To win Alcides from this virgin’s love, And bring him back to Deianeira’s arms.” Sophocles (
apt and spellbound, we survey The horrid coils which round thee play, And mark thy wild, enduring smile, Lit by no mortal f
Lit by no mortal fire the while, Formed to attract all eyes to thee, And yet their withering blight to be; Thy power myste
And yet their withering blight to be; Thy power mysterious to congeal And from life’s blood its warmth to steal, To petrify
ne, who created from them the famous winged steed called Pegasus. ‘‘ And the life drops from thy head On Libyan sands, by
     “On the hills a shout Of joy, and on the rocks the ring of mail; And while the hungry serpent’s gloating eyes Were fix
serpent’s gloating eyes Were fixed on me, a knight in casque of gold And blazing shield, who with his flashing blade Fell
the conflict raged, Till all the rocks were red with blood and slime, And yet my champion from those horrible jaws And drea
ed with blood and slime, And yet my champion from those horrible jaws And dreadful coils was scathless.” Lewis Morris. Of
of springs, By means of which the wearer could ascend to any height, And sail about among the clouds as easy as a kite.”
of Icarian to this day. “His scattered plumage danced upon the wave, And sorrowing Nereids decked his watery grave O’er hi
d his watery grave O’er his pale corse their pearly sea-flowers shed, And strewed with crimson moss his marble bed; Struck
n moss his marble bed; Struck in their coral towers the passing bell, And wide in ocean tolled his echoing knell.” Darwin.
in, Theseus hastily retraced his footsteps.                         “ And the slender clue, Prepar’d in secret by th’ enamo
ry bulls, ploughed the field, and sowed it with the dragon’s teeth. “ And how he yoked the bulls, whose breathings fiery gl
s teeth. “And how he yoked the bulls, whose breathings fiery glow’d, And with the dragons’ teeth the furrow’d acres sow’d.
he said, should cease, When those who murder’d Laius were discover’d, And paid the forfeit of their crime by death, Or bani
k’d from off the robe she wore A golden buckle that adorn’d her side, And buried in his eyes the sharpen’d point, Crying, h
on, condemned her to death. “Let her be carried instant to the cave, And leave her there alone, to live, or die; Her blood
scolour’d with his blood. Thus lay the wretched pair in death united, And celebrate their nuptials in the tomb.” Sophocles
the beauteous trees, The bark around them wastes, the branches fall, And the nymph’s soul, at the same moment, leaves The
nt myrtles crown’d. Those shades, unknowing of the Fates, she sought, And to the Naiads flowery garlands brought; Her smili
features from view. “She ceased at once to speak, and ceased to be, And all the nymph was lost within the tree: Yet laten
st within the tree: Yet latent life through her new branches reign’d, And long the plant a human heat retain’d.” Ovid ( Po
nd his love, and “Quite spent and out of breath he reached the tree, And , listening fearfully, he heard once more The low
ith nectar any mortal heart; But thou didst scorn my humble messenger And sent’st him back to me with bruised wings.’ Then
with bruised wings.’ Then Rhœcus beat his breast, and groaned aloud And cried, ‘Be pitiful! forgive me yet This once, and
  From the deep cool bed of the river. The limpid water turbidly ran, And the broken lilies a dying lay, And the dragon-fly
er. The limpid water turbidly ran, And the broken lilies a dying lay, And the dragon-fly had fled away,         Ere he brou
! Blinding sweet, O great god Pan! The sun on the hill forgot to die, And the lilies revived, and the dragon-fly         Ca
work of pain; so not enough Can I admire how crystal-smooth it felt, And buoyant round my limbs. At first I dwelt Whole da
, overflowing revenue Wherewith to embellish state, ‘from many a vale And river-sunder’d champaign clothed with corn, Or la
finished, he consign’d To her soft hand the fruit of burnished rind; And foam-born Venus grasp’d the graceful meed, Of war
has vanished suddenly; When winter melts, and frees the frozen hours, And spring’s green bough is gemm’d with silvery flowe
is bride, they all would aid; If any dar’d to seize and bear her off, And drive by force her husband from her bed, All woul
spiry trees for ages grew From out the tomb of him for whom she died; And ever, when such stature they had gained That Iliu
ns and the Greeks lay down Their shining arms upon the teeming earth, And he and Menelaus, loved of Mars, Will strive in si
e combat, on the ground Between the hosts, for Helen and her wealth; And he who shall o’ercome, and prove himself The bett
no hope when thou art gone, — Nothing but sorrow. Father have I none, And no dear mother. ………………………………………………………            
                  “Hector, thou Art father and dear mother now to me, And brother and my youthful spouse besides. In pity k
rusty followers, into the fray.      “Send me at least into the war, And let me lead thy Myrmidons, that thus The Greeks m
lead thy Myrmidons, that thus The Greeks may have some gleam of hope. And give The armour from thy shoulders. I will wear T
Hector at the beaked ships, Refusing its release. Comply thou, then, And take the ransom and restore the dead.” Homer ( B
ht of happy marriage broke, Thro’ all the clouded years of widowhood, And muffling up her comely head, and crying ‘Husband!
r comely head, and crying ‘Husband!’ she leapt upon the funeral pile, And mixt herself with him and past in fire.” Tennyso
eal A Grecian ambuscade conceal, Or ’tis a pile to o’erlook the town, And pour from high invaders down; Or fraud lurks some
Laocoon hold their way; First round his two young sons they wreathe, And grind their limbs with savage teeth: Then, as wit
: Then, as with arms he comes to aid, The wretched father they invade And twine in giant folds: twice round His stalwart wa
strength their knots to tear, While gore and slime his fillets smear, And to the unregardful skies Sends up his agonising c
serable melancholy years, Crept onward till the midnight terror came, And by the glare of burning streets I saw Palace and
are of burning streets I saw Palace and temple reel in ruin and fall, And the long-baffled legions, bursting in Through gat
gisthus, bent upon my death, Plotted’ against me with my guilty wife, And bade me to his house, and slew me there, Even at
native country more, Nor give his friends the knowledge of his fate. And then my messengers desired to dwell Among the Lot
and fruit, whereof they gave To each, but whose did receive of them, And taste, to him the gushing of the wave Far, far aw
nd if his fellow spake, His voice was thin, as voices from the grave; And deep asleep he seem’d, yet all awake, And music i
, as voices from the grave; And deep asleep he seem’d, yet all awake, And music in his ears his beating heart did make.” T
broad enfix’d In the mid-forehead: — strength was theirs, and force, And craft of curious toil.” Hesiod ( Elton’s tr.).
home by themselves at eve, Leaving him wasting by the dark seashore, And sunrise would behold him wasting still.” Theocri
u for thy master, who has lost His eye, put out by a deceitful wretch And his vile crew r’” Homer ( Bryant’s tr.). Ulysse
receive or aid as he departs One who is hated by the blessed gods, — And thou art hated by the gods. Away!” Homer ( Bryan
Ulysses lingered there for one whole year.                         “ And there from day to day We lingered a full year, an
nders should perish. “‘Still shine, O Sun! among the deathless gods And mortal men, upon the nourishing earth. Soon will
on their part.                                         “He drew near And smote it with his open palm, and made The ship a
he gulfs will wash us down! It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles, And see the great Achilles, whom we knew. Tho’ much i
ping I quit the port, the shore, The plains where Ilium stood before, And homeless launch upon the main, Son, friends, and
were its settlers: fame Now gives the race its leader’s name,          And calls it Italy. Here Dardanus was born, our king,
s name,         And calls it Italy. Here Dardanus was born, our king, And old Iasius, whence we spring:         Here our au
t the stranded ships once more. “‘Back to your master instant flee, And tell him, not to him but me The imperial trident
him, and aid him if necessary.                         “‘I will send And search the coast from end to end, If haply, wande
et the false Dardan feel the blaze That burns me pouring on his gaze, And bear along, to cheer his way, The funeral presage
him to hasten to his son’s rescue. “His vessels change their guise, And each and all as Nereids rise.” Virgil. Meanwhil
7 (1832) A catechism of mythology
land, where safe he lay From his unduteous son and his usurping sway. And hence the Golden Times derived their name.” Virg
d address.” Ovid. “Two gates of steel (the name of Mars they bear, And still are worshipped with religious fear) Before
rshipped with religious fear) Before his temple stand: the dire abode And the fear’d issues of the furious god Are fenc’d w
sacred Senate votes the wars, The Roman consul their decree declares, And in his robes the sounding gates unbars. Then dire
d fraud and force restrain. Janus himself before his fane shall wait, And keep the dreadful issues of his gate With bolts a
Fig. 4. Fig. 4. Cybele. “High as the mother of the gods in place, And proud, like her, of an immortal race, Then, when
ness of the clouds, With lightning arm’d, his red hand he puts forth, And shakes with burning bolts the solid earth: The na
sunk and pierced with dread; He strikes vast Rhodope’s exalted crown And hurls huge Athos and Ceraunia down. Thick fall th
ing shores.” Pitt’s Virgil. “Now lows white bull on Asia’s strand, And crops with dancing head the daisied land, With ro
d and his pearly horns; Light on his back the sportive damsel bounds, And pleased he moves along the flowery grounds; Bears
s amid the dimpling waves. Beneath her robe she draws her snowy feet, And , half reclining on her ermine seat, Around his ra
her ermine seat, Around his rais’d neck her radiant arms she throws, And rests her fair cheek on his curled brows; Her yel
r cheek on his curled brows; Her yellow tresses wave on wanton gales, And bent in air her azure mantle sails, While her fai
nd shriek along the shore. Onward he moves; applauding Cupid’s guide, And skim on shooting wing the shining tide; Emerging
t enthron’d in gold; High heav’n the footstool for his feet he makes, And wide beneath him all Olympus shakes. He spake; an
ction of the god: High heaven, with trembling, the dread signal took, And all Olympus to the centre shook.” Homer. “Then
e level on the deep; Earth to his centre shook; high heav’n was aw’d, And all th’ immortal pow’rs stood trembling at the go
ute command.” Virgil. “ —— The heaven and earth’s compacted frame, And flowing waters, and the starry flame, And both th
nd earth’s compacted frame, And flowing waters, and the starry flame, And both the radiant lights, one common soul Inspires
of diseases; death began With vigour then, to mend its halting pace, And found a more compendious way to man.” Horace.
der with thy precepts less The sum of human misery than wretchedness, And strengthen man with his own mind.” Byron. Obs.
as the “Great Queen of nuptual rights, Whose pow’r the soul unites, And fills the genial beds with chaste delights.” An
d him the watchful keeper made. Argus’ head a hundred eyes possess’d, And only two at once reclin’d to rest: The others wat
and dissolve her life. Downward the various goddess took her flight, And drew a thousand colours from the light; Then stoo
sand colours from the light; Then stood about the dying lover’s head, And said, ‘I thus devote thee to the dead: This off’r
e form’d an arch before; Silver the beam, th’ extended yoke was gold, And golden reins th’ immortal coursers hold.” Homer.
y temple gate.” Tibullus. “Let ev’ry swain adore her power divine, And milk and honey mix with sparkling wine: Let all t
Upon the wild wood’s leafy tops, To drink the dew that morning drops, And chirp thy song with such a glee, That happiest ki
, To him thy friendly notes are dear; For thou art mild as matin dew, And still, when summer’s flowery hue Begins to paint
hear thy sweet prophetic strain; Thy sweet prophetic strain we hear, And bless the notes and thee revere. The muses love t
erbs and simples grow In fields, in forests, all their powers I know, And am the great physician call’d below.” Hyacinthus
t embalm’d with heav’nly art, Did a sweet odour to the ground impart, And from the grave a beauteous tree arise, That cheer
Eternally a boy Thou ‘rt seen in heaven, whom all perfections grace; And when unhorn’d, thou hast e’er a virgin’s face.”
fections grace; And when unhorn’d, thou hast e’er a virgin’s face.” “ And glad with Bacchus, on the grassy soil. Leap’d o’e
mns they praise the god of wine, Whose earthen images adorn the pine, And there are hung on high, in honour of the vine. A
ineyards fill, Virgil. “Bacchus, on thee we call, in hymns divine, And hang thy statues on the lofty pine; Hence, plenty
s the rich plantations grace. Then let us Bacchus’ praises duly sing, And consecrated cakes and chargers bring; Dragg’d by
s and chargers bring; Dragg’d by their horns let victim goats expire, And roast on hazel spits before the sacred fire. Come
of thy reign abound; Each field replete, with blushing autumn, glow, And in deep tides, by thee, the foaming vintage flow.
in burnished gold; Flashed on her brandished arm the immortal shield. And terror lighted on the dazzle field.” Botanic Gar
od Priapus, who instructed him in dancing and every other exercise. “ And mighty Mars, for war renown’d, In adamantine armo
waving through the air, Sprinkles with clotted gore her flaming hair, And through both armies up and down doth flee; While
l murmur sends.” “My helmet let Bellona bring; Terror my traces fit; And , panic Fear, do thou the rapid driver sit.” “Mar
ood, with garments rent, Divides the press; her steps Bellona treads, And shakes her iron rod above their heads.” “Loud cl
ter and summer. Venus. “Heav’n gave her life, the sea a cradle gave, And earth’s wide regions her with joy receive.” “This
n, and power alone.” Venus. “Young Dione, nursed beneath the waves, And rocked by Nereides, in their coral caves, Charmed
olden locks she wrung; O’er the smooth surge in silver sandals stood, And looked enchantment on the dazzled flood, The brig
s, gem her ivory back, Round her fine waist, and swelling bosom swim, And star with glittering brine each crystal limb, And
welling bosom swim, And star with glittering brine each crystal limb, And beauty blazed to heaven and earth unveiled.” Bot
rn Venus, ravishing to sight, Rose from the ample sea to upper light, And on her head the flowers of summer swelled, And bl
le sea to upper light, And on her head the flowers of summer swelled, And blushed all lovely, and like Eden smelled, A garl
stood before her feet, Two wings upon his shoulders, fair and fleet; And blind as night, as he is often seen, A bow he bor
hos and her blooming roves: While to her power a hundred altars rise, And grateful incense greets the balmy skies.” Adonis
conscious wood, Groaned the sad gales, and rivers blushed with blood; And beauty’s goddess bending o’er his bier, Breathed
tom to Elysian shades, Clad with new form, with finer sense combined, And lit with purer flame the Ethereal mind. Erewhile
rises to the light, Leaves the drear chambers of the insatiate tomb, And shines and charms with renovated bloom.” Botanic
lt in Ætna’s rocky womb, On thundering anvils rung their loud alarms, And leagued with Vulcan forged immortal arms; Descend
Vulcan forged immortal arms; Descending Venus sought the dark abode, And sooth’d the labours of the grisly god. While frow
the grisly god. While frowning loves the threatening falchion wield, And tittering graces peep behind the shield. With joi
reathing bellows roar, Admired their sinewy arms, and shoulders bare, And ponderous hammers lifted high in air, With smiles
ifted high in air, With smiles celestial bless’d their dazzled sight, And beauty blazed amid infernal night.” Botanic Gard
rges flaming round; While bath’d in sweat, from fire to fire he flew, And puffing loud the roaring bellows blew. Then from
anvil the lame artist rose; Wide with distorted legs oblique he goes, And still the bellows, and, ill order laid, Locks in
rom the tortur’d steel, Huge strokes, rough Sterops and Brontes gave, And strong Pyracmon shook the gloomy cave; Before the
rgil. Polyphemus. “The joints of slaughter’d wretches are his food, And for his wine he quaffs the streaming blood. These
eals the wakeful eye; Then shoots from heav’n to high Pieria’s steep, And stoops incumbent on the rolling deep.” Homer.
h golden pinions binds His flying feet, and mounts the western winds, And , whether o’er the seas or earth he flies, With ra
down the Stygian waves; With this he seals in sleep the wakeful sight And eyes, though clos’d in death, restores to light.”
aves his azure car he guides, Its axle, thunder, and the sea subside; And the smooth ocean rolls her silent tides.” “————
sea-green god appears; Frowning, he seems his crooked shell to sound, And at the blast the billows dance around. A hairy ma
an above the breast he shows; A porpoise tail beneath his body grows, And ends a fish: his breast the waves divide, And fro
beneath his body grows, And ends a fish: his breast the waves divide, And froth and foam augment the murmuring tide.” Virg
rom the deep he spies, Whose shoulders rob’d with native purple rise, And bids him his loud-sounding shell inspire, And giv
ith native purple rise, And bids him his loud-sounding shell inspire, And give the floods a signal to retire. He his wreath
t her dogs foul Scylla hides: Charybdis roaring on the left presides, And in her greedy whirlpool sucks the tides; Then spo
king vessel in her eddy draws; Then dashes on the rocks. A human face And virgin bosom hide the tail’s disgrace: Her parts
aves and grottos fled. Her flesh consumes and moulders with despair, And all her body’s juice is turn’d to air; So w’ond’r
er voice and bones remain; Nay, e’en the very bones at last are gone, And metamorphos’d to a thoughtless stone; Yet still t
r, That it seem’d liquid silver.” “A little drop of water does remove And keep him from the object of his love.” “My love d
from the object of his love.” “My love does vainly on myself return, And fans the cruel flames with which I burn. The thin
el flames with which I burn. The thing desir’d I still about me bore, And too much plenty has confirm’d me poor. O that I f
from his airy throne, With pow’r imperial curbs the struggling winds, And sounding tempests in dark prisons binds. This way
n dark prisons binds. This way and that, th’ impatient captives tend, And , pressing for release, the mountains rend. High i
, the mountains rend. High in this hall th’ undaunted monarch stands, And shakes his sceptre, and their rage commands; Whic
em in their way: Earth, air and seas, through empty space would roll, And heav’n would fly before the driving soul. In fear
this the father of the gods Confined their fury to these dark abodes, And locked them safe, oppress’d with mountain loads;
own’d with silver hairs, Enters with tott’ring step the silent grove, And thus attempts to warm her heart to love.” Obs. 
reeds unequal fram’d With wax; and Syrinx from his mistress nam’d. “ And while soft ev’ning gales blew o’er the plains, An
mistress nam’d. “And while soft ev’ning gales blew o’er the plains, And shook the sounding reeds, they taught the swains;
’er the plains, And shook the sounding reeds, they taught the swains; And , thus the pipe was fram’d, and tuneful reed: And
y taught the swains; And, thus the pipe was fram’d, and tuneful reed: And while the tender flocks securely feed, And harmle
fram’d, and tuneful reed: And while the tender flocks securely feed, And harmless shepherds tune their pipes to love, And
locks securely feed, And harmless shepherds tune their pipes to love, And amaryllis sounds in ev’ry grove.” Lucretius. O
e, and downward as it went From the wide mouth a rocky rough descent; And here th’ access a gloomy grove defends; And there
th a rocky rough descent; And here th’ access a gloomy grove defends; And there th’ unnavigable lake extends, O’er whose un
to steer his airy flight, Such deadly stenches from the depth arise, And steaming sulphur, which infects the skies; Hence
ich infects the skies; Hence do the Grecian bards their legends make, And give the name Avernus to the lake. And in the ga
ian bards their legends make, And give the name Avernus to the lake. And in the gate, and in the jaws of hell, Revengeful
te, and in the jaws of hell, Revengeful Care and sullen Sorrow dwell; And pale Diseases, and repining Age, Want, Fear, and
de all these realms resound’.” “Hell’s grisly porter let you pass, . And frown’d and litter’d to your lays; The snakes aro
a’s golden plains; Pluck’d with fair hand the silver-blossom’d bower, And purpled mead, — herself a fairer flower; Sudden,
ed their demon wings; Earth with deep yawn received the fair, amazed, And far in night, celestial beauty blazed.” Botanic
who hears no prayers, Lives dark and dreadful in Hell’s dark abodes, And mortals hate him, as the worst of gods.’’ Great p
nd quench’d the flaming brand; This in an inward closet closely lays, And by preserving it, prolongs his days. “—— With ey
rom the mind, and dost unload The tired limbs of all their weariness, And for new toil the body dost refresh.” “Two gates
nd these manes bare: The few who’er cleansed, to those abodes repair, And breathe in ample fields the soft Elysian air.” “
ing sounds the breezes bear, In silken dalliance to the dreaming ear, And golden fruits, ‘mid shadowy blossoms, shine. In f
hich sends forth great flames of fire every time he moves his sides. And as Ægeon, when against heav’n he strove, Stood op
orky lightning from afar: At fifty mouths his flaming breath expires, And flash for flash returns, and fires for fires; In
rns, and fires for fires; In his right hands as many swords he wields And takes the thunder on as many shields. Virgil. T
hrough hell resound; Ev’n in the circling floods, refreshment craves, And pines with thirst amid a sea of waves When to the
reast resemble his, His waist a goat’s, his tail a dragon’s is. “——— And on the craggy top Chimæra dwells, with lion’s fac
e Venus smil’d, and amorous love. Knew he could soon unlock the door, And by his art successful prove, Chang’d to a golden
ars its lofty head; Here to sev’n streets, sev’n dials count the day, And from each other catch the circling ray. Here oft
alley’s doubtful maze, Tries ev’ry winding court and street in vain, And doubles o’er their weary steps again. Thus hardy
he roaring terror of the wood. The triple porter of the Stygian seat, And seiz’d with fear, forgot thy mangled meat. Th’ in
reat author of thy race. Receive the grateful off’rings which we pay, And smile propitious on thy solemn day.” Virgil. “
with golden antlers yield: He Stympha clears of man-devouring birds; And next the bouncing Amazon ungirds: The stables of
ngs low three-headed Geryon: Hesperian apples next his name sustains; And his last labour Cerberus enchains.” So mighty He
of the sleeping god; Waked by the shrilling hiss, and rustling sound, And shrieks of fair attendants trembling round, Their
trembling round, Their gasping throats with clenching hands he holds; And death entwisted their convoluted folds. Next in r
od on Lerna’s lake he sheds; — Grasps Achelous with resistless force, And drags the roaring river to his course; Binds with
n to his dusky cave; Seized by the throat the growling fiend disarms, And tears his gaping jaws with sinewy arms; Lifts pro
ing jaws with sinewy arms; Lifts proud Antœus from his mother-plains, And with strong grasp the struggling giant, strains;
s murderous den; Where breathing flames through brazen lips, he fled, And shakes the rock-roof d cavern o’er his head. Last
pe’s saliant strand, Crests with opposing towers the splendid scene., And pours from urns immense the sea between; Loud o’e
to make the Theban wall. He led them as he pleas’d: the rocks obey’d, And danc’d in order to the tunes he play’d.” Obs. —
back sits all at ease, With harp in hand, by which he calms the seas, And for his passage with a song he pays.” Questions.
were spangled; how the sun Refulgent Mithras, purest spring of light, And genial warmth, and teeming nature’s smiles, Burst
e with parental love,                   Goodness, and heavenly grace, And sweetest mercy shine. Yet is he still Himself the
hine. Yet is he still Himself the same, one form, one face, one will, And these his twofold aspect are but one,            
one will, And these his twofold aspect are but one,                    And changed is none In him; for change in Yamen could
head and hands lopp’d off. Dagon his name; sea-monster; upwards man, And downward fish; yet had his temples high, Rear’d i
imitive traditions, they are apt to wander with a frightful rapidity. And hence arose the ravings of the priests among the
Supreme God, who was Ruler of the Universe, to whom all were subject. And , according to Tacitus, such, also, was the god of
ir chargers of ethereal birth, Paw’d, with impatient hoof, the earth, And snorting fiercely ‘gan to neigh, As if they heard
nd snorting fiercely ‘gan to neigh, As if they heard the battle bray, And burn’d to join the bloody fray. But they unmov’d
sive brow and look sedate, Proudly each couch’d her glittering spear, And seem’d to know nor hope nor fear.         So mild
ven to the excess of fanaticism. “Uprose the king of men with speed, And saddled strait, his coal-black steed; Down the ya
“Hard by the eastern gate of hell In ancient time great Valva fell; And there she lies in massive tomb, Shrouded by night
But yet if rumour rightly tells, In her cold bones the spirit dwells; And still if bold intruder come, Her voice unfolds hi
; And still if bold intruder come, Her voice unfolds his hidden doom, And oft the rugged ear of hell Is sooth’d by some mel
his flesh the glebe is made; From his veins the tide is swelling,      And his locks are verdant shade. Hark! his crest wit
some. These came to replace the bards, under the name of Troubadours. And , this appears to be a suitable place to drop a re
, or inflected counsel, because an inflected figure verges to itself. And as there is nothing disordered and novel in intel
8 (1855) The Age of Fable; or, Stories of Gods and Heroes
pice.] [Epigraph.] O, ye delicious fables! where we wave And woods were peopled, and the air, with things So l
d car of day His golden axle doth allay In the steep Atlantic stream, And the slope Sun his upward beam Shoots against the
seem to have had some knowledge of the temptation and fall of man, “ And fabled how the serpent, whom they called Ophion,
ertainment kind,     Sweet semblance, friendly offices that bind,      And all the complements of courtesy;     They teach u
  To render with thy precepts less     The sum of human wretchedness, And strengthen man with his own mind.     And, baffle
sum of human wretchedness, And strengthen man with his own mind.      And , baffled as thou wert from high,     Still, in th
ike the thief of fire from heaven,     Wilt thou withstand the shock? And share with him — the unforgiven —     His vulture
been shot; the arrow bright With an immortal’s vengeance; in his eye And nostril, beautiful disdain, and might And majesty
tal’s vengeance; in his eye And nostril, beautiful disdain, and might And majesty flash their full lightnings by, Developin
ure!” The nymph continued her flight, and left his plea half uttered. And even as she fled she charmed him. The wind blew h
pomp to the Capitol, you shall be woven into wreaths for their brows. And , as eternal youth is mine, you also shall be alwa
lts each joy, allays each grief, Expels diseases, softens every pain; And hence the wise of ancient days adored One power o
ueror’s banner true,     Who feed where Desolation first has fed,      And whose wings rain contagion: how they fled,     Wh
o, from his golden bow,     The Pythian of the age one arrow sped      And smiled! The spoilers tempt no second blow; They f
nd death which alone could part us shall not prevent my joining thee. And ye, unhappy parents of us both, deny us not our u
d request. As love and death have joined us, let one tomb contain us. And thou, tree, retain the marks of slaughter. Let th
stered by the hand of care. The cherry here in shining crimson glows, And stained with lovers’ blood, in pendent rows, The
A hunter once in a grove reclined,     To shun the noon’s bright eye, And oft he wooed the wandering wind     To cool his b
habitation, visit us With thy long levelled rule of streaming light, And thou shalt be our star of Arcady, Or Tyrian Cynos
he fled astray     With feeble steps o’er the world’s wilderness;      And his own Thoughts, along that rugged way, Pursued
u will see the marks of the wheels, and they will serve to guide you. And , that the skies and the earth may each receive th
u will set the earth on fire; the middle course is safest and best. 6 And now I leave you to your chance, which I hope will
ne and it awakens; then apply Its polished lip to your attentive ear, And it remembers its august abodes, And murmurs as th
lished lip to your attentive ear, And it remembers its august abodes, And murmurs as the ocean murmurs there.” Gebir, Book
ut forth leaves, and old Philemon saw Baucis changing in like manner. And now a leafy crown had grown over their heads, whi
gher, Became a steeple with a spire. The kettle to the top was hoist. And there stood fastened to a joist, But with the ups
o roast, A sudden alteration feels Increased by new intestine wheels; And , what exalts the wonder more. The number made the
But up against the steeple reared, Became a clock, and still adhered; And still its love to household cares By a shrill voi
Like a huge snail, along the wall; There stuck aloft in public view, And with small change, a pulpit grew. A bedstead of t
light, through caves below, Wafting in triumph all the flowery braids And festal rings, with which Olympic maids Have decke
n order bright,     Cheek after cheek, like rosebuds in a wreath;      And those more distant showing from beneath         T
work of pain; so not enough Can I admire how crystal-smooth it felt, And buoyant round my limbs. At first I dwelt Whole da
warmth and vital motion     Seemed through the statue form to dart. “ And then, in all my ardor sharing,     The silent for
ilent form expression found; Returned my kiss of youthful daring,      And understood my heart’s quick sound. Then lived for
the lily, if it were not that this is purple and that silvery white.7 And this was not enough for Phœbus; but to confer sti
it would have nothing to attract or offer us but its useless leaves. And equally the vine, if it were not twined round the
urse, and begged her as she loved her foster-child to favor his suit. And then he tried to win her domestics to his side. S
rs long, Till free consent the gods among Make her his eternal bride; And from her fair unspotted side Two blissful twins a
ainted wings; When truth’s clear river flowed o’er sands of gold,      And told in song its high and mystic things! And such
o’er sands of gold,     And told in song its high and mystic things! And such the sweet and solemn tale of her     The pil
, and the scented air, She heard far echoes of the voice of Love,      And found his footsteps’ traces every where. “But ne
blight the earth, Had come ’twixt her, a child of sin and tears,      And that bright spirit of immortal birth; Until her p
im only in the skies; Till wings unto the weary heart were given,      And she became Love’s angel bride in heaven!” The st
ysterious trinket, Which means the soul, (though few would think it,) And sparkling thus on brow so white Tells us we’ve Ps
assical stories and says: —              “—— pleasing was his shape, And lovely never since of serpent kind Lovelier; not
then, to betray my father! No! rather would I never see Minos again. And yet no doubt it is sometimes the best thing for a
ould remove with her own hands whatever stood in the way of her love. And can any other woman dare more than I? I would enc
       Within thy aëry shell         By slow Meander’s margent green, And in the violet-embroidered vale,         Where the
aughter of the sphere,     So may’st thou be translated to the skies, And give resounding grace to all heaven’s harmonies.”
d found myself reposed Under a shade on flowers, much wondering where And what I was, whence thither brought, and how. Not
   Thy nose, thou chance to see; Narcissus’ fate would then be thine, And self-detested thou would’st pine,     As self-ena
turret-torch was blazing high, Though rising gale and breaking foam, And shrieking sea-birds warned him home; And clouds a
sing gale and breaking foam, And shrieking sea-birds warned him home; And clouds aloft and tides below, With signs and soun
rs, and his glistening eyes.”9 “Which when Arachne saw, as overlaid And mastered with workmanship so rare, She stood asto
with workmanship so rare, She stood astonied long, ne aught gainsaid; And with fast-fixed eyes on her did stare And by her
ed long, ne aught gainsaid; And with fast-fixed eyes on her did stare And by her silence, sign of one dismayed, The victory
ory did yield her as her share; Yet did she inly fret and felly burn, And all her blood to poisonous rancor turn.” And so
ly fret and felly burn, And all her blood to poisonous rancor turn.” And so the metamorphosis is caused by Arachne’s own m
oidery “Arachne once, as poets tell,     A goddess at her art defied, And soon the daring mortal fell    The hapless victim
his allusion to Danaë: — “Now lies the earth all Danaë to the stars, And all thy heart lies open unto me.” Niobe.
in his carriage the sublime Sir Richard Blackmore used to rhyme,      And , if the wits don’t do him wrong, ’Twixt death and
zed her foes to congealed stone, But rigid looks of chaste austerity, And noble grace that dashed brute violence With sudde
Lion Sprang furious on his prey, her speedier power Outran his haste, And fixed in that fierce attitude he stands Like Rage
onsent (how could they hesitate?) and promise a royal dowry with her. And now the monster was within the range of a stone t
, Whose saintly visage is too bright To hit the sense of human sight, And , therefore, to our weaker view O’erlaid with blac
thighs, gallantly armed, Rise from the ground like feathered Mercury, And vaulted with such ease into his seat, As if an an
angel dropped down from the clouds, To turn and wind a fiery Pegasus, And witch the world with noble horsemanship.” The
y. Jason next proceeded to sow the dragon’s teeth and plough them in. And soon the crop of armed men sprang up, and, wonder
   Descend from Pelion to the main. Transported demigods stood round, And men grew heroes at the sound.” In Dyer’s poem of
os’ sandy shore they thronged, Gleaming in armor, ardent of exploits; And soon, the laurel cord and the huge stone Upliftin
ous length the skilful hand Of Argus fashioned for the proud attempt; And in the extended keel a lofty mast Upraised, and s
heart full of play, Light rambled the boy over meadow and mount,      And neglected his task for the flowers in the way. “
’s shrine, Their time with the flowers on the margin have wasted,      And left their light urns all as empty as mine.”
Root of hemlock digged in the dark,” etc Macbeth, Act IV. Scene 1. And again: — Macbeth. — What is’t you do? Witches.
died! Alas! evil is the conquest; but, brothers, ye have conquered.” And , turning away her face, she threw the fatal wood
as a flying star shot through the sky     Above the pillared town.” And in Shelley’s Prometheus Jupiter calls to his cup-
to his cup-bearer thus: — “Pour forth heaven’s wine, Idæan Ganymede, And let it fill the Dædal cups like fire.” The beaut
ted and dishevelled hair; His scattered plumage danced upon the wave, And sorrowing Nereids decked his watery grave; O’er h
his watery grave; O’er his pale corse their pearly sea-flowers shed, And strewed with crimson moss his marble bed; Struck
n moss his marble bed; Struck in their coral towers the passing bell, And wide in ocean tolled his echoing knell.” Cast
white as snow. Never on earthly anvil     Did such rare armor gleam, And never did such gallant steeds     Drink of an ear
ow;     Ivy crowns that brow, supernal As the forehead of Apollo,      And possessing youth eternal. “Round about him fair
of the Sun? whose charmed cup Whoever tasted lost his upright shape, And downward fell into a grovelling swine.)” Aria
firmament,     Through the bright heaven doth her beams display,      And is unto the stars an ornament, Which round about
with the Graces and the Hours in dance, Led on the eternal spring.” And describing Eve’s abode: —                       
ould make me less forlorn; Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea, And hear old Triton blow his wreathed horn.” Schill
ad. “Earth outgrows the mythic fancies Sung beside her in her youth; And those debonaire romances Sound but dull beside th
So Milton in his Hymn to the Nativity: — “The lonely mountains o’er, And the resounding shore,     A voice of weeping hear
ce, And Tethys’ grave, majestic pace, By hoary Nereus’ wrinkled look, And the Carpathian wizard’s hook,14 By scaly Triton’
And the Carpathian wizard’s hook,14 By scaly Triton’s winding shell, And old soothsaying Glaucus’ spell, By Leucothea’s lo
ell, And old soothsaying Glaucus’ spell, By Leucothea’s lovely hands, And her son who rules the strands. By Thetis’ tinsel-
And her son who rules the strands. By Thetis’ tinsel-slippered feet, And the songs of Sirens sweet;” etc. Armstrong, the
o praise your crystal element. O comfortable streams! with eager lips And trembling hands the languid thirsty quaff New lif
peace their equal days Felt not the alternate fits of feverish mirth And sick dejection; still serene and pleased, Blessed
ay I once could do so; but now I have but one horn, having lost one.” And here he groaned and was silent. Theseus asked him
“Men called him but a shiftless youth,     In whom no good they saw, And yet unwittingly, in truth,     They made his care
unwittingly, in truth,     They made his careless words their law. “ And day by day more holy grew     Each spot where he
        All alone,                 He makes his moan,                  And calls her ghost,                 Forever, ever, e
ow already, for it is needless for any one to attempt to deceive you. And do you also cease your efforts to elude me. I am
ry sent its stores T’ enrich thy walls; but thou didst hew the floods And make thy marble of the glassy wave. In such a pal
h notes as warbled to the string, Drew iron tears down Pluto’s cheek, And made Hell grant what love did seek.” Chapter
god bestowed on me, I would fain make a source of pleasure to others. And if I win the prize, how will the enjoyment of it
a most celestial sound     Of dainty music which did next ensue,      And , on the floating waters as enthroned,      Arion
s from pirates’ view,     Stood still, by him astonished at his lore, And all the raging seas for joy forgot to roar.” By
ng in their ascent rise tier on tier, as if they would reach the sky. And now the vast assemblage listens to the awful voic
ed and passed the barren spot Where sad Penelope o’erlooked the wave, And onward viewed the mount, not yet forgot, The love
mountains rise, and rise, Ambitious for the hallowing of thine eyes, And yet thy benediction passeth not One obscure hidin
hen blinded by Œnopion     He sought the blacksmith at his forge,      And climbing up the narrow gorge, Fixed his blank eye
vibrates all its strings; Accordant aisles the tender tones prolong, And holy echoes swell the adoring song.” B. I., 1. 18
wind was given; I then revolved     The oracle, upon the silent sea; And if no worthier led the way, resolved     That of
s I thought, beloved wife! On thee too fondly did my memory hang,      And on the joys we shared in mortal life, The paths w
ees for ages grew     From out the tomb of him for whom she died;      And ever when such stature they had gained That Ilium
since the death of Patroclus was at the sight of this splendid armor. And now, arrayed in it, he went forth into the camp,
a pile of stones over the spot. “Such honors Ilium to her hero paid, And peaceful slept the mighty Hector’s shade.” Pope.
lending; — vain     The struggle! vain against the coiling strain      And gripe and deepening of the dragon’s grasp     The
au impatient sits, While spouts run clattering o’er the roof by fits, And ever and anon with frightful din The leather soun
chairmen, run them through;) Laocoon struck the outside with a spear, And each imprisoned champion quaked with fear.” King
scale, great Nemesis! Thou who didst call the Furies from the abyss, And round Orestes bade them howl and hiss, For that u
inds are high, and Helle’s tide     Rolls darkly heaving to the main; And night’s descending shadows hide     That field wi
d from this cumbrous flesh, From this gross, detestable, filthy mesh, And merely given to the cold, bleak air. Have mercy,
erbs and baneful drugs, Who as they sung would take the prisoned soul And lap it in Elysium. Scylla wept, And chid her bark
sung would take the prisoned soul And lap it in Elysium. Scylla wept, And chid her barking waves into attention, And fell C
t in Elysium. Scylla wept, And chid her barking waves into attention, And fell Charybdis murmured soft applause.” Scylla a
aven smiles,     Though the fair goddess long has ceased to weep,      And o’er her cliffs a fruitless watch to keep     For
üs says to Ulysses, — “Say from what city, from what regions tossed, And what inhabitants those regions boast? So shalt th
and with his tail glad sign he gave Of gratulation, impotent to rise, And to approach his master as of old. Ulysses, noting
he gulfs will wash us down; It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles, And see the great Achilles whom we knew;” etc. C
Fortunate fields and groves and flowery vales, Thrice happy isles.” And in Book II. he characterizes the rivers of Erebus
e bless our human ears     (If ye have power to charm our senses so;) And let your silver chime Move in melodious time,    
our senses so;) And let your silver chime Move in melodious time,      And let the base of Heaven’s deep organ blow; And wit
in melodious time,     And let the base of Heaven’s deep organ blow; And with your ninefold harmony Make up full concert w
“As great Pythagoras of yore, Standing beside the blacksmith’s door, And hearing the hammers as they smote The anvils with
t hung Vibrant on every iron tongue, The secret of the sounding wire, And formed the seven-chorded lyre.” See also the sam
wo lobes protruding, paired exact; A leaf succeeded and another leaf, And , all the elements thy puny growth Fostering propi
of Dodona in these lines: — And I will work in prose and rhyme,      And praise thee more in both Than bard has honored be
    On that Thessalian growth In which the swarthy ring-dove sat      And mystic sentence spoke; etc. Byron alludes to th
s through half a summer’s day, With music lulled his indolent repose; And , in some fit of weariness, if he, When his own br
azing chariot of the Sun A beardless youth who touched a golden lute, And filled the illumined groves with ravishment. The
ly Wanderer who bestowed That timely light to share his joyous sport; And hence a beaming goddess with her nymphs Across th
aggy covert peeping forth In the low vale, or on steep mountain side; And sometimes intermixed with stirring horns Of the l
anction of the god. High heaven with reverence the dread signal took, And all Olympus to the centre shook.”31 The Mine
goddess loves in stone, and fills The air around with beauty;” etc. And in the next stanza, “Blood, pulse, and breast co
rom Cowper’s Table Talk: — « Ages elapsed ere Homer’s lamp appeared, And ages ere the Mantuan swan was heard. To carry nat
on birth, asked ages more. Thus genius rose and set at ordered times, And shot a dayspring into distant climes, Ennobling e
ling every region that he chose; He sunk in Greece, in Italy he rose, And , tedious years of Gothic darkness past, Emerged a
the Metamorphoses, of which we give a literal translation below: — “ And now I close my work, which not the ire Of Jove, n
me when it will that day Which o’er the body, not the mind, has sway, And snatch the remnant of my life away, My better par
e remnant of my life away, My better part above the stars shall soar, And my renown endure forevermore. Where’er the Roman
arms and arts shall spread There by the people shall my book be read; And , if aught true in poet’s visions be, My name and
n Phœnix first is seen, Her feathered subjects all adore their queen, And while she makes her progress through the East, Fr
her numerous train’s increased; Each poet of the air her glory sings, And round him the pleased audience clap their wings.”
des in these lines: — “What though the Moor the basilisk hath slain, And pinned him lifeless to the sandy plain, Up throug
om the earth’s disk. Fear not, but gaze, — for freemen mightier grow, And slaves more feeble, gazing on their foe.” The
                       * * * “O, what a genius must inform the skies! And is Lorenzo’s salamander-heart Cold and untouched
Persian, — zealous to reject Altar and Image, and the inclusive walls And roofs of temples built by human hands, — The loft
e-wreathed Tiara on his brows, Presented sacrifice to Moon and Stars, And to the Winds and mother Elements, And the whole c
ed sacrifice to Moon and Stars, And to the Winds and mother Elements, And the whole circle of the Heavens, for him A sensit
Who curse the hour your Arabs came To desecrate our shrines of flame, And swear before God’s burning eye, To break our coun
at he could not deny but that he had brought great shame on himself. “ And what grieves me most,” he added, “is that ye will
which so long as I live and have my way thou shalt never enter again. And , by my troth, had I known beforehand that thou ha
t of Gray’s fine ode beginning, — “Uprose the king of men with speed And saddled straight his coal-black steed.” But the
and battle-axes; for do what they would, none of them could harm him. And this became a favorite pastime with them and was
cliffs, whose strength defied The crested Roman in his hour of pride; And where the Druid’s ancient cromlech frowned, And t
in his hour of pride; And where the Druid’s ancient cromlech frowned, And the oaks breathed mysterious murmurs round, There
ore! on plain or height, In the sun’s face, beneath the eye of light, And baring unto heaven each noble head, Stood in the
of a theme less solemn tells That mighty surge that ebbs and swells, And still between each awful pause, From the high vau
ice lift aloft her scale, Peace o’er the world her olive wand extend, And white-robed Innocence from heaven descend.” See,
ng the Lotos, day by day, To watch the crisping ripples on the beach, And tender curving lines of creamy spray: To lend our
9 (1895) The youth’s dictionary of mythology for boys and girls
ating cause, and perhaps still another, and so on without limitation. And yet we know that there must have been a period wh
that appall’d?” Byron. “Tremendous, Gorgon frowned upon its field, And circling terrors filled the expressive shield.” “
from his airy throne With power imperial curbs the struggling winds, And sounding tempests in dark prisons binds.” Dryden
er, while a dog lies at his feet. “Thou that dost Æsculapius deride, And o’er his gallipots in triumph ride.” Fenton. Æ
e Æsculapius and Phaeton. “Wilt thou have music? Hark! Apollo plays. And twenty cagëd nightingales do sing.” Shakespeare.
to heaven when the earth became corrupt.     “… Chaste Astrea fled, And sought protection in her native sky.” John Hughe
of the sacrifice. “In Diræ’s and in Discord’s steps Bellona treads, And shakes her iron rod above their heads.” Belphe′
her from the rigid north, Her native bed, on which bleak Boreas blew, And bore her nearer to the sun…” Young, 1710. Boun
d the tail of a serpent. It used to vomit fire.                  … “ And on the craggy top Chimera dwells, with lion’s fac
o be a man he married Psyche. “For Venus did but boast one only son, And rosy Cupid was that boasted one; He, uncontroll’d
as that boasted one; He, uncontroll’d, thro’ heaven extends his sway, And gods and goddesses by turns obey.” Eusden, 1713.
e king of the elves and fays. “Which wast begot in Demogorgon’s hall And saw’st the secrets of the world unmade.” Spenser
y, daughter of the sphere, So may’st thou be translated to the skies, And give resounding grace to all heaven’s harmonies.”
n her stead.         “Wreathed smiles, Such as hung on Hebe’s cheek, And love to live in dimples sleek.” Milton. “Brigh
the fountain Hippocrene flowed. “Yet still the doting rhymer dreams, And sings of Helicon’s bright streams; But Helicon fo
f Atlas, was changed into the evening star. “To the ocean now I fly, And those happy climes that lie Where day never shuts
and their Manes bear. The few who’re cleansed to those abodes repair, And breathe in ample fields the soft Elysian air.”
fix my reins.” F. Lewis. “Let not Medea draw her murdering knife, And spill her children’s blood upon the stage.” Lord
represented as having on a winged cap, and with wings on his heels. “ And there, without the power to fly, Stands fix’d a t
rcury, and herald for a king.” “Be Mercury, set feathers to thy heels And fly, like thought, from them to me again.” Shake
on as the evening shades prevail The moon takes up her wondrous tale, And nightly to the list’ning earth Repeats the story
lls In cottages and smoky cells; Hates gilded roofs and beds of down, And though he fears no prince’s frown, Flies from the
which was named after him, Narcissus. “Narcissus so himself forsook, And died to kiss his shadow in the brook.” “Hadst tho
of the same name. “High heaven with trembling the dread signal took, And all Olympus to the center shook.” Pope. Oly′ra
gasus can fly.” Earl of Dorset. “To turn and wind a fiery Pegasus, And witch the world with noble horsemanship.” Shakes
ylus’s head on the banquet table. “Forth like a fury Philomela flew, And at his face the head of Itys threw.” Pope. “An
ry Philomela flew, And at his face the head of Itys threw.” Pope. “ And thou, melodious Philomel, Again thy plaintive sto
nsented     To hear the poet’s prayer, Stern Proserpine relented,      And gave him back the fair.” F. Lewis. Pro′teus [P
in the infernal regions. “These are the realms of unrelenting fate: And awful Rhadamanthus rules the state. He hears and
woodland sort. ……………………………………… With asses’ hoofs, great goggle eyes, And double chins of monstrous size.” Yalden. Scyl′
rydice, and Medusa.                         “Pleasing was his shape, And lovely; never since of serpent kind, Lovelier; no
a fat, drunken old man, riding on an ass, and crowned with flowers. “ And there two Satyrs on the ground, Stretched at his
e. “Thy stone, O Sisyphus, stands still Ixion rests upon his wheel, And the pale specters dance.” F. Lewis. Si′va [Siv
eard of. See Surya. “Sol through white curtains shot a timorous ray, And oped those eyes that must eclipse the day.” Pope
lato, lived in the air. “The light coquettes as Sylphs aloft repair, And sport and flutter in the fields of air.” Pope.
s through hell resound. E’en in the circling flood refreshment craves And pines with thirst amidst a sea of waves.”      
t craves And pines with thirst amidst a sea of waves.”         “... And of itself the water flies All taste of living wig
d married their Queen. “Breasts that with sympathizing ardor glowed, And holy friendship such as Theseus vowed.” Budgell.
like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but no
10 (1860) Elements of Mythology, or, Classical Fables of the Greeks and the Romans
ts enthroned in gold. High heaven the footstool of his feet he makes, And , wide beneath him, all Olympus shakes, He speaks,
nction of a god; High heaven, with trembling, the dread signal takes, And all Olympus to the centre shakes. Iliad, Pope's
ction of the God: High heaven, with trembling, the dread signal took, And all Olympus to the centre shook. Iliad, Book 1.
s of the clouds. With lightning armed, his red right hand puts forth, And shakes with burning bolts, the solid earth; The n
sunk and pierced with dread; He strikes vast Rhodope’s exalted crown, And hurls huge Athos and Cerannia down. Thick fall th
is borne over the waves. Now lows a milk-white bull on Asia’s strand And crops with dancing head the daisied land. With ro
d and his pearly horns, Light on his back the sportive damsel bounds, And pleased he moves along the flowery grounds; Bears
s amid the dimpling waves. Beneath her robe she draws her snowy feet, And half-reclining on her ermine seat, Around his rai
her ermine seat, Around his raised neck her radiant arms she throws^ And rests her fair cheek on his curled brows; Her yel
r cheek on his curled brows; Her yellow tresses wave on wanton gales, And bent in air her azure mantle sails. While her fai
and shriek along the shore; Onward he moves; applauding Cupids guide. And skim on shooting wing the shining tide; Emerging
eals the wakeful eye; Then shoots from heaven to high Pieria’s steep, And stoops incumbent on the rolling deep. Homer's Od
aming forges sound, While bathed in sweat, from fire to fire he flew; And puffing loud the roaring bellows blew.” [Translat
lt in Etna’s rocky womb, On thundering anvils rung their loud alarms, And leagued with Vulcan, forged immortal arms; Descen
Vulcan, forged immortal arms; Descending Venus sought the dark abode, And soothed the labours of the grisly god.      With
breathing bellows roar, Admired their sinewy arms and shoulders bare, And ponderous hammers lifted high in air; With smiles
ifted high in air; With smiles celestial blessed their dazzled sight, And beauty blazed amid infernal night. Botanic Garde
om the tortured steel. Huge strokes, rough Steropes and Brontes gave, And strong Pyracmon shook the gloomy cave. Before the
kind, To render with thy precepts less The sum of human wretchedness, And strengthen man with his own mind. Byron. Prome
in burnished gold; Flashed on her brandished arm the immortal shield, And terror lighted on the dazzled field. Botanic Gar
rn Venus, ravishing to sight, Rose from the ample sea to upper light. And on her head the flower of summer swelled, And blu
ple sea to upper light. And on her head the flower of summer swelled, And blushed all lovely, and like Eden smelled. A garl
stood before her feet, Two wings upon his shoulders, fair and fleet; And blind as night, as he is often seen, A bow he bar
os and her blooming groves; While to her power a hundred altars rise, And grateful incense meets the balmy skies. Venus
her time happily:             Young Dione, nursed beneath the waves, And rocked by Nereids in their coral caves, Charmed t
olden locks she wrung; O’er the smooth surge in silver sandals stood, And looked enchantment on the dazzled flood.     The
rs, gem her ivory back, Round her fine waist and swelling bosom swim, And star with glittering brine each crystal limb. — A
lling bosom swim, And star with glittering brine each crystal limb. —  And beauty blazed to heaven and earth unveiled. Bota
tom to Elysian shades. Clad with new form, with finer sense combined, And fit with purer flame the ethereal mind.          
rises to the light, Leaves the drear chambers of the insatiate tomb, And shines and charms with renovated bloom. Botanic
bs and baleful drugs; Who, as they sung, would take the prisoned soul And lap it in Elysium; Scylla wept And chid her barki
sung, would take the prisoned soul And lap it in Elysium; Scylla wept And chid her barking waves into attention, And fell C
it in Elysium; Scylla wept And chid her barking waves into attention, And fell Charybdis murmured soft applause. Scylla
ge unknowing of deceit, Pleased with the false review secure he lies, And leaden slumbers press his drooping eyes.     Shou
re, a dragon rides; Here, from our strict embrace a stream he glides. And last, sublime, ’tis stately growth he rears A tre
his worship. To Bacchus. Bacchus, on thee we call, in hymns divine, And hang thy statues on the lofty pine. Hence plenty
the rich plantations grace. Then let us Bacchus’s praises duly sing, And consecrated cakes and chargers bring; Dragg’d by
s and chargers bring; Dragg’d by their horns let victim goats expire, And roast on hazel spits before the sacred fire. Come
of thy reign abound; Each field replete, with blushing autumn, glow, And in deep tides, by thee, the foaming vintage flow.
called Panics. The Athenians had a statue of him, like that of Mars. And in some antique gems and sculptures, his figure i
Upon the wild wood’s leafy tops, To drink the dew that morning drops, And chirp thy song with such a glee, That happiest ki
. To him thy friendly notes are dear; For thou art mild as matin dew, And still, when summer’s flowery hue Begins to paint
hear thy sweet prophetic strain, Thy sweet prophetic strain we hear. And bless the notes and thee revere!     The muses lo
na’s golden plains; Plucked with fair hand the silver blossomed bower And purple mead — herself a fairer flower; Sudden, un
ed their demon wings; Earth with deep yawn received the fair, amazed, And far in night celestial beauty blazed. Botanic Ga
bellows in the gate: Base Want, low Fear, and Famine’s lawless rage, And pale Disease, and slow repining Age. Fierce, form
through hell resound E’en in the circling floods, refreshment craves, And pines with thirst, amidst a sea of waves. When to
declare that he was a god who accomplished these services to mankind. And so heroes come to be “as gods revered.” Hercul
of the sleeping god; Waked by the shrilling hiss and rustling sound, And shrieks of fair attendants trembling round, Their
trembling round, Their gasping throats with clinching hands he holds; And death untwists their convoluted folds.     Next i
d on Lerna’s lake he sheds;     Grasps Achelous with resistless force And drags the rolling river to his course;     Binds
to his dusky cave; Seized by the throat, the growling fiend disarms; And tears his gaping jaws with sinewy arms;     Lifts
jaws with sinewy arms;     Lifts proud Antæus from his mother plains, And with strong grasp the struggling giant strains; B
murderous den, Where, breathing flames through brazen lips, he fled, And shook the rock-roofed cavern o’er his head. Last,
ope’s salient strand; Crests with opposing towers the splendid scene; And pours from urns immense the sea between.     Loud
g gale restrain. Odyssey , Book IV. A long and weary calm ensued, And the pale mariner at once deplores, His wasted vig
hould this span adorn; Honour and fame, at least, the Thunderer owed, And ill he pays the promise of a god, If yon proud mo
rules and happy by his sway; Two ages in his native realm he reigned, And now the example of the third remained. All viewed
ncorrigibly guilty; but to the penitent he is gracious and relenting. And like the true God, though he is a “consuming fire
justice with parental love,              Goodness and heavenly grace, And sweetest mercy shine. Yet is he still Himself the
shine. Yet is he still Himself the same, one form, one face, one will And these his twofold aspects are but one;           
ace, one will And these his twofold aspects are but one;               And change is none In him; for change in Yamen could
s. Hard by the eastern gate of Hell In ancient time great Vala fell; And there she lies in massive tomb, Shrouded by night
But yet if rumour rightly tells, In her cold bones the Spirit dwells, And still if bold intruder come. Her voice unfolds hi
, And still if bold intruder come. Her voice unfolds his hidden doom. And oft the rugged ear of Hell Is soothed by some mel
guarded the entrance of Niflheim. Uprose the king of men with speed, And saddled straight his coal-black steed; Down the y
ir chargers of ethereal birth, Pawed, with impatient hoof, the earth, And snorting fiercely ’gan to neigh, As if they heard
nd snorting fiercely ’gan to neigh, As if they heard the battle bray, And burned to join the bloody fray. But they unmoved
nsive brow and look sedate, Proudly each couched her glittering spear And seemed to know nor hope nor fear.     So mildly f
his flesh the glebe is made; From his veins the tide is welling.      And his locks are verdant shade. Hark! his crest wit
head and hands lopped off. Dagon his name; sea monster; upward man, And downward fish; yet had his temple high, Reared in
strangely compounded of degrading superstitions and sound philosophy. And much as the Egyptians excelled other nations in t
ere spangled; how the sun, Refulgent Mithras, purest spring of light, And genial warmth, whence teeming nature smiles, Burs
11 (1833) Classic tales : designed for the instruction and amusement of young persons
laimed that Psyche was the wife of him who claimed her for his bride. And from this time Psyche was content to receive the
ce of Pluto’s kingdom, and who will be quiet if you offer him a cake. And there is a river called the Styx, which you must
r. Some wise woman that taught men how to cultivate the ground. Ann. And who was the malignant Venus that persecuted Psych
whom I so tenderly love, shall be a daughter to you while I am gone. And , my dear father, I shall soon return to you, if i
ech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercuriu
death, like Philemon. “The good, said they, are God’s peculiar care, And such as honour Heaven, shall heavenly honour shar
ght of Lot’s family, and the destruction of the wicked city of Sodom. And when Baucis washed the feet of her guests, it rem
a generous one, for he had given a kingdom to his grandson. Mother. And what think you of Pentheus? Ann. That he was not
It indicated that the married pair would meet with misfortunes. Ann. And , now, who was Lucifer? Mother. Lucifer is a name
d they became founders of cities, like their ancestor, Perseus. Ann. And who was he that shut up the winds? Mother. Æolus
r more to enter into competition with any but the children of earth. “ And did they not heed your counsel?” asked Minerva. “
on which this priestess sat was covered with the skin of the Python. And they celebrated the death of the Python in certai
12 (1838) The Mythology of Ancient Greece and Italy (2e éd.) pp. -516
ording to the simple plan, That they should take who have the power, And they should keep who can. A literary work, wheth
d indeed cohabited with Zeus, but they had not been his lawful wives. And this, if I mistake not, is the true origin of the
, without bound, Without dimension, where length, breadth and height, And time and place are lost. It contained the ‘embry
fiery concave,’ and its only entrance was closed with lofty portals. And thrice threefold the gates : three folds were bra
noblest that can be conceived) was to ………assert eternal Providence, And justify the ways of God to men. Its agreement in
ditions, nearly translates the Rhodian poet in the following lines : And fabled how the serpent whom they called Ophiôn wi
sacred gloomy Night might come, Unto his mother and his wedded wife, And his dear children ; but the grove with laurel sha
ines in his poem named Nanno. Helios is doomed to labour every day ; And rest there never is for him Or for his horses, wh
There he binds With fragrant wreaths his locks, and the bright manes And yellow reins of his wing-footed steeds. He does
in, nor ever showered With snow, but cloudless æther o'er it spreads, And glittering light encircles it around, On which th
-spoked, brazen, on the strong Axle of iron. Gold their fellies were, And undecaying, but thereon of brass The tires365 wel
he rounded nave of each ; The seat was hung by gold and silver cords, And two curved sides encompass’d it about. The pole w
thick and soft, Which raised them from the ground. On this they lay, And o’cr them spread a golden cloud and fair, And gli
ound. On this they lay, And o’cr them spread a golden cloud and fair, And glittering drops of dew fell all around. This is
wood rebelloweth aloud Unto the bowstring’s twang ; the earth itself And fishy sea then shudder : but she still A brave he
elieved them to have been really and not metaphorically put to death. And in truth it is not easy to give a satisfactory an
ods and mortal men,’ for one hundred flowers grew from one root884 ; And with its fragrant smell wide heaven above And all
rew from one root884 ; And with its fragrant smell wide heaven above And all earth laughed, and the sea’s briny flood. Un
nture to their mother, she agreed to hire the nurse at large wages : And they, as fawns or heifers in spring-time Bound on
the hill Callichoros. Thus having said, the goddess changed her size And form, old-age off-flinging, and around Beauty res
nt was scattered, and afar Shone light emitted from her skin divine : And yellow locks upon her shoulders waved ; While, as
ing in his hands The reins and whip : forth from the house he rushed, And not unwillingly the coursers flew. Quickly the lo
band ; she should however pass the other two with her and the gods : And when in spring-time, with sweet-smelling flowers
e story of her abduction. They pass the day in delightful converse : And joy they mutually received and gave. ‘Bright-vei
Zeus sends Rhea to invite them back to heaven. Demeter now complies, And instant from the deep-soiled cornfields fruit Sen
ill by himsel he learned to wander Adoun some trotting burn’s meander And think na lang. We are therefore inclined to rega
Victory, mark ye, flies With golden wings ; and so, egad, does Love : And like a trembling dove, old Homer saith, Was Iris.
ut was now allotted the honour of the gods in the depths of the sea.’ And again ; Odysseus beholds in the realms of Hades t
to instruct mankind in the culture of the vine and other useful arts. And thus the knowledge of the vine came to Greece, fr
treatment which he sometimes there experienced from his worshipers : And if thou do so, Pan beloved, may ne’er The Arcadia
se incline, may pain Seize thee when all thy skin is torn with nails, And in hot nettles may thou lie to rest : which the
-full spring laments, pouring forth her moan, a sweet-sounding lay.” And with him the clear-singing mountain-nymphs Move q
ymph, it is said, They spring from fountains and from sacred groves, And holy streams that flow into the sea1231. Yet the
Ocean, stayed away, Nor of the Nymphs, who dwell in beauteous groves, And springs of streams, and verdant grassy slades1232
sacred to the Nymphs, whom men Call Naiades. In it large craters lie, And two-eared pitchers, all of stone ; and there Bees
he mountain-haunting Nymphs, Deep-bosomed, who on this mountain great And holy dwell, who neither goddesses Nor women are12
the beauteous trees, The bark around them wastes, the branches fall, And the Nymph’s soul at the same moment leaves The su
 ? and Echo answered, Here. Amazed, on every side he turns his view, And in loud tones cries, Come ; and Echo calls The ca
him. There a sleepless man Might double wages earn ; as neatherd one, And one as keeper of the snowy sheep ; For near the p
mankind, and received the following response : From the fane depart, And veil your heads and loose your girded clothes, An
m the fane depart, And veil your heads and loose your girded clothes, And cast behind you your great parent’s bones. They
ew legend of the mode of her being restored to her pristine form1911. And now the wanderings of Io were extended to Egypt a
y trees displayed Their fruit, pomegranates, pears and apples bright, And luscious figs and olives green and ripe ; But whe
ably gave no more than the popular creed when he said of the heroes, And now with minds free from all care they dwell In t
den hinges moving, to let forth The King of glory. — P. L. vii. 205. And again, v. 374 : He through heaven, That open’d w
car of day His glowing axle doth allay In the steep Atlantic stream ; And the slope sun his upward beam Shoots against the
1. Plut. Amat. 20. 778. Plato, Phædr. 255. Paus. vi. 23. 4. 779. And from her fair unspotted side Two blissful twins a
uaint enamelled eyes, That on the green turf suck the honied showers, And purple all the ground with vernal flowers. Milto
des to these names of the Sirens : By Thetis’ tinsel-slippered feet, And the songs of Sirens sweet, By dead Parthenope's d
feet, And the songs of Sirens sweet, By dead Parthenope's dear tomb, And fair Ligea's golden comb, Wherewith she sits on d
13 (1883) A Hand-Book of Mythology for the Use of Schools and Academies
d car of day His golden axle doth allay In the steep Atlantic stream, And the slope Sun his upward beam Shoots against the
                     “Of old Called the wild man from waste and wold, And , in his hut thy presence stealing, Roused each fa
ut thy presence stealing, Roused each familiar household feeling;      And , best of all happy ties, The centre of the social
blight the earth, Had come ’twixt her, a child of sin and tears,      And that bright spirit of immortal birth; Until her p
ek him only in the skies; Till wings unto the weary heart were given, And she became Love’s angel bride in heaven.” T. K.
following response:                           “From the fane depart, And veil your heads, and loose your girded clothes, A
the fane depart, And veil your heads, and loose your girded clothes, And cast behind you your great parent’s bones!” They
14 (1889) The student’s mythology (2e éd.)
ge was first, when man, yet new, No rule but uncorrupted reason knew, And , with a native bent did good pursue. Unforced by
irst the precious ore (Which next to hell the prudent gods had laid,) And that alluring ill to sight displayed. Thus cursed
more accursed gold, Gave mischief birth, and made that mischief bold: And double death did wretched man invade, By steel as
l says of these festivities: Let ev’ry swain adore her power divine, And milk and honey mix with sparkling wine; Let all t
knew before That I must die, though thou had’st ne’er proclaimed it, And if I perish ere th’ allotted term, I deem that de
iana’s power neglected lies, Where to her dogs aspiring temples rise! And should you leeks or onions eat, no time Would exp
hill: and made his grove The pleasant valley of Hinnom, Tophet thence And black Gehenna call’d, the type of Hell.” Ques.
15 (1810) Arabesques mythologiques, ou les Attributs de toutes les divinités de la fable. Tome II
ad the winged thunder flies An horrid stillness first invades the ear And , in that silence we the tempest fear. L’Étern
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