e many other gods and goddesses; and as you are going to read stories about some of them, I will tell you who they were. Apol

y a frolic. And, if we believe the stories told by the Greeks, in and about the woods and the waters and the fields wandered

Lectures.) The Great Bear and the Little Bear This is a story about a woman whom you will all love. Almost everybody

birds and bright flowers. She laughed and sang to the beautiful world about her, and in return all nature seemed to smile on

t sunlight. In fact, there was something so young and fair and tender about the maiden that if you could imagine anything so

le children, who had been treated very cruelly. While he was thinking about them, he came suddenly to a muddy brook, and in t

e turned away from them in disgust, and went home and wrote his story about the beautiful woman and the two helpless children

e beautiful woman and the two helpless children, and he put something about the frogs into his tale. As he had not liked them

spot. When she came to it, she found a lake of clear, blue water. All about it tall reeds were growing, and some rough peasan

r, For men may come, and men may go,     But I go on forever. I wind about , and in and out,     With here a blossom sailing,

raises that were showered upon her from all sides. She became so vain about her work that she could think of nothing but how

at his beautiful Daphne had become a tree, he wept and threw his arms about the newly formed bark and said, “Since you cannot

ome him; and he rushed forward to meet his dear wife and put his arms about her, happy in the thought that they would never a

n out hunting for many hours. He was tired and thirsty, and he looked about for some spot in which to rest. Suddenly he heard

hes and stepped into an open space beyond. But what did he see? Lying about on the grass were all the fair huntresses with th

into a boat, and set them adrift on the great, wide sea. They floated about for many days, and Danaë held her little boy clos

ogether in a cave. They were queer creatures, and the strangest thing about them was that instead of having two eyes each, as

ver, he need not have been afraid, for the sisters fell to quarreling about the eye, and at last, the one who had it was forc

At night she was tied to a tree, but during the day she could wander about as she pleased. The poor girl did not quite know

n he read the sad tale, her father wept aloud, and, throwing his arms about his daughter’s neck, gave way to his grief. Meanw

deadly arrows, one after another. As Niobe saw her daughters falling about her, she seized the youngest and tried to hide he

less, humbled woman sat down upon the plain among her dead, and gazed about her in silent grief. And thus she sat, day after

lve great labors of Hercules. It would take too long to tell you much about them, for each is a story in itself. There were m

od was like a child. But just as the hero was clasping his great arms about his rival to throw him down, the river god used h

So well did her husband love her, that Deïanira had almost forgotten about the poisoned shirt of Nessus. But after some time

er, and grew to love her as he had once loved Deïanira. He forgot all about his wife awaiting him at home, and day after day

n funeral pile; then, lying down on it, he wrapped his poisoned shirt about him, and, ordering a friend to set fire to the mi

ay out again. Perhaps, in another story, you will hear something more about this labyrinth and the Minotaur who lived in it.

a. The boy, not noticing his uncle’s gloomy face, was talking happily about all the great things he meant to do by and by, wh

—— Birds in Summer How pleasant the life of a bird must be, Flitting about in each leafy tree; In the leafy trees, so broad

ung and the old they wander out, And traverse their green world round about ; And hark! at the top of this leafy hall, How, on

right earth below! How pleasant the life of a bird must be, Skimming about on the breezy sea. Cresting the billows like silv

oyful fancy calls, Dashing adown, ’mong the waterfalls; Then to wheel about , with its mate at play, Above and below, and amon

a rosy child! What joy it must be, like a living breeze, To flutter about ’mid the flowering trees; Lightly to soar, and to

one.” Then, kissing his wife and baby, he started on his journey. Now about the same time that Theseus was born, Minos, king

this cruel act, had not something happened which made them forget all about the young prince of Crete. And this was nothing l

me, she hastened to the top of a high tower in the palace, and looked about her. She saw the army encamped outside the walls,

companion was much younger, and there was something bright and quick about him. Indeed, at times his feet seemed hardly to t

and wife were more than astonished at all they saw, they kept silence about it, quietly waiting on their guests. At last the

there some time, when she saw, far out at sea, something white tossed about by the waves. Nearer and nearer to the shore it c

iful wife named Nephele. Nephele means cloud, and there was something about the fair young queen that made one think of soft,

in love with the king. Ino was a witch, who made the king forget all about his wife Nephele, and before long he married the

green fields all day long, and healthy young people do not care much about what they eat or wear. Their only grief was at th

one, When rocked to rest on their mother’s breast,     As she dances about the sun. I wield the flail of the lashing hail,

d dangerous voyage, during which there happened many wonderful things about which you will some day hear, the Argonauts arriv

left him, he paced up and down the seashore for a long time, thinking about Medea, and the tasks that the morrow would bring.

ng antlers. He belonged to the nymphs of the grove, and they had hung about his neck a golden necklace, studded with shining

his net for another throw. But the fish he had caught began flapping about and nibbling at the grass beneath them, and in a

of Scylla, the more he loved her. At last, one evening, as Scylla was about to climb the hill, Glaucus called to her. She tur

A Youth Who Was Changed Into a Flower You remember the sad story about Apollo’s friend Cyparissus, and how the sun god g

us, and how the sun god grieved when the poor boy died. This story is about another boy whom Apollo loved very dearly. Hyacin

ry, very dearly. He would leave his beautiful temples, and forget all about the people who were worshiping him and be content

nowadays of cricket and of ball. The quoits were flat circular discs about twelve inches across; they were made of iron or s

look like real flesh. The mouth was half open, as if the maiden were about to speak; one foot was outstretched, and it seeme

though the next minute she must ‘step down from her pedestal and move about like any other woman. As Pygmalion looked at the

ds on was turned to shining, yellow metal. But there is another story about him, which, though not so well known as that of t

beard, and large dreamy eyes that seemed to have looked on the hills about him for hundreds of summers and winters. Midas, c

lothed in a purple robe, sat at the judge’s right hand, while grouped about them were the nymphs and the satyrs, and all who

ak and shining lyre, and Pan himself, with his goatskin flung loosely about his shoulders. A strange and beautiful picture it

ent. But Midas could not have blamed the barber, even if he had known about his midnight errand; for in truth the poor fellow

nd were much larger and stronger than any of the giants you have read about in your fairy tales. They lived in mountain caves

hole mountain shook and quivered with the roaring, and the land round about trembled as with an earthquake. The Cyclops were

ould have done. Indeed, it was said that when the Cyclops were raging about in their mountain caves, fire shot forth from tho

s could love after all, although there was something rough and shaggy about the love, as well as about the lovers. In the cav

hough there was something rough and shaggy about the love, as well as about the lovers. In the cave of a mountain which overh

hangs over my shoulders, and, like a grove of trees, throws a shadow about my head. Surely, you must think this beautiful. A

rpina loved most the valley of Enna. Here there was a clear lake, and about it green meadows and cool groves. Upon the lake f

all day long; and above the meadows soared the lark. While Ceres went about the world from end to end, looking after the fiel

ar crowns of diamonds. He thought she was foolish to make such an ado about the darkness. To his mind, sunlight was unbearabl

look into the underworld. It was a chilly day. There was a rim of ice about the edge of the water, and Arethusa was far down

y than any bird. Besides, he has a magic wand with two snakes twisted about it, and with this wand he can control even the gh

done. Next day it was even worse, for men came from the cities round about and told how things were going wrong. Almost ever

sts of Arcadia, he chanced to see the beautiful nymph Daphne, who was about to set out for the hunt. Daphne was a daughter of

ed deer — would come from their hiding places and lie down peacefully about him as he played the lyre and sang. Thus Orpheus

fter that the way was straight. The spirits of men who were dead came about Orpheus in great crowds, but no one did him harm,

god himself, sitting upon his throne with Proserpina at his side. All about the hall stood the lesser gods and spirits of the

least afraid. When the snakes came close to him, he seized them both about the necks and squeezed them with all his might. T

, you shall never meet with any sorrow, you shall never have to worry about any troubles, you shall never know hunger or thir

s to get the golden apples of the Hesperides. Hercules knew something about these apples. The old goddess Earth had brought t

-headed serpent, a guard that never slept. Little would Hercules care about a hundred-headed serpent. Little would he care ab

ld Hercules care about a hundred-headed serpent. Little would he care about magic maidens. But where were the gardens of the

ir. Hercules drew near as quietly as he could and clasped him tightly about the waist, for Nereus must be conquered before he

e a little bird, but before he could flit away, Hercules had his hand about him. Then he was a fly, and Hercules all but crus

rent view of the matter. He found it very pleasant to be able to move about and swing his arms and bend over when he pleased.

heir master’s guests with beaming, cheerful faces. Why this great ado about the death of a stranger? All men must die. No one

illed with heroic thoughts. All this time Æthra told him never a word about his father. Theseus did not know even that his fa

notaur. Thus do we pay King Minos for the death of his son.” “Tell me about it,” said Theseus. “It is a sad story,” said the

retended to give way. He sprang back several steps, as though he were about to flee. The Minotaur gave a roar of triumph, and

blue, like the sky. Where she walked, the roses and violets sprang up about her feet and all the birds sang with joy. As Pari

battle. He had no armor, but the goddess Minerva threw a golden light about his head, so that he shone like one of the gods.

Adapted). The Fall of Troy. After Hector died, the fighting about Troy was renewed, and it seemed that the city mus

” Sinon, for that was his name, seemed to weep tears of joy. “Tell us about this horse,” continued King Priam. “Why was it ma

place where Laocoön stood with his two sons. In a moment they coiled about the sons, and when Laocoön came to the aid of his

again, the trick was almost revealed. All this time Sinon was walking about the streets, and was praised and honored by every

nd be patient.” Thus they spoke, and went away, but Polyphemus groped about the cave until he came to the door-stone. This he

came to a strange and lovely palace. There were tame lions and wolves about the door, and within they heard sweet singing. Th

ome and wife and child, she let them go. She gave Ulysses much advice about the voyage. “But above all,” she said, “beware th

s. He clung to a log and escaped their fate. For nine days he drifted about , but on the tenth he was washed ashore on the Isl

ed). The Homecoming of Ulysses. While Ulysses was wandering about , over unknown lands and seas, things were not goi

ears more. Then her servants betrayed her, and she was obliged to set about finishing it. She still hoped, for Ulysses might

you.” She shriveled him up and bowed him down and put a ragged cloak about him, so that he looked like a wretched old beggar

of the, faithful swineherd, Eumæus. The herdsman told him many tales about the suitors. “These are evil days in my master’s

ro made himself known. With tears of joy the young man flung his arms about his father’s neck. “Son,” said Ulysses, after the

Ulysses stretched the string as easily as a minstrel stretches a cord about the peg of a lyre. Then he caught up an arrow, pu

a thing long past. Then she knew him. She ran to him and put her arms about him and shed tears of joy. Thus the wanderings of

ream Along the cliff to fall and pause and fall did seem. Then round about the keel with faces pale, The mild-eyed melanchol

ce of which Athens was the great city, 150, 157,167. Brise΄is. Slave about whom Achilles and Agamemnon quarreled, 185. Call

ople once believed that there were such gods as you have been reading about . Ann. But there never were such gods. Who believ

orld, and all of them left off worshipping heathen gods and goddesses about three hundred years after the birth of Christ. A

Mother. Yes; one Apuleius, who lived in Sicily, and wrote in Greek, about seventeen hundred years ago, said he found it in

Mother. Yes, I have many; and the next I will give you shall be one about Proserpine, who gave Psyche the box. Proserpin

know what is true, and by asking the wise, and by thinking carefully about what one hears. This carrying off of Proserpine i

those who tried to hinder them. The people, who lived in the country about Athens, were thus forced to remove to the town fo

erched over their heads. All this threatened misfortune to the couple about to be united. But notwithstanding these sad porte

tle boy, whom she named Itys, and she loved him dearly. When Itys was about a year old, Progne begged her husband to allow he

rm at her situation. Fatigued with her walk, and not knowing what was about to befall her, she sat down and burst into tears.

as she was, and thought if she could have something to employ herself about , she would feel a little reconciled to her unhapp

rogne got intelligence of her sister’s imprisonment, these rites were about to commence, and the Bacchantes were already sele

o with them into the woods. She designed, when they should be running about in the forest, to direct them to the prison-house

Jupiter and Mercury. These gods, says the fable, once resolved to go about in disguise, to learn among the different classes

eary, wayfaring men. The two gods, when night was approaching, looked about them for supper and lodging. They knocked at many

eplenished, and the bowls filled with the very best wine, and running about the table from hand to hand, of their own accord

is no other than the god Mercury, sought kindness from the people all about you, and they meanly refused us shelter and prote

, upon some plan to disappoint Mercury. But as she stood at the door, about to descend into the garden, the god unexpectedly

animals? Ann. Yes, I remember that. I should like to know something about Mercury. Mother. Mercury was an Egyptian god. Th

among men, and that “when we sleep or when we wake, they walk unseen” about us, doing us good or harm. They called the good s

iope sent her son to a beautiful island, where, as he grew up, he ran about the woods, and spent the whole day in gathering f

ears his name. Cadmus. The city of Tiresias was Thebes. It was about forty miles from Athens. Thebes was built by Cadm

ne into a neighbouring wood; but just as the followers of Cadmus were about to bear off their vessels of water, the dragon re

fter his time the Greeks began to read and write. He came into Greece about fifty years after Cecrops. Cecrops was truly belo

venomous exhalations issued from her mouth, forked lightnings played about her feet, and the sun, as if he sickened at the s

nd oars, were instantly all covered with branches of ivy, and twisted about with vine tendrils. The god then rose at once to

off his head and fixed it upon the point of a thyrsus, and Agave ran about with it, shouting, and showing it to her companio

sort of throne, covered with leaves and branches, is placed, is drawn about by donkeys. Multitudes, bearing torches, shouting

Many pathetic stories have been written concerning poor Danæ, tossed about upon the billows with her child. But Neptune, who

ed like a king, he appeared like one, and knew how to make every body about him happy. That was all the art of government nec

afterward attached to the shield, but Minerva did not always carry it about ; only when she designed to punish foe wicked, she

ch envy is personified. Ann. First, if you please, tell me something about Hymen. Mother. Hymen was the god of marriage; he

ce; while Clymene, accompanied by the Hiades, her daughters, wandered about the world in search of the unfortunate youth’s re

ited a dreadful example of the vengeance of the gods, the Thebans set about making amends for their impiety; they repaired on

, were forced to construct, in part, their own theory. As they looked about them for some clue to serve as guide, they could

gg, that in silence and shade Was brooded and hatched; till time came about : And Love, the delightful, in glory flew out.” A

d creatures, closely resembling moths. These little insects fluttered about , alighting, some upon Epimetheus, who had just en

dled by Jupiter’s much dreaded thunderbolts; and the king of gods was about to put it into instant execution, when his arm wa

that Deucalion and Pyrrha took refuge in an ark, which, after sailing about for many days, was stranded on the top of Mount P

s sprang from the soil, full grown, and armed to the teeth. They were about to fall upon Cadmus, when the same voice bade him

answer to this prayer, sent a vivid flash of lightning, which played about the colossal image, illuminating it, but leaving

er had dethroned his parents and seized the sceptre, he began to look about him for a suitable helpmate. Juno won his affecti

Arachne now repent of her folly; and in her despair she bound a rope about her neck, and hung herself. Minerva saw her disco

out her neck, and hung herself. Minerva saw her discomfited rival was about to escape: so she quickly changed her dangling bo

sic caused the youth, Marsyas, to start from his abstraction and look about him. He then perceived the rejected flute sailing

t, who strove in their dumb way to comfort him as he moved restlessly about , seeking a solace for his bursting heart. At time

to his half-delirious fancy that he could discern Eurydice wandering about in the dim distance, with the self-same mournful

s allowed but scant time to prepare for death; but, just as they were about to toss him overboard, he craved permission to pl

over the sea, and allured a school of dolphins, which came and played about the ship. The pirates, terrified by the power of

e gods changed him into a swan; which bird is ever sailing mournfully about , and frequently plunging his head into the water

e is by the blue-veined feet scarce press’d, Her silky ringlets float about her breast, Veiling its fairy loveliness; while h

aters to Abydus. No one was in sight as far as she could see. She was about to descend to pursue her daily tasks, when, glanc

ighbouring bushes: and, thinking Pyramus was concealed there, she was about to call to him that he was discovered, when, inst

. A few minutes later, Thisbe cautiously drew near, peering anxiously about to discover whether the lion were still lurking t

eautiful, watchful, anxious eyes. It seemed to him that the nymph was about to emerge from her hiding place to reconnoitre. M

etty eyes to make sure she was not dreaming, and wonderingly strolled about the beautiful grounds. Ere long she came to an en

and when they saw her luxurious surroundings, and heard her raptures about her lover, they were envious, and resolved to mar

er nymphs, restored her to life. Thus forced to live, Psyche wandered about disconsolate, seeking Cupid, and questioning all

cheerful alacrity, knowing that such a course would ultimately bring about a meeting and reconciliation between the lovers.

less protracted than usual, and she soon arose from her couch to look about her realm, the atmosphere, and convince herself t

d, and the terrified and awestruck people, somewhat reassured, looked about them for their king, they were told he had gone,

plight, tugged at the chain with all his might, drew her up, and was about to set her free, when Jupiter returned, and, in a

wont to visit in the guise of a bright flame, which played harmlessly about her. Vulcan was worshipped by all blacksmiths and

the oaken club he generally carried, slew the monster just as he was about to drag poor Hesione down into his slimy cave. La

fury or subside into peaceful ripples.          “He spake, and round about him called the clouds And roused the ocean, — wie

ivalent to a challenge; and Idas, stepping down from the chariot, was about to engage in the fight, when suddenly out of a cl

him and state his case. Ixion pleaded so skilfully, that Jupiter was about to declare him acquitted, when he suddenly caught

condition, Jupiter sprang to her side; but the lightning which played about his head set fire to the whole palace, which was

e Island of Sicily, her favourite place of resort, where she wandered about all day long, attended by a merry girlish train,

ith apprehension, and the tears coursed down her cheeks as she rushed about from place to place, calling her daughter. “What

e combined effect of tears, fatigue, and oppressive heat, and she was about to lose all consciousness of her trouble in sleep

formed into a fountain. Alpheus could no longer see her, but wandered about , bewailing her disappearance, and calling her in

ayer? Oh that I Were rippling round her dainty fairness now, Circling about her waist, and striving how To entice her to a di

s usual undertone; and Ceres, knowing where to seek her daughter, was about to depart, when she heard the sudden rush and roa

egions. Ceres in person hastened to her daughter’s new abode, and was about to lead her away in spite of Pluto, when a spirit

one month of every year in her husband’s gloomy kingdom. Thus it came about that Proserpina was condemned to spend one half t

res and Stellio Another anecdote illustrating Ceres’ power is told about a lad, Stellio, who made fun of the goddess when

n the sands of time; and when they had run out, he knew some life was about to end, and sallied forth, scythe in hand, to mow

ered the palace unseen, twined themselves around the cradle, and were about to crush the child to death in their folds, when,

winning the people’s blessings by his deeds of kindness, he wandered about stupidly and aimlessly, until he finally perceive

esione, Laomedon’s daughter, from the jaws of the sea monster who was about to devour her, as he had devoured many a fair Tro

s might be situated: so he set out at a venture, determined to travel about until he gained some information. On his way he m

he first met the nymphs of the Eridanus River, and, questioning them about the golden apples, was told to consult old Nereus

Hercules paused for a moment to contemplate the stream, and glanced about for some safe mode to transport Deianeira across.

d; and Danae’s heart sank with terror when she felt the cask buffeted about by the great waves far out of sight of land, and

e sisters, who possessed but one eye and one tooth, which they handed about and used in turn, and who were the only living be

from the monster, prepared, nevertheless, to fight the rival who was about to carry off his promised bride. Unbidden he came

came to the marriage feast with a number of armed followers, and was about to carry off Andromeda, when Perseus, bidding his

agrant wine, and bade Ægeus offer it to the stranger. The monarch was about to execute her apparently hospitable purpose, whe

gs, By means of which the wearer could ascend to any height, And sail about among the clouds as easy as a kite.” Saxe. Afte

with compassion when she beheld the frail maidens and gallant youths about to perish by such a loathsome death. Theseus, by

alus came into view, and, perceiving that his master’s prisoners were about to escape, leaned forward to catch the vessel by

hat aged by this time, Theseus was still anxious to marry, and looked about him for a wife to cheer his loneliness. Suddenly

. Jason, however, quite undaunted by the rushing, foaming waters, was about to attempt the crossing, when he saw an aged woma

the torrent, which had wrenched off one of his golden sandals. He was about to part from the old dame with a kindly farewell,

gers were sent in every direction to collect all possible information about the murder committed so long ago, and after a sho

ound that the plague had ceased, but that her brothers had quarrelled about the succession to the throne. A compromise was fi

of the game, he hardly noticed the bee which was incessantly buzzing about his ears, until, becoming suddenly aware of its a

sperated by her persistent avoidance of him, Pan once pursued and was about to overtake her, when she paused, and implored Gæ

ntact with the salt waves sufficed to change his nature; and swimming about comfortably in the element, where he now found hi

to the place of sacrifice, where the priest, with uplifted knife, was about to end her sufferings, when Diana suddenly appear

Ida; but in the very midst of the fight, Venus, seeing her favourite about to succumb, suddenly snatched him away from the b

erformed many deeds of valour. The time had now come when Jupiter was about to redeem the promise given to Thetis, for little

y. The Trojans paused in dismay, thinking Achilles had come, and were about to take flight, when all at once they discovered

othal ceremony was held without the city gates; and Achilles was just about to part from his blushing betrothed, when Paris,

the seas, driven away from his native land by adverse winds, sailing about from place to place, losing his ships and compani

ishaps during these ten years form the theme of the Odyssey, which is about as follows. Siege of Ismarus. After leaving

reat cave. Ulysses silently crept to his side, sword in hand, and was about to kill him, when he suddenly recollected that ne

their blood flow into the trench. Immediately all the spirits crowded about him, eager to drink the fresh blood; but Ulysses,

enly became aware that his old enemy, the torturer of Polyphemus, was about to escape from his clutches. With one blow of his

fury nothing can withstand, shattered Ulysses’ raft, and buffeted him about on the waves, until the goddess Leucothea, seeing

of Eumæus, his swineherd, and from him learned all he wished to know about his wife and son. He heard that Penelope was besi

truggle, for all the gods, having watched Æneas’ career, were anxious about his fate. Seeing this, and fearful lest their int

he long-sought Turnus, who had made his way back, and was now driving about in his chariot, jealously guarded by his sister J

im that, during the myth-making age, the ancestors of the Greeks were about on an intellectual level with the present Austral

words, “Now, this dog”; and, when it was suggested that the story was about a pony, she emphatically replied, “Well, this pon

far east, forsaking her husband (the sun) in his old age, when he is about to sink into the sleep of death. Meleager is also

which involuntary crime he was driven from home, and forced to wander about in search of shelter. We find this hero, although

palace is beneath the deep waters near Greece, and he is said to ride about his realm in a swift chariot drawn by golden or w

nd, occasionally emerge, heave up great masses of rock, and hurl them about with an accompaniment of deafening roars, while t

dmetus? Ans. He obtained from the Fates, that when Admetus should be about to end his existence, his life might be prolonged

d Salii attended to the sacrifices of Mars, and on festival days went about the city dancing with their shields. Their name c

ted to join in these rites. The women were called Bacchantes, and ran about with their hair dishevelled, shouting and singing

he more so, as he perceived that there was something more than mortal about the captive youth. In the meantime Bacchus, for i

n? Ans. When Cecrops built a new city, Neptune and Minerva contended about its name; and it was resolved that whichever of t

xhausted by heat and fatigue, on the borders of a clear pool. She was about to quench her thirst in the cool waters, when som

ything in its course; and he holds in his hands an infant which he is about to devour, because time destroys all that it brin

ount Etna, a famous temple dedicated to him. Ques. What was peculiar about this temple? Ans. The approach to it was guarded

, and leaning upon a drum, while various domestic animals are grouped about her. Ques. What was the character of this goddes

le. During these solemnities, priests called Galli and Corybantes ran about like madmen, with cries and howlings, making, at

ls, under their King Brennus, made an irruption into Greece, and were about to plunder the temple of Apollo at Delphi, Pan su

people were very indignant; in their zeal for their goddess they ran about the streets for the space of about two hours, cry

ir zeal for their goddess they ran about the streets for the space of about two hours, crying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesia

red for a long time amid the German forests, as also the superstition about water spirits. Ques. What was the story of Areth

rdians of the Gorgons, of whom Medusa was one. The hero Perseus, when about to attack Medusa, visited them, and, watching his

curred upon it. Over against this rock is the whirlpool of Charybdis, about which the poets relate a similar fable. They say

m to the other side. This superstition made the ancients very careful about burying their dead. Ques. What do you say of the

the wings of a bird, and the paws of a lion. She infested the country about Thebes, so that the people, in their distress, we

dy is one hundred and twenty-five feet long; and the fore-paws extend about fifty feet more. The face has been much disfigure

s palace and bride in a conflagration raised by her art. As Jason was about to rush upon the sorceress, she rose in the air i

iver the Athenians from this dreadful tribute, and when the lots were about being cast for the fourth time, he offered himsel

pervades his works. Ques. Who was Hesiod? Ans. This poet flourished about half a century later than Homer. He was a Bœotian

s Naso was born in the year 43, B. C., at Sulmo (now Sulmona), a town about ninety miles distant from Rome. The date of his b

Penel′ope], daughter of Icarus. His suit was granted; but when he was about to depart with his bride, Icarus was so much grie

es was now seized with horror at the thought of the deed which he was about to commit, but the reproaches of Electra, and the

n Iphigenia, the sister of Orestes, whom Diana had saved when she was about to be immolated at Aulis. Perceiving that the str

rnus, with orders to excite this prince against the stranger, who was about to rob him of his promised bride. A long war ensu

s, appeals confidently to the sibylline prophecies, and at that time, about the middle of the second century, it was not poss

ce. It happened once that a Roman commander, (Claudius Pulcher,) when about to engage the fleet of the enemy, was warned by t

on approaching a certain cavity in the earth, began to skip and dance about in an extraordinary manner. As he drew near to ex

, called by the ancients Ammon, and by the modern Arabs, Siwah. It is about five degrees west of Cairo. The temple is said to

est account is given by Belzoni, who visited it in 1816. The oasis is about six miles in length, with an average breadth of f

failed to appear on the appointed day. When such an entertainment was about to take place, the people hastened to the theatre

ducing a figure quite perfect in form; but there is nothing spiritual about the Venus, which is, therefore, far inferior to t

f Zoroaster, an Eastern sage, who is thought to have lived in Bactria about twelve hundred years before our era. Ques. Was t

when the end of the world is come, which the Vedas say will occur in about twelve million years, Siva will destroy them. Qu

t which contains the life of Krishna. Ques. What is there remarkable about this life? Ans. So many circumstances closely re

t it is probable he was a contemporary of Solomon — that is, he lived about one thousand years before our era. He was the son

r poetic Edda, was compiled by Sâmund Sigfûsson, an Icelandic priest, about the middle of the eleventh century. He was educat

etermined on Baldur’s death, but did not know exactly how to bring it about . He assumed, therefore, the form of an old woman,

in eleven lines, forming regular alleys. The blocks numbered formerly about ten thousand; but there are now many gaps in the

arge cromlech arranged in two circles and two ovals. There are in all about one hundred and forty stones, of which the smalle

defence against the dangers of the unknown road which the spirit was about to travel. The body was then burned, and the ashe

Ques. Were these sacrifices numerous? Ans. They were introduced only about two hundred years before the Spanish Conquest. Th

rtain things connected with the Eleusinian mysteries. The people were about to stone him, when he was saved by the presence o

ir intrepid defender. The martyrdom of St. Justin took place at Rome, about the year 161 A. D. Juvenal . A Roman poet

Strabo . A celebrated geographer, born at Amaseia, in Pontus, about the year 24, B. C. He spent many years in travell

ng which is sure to happen; but they did not know enough to feel sure about these things, and so when the evening came they s

brought back their light and their life with him. Knowing but little about themselves and of the things which they saw in th

he moon, the heavens, the winds, or the sea. The fables first related about each deity represent, figuratively, the action of

ountains, and draws aside the misty veil through which her brother is about to appear. When he has burst forth in all the glo

*, who, to her grief and indignation, proved faithless to her. He was about to wed Sagaris*, daughter of the king of Pessinus

r-stricken mariner. It has been remarked that these Dioscuri flitting about on their golden wings are probably nothing more t

into a bear. Her son, when he grew up, meeting her in the woods, was about to kill her, when Zeus, transporting both mother

ing upon the hoar-frost of my chain; The Bear, that prowled all night about the fold Of the North Star, hath shrunk into his

ge for the murder of his father, Agamemnon*, wandered for a long time about the earth in a condition bordering on madness, ow

ch Athene had caused to grow at the time of her contest with Poseidon about naming the city of Athens, was shown in the templ

f the princes of that name in Rome when it first attracted attention, about two hundred years ago. There is a story that the

und a blazing altar. Athletic games and chariot races were instituted about 585 b. c., and musical and literary competition h

rld. They journeyed on through the gloomy regions of Erebus, and were about to pass the extreme limits, when Orpheus, to conv

f her annual festival. This is the same Artemis to whom Agamemnon was about to offer his daughter Iphigenia*, previous to the

gies. Brumatia* were festivals celebrated at Rome in honor of Bacchus about the month of December. They were first instituted

by the almost feminine expression of face. His soft hair, which falls about his shoulders in delicate ringlets, is generally

gods for assistance. They transformed her into a reed just as Pan was about to seize her. While he was lamenting his unfortun

ices were also made with a view of obtaining success in an enterprise about to be undertaken, or in fulfilment of a vow, or a

elf. Telephassa died, and Cadmus went to Delphi to consult the oracle about Europa. The answer was to cease searching for her

ds in despair. Perseus rushed down at the moment when the monster was about to seize its prey, and, holding before its eyes t

gods, Bellerophon fell a prey to the deepest melancholy, and wandered about for the remainder of his life in the loneliest an

dly Eurystheus, Hera sent two serpents to kill the child ivhen he was about eight months old. Heracles, however, gave the fir

ut Hera, in the guise of an Amazon, spread a report that Heracles was about to carry off their queen. The Amazons attacked He

e meeting of two immense rocks called the Symplegades*, which floated about in the sea, and constantly met and separated, cru

lived happily for ten years. At length Jason wearied of her, and was about to marry Creusa*, the daughter of the king. Medea

He married the nymph Œnone*,14 whom Rhea had taught prophecy. It was about this time that Paris gave his famous decision in

ime in the harbor waiting for a fair wind. Just as the expedition was about to start, Agamemnon had the misfortune to kill a

ughter, the mother obeyed, and sent the maiden to Aulis. When she was about to be sacrificed, Artemis substituted a hind, and

with the Greeks. Hector drove the latter back to their ships, and was about to set them on fire, when Achilles consented to a

and soon fell asleep before the fire. Odysseus drew his sword and was about to slay the giant when he remembered that the roc

ew perished, Odysseus alone was saved. Clinging to a mast, he floated about in the open sea for nine days. He once more escap

d a tempest to arise, during which the raft was destroyed. He floated about for two days and nights, but at last the sea godd

, the ass, and the hippopotamus. It was related that Osiris once went about the earth doing good, and that on his return he w

re assigned to him. Sacrifices were made to him, and once every year, about the time when the Nile began to rise, a golden cu

the temple of their own god. The crocodile was principally worshiped about Lake Mœris. A chosen number of these animals were

nce in the fiery jaws of the idol when the Sicilian, Agathocles*, was about to attack the city. The worship of Moloch was pra

ng the followers of Vishnu or Siva. The temple stands near the shore, about three hundred miles south-west of Calcutta. The i

crifice to the idol. The British government prohibited this sacrifice about ten years ago. Every year, particularly at two gr

age named Guatama, and also Buddha, the Wise. It is probable he lived about a thousand years before Christ. He was the son of

jacent countries. Buddhism appears to have been introduced into China about the year 65 of our era. From China it subsequentl

wiskara, which signified the White One and the Dark One. Ioskeha went about the earth, which was arid, and called forth the s

In the Oneida dialect of the Iroquois, Ioskeha means literally ‘it is about to grow white,’ that is, to become light, to dawn

may have thus commenced. They saw around them various changes brought about by human agency, and hence they knew the power of

ces of two of the hills, which advance into the plain, at a height of about fifty feet, runs a line, below which the colour o

necessary to inform his audience in a long prologue of what they were about to witness. Such was the state of the ancient myt

d placing his golden compasses set off the space for the world he was about to create. It formed a hollow globe, and hung fro

s father, devoured his children as fast as they were born. Rhea, when about to be delivered of Zeus, besought her parents to

to be absent got no share. On his reminding Zeus of this, the god was about to make a new allotment, but Helios would not suf

r of Coios and Phœbe, by whom he had Hecate. There is some difficulty about these personages, who are hardly ever mentioned b

as hung by gold and silver cords, And two curved sides encompass’d it about . The pole was silver, and upon its end She tied t

rth of the monarch of Olympos. According to this tradition Rhea, when about to be delivered of Zeus, retired to a cavern near

honey and the milk of the goat Amaltheia, while the Curetes387 danced about him clashing their arms to prevent his cries from

s. The dead, without distinction of good or evil, age or rank, wander about there, conversing of their former state on earth 

workshop proceeded so many elegant productions of art, and, as we are about to show, another physical view led to the union o

s, that the mountains and all Thessaly trembled at the sound, and was about to fling the peaks of Pangæos on the generous str

n of Tilphussa, near Lake Copaïs, in Bœotia, pleased him ; and he was about to lay the foundations of his temple there, when

charmed by the solitude and sublimity of the scene. He forthwith sets about erecting a temple, which the hands of numerous wo

yclopes who had forged the thunderbolts, for which bold deed Zeus was about to hurl him down to Tartaros, but, on the entreat

, rings of orichalcum and gold in her pierced ears, and golden chains about her neck, and then led her to the assembly of the

t of inspiring love and desire for the person who wore it. Hera, when about to lull Zeus to sleep by filling him with these a

l war ; and round her shoulders cast The fringed ægis dire, which all about Was compassed with fear. In it was Strife, In it

very suspicious, and the later Greeks would have made little scruple about coining a term if they wanted it to suit any purp

bsurdity shown by the little fellow, who still has his cradle-clothes about him. Zeus however gives it against him, and the t

his hand he bears his caduceus 851 or staff, with two serpents twined about it, and which sometimes has wings at its extremit

ear to be as old as the age of Homer, there can be no further dispute about the origin of the epithet, though its meaning wil

intended gift. She watched one night, and, seeing what the nurse was about , shrieked with affright and horror. The goddess t

which space of time in some species of grain, barley for instance, is about four months. The vanity of the people of the hung

e gods by their lovely voices, attuned to the lyre of Apollo928. When about to give the catalogue of the ships of the Achæans

all men esteem us gods, and not Jackdaws, since we have wings and fly about  ? To which Peisthetæros replies, Nonsense ! Ega

Pæeon is in Homer the family surgeon of Olympos. Nothing is said about his origin. All we are told is, that he cured Are

drove the hero to Côs ; and Zeus, awaking in a rage, knocked the gods about the house, searching for Sleep, who only escaped

eece till after the time when the Æolians colonised the coast of Asia about the Hellespont1094. Here they became acquainted w

i, between what they condemn and what they desire. Hence that anxiety about hidden matters, and those presages of the future,

Minyas, were made public ; in all of which were scattered new fables about the lower-world, and hopes of a more happy life a

Cybele was enthusiastic. Her priests, named Galli and Corybantes, ran about with dreadful cries and howlings, beating on timb

nt near the Pelusiac mouth of the Nile, whence their descendants were about eighty years afterwards removed to Memphis by Ama

nquest of the East, some of the country people met Silenos staggering about , and binding him with his own garlands, led him t

dwelt in the woods and mountains1240. The narcissus grows abundantly about Mount Helicôn, the scene of Narcissos’ transforma

of which the boys make a plaything, and cutting off the head carry it about  ; and the head with the horns is like the lyre ma

g them : the rest of their body is rough with small scales, and is of about the same hardness as the skin of a fish : they ha

probable supposition, that the poet regarded Thrinakia as an islet of about the same size as those of Circe and Calypso, belo

if a mythe contained a moral that pleased them, they were indifferent about its harmonising with others. Contradictions howev

e daughter of Epimetheus and Pandora, and he reigned over the country about Phthia. When Zeus designed to destroy the brazen

scene are few in number, and are nearly all confined to the district about Pelion and the bay of Pagasæ ; their subjects are

ition of the Golden Fleece1537. Another account is that Pelias, being about to offer a sacrifice on the shore of the sea to h

in a hunt on Mount Pelion. A dispute arising there among the hunters about their respective success, Peleus cut out the tong

sey1584. They seem to have been a rude mountaintribe, dwelling on and about Mount Pelion. There is no ground for supposing th

n and the cloud was a son named Centauros, who when grown up wandered about the foot of Pelion, where he copulated with the M

ength destroyed. A quarrel arose between the Curetes and the Ætolians about the head and hide, and a war was the consequence.

the fair Cleopatra and abstained from the war, noise and clamour rose about the gates, and the towers of Calydôn were shaken

especting Europa. The god desired him to cease from troubling himself about her, but to follow a cow as his guide, and to bui

, and they ran down and devoured their unhappy master. They then went about whining in quest of him, till they came at last t

Athamas it is plain belonged to the Minyans, who dwelt in Bœotia and about the bay of Pagasæ in Thessaly. At Alos in this la

y. At Alos in this last region stood a temple of Laphystian1664 Zeus, about which there was the following tradition1665. To p

from Colchis and saved his grandfather Athamas, when the people were about to sacrifice him as a sin-offering by command of

has granted reason, that he alone should have sense while others flit about mere shades1695.’ When Odysseus afterwards goes t

fame seems to have come1703. Pausanias1704 relates, that the country about Orchomenos in Bœotia was first possessed by Andre

come out ; and he then grasped and held her, while she twined herself about his legs. The hero crushed her heads with his clu

ge in Mount Artemision, then fled to the river Ladôn, and, as she was about to cross that stream, Heracles struck her with an

is master the girdle of Hippolyta queen of the Amazons1748, who dwelt about the river Thermodôn. This nation was composed of

and, protected only by his corslet and lion’s skin, he flung his arms about his head, and grasping him by the neck made him s

t her denial he went to plunder the temple, and taking the tripod was about establishing an oracle for himself. Apollo came t

the land, Aleos went into the temenos of the goddess ; and searching about , found his daughter's infant, which he exposed on

acrifice, sent to Ceÿx for a splendid robe to wear. Deïaneira hearing about Iola from the messenger, and fearing the effect o

c. The Grecian adventures of Heracles are placed in Thessaly (chiefly about Mount Œta), Ætolia and the Peloponnese ; and as t

n below the thirtieth Olympiad. Cinæthos of Lacedæmôn, who flourished about the fifth Olympiad, composed a Heracleia, and Pei

the fifth Olympiad, composed a Heracleia, and Peisander of Cameiros ( about Ol. 33.) another very celebrated one ; Stesichoru

λα , Τηρϵύϛ . Procne, Philomela, et Tereus. Pandiôn, being at war about boundaries with Labdacos king of Thebes, called t

ia. Being engaged in a war with the Eleusinians, he consulted the god about the event ; and received for answer, that victory

m the time of Cecrops. It is not necessary for us, we presume, to set about proving that king Rocky or Hilly (Cranaos), his w

, or rather Amphictiôn, — the personification of the people who dwelt about (ἀμϕικτίονες) Thermopylæ, and were united for a c

rding to this poet1883, Bellerophontes, who reigned at Corinth, being about to undertake the three adventures above mentioned

e him advance further in his demands, consented ; and the prophet set about the cure. He took a number of the ablest young me

om he had a daughter, whom he called Danae. He inquired of the oracle about a son ; and the god replied, that he would himsel

rtifice to deliver himself of his presence ; and feigning that he was about to become a suitor to Hippodameia, the daughter o

staff round which a serpent was twined. It was said that when he was about to raise Glaucos a serpent came and crept to his

r of dividing them with his brother, and for them to live day and day about in heaven and under the earth. Polydeukes chose t

nt realm of the Pelopids. Between the former and the part of Thessaly about the Pagasaïc bay there appears to have been a ver

lampûs was a Mantis. He therefore, as he was childless, consulted him about having offspring. Melampûs agreed to tell him, on

led with anger and concern, journeyed to Pytho, to consult the oracle about this unhappy affair. While he was absent, Euadne,

s before the gods were aware of the horrid banquet of which they were about to partake. At the desire of Zeus, Hermes put all

When he could not be found, his father sent to inquire of the oracle about him. The answer he got was, that there was a thre

he died. It was said, finally, that Artemis loved Oriôn, and was even about to marry him. Her brother was highly displeased,

5 they are named Phæsula, Coronis, Cleeia, Phæo and Eudora. They went about with their divine charge communicating his discov

ne saved her father, whom she kept concealed. This event had occurred about a twelvemonth before. The women seeing the Argona

l could endure to eat it2157. The Argonauts coming to consult Phineus about their future course, he promised to direct them o

ond the Peloponnese, where their pursuers came up with them, and were about to slay them, when Iris appearing forbade the dee

e half of those which Cadmos sowed at Thebes. Iasôn was in perplexity about the accomplishment of these hard tasks, when Mede

ed him to fling stones, and while they were fighting with one another about them, to fall on and slay them. The hero followed

the isle of the Sirens, charmed by whose entrancing strains they were about to land on that fatal shore, when Orpheus struck

ated him as a chief cause of the war, perceiving what the goddess was about , cut off the head of Melanippos, whom Tydeus thou

leaders. Alcmæôn had the chief command2185. They ravaged the villages about Thebes. A battle ensued, in which Laodamas the so

lites, Polydoros, Cassandra2201, Creüsa and Polyxene. When Hecabe was about to lie-in of Paris, she dreamed that she brought

at had occurred, returns home and consults with his brother Agamemnôn about an expedition against Ilion ; he then repairs to

ed the statue of Athena, which he dragged with her ; the Achæans were about to stone him, but he fled to the altar of the god

sing therefore Achæans from the Peloponnese to have conquered a tract about the Hellespont, they may easily have conceived th

weakness and defects of the memory. Thousands of others still floated about , and were gradually sunk in the stream of oblivio

ior, veiled and nameless, with whom the supreme god took counsel when about to announce by lightning any change in the presen

m the earliest times at Lanuvium. She was represented with a goatskin about her, a spear in her hand, a small shield on her a

arlands of flowers, and the mill-asses also crowned with violets went about with cakes strung round their necks2306. In the F

t may have done so only figuratively. Venus. Venus is a deity about whom it is difficult to learn anything satisfacto

explanation of this celebrated mythe. Hera, Poseidôn, and Athena set about binding Zeus ; that is, mankind would wish to kee

as established by Dorians from Parnassus and Cretans from the island, about 200 years before the Dorian Migration. 619. Eur.

. 103. «The poet,» he says, «knows nothing of the love of lo, and all about Argos was feigned by the later writers.» Id. xxiv

ositively, that previous to this time the Greeks knew nothing certain about Egypt. 1159. Yet in the Odyssey (xiv. 268 ; xvii

3. Possis ap. eund. 1274. Euanthes ap. eund. Several other opinions about Glaucos will be found in this place of Athenæus.

Milton has (Comus, 981.) Hesperus and his daughters three That sing about the golden tree, and he places their gardens ‘up

6. Sil. Ital. xiv. 125. Plin. H. N. iii. 8. They fixed on the country about Leontini. Völcker prefers the north-west point of

hen Alcmena, who long survived her son, died, and the Heracleids were about to bury her at Thebes, Zeus directed Hermes to st

8. Ephorus (Athen. vi. 232.) says that when Alcmæôn consulted the god about the removal of his insanity, he got the following

facts be there at all. With all our study of children and our gabble about methods of teaching them, while we insist, proper

er to comprehend when we remember that the myths of savages clustered about beings whom they worshipped. Among primitive nati

mprovement, or Progress, man, beginning with crude dreams and fancies about experience, life, the world, and God, has gradual

nd higher conceptions of his own nature, of his relation to the world about him, of duty, of art, and of religion. § 7. Theor

and dignity of elaborate and often incongruous narratives, no longer about natural events, but about persons. Ancient langua

and often incongruous narratives, no longer about natural events, but about persons. Ancient language may, for instance, have

7 But unfortunately there is very often no agreement among scholars about the original meaning of the names of mythical bei

s of some great hero, or in a disease of language by which statements about objects came to be understood as stories about pe

ge by which statements about objects came to be understood as stories about persons, or perhaps in a conscious allegory, or,

otic legends. Pisistratus of Athens ordered a commission of scholars ( about 537 b.c.) to collect and revise the Homeric poems

ators in prose of the myths, legends, and genealogies of Greece lived about 600 b.c. Herodotus, the “father of history” (484

a guide for poets. Although a note in the Upsala manuscript, of date about 1300 a.d., asserted that this work was “put toget

his.48 It has also been urged that the poem, having been written down about 1140, was altered in metrical form by younger poe

number of ancient ballads of various age and uneven worth; and that, about 1210, a collector, mending some of the ballads to

y the Delphians sang pæans, — hymns of praise, — and danced in chorus about the tripod (or three-legged stool), where the exp

h before him, while dolphins and other monsters of the deep gambolled about his path. In his honor black and white bulls, whi

tranger, the other of a lady of that land, and closer still she clung about her maiden, and kept saying how she was her mothe

nd smiling, she sat down on the back of the bull, and the others were about to follow her. But the bull leaped up immediately

mountain-eaves Looked down, half-pleased, half-frightened, As dashed about the drunken leaves The random sunshine lightened.

e it home against Mars’ nethermost belly, where his taslets were girt about him. There smote he him and wounded him, rending

l manner of invisible chains and fetters wound and clasped themselves about her so that she could not rise. The assistance of

for quarter. 5. Myths of Apollo. § 72. The myths which cluster about the name of Phœbus Apollo illustrate, first, his

er on the sea, the chariot, without its accustomed weight, was dashed about as if empty. The horses rushed headlong and left

cheek, her eyes glared fixed and immovable, there was no sign of life about her. Her very tongue cleaved to the roof of her m

my lair, and seize — encircle him Till one hand join the other round about — There lives not who shall pull him out from me,

ed the unstaunched wound of Adonis, when she saw the bright red blood about his languid thigh, she cast her arms abroad, and

enter their bosoms. They plied their fortunate sister with questions about her husband. Psyche replied that he was a beautif

ernal As the forehead of Apollo, And possessing youth eternal. Round about him fair Bacchantes, Bearing cymbals, flutes and

d panthers played around him. The whole crew became dolphins and swam about the ship. Of twenty men Acetes alone was left. “F

ds which labor can win from the soil.” So saying, she wrapped a cloud about her, and mounting her chariot rode away. Ceres co

for a season their respective functions, and to serve Laomedon, then about to build the city of Troy. They aided the king in

from his throne lest the firmament of the underworld might be falling about his ears. But as god of the streams and fountains

which she handed over to her husband. Of the dog it is told that when about to catch the swiftest fox in the country, he was

immering thresholds, when the steam Floats up from those dim fields about the homes Of happy men that have the power to d

e A star, with a smile, Looking at me. ... “Why, all day long, I run about With a madcap throng, And laugh and shout. Silenu

ing with all her heart, hastened to the spot, ready to throw her arms about his neck. He started back, exclaiming, “Hands off

-plant that grew near the water, and offered them to her child. Iole, about to do the same thing, perceived that the stem of

ing some comrades over the dice, Rhœcus forgot all else. A bee buzzed about his ear. Impatiently he brushed it aside: — Then

wise, to choose some youth — say, for instance, the young Vertumnus — about whom to twine her arms. Then he told how the wort

r hung down In long thin locks; dreadful their faces were, Carved all about with wrinkles of despair; And as they sat they cr

orgons. In silence sat two of the sisters, — But a third woman paced about the hall, And ever turned her head from wall to w

, who had now arrived, poured forth lamentations and threw their arms about the victim. But the hero, himself, undertook to s

yond the mark. The disc, falling upon his grandfather’s foot, brought about the old man’s death; and in that way the prophecy

is defeat of Antæus, made preparations to attack him, as if they were about to attack a city. But the hero, awakening, laughe

ore his lion’s skin. But during this period he contrived to engage in about as many adventures as would fill the life of an o

were striving to comfort him. But the son of Amphitryon was troubled about the lad, and went forth, carrying his bended bow

n of Medea readily suggests that of the witches in Macbeth: — “Round about the caldron go; In the poisoned entrails throw. —

ructed for him a labyrinth, with passages and turnings winding in and about like the river Mæander, so that whoever was enclo

s, the son of Minos, against the Marathonian bull, and so had brought about the young man’s death. Fig. 89. Theseus and th

raight slim laurels, the lithe poplars, and the airy cypress to plant about the palace that thick foliage might give it shade

succeeded in forcing a passage through the Grecian rampart, and were about to set fire to the ships. But Neptune, seeing the

izing a stone, such as two men of modern times could hardly lift, was about to throw it, — and Achilles, with sword drawn, wa

ly lift, was about to throw it, — and Achilles, with sword drawn, was about to rush upon him, — when Neptune, looking out upo

al night when the Greeks took the city. He had armed himself, and was about to mingle with the combatants365, but was prevail

stes, who had been snatched away by Diana, at the moment when she was about to be sacrificed. Ascertaining from the prisoners

m fortunately in the direction that they desired to take. Ulysses was about to hail the giant again, but his friends besought

ted he lay down to sleep. While he slept, the crew conferred together about the mysterious bag, and concluded it must contain

erably burned, Unquenchable; and still where’er She turned. They rose about her, striving each o’er each, With restless, fier

m while they played. But when they had refolded the apparel, and were about to resume their way to the town, Minerva caused t

st given him some information of the country, king, and people he was about to meet, left him. Ulysses, before entering the c

ed to pass the flood, but wander a hundred years, and flit to and fro about the shore, till at last they are. taken over.” Æn

blessed by rendering service to mankind. They wore snow-white fillets about their brows. The Sibyl addressed a group of these

idst of the enemy. They found no watch, no sentinels posted, but, all about , the sleeping soldiers strewn on the grass and am

ond rare thing he possesses is the belt of strength. When he girds it about him his divine might is doubled. The third is his

of the Volsungs, and in the midst stood Branstock, a great oak tree, about which the hall had been built, and the limbs of t

and the limbs of the tree spread over the roof of the hall; and round about Branstock they sat and feasted, and sang of ancie

nder pass394 O’er the cloudless noontide heaven; and some men turned about And deemed that in the doorway they heard a man l

bathes both hands of Sigurd and the hilts of Fafnir’s bane, And winds about his war-helm and mingles with his hair, But nough

hat encloses her, “till nought but the rippling linen is wrapping her about ,” — Then a flush cometh over her visage and a si

. — There were, according to Mr. Gladstone (No. Am. Rev. April 1892), about twenty Olympian deities:401 (1) The five really g

. The artist is unknown. It is conceded to be a work of Roman art, of about the first century of our era (and follows a type

ow to be seen in the Louvre in Paris, is the work of some sculptor of about the third century b.c. He followed an original of

edici was in the possession of the princes of that name in Rome when, about two hundred years ago, it first attracted attenti

ian Cynosure” (Comus). Note Lowell’s “The Bear that prowled all night about the fold Of the North-star hath shrunk into his d

Agenor. — For general table, see § 59 C. Textual. — Moschus lived about the close of the third century b.c. in Syracuse.

he vow was registered by Diana, who, in spite of many delays, brought about the marriage of Cydippe and her unknown lover. Po

of Cydippe and her unknown lover. Polyclitus the Elder of Argos lived about 431 b.c., and was a contemporary of two other gre

de: for his genealogy, see § 148 C, or 132 (5) C. Taslets: armor worn about the thighs. Cyprian: Venus. Pæan (Pæon, or Paiëon

r had lain down was a frequent practice among settlers, superstitious about the site of their new town; that the dragon typif

an race) from Jupiter and the Pleiad Electra. For further information about him, see §§ 132 (5) C, 108, 142. Interpretative.

tering the public square of some city just as the people were casting about for a king. He tied his wagon in the temple of th

ithdrew when he would pluck them; while a great rock was forever just about to fall upon him. Ixion, for an insult to Juno, w

Minor, south of the Propontis, or Sea of Marmora. There is some doubt about the identification of the existing statue with th

l. The silver of the first dollars came from Joachimsthal in Bohemia, about 1518. Hesperides: the western sky at sunset. The

dwarfs, so called from a Greek word meaning the cubit, or measure of about thirteen inches, which was said to be the height

n conformity with the doctrines of the Pythagoreans. Pythagoras (born about 540 b.c.) was a native of the island of Samos, bu

ificance of “fairy.” Indeed, say Vigfusson and Powell, half our ideas about fairies are derived from the heathen beliefs as t

mus, 308, 309; Com. § 165 (1). Py-thag′oras: a philosopher of Samos, about 550 b.c.; his doctrine of metempsychosis, 351, 35

4. Zeus; see Jupiter. Zeux′is, Greek painter of Heraclea; flourished about 424 b.c. Ziu, or Tyr, 369. Zodiac, Com. §§ 139-1

mployed a spy called Ascalaphus to watch Proserpine, and when she was about to depart Ascalaphus declared that he had seen he

d like Eden smelled. A garland of the rose; and a white pair Of doves about her flickered in the air; There her son Cupid sto

tly called Proteus. History makes mention of a Proteus King of Egypt, about the time of the Trojan war, who was illustrious f

iestesses were called Bacchæ, Bacchantes, and Menades, the Bacchæ ran about disguised in the skins of beasts with dishevelled

Greeks that the souls of the uninterred, or neglected dead, wandered about for a whole century without being admitted to the

em to death, while his elder brother, Iphiclus, who saw the deed, ran about shrieking through fright. Hercules was early inst

ion of Etes, King of Colchis The poets relate, that just as they were about to be offered, a winged ram, with a golden fleece

om this odious tribute, and comforted the distressed parents who were about to give up their children, by offering to go with

enians forgot the follies of Theseus, and honoured his memory. Cimon, about four centuries before Christ, took up the remains

ed himself. While the Sphinx was terrifying and tormenting the people about Thebes, Creon, the queen’s brother, proclaimed th

is foot upon earth, Orpheus forgot the command of the god, and turned about to look at Eurydice; he saw her, but she vanished

d himself for the loss of her by playing upon his lyre as he wandered about Mount Rhodope, in the rude country of Thrace. Orp

gainst her supplications. Calchas took the knife in his hand, and was about to strike Iphigenia to the heart, when she sudden

was sailing to Troy, the envenomed wound became so offensive to those about him, that Ulysses persuaded them to land on the i

joyment. Menelaus relates to Telemachus, that his vessels were tossed about the Egean sea for eight long years, sometimes on

arts of war and music, and by Phœnix in eloquence. When Menelaus was about to attack Troy, Chalcas, a diviner in whom the Gr

cyras. Here he was discovered by Ulysses. That wily Greek, travelling about in the disguise of a merchant, exposed jewels and

e coast of Africa. Carthage is commonly supposed to have been founded about eight hundred years before the Christian era, but

s, and Periander of Corinth. Thales was born at Miletus, in Ionia, about 640 B. C. At that time, the means of knowledge, s

Those who felt the desire of improvement meditated upon what they saw about them, and sometimes travelled in search of knowle

vere penances; such as wearing an iron collar, set with sharp points, about the neck; dragging constantly along a heavy weigh

ied heroes and princes of India, may be called the Hindu Pantheon: is about half way up the steep side of the mountain, from

f the mountain, from whose stony bosom it is excavated. The temple is about one hundred and twenty feet square, and eighteen

were frequently offered by those who laboured under disease, or were about to go to battle. Upon important public occasions,

ribed to an unknown God. Upon this, Paul, addressing himself to those about him, said: “Whom ye ignorantly worship, him decla

in a coop for that purpose. Their manner of eating, and of fluttering about their food, was thought to promise happiness or d

crifices; and to tell by certain marks, what mischance or success was about to happen to the sacrificers, or to the Roman peo

ects of the Parthenon were Callicrates and Ictinus. The Parthenon was about two hundred and eighteen feet in length, and nine

Roman governor of Judea, against his conviction of his innocence, was about to give up the blameless Jesus to his enemies, “h

perjured persons regarded everywhere? ——— Whenever the Greeks were about to embark on a voyage, previously to their depart

n to be instructer of his people, Israel. This person was Moses. God, about fourteen centuries before Christ, gave to Moses a

s demand some attention. From the days of Moses, to those of Solomon, about four hundred years, the Tabernacle was the chief

ter worshippers of the gods. So saying he took a thunderbolt, and was about to launch it at the world, and destroy it by burn

nished in the hands of the sculptor. The moisture and slime that were about them became flesh; the stony part became bones; t

llo and Daphne. Daphne was Apollo’s first love. It was not brought about by accident, but by the malice of Cupid. Apollo s

en jaws, snapping at his heels, but biting only the air. Cephalus was about to use his javelin, when suddenly he saw both dog

how often, afraid to stay in the woods all night alone, she wandered about the neighborhood of her former haunts; how often,

a young man. She stopped and felt inclined to embrace him. As she was about to approach, he, alarmed, raised his hunting spea

ling upon the hoar frost of my chain; The Bear that prowled all night about the fold Of the North-star, hath shrunk into his

on the sea, so the chariot, without its accustomed weight, was dashed about as if empty. They rush headlong and leave the tra

bor can win from the cultivated soil.” So saying, she wrapped a cloud about her, and mounting her chariot rode away. Ceres co

e put raiment on its limbs, and jewels on its fingers, and a necklace about its neck. To the ears he hung earrings and string

wers. Dryope gathered some and offered them to the baby, and Iole was about to do the same, when she perceived blood dropping

oose ears and some in sheaves, with mingled ears of barley. Scattered about , lay sickles and rakes, and all the instruments o

, to find such a host of youths as I see around me, all apparently of about the same age. Yet there are many individuals whom

in the same words, and hastened to the spot, ready to throw her arms about his neck. He started back, exclaiming, “Hands off

cheek, her eyes glared fixed and immovable, there was no sign of life about her. Her very tongue cleaved to the roof of her m

lin in act to throw, and became stone in the very attitude. Ampyx was about to plunge his sword into the body of a prostrate

arfs, so called from a Greek word which means the cubit or measure of about thirteen inches, which was said to be the height

ding Hercules asleep made preparations to attack him, as if they were about to attack a city. But the hero, awaking, laughed

ose which seem most strikingly to recall the ancient model: — “Round about the caldron go; In the poisoned entrails throw.  

midst the gardens fair Of Hesperus and his daughters three, That sing about the golden tree.” The poets, led by the analogy

of whom he seemed more fond than Dejanira approved. When Hercules was about to offer sacrifices to the gods in honor of his v

As the forehead of Apollo,     And possessing youth eternal. “Round about him fair Bacchantes,     Bearing cymbals, flutes

wsiness exclaimed, ‘What are you doing with me? What is this fighting about ? Who brought me here? Where are you going to carr

ds of a crescent-shaped tail. The whole crew became dolphins and swam about the ship, now upon the surface, now under it, sca

her beams display,     And is unto the stars an ornament, Which round about her move in order excellent.” Chapter XXII.

re severely punished, as in the instance of Erisichthon, which we are about to record.   Milton in his glowing description o

om I saw just now, with hair dishevelled and in humble garb, standing about where you stand? Tell me truly; so may your luck

yer was answered and rejoiced inwardly at hearing herself inquired of about herself. She replied, “Pardon me, stranger, but I

ch became smooth before him, while the monsters of the deep gambolled about his path. Amphitrite. Amphitrite was the wi

ern ferryman repulsed him and refused passage. Seven days he lingered about the brink, without food or sleep; then bitterly a

with Diana, with whom he was a favorite, and it is even said she was about to marry him. Her brother was highly displeased a

ich they compare to the snapping of a harpstring. There is some doubt about the identification of the existing statue with th

der the pretence that she was to be married to Achilles. When she was about to be sacrificed the goddess relented and snatche

succeeded in forcing a passage through the Grecian rampart, and were about to set fire to the ships. Neptune, seeing the Gre

d a stone, such as two men of modern times could hardly lift, and was about to throw it, and Achilles, with sword drawn, was

lift, and was about to throw it, and Achilles, with sword drawn, was about to rush upon him, when Neptune, who looked out up

ded by Apollo, wounded Achilles in the heel, the only vulnerable part about him. For Thetis his mother had dipped him when an

tal night when the Greeks took the city. He had armed himself and was about to mingle with the combatants, but was prevailed

will remember, was snatched away by Diana at the moment when she was about to be sacrificed. Ascertaining from the prisoners

some one, of a chorus of Euripides. Troy. After hearing so much about the city of Troy and its heroes, the reader will

hen they had with the utmost difficulty pulled off shore, Ulysses was about to hail the giant again, but his friends besought

ted he lay down to sleep. While he slept, the crew conferred together about the mysterious bag, and concluded it must contain

em while they played. But when they had refolded the apparel and were about to resume their way to the town, Minerva caused t

st given him some information of the country, king, and people he was about to meet, left him. Ulysses, before entering the c

ed to pass the flood, but wander a hundred years, and flit to and fro about the shore, till at last they are taken over.” Æne

blessed by rendering service to mankind. They wore snow-white fillets about their brows. The Sibyl addressed a group of these

idst of the enemy. They found no watch, no sentinels posted, but, all about , the sleeping soldiers strewn on the grass and am

as assigned to him. Sacrifices were made to him, and once every year, about the time when the Nile began to rise, a golden cu

f the princes of that name in Rome when it first attracted attention, about two hundred years ago. An inscription on the base

. The artist is unknown. It is supposed to be a work of Roman art, of about the first century of our era. It is a standing fi

history books and narrations of travellers. The accounts which we are about to give are taken chiefly from the Penny Cycloped

lian artist of the sixteenth century, written by himself: “When I was about five years of age, my father, happening to be in

the present arrangement of the Vedas is attributed to the sage Vyasa, about five thousand years ago. The Vedas undoubtedly te

nu or Siva, our authorities differ. The temple stands near the shore, about three hundred miles south-west of Calcutta. The i

he various epochs assigned to his birth, it is inferred that he lived about one thousand years before Christ. He was the son

jacent countries. Buddhism appears to have been introduced into China about the year 65 of our era. From China it was subsequ

e thing he possesses is called the belt of strength. When he girds it about him his divine might is doubled. The third, also

falls upon Loki, which makes him howl with horror, and twist his body about so violently that the whole earth shakes, and thi

mountains of Phrygia, where he killed himself with a hatchet. He was about to lose his life, when Cybele, having compassion

ok her flight, And drew a thousand colours from the light; Then stood about the dying lover’s head, And said, ‘I thus devote

r her, made the island Delos immovable, which had previously wandered about in the Ægean Sea. Here Latona gave birth to Apoll

arth, and Apollo in the infernal regions. Obs. 7. — A fable imagined about the raven, deserves to be related. Its plumage wa

both sexes, who disguised themselves in tiger-skins, with thyrsi, ran about the mountains and country, played on drums, pipes

as holding in his hand a thyrsus, or javelin with an iron head, bound about with vine leaves. He is usually depicted as a cor

he former was exposed on the Nile; the poets have told the same thing about the latter. The name of Moses and that of Mysos g

chne thrice upon the forehead smote, Whose great heart brooks it not; about her throat A rope she ties; remorseful Pallas sta

, like Milton’s Eve, yet bashful and “half withdrawing.” She was girt about the waist with a girdle, called Cestus, which, be

a sea-horse, with the Nereides and dolphins, carrying loves, swimming about her. She is frequently painted sitting on a shell

d like Eden smelled, A garland of the rose; and a white pair Of doves about her flickered in the air. There her son Cupid sto

od of power, with wings at the top, and a couple of serpents entwined about it. The virtues of this wand were such that every

erpine. They requested the gods to grant them wings to look after her about the great sea, and obtained them. The jealous Jun

llustrates the power of Proteus to metamorphose himself. Eurydice was about to be married to Orpheus. The hymeneal altar was

into bees. Obs. — Historians state, that Proteus was king of Egypt, about the time of the Trojan war, famed for wisdom, for

nd fans the cruel flames with which I burn. The thing desir’d I still about me bore, And too much plenty has confirm’d me poo

Tartarus and Elysium was adopted, people believed that souls wandered about tombs, or in gardens and woods which they had lov

fright which Pan excited among the Gauls under Brennus when they were about to plunder the city of Delphi, at whose sight the

ary. They were the Lycæa of the Greeks. The Luperci, his priests, ran about the streets, lashing every one they met with whip

garlands of violets and rosemary. The Roman youths were wont to wear about their necks a golden ornament, called bulla, in t

ich an innumerable multitude of ghosts flocked together, and loitered about in troops, waiting for a passage over the stream.

on their heads, garments tattered, black, bloody, and hanging loosely about their bony forms, with iron chains, and whips of

g of this insect, he forsook his way, threw the rider, and ran wildly about , till he died of fright, fatigue, and hunger. Its

er. The unfortunate princess was bound to a rock, and the monster was about to devour her, when Perseus, riding on Pegasus, p

the Samson of the Greeks. Jupiter having declared that a child being about to be born, should have dominion over all his own

cred, divine, and of vital importance. Jason chose for his companions about fifty of the most noble and famous in Greece. He

hese stars auspicious to them, because when the Argonauts were tossed about by violent tempests, two lambent flames settled u

ygia which borders on the Bosphorus, where he built the city of Troy, about seven centuries before the foundation of Rome. Hi

, Philoctetes, and Nestor, regained their homes; but Ulysses wandered about for ten years before he returned to Ithaca. Quest

aved them both from the flames at the hazard of his life. He wandered about from one place to another for years, and after st

tended immediately to return home; but he was shipwrecked, and driven about the Mediterranean, from one island to another dur

mised to make choice of one of them, as soon as a piece of needlework about which she was busied, should be finished; but she

elves severe penances, such as wearing an iron collar set with spikes about their necks, dragging along a heavy weight, remai

t Cassius-Libanus, Anti-Libanus, and so on. Questions. Tell something about Belus or Baal. What is said of Adoneus? What is s

c.? What is said of the Chaldeans? What stories do the Chaldeans tell about Oannes, Omorea, Chronos? What did the Phœnicians

nises virtuous youths and maidens. Gna, the messenger of Frea, floats about with the rays of the sun; Synia, the guard of hea

he poem entitled Volupsa, i. e. Oracle of the Prophetess. It contains about four hundred verses, and includes an abridgment o

e should die for him. When some celebrated warrior or some prince was about to perish, it was thought that Odin, appeased by

ho seduce married women. A black winged dragon will incessantly hover about , and devour the bodies of the unhappy who are shu

en, and in Norway, amidst plains and on hills, are still found altars about which they assembled for sacrifices and other rel

t was believed that the souls of departed bards sung for three nights about his phantom. It was generally thought that, as so

g to his garments. He saved them all from the flames. After wandering about during several years, encountering numerous diffi

rseus, by whom she was rescued when she was chained to a rock and was about to be devoured by a sea-monster. Anem′one [Anemo

], son of Crœsus, was born dumb, but when in a fight he saw a soldier about to kill the king he gained speech, and cried out,

ed under other headings, as Antæus, Cacus, etc. His death was brought about through his endeavors to preserve Deianira from t

midst the gardens fair Of Hesperus and his daughters three, That sing about the golden tree.” Milton. Hes′tia [Hestia]. Th

ties. Her mother was Nox. She was supposed to be constantly traveling about the earth in search of wickedness, which she puni

as the god of the seas, and invariably invoked his aid when they were about to start on a voyage. He was also thought to pers

hell. His principal attendant was the three-headed dog Cerberus, and about his throne were the Eumenides, the Harpies, and t

regions. Saturna′lia [Saturnalia]. Festivals held in honor of Saturn about the 16th or 18th of December. Principally famous

ad the satisfaction of finding her husband return after an absence of about twenty years. The Greek name of Ulysses is Odysse

ifice of innocent turtle doves, the libation of wine, and the notions about Tartarus and Ixion. “The greatest pleasure arisin

g it, before its reception by the Romans who multiplied their Gods in about the same degree that their vices increased; while

nded in the sky; Nor poised, did on her own foundations lie; Nor seas about their shores the arms had thrown; But earth, and

os; where Latona afterwards sought refuge from the fury of Juno, when about to overwhelm her, for her frailty with her husban

he found Benumbed with cold, and fastened to the ground, A filmy rind about her body grows, Her hair to leaves, her arms exte

urner knew, Unless she drank her tears, or sucked the dew, She turned about , but rose not from the ground, Turned to the sun

nted on panthers’ furs, and lions’ manes, From rear to van they scour about the plains; A three days’ journey in a moment don

a snow-wreath flung,     Mid flowers of brightest hue: Pouting roses about her hung, Violets ’neath her mantle sprung,     S

s sleep, Children of ancient Nereus, and behold Their streaming dance about their father old, Beneath the blue Egean; where h

s of leaves she now reposed her limbs, Now gathered flowers that grew about her streams, And there by chance was gathering as

t it is she fears, In vain she offers from herself to run, And drag’s about her what she strives to shun. “Oppressed with gri

y the Romans, and were always invoked by the Augurs before proceeding about their sacerdotal offices. It was believed that th

oured most by the dissipated youth who, to do him reverence, wandered about at night in masks, dancing to the sound of musica

connections were fatal, and ended unhappily, and therefore people ran about calling aloud, Hymen! Hymen! “God of the torch,

ion which seemed to promise so much glory. The expedition was bruited about all Greece, and the young and ardent of the natio

s way to Thebes, attracted thither by the noise which had been vented about of the Sphynx, a frightful monster then laying wa

tears and entreaties were alike unavailing, but as the fatal blow was about to be struck, a goat of great beauty was found in

nhabitants of Greece, into which country, he is believed to have come about one thousand four hundred and ninety years before

e pyramid of thirteen hundred and fifty-five feet round its base, and about one hundred and seventy in height. Of all the off

called a Proteus. History makes mention of a Proteus, king of Egypt, about the time of the Trojan war, who was illustrious f

ided over funerals, and departed spirits, who were supposed to wander about the tombs. Who was Nox? Nox, or Night, was the da

heseus? Son of Egeon, king of Athens; a hero who, like Hercules, went about destroying oppressors and combating wild beasts.

ied heroes and princes of India, may be called the Hindû Pantheon, is about half way up the steep side of the mountain, from

the mountain, from whose stony bosom, it is excavated. The temple is about one hundred and twenty feet square, and eighteen

ves severe penances; such as wearing an iron collar, set with spikes, about the neck; dragging constantly along a heavy weigh

were frequently offered by those who laboured under disease, or were about to go to battle. Upon important public occasions,

offered, and were often esteemed substitutes for warriors, or princes about to die, In times of great danger, or public calam