aphs remain unaltered, and nearly two-thirds of it are new matter, or have been rewritten. The causes of this change (of whi

ompleted on a third ; hence the inequality in it which every one must have observed. Further, it was written at such hours a

few could think of the calm pursuit of literature, it may be said to have had more success than could have been reasonably

uit of literature, it may be said to have had more success than could have been reasonably anticipated. The praises which it

s which it has received from Mr. Thirlwall and other competent judges have naturally given me much gratification ; for as th

judges have naturally given me much gratification ; for as they must have been well aware of its defects, it is plain that

It is the result of my reading for the last six years, during which I have gone through the whole of the Greek and Latin cla

t there are very few of the references in the following pages which I have not made myself directly from the originals. It w

eas anywhere adopted without a reference to his work, I trust he will have the candour to impute the omission to inadvertenc

y say, their merit ; for to nothing else can it be justly ascribed. I have thus the satisfaction of thinking that I shall be

rt of classic literature, but many may be better cultivated than they have been hitherto. Thus the private life of the ancie

ues, chiefly taken from the Galérie Mythologique. The errata, which I have carefully marked, are I think very few considerin

ine. No fallacy can be greater than that of supposing that the public have any rights in this matter unless it be the right

he stronger, according to the simple plan, That they should take who have the power, And they should keep who can. A liter

of the word, as much so as lands or houses. To these last the public have a right, but it is only on giving the full value

t the study of mythology should ever become general, the public would have no right to my book except on my own terms. The l

e curule Importunus ebur. Our enemies are numerous ; the booksellers have caused printers, book-binders, etc. to petition a

t publishing houses can be properly classed among our opponents. They have no objection to the extension of the period of co

em, and that any extension of the term of those copyrights which they have purchased should go to them also, and not to the

misinformed, that sum bears little proportion to what the proprietors have already made by it, and the copyright has yet twe

law ; for most authors will transfer to them all their rights if they have the power to do it. For my own part, I view the q

Oct. 7th, 1838. ADDITIONS. The following remarks and suggestions have occurred to me, in the course of study, since the

study, since the publication of the present Edition of this work : I have printed them separately, with the intention of in

garded as the mother of dews (p. 61). Another name of the goddess may have been ἡ ἀλθέоυσυ, ἀλδέоυσα or ἀρδέоυσα, and θ and

or ἀρδέоυσα, and θ and ϕ being commutable (as θὴρ, ϕὴρ), the name may have become ἀλϕείоνσα, etc., to which Αλϕειὸѕ (ἀλθειὸѕ

ibly too Εἰλείθνια (p. 194), which has the form of a perf. part., may have come from ἠλθηνîα, or some word of similar form a

egarding the sun and the earth under a conjugal relation, by which we have explained the mythe of Niobe, was, we find, a fav

owley, The Gazers ; Idem, Parting, last stanza. The original seems to have been Sidney's Arcadia, which commences thus : — «

r bosom.» It would therefore seem that the view of nature on which we have explained the mythes of Attis and Cybele, and of

. Page 359. — Though we could not perhaps satisfactorily prove it, we have a strong notion that Geryoneus (from γηρύω) is on

r, Dionysos and Kora of the Greeks, by whom Dionysos does not seem to have been united with the two goddesses, as Liber was

ot of the Aventine and belonged to the plebeians, to whom it seems to have been what the Capitoline temple was to the patric

etc. In the latter centuries of the republic the preference seems to have been given to the termination in inus, and hence

first will contain the true or fabulous Events which are believed to have occurred either among the people itself, as its o

ænomena of the heavens and the earth, and the changes which appear to have taken place among them. These last are however, i

y task to trace out and explain the various causes and occasions that have given origin to the different legends which form

eneral can only be the result of some law of the mind ; and those who have directed their attention to the language and idea

lgar into that of a plurality ; or the numerous deities of the people have been by the philosopher reduced to one, possessed

sm among any people. Supposing, for the sake of hypothesis, a race to have been from some unassignable cause in a state of t

otal or partial ignorance of the Deity, their belief in many gods may have thus commenced. They saw around them various chan

f and beyond human power, they felt themselves, from the principle we have already stated, invincibly impelled to ascribe th

nseen deities5. In this manner all the parts of external nature would have become animated ; and the thoughts of courage, wi

, of things and of names. 1. The sages of remote antiquity appear to have had a peculiar fondness for enveloping moral and

untries are indebted for their origin to the extreme desire which men have to assign a cause for the various phænomena of th

pearance. It is well known that most of the rivers of the Peloponnese have their sources in lakes situated in the high valle

tions effected by the power of the gods, a practice of which we shall have to record numerous instances14. Even in the Moham

in of the rose is ascribed to the Prophet15, and the tulip is said to have sprung from the blood of the unhappy painter Ferh

ad, the lover of the fair Shîrîn16. Many changes in the natural world have also been effected by the Saints, according to th

a house, while the Laplander lives in the open air17. 5. Many legends have arisen from the necessity of giving some account

he application of this principle, and in the following pages we shall have occasion to notice it. The second class of legend

Jinns (i. e. Genii) in half a day 23. But, as the writer from whom we have taken this legend justly observes, Neem-rôz is al

principle. 8. Finally, metaphorical language understood literally may have given occasion to many legends. Thus cause and ef

sister of the vine. A person born on the bank of a lake or river may have been called its son29 ; one coming by sea have be

of a lake or river may have been called its son29 ; one coming by sea have been styled a son of the sea ; and when the metap

metaphor came to be understood literally, persons thus spoken of may have been looked upon as children of the riveror sea-g

have been looked upon as children of the riveror sea-god, and legends have been devised accordingly30. A branch or shoot of

: but, both in ancient and modern times, theories of a different kind have been advanced, and supported with much ingenuity

ss of Grecian mythology ; in this place we will enumerate those which have been most prevalent in modern times. These may, w

ss. Banier's countrymen, Larcher, Clavier, Raoul-Rochette, and others have of late years supported this theory, and it has b

s they esteem every legend, ceremony, usage, vessel, and implement to have been symbolical, they seek to discover what truth

dge. The scholars of the North, especially the learned Finn Magnusen, have exerted themselves, and not without success, in d

s of Polier, Ward and some others, with the various translations that have been made from the Sanscrit, present a large mass

resent a large mass of materials to the inquirer. Jablonski and Zoega have laboured diligently in the field of Egyptian myth

, and not to suppose any connexion between it and any other till both have been examined minutely and carefully, and so many

en examined minutely and carefully, and so many points of resemblance have presented themselves as to leave no doubt of the

well known how, in our own days, Sir William Jones and his followers have been deceived by their own imaginations, and the

aturæ. 5. Finally, though we should never pronounce a mythe which we have not examined to be devoid of signification, we sh

ification, we should not too confidently assert that every mythe must have an important meaning, for certainly some have bee

t that every mythe must have an important meaning, for certainly some have been but the creation of capricious fancy52. On t

this mythe most probably has a meaning, but it is possible it may not have one. ChapterII. GRECIAN MYTHOLOGY. I

ly not improbable that these ancient priests, if such there were, may have had their religion arranged systematically, and h

there were, may have had their religion arranged systematically, and have represented the various appearances and revolutio

in the poetic art which they themselves exhibit. Modern mythologists have therefore been naturally led to the supposition o

l kings and queens reigning at one time. The ancients appear to me to have gotten over this difficulty by saying, that those

ne or other of the tribes of Greece. Of the Titans we shall presently have occasion to speak somewhat differently. Histo

nly God, the original cause and support of all. Anaxagoras is said to have been the first who openly taught this truth ; and

some think, with the archer-god Phœbos Apollo. As we proceed we shall have frequent occasion to notice this principle. While

more especially the case with Euripides, the poet appears at times to have found it necessary to inform his audience in a lo

æus of Miletus, one of the earliest Grecian historians, would seem to have laboured to give a rational form to the old legen

lar religion, and even to make it ridiculous ; for though he seems to have treated some of the higher gods, as Zeus for exam

stern coast of Africa for the same purpose77. For this they seemed to have Homeric authority ; as the poet calls Oceanos, wh

e dreams of the mythographer, for the tasteless system never seems to have gained general credit. We therefore proceed to re

proceed to relate the further course of the Grecian mythology. As we have already observed, the allegorical system of inter

ious theories by which it was sought to reduce it to system, which we have already enumerated, were then revived or devised 

ey were originally written, or were orally transmitted for centuries, have for some years engaged the pens of critics. It se

ascribed, but falsely, to the same author. All these poems, however, have long since perished. The age of Hesiod is equally

uncertain with that of Homer. Three only of the poems ascribed to him have come down to us, viz. the didactic poem named Wor

shed women of the mythic ages ; but of this also only a few fragments have been preserved. The same is the case with the poe

games, or were sung at banquets or in funeral processions. These too have disappeared, excepting a portion of those of Pind

e add the long poem of Nonnus on the adventures of Dionysos, we shall have given the principal authorities for the contents

the principal authorities for the contents of the following pages. We have been thus succinct on the present occasion, as it

ays a much more extended knowledge of the earth than Homer appears to have possessed. As navigation and the intercourse with

’s own time, though well acquainted with navigation, do not appear to have been in the habit of making distant voyages. The

we may suppose were regarded as equal. These divisions do not seem to have had any peculiar names in the time of Homer. The

n this river and the western ocean99. In the Sea the Greeks appear to have known to the west of their own country southern I

Panchaia, Lilliput, or Brobdingnag, though both ancients and moderns have endeavoured to assign their exact positions. Alon

e Erembians104, are also mentioned by Homer, and the Greeks appear to have been well acquainted with the people of the west

with the people of the west coast of Lesser Asia. They do not seem to have navigated the Euxine at this time, though they we

names some of the peoples on its southern coast. They must of course have regarded it as a portion of the Sea. We have no m

ast. They must of course have regarded it as a portion of the Sea. We have no means of ascertaining whether they supposed it

ike the western part of the Sea. Of Colchis and Caucasus they seem to have had no knowledge whatever in these early ages. Th

a notion which continued to prevail even in the historic times114. We have already observed that the Ocean of Homer and Hesi

of all fountains and rivers on the earth. As it was a stream, it must have been conceived to have a further bank to confine

vers on the earth. As it was a stream, it must have been conceived to have a further bank to confine its course, but the poe

ure and situation. As it is always represented as a mountain, it must have rested on the earth, and yet one passage of the I

was the abode of the Grecian gods. The Hebrews seem, for example, to have regarded the concave heaven as being solid (hence

Rainbow. The ideas of the ancient Italians and other nations seem to have been similar. Hence we might be led to infer that

e celestial luminaries seem rather, according to Homer and Hesiod, to have careered through void air, ‘bringing light to men

e who were resolved to leave nothing unexplained. The stars appear to have been regarded as moving under the solid heaven, f

tes or Arcturus, and Sirius, and the planet Venus, which they seem to have viewed as two distinct stars, in its characters o

Evening-star (Hesperos.) There is no reason to suppose the Greeks to have had any knowledge of the signs of the Zodiac unti

ir intercourse with Asia and Egypt had commenced. Tartaros was, as we have already remarked, unvisited by the light of day.

adise Lost, more especially as it is a subject which does not seem to have attracted much of the attention of his commentato

of some other nations, closely united. The sages of antiquity seem to have had a strong persuasion that, to bring creation a

7. The lively and creative genius of the Greeks seems particularly to have delighted in this species of fiction. They loved

rigin of organised bodies. In Grecian cosmogony Homer would appear to have followed the former, for he terms Oceanos the ori

the cosmological ideas above developed144. Void Space must naturally have been first : Earth, which was to occupy the centr

most difficulty ; they may be, as some think, telluric powers151, and have undergone a change of character like the Giants,

ter — that of punishers of the violators of the order of nature — may have been their original one, and their origin have be

order of nature — may have been their original one, and their origin have been ascribed to the first violation of filial du

missed, to remain inactive in Tartaros. The Titan-war therefore could have formed no part of the original mythe. It had its

which Briareôs again comes to his aid163. There would also appear to have been some other ancient system of the celestial d

manifestly derived from the symbol for the earth164, it would seem to have been one of the systems in which earth and water

ter of Erebos, to whom she bore Day and Æther168. She is then said to have produced without a sire Fate (Мόρος) and Kêr, Dea

had cast Zeus into a slumber, the god on waking sought him, and would have flung him from the sky down into the sea, but tha

eeks, places the pastures of the solar steeds in the West, where they have ambrosia for grass207; and Statius208, in a beaut

he Sun sets out from it on his diurnal course, when his steeds’ manes have been adorned by Lucifer and Aurora, we may presum

n ; but as the former poet names the horses of Eôs, he must naturally have supposed Helios to have driven similar steeds alo

et names the horses of Eôs, he must naturally have supposed Helios to have driven similar steeds along the sky. In the Hymns

rst inhabitants of the isle of Rhodes227. The Graces are also said to have been daughters of Helios by Ægle (Splendour)228.

he course ; the world is set on fire, and a total conflagration would have ensued, had not Zeus, at the prayer of Earth, lau

to account for the origin of the electron or amber232, which seems to have been brought from the Baltic to Greece in the ver

account for the origin of remarkable animals. The Eridanos is said to have been a mere poetic name, there being no stream ac

the neglected Clytia pining away became a sunflower235. Here also we have one of the legendary origins of natural productio

ount Latmos, the place of his repose255. The god Pan was also said to have gained her love under the form of a snow-white ra

me exempt from death ; but the love-sick goddess, having forgotten to have youth joined in the gift, began with time to disc

-force), probably the daughter of Pontos and Earth288. Astræos, as we have just seen, was by Eôs the father of the Winds. Pa

poet who devised the mythe of the six male and six female Titans must have intended to employ them in pairs in the task of p

us in the new order of things. This is surely not the order one might have anticipated. It is now, however, hardly possible

er will. Though an only child (in contrast to Apollo and Artemis, who have similar power) she is honoured with all power amo

ompanions of the original deity. In this manner, supposing Artemis to have been an original moon-goddess, her epithet of Far

been an original moon-goddess, her epithet of Far-shooter (ἑκάτη) may have separated from her, and have become another moon-

, her epithet of Far-shooter (ἑκάτη) may have separated from her, and have become another moon-goddess, for such is the real

oon-goddess, for such is the real character of Hecate ; or Hecate may have been the primitive name of the moon-goddess of on

dess of one of the tribes of Greece. The system of Theocrasy which we have already mentioned frequently confounded deities w

hich had been separated in the progress of time. In Hecate we seem to have instances of both processes ; she was identified

ying Hecate had eaten them304. The reason of this offering is said to have been that she might prevent the souls of the dead

from appearing305. A name of this goddess was Brimo306. This seems to have been chiefly employed to denote her terrific appe

overthrow of the latter by Zeus and his other children, the Kronids, have been already narrated. According to the Theogony3

Western Ocean317. The golden age, so celebrated by poets, is said to have been in the reign of Kronos, when, according to H

f this practice with the legend of Kronos devouring his children, may have sufficed for the Greeks to infer an identity of t

m Olympos to Hesperia, and his there establishing the golden age, may have been indebted for its origin to the legend of the

e doubted if the poet who drew the following picture of Olympos could have conceived it to be no more than the summit of a t

circles it around, On which the happy gods aye dwell in bliss332. We have observed above, that man loves to bestow his own

and wrong, and are implacable toward their enemies, or even those who have slighted them349. Their power was held to extend

human ability and success was ascribed to them. They were believed to have power over the thoughts of men, and could imperce

ey usually remitted their wrath if thus appeased352. The Homeric gods have all different ranks and offices ; Olympos being i

tials ; but their dress, especially that of the goddesses, appears to have been the workmanship of Athena or the Graces359.

s, they, like the men of those ages, went barefoot. The Titans, as we have seen, were twelve in number, six of each sex. In

tia, Athena, Aphrodite, and Artemis369. This arrangement could hardly have been known to Homer, who never mentions Hestia, a

to be fixed on as that of the Titans and the Olympians371 ; or it may have been because twelve was the political number of t

uity of his decrees and to ‘justify his ways385.’ The Theogony, as we have seen, represents Zeus as the lastborn child of Kr

he gods who appear in his poems, and it follows thence that they must have been born in some definite places, he never indic

began to creep in among the Greeks, each people supposed the deity to have been born among themselves. The Cretan legend mus

nd last came the poets, who detailed the amorous history. It seems to have been an ancient opinion that the gods used to ass

s, it is Poseidôn that unyokes his horses432; the same god is said to have given the Harpy-born steeds of Achilles to Peleus

ibyans being an agricultural, not a seafaring people) the agents must have been the Phœnicians, who also, we are assured, br

the sea been worshiped in Egypt, beyond question the historian would have derived Poseidôn from that country. Again, what c

cians and Scythians, renowned in all ages for their horses437, should have first received these animals from the coast of Af

eep ; in Plautus439 one of the characters says, “That is to say, you have been carried on a wooden horse along the azure ro

hould hold the dominion in common. In like manner Poseidôn is said to have contended with Hera for Argos446, and with Helios

th447; with Zeus for Ægina448, and with Dionysos for Naxos449; and to have exchanged Delos and Delphi with Apollo for Calaur

to the poorest cultivator on earth than a king in those regions. They have no strength or power of mind or body470. Some few

ising, that men who had such a dreary prospect before them should not have been more attached to life, and more averse from

oncile its future mistress. In reading the ‘portentous lies’ (as they have well been termed481 ) of the Egyptian priests on

ad all visited Egypt483. But enough of such mendacity : we should not have noticed it, were it not that the fashion of traci

ion of the day and the setting of the sun with the close of life, may have led the Greeks485, or it may be the Phœnicians, t

ersephone under that of Subterrane (χθονία). The former would seem to have been placatory, like Eumenides that of the Erinny

t mention of a very remarkable notion of the Greeks. The dead seem to have been regarded in the light of victims offered to

d abundant opportunities of noticing her. By Hesiod496 she is said to have been the daughter of Kronos and Rhea. The hymn to

phæstos was the progeny of Hera without a sire ; she was also said to have given origin to the monster Typhaôn508. In the my

ταὼς), we must observe, was unknown in the days of Homer, when, as we have already shown, the gods had not as yet any favour

represented in those places where Hera was principally worshiped. We have above related the Argive legend in which the cuck

s bound to it probably to prevent her flight from Zeus. The cakes may have had some analogy with the confarreatio of the Rom

rose the annual ceremony. In the name Admeta, it will be observed, we have here again a reference to the chastity of the god

ία), the Consecrator (Τϵλϵία), the Marriage-goddess (Гαμήλιος). As we have already hinted, we are inclined to assent to the

he two derivations may in a certain sense be correct. The goddess may have been originally merely Earth, and then, as she se

object over which she presided and became the Olympian queen, she may have been regarded as the great Mistress545. Ἄρης.

rather a combination of two such mythes ; for beauty might naturally have been made the spouse of the god from whose worksh

ony of the universe557. Terror and Fear are also said by Hesiod558 to have been the offspring of Ares and Aphrodite, of whos

nion with Hephæstos (to whom he gives a different spouse) he seems to have known nothing. In the Ilias we may observe that A

of Ætolia561. The Hill of Ares (Ἄρϵιος πάγος), at Athens, is said to have derived its appellation from the following circum

ale in the Odyssey, Aphrodite the goddess of beauty580. He is said to have asked Pallas-Athene in marriage of Zeus, who gave

; 4. Renowned Artist ; 5. Very-renowned ;6. Wise, etc. Hephæstos must have been regarded originally as simply the fire-god,

h melodious voice. Eminent bards, such as Demodocos612, were held to have derived their skill from the teaching of Apollo o

Homeric Apollo is a being of remarkable purity, and the poet seems to have had a strong feeling of the dignity of his charac

ing the Pythôn, a being of demon-origin, deems the original legend to have been a still bolder stretch of fancy, and that it

d by the names which occur in the legend : for Admetos, he says, must have been an epithet of Hades ; Clymene, the name of A

lebrated were that of Delphi in Phocis, — his acquisition of which we have above related, and where, as the mythe of Pythôn

ous votaries. As the Homeric poems prove the worship of this deity to have been common to the Achæan race, and well known on

sts of Asia long before the Dorian migration, the critic is forced to have recourse to the not very probable supposition of

to Delos and Delphi. We cannot assent to this theory. Apollo seems to have been one of the original gods of the Grecian race

ehead holds, Easy to know, though beautiful are all. The Homerids have also sung the huntress-goddess : one of them in h

ved on him. He carries in the bull, or boar, or whatever else she may have brought, exhorting the goddess to let the hares a

r herself to Leto677 ; and in a fable later than Homer she is said to have detained the Grecian fleet at Aulis, in consequen

e of Agamemnôn’s having killed a hind which was sacred to her, and to have required the sacrifice of his daughter Iphigeneia

at the supposed beast, by her art pierced each other and died678. We have already noticed the practice of the Greeks to uni

comes a question whether (like Artemis of Ephesus, with whom she must have been identical) she derived her appellation from

assigned as the birth-place of Artemis by Homer, in whose time, as we have more than once observed, that practice had not ye

r is their character in the Homeric and Hesiodic poetry, where, as we have seen, Apollo appears only as the god of prophecy,

Hermann716, Völcker717, Nitzsch718 and Müller719,) maintains such to have been the original conception of these deities, wh

e, they were only restored to their original nature and character. We have more than once hinted our inclination to regard t

who separate these deities from the sun and moon. This however might have been nothing more than the arbitrary procedure of

the employment of the lyre in his worship. Artemis may in like manner have been regarded as the goddess of the chase from he

goddess is usually the lame artist Hephæstos. Her amour with Ares we have already narrated ; and Hermes, Dionysos, and Pose

and the matter being referred to Zeus, he decreed that Adonis should have one third of the year to himself, be another thir

in that case the mournful and the joyful parts of the festival should have been held at different times of the year, and not

ons, who esteemed their gods to be so little superior to men, may not have believed them to have been really and not metapho

r gods to be so little superior to men, may not have believed them to have been really and not metaphorically put to death.

ss was identified with Aphrodite Archaia, to whom Theseus was said to have dedicated an altar at Delos771 : possibly it was

and loved it when she saw how delightful it was ; and she is said to have burned it by the dripping of the lamp, because al

hazardous : for fancy presided over its birth, and fancy must always have a large share in the attempts made to develope it

ng but amusing narrative. The story of Cupid and Psyche may after all have been, as some think, nothing more than a Milesian

s ; she wove her own robe and that of Hera, which last she is said to have embroidered very richly795. When the hero Iasôn w

Tegea she was worshiped under the title of Alea. She contended, as we have seen, with Poseidôn for Athens and Trœzên, and, a

whose temple stood a statue of the goddess813 ; she was also said to have given fire to the Athenians814 ; perpetual flame

aintained in her temples at Athens and Alalcomenæ815. It could hardly have been from any other cause than that of her being

s of the moon. There are two other interpretations of this name which have had more general currency. The one supposes it to

one supposes it to signify Head-sprung, as the word τριτὼ is said to have signified Head in some of the obscurer dialects o

ut accounts like this are very suspicious, and the later Greeks would have made little scruple about coining a term if they

ill after the colony had been settled at Cyrene, this theory seems to have little in its favour. Müller821 therefore at once

godless. Here, however, again Homer presents a difficulty, for, as we have already observed, the practice of assigning birth

actice of assigning birthplaces on earth to the gods does not seem to have prevailed in his age. Indeed we strongly suspect

and other places, who had been identified with the Athenian Maid, may have originally been the same with Hera and Demeter826

es of myrtle and tamarisk under his feet, that the herdsman-god might have no clue by which to trace his cattle. As he passe

success with the fair sex, both among gods and mankind. Homer, as we have observed above, says that Eudoros, one of Achille

large quantity of gold, and drove him out of the house till he should have given it. Pallas-Athene incensed at her unhallowe

re the Hermeracles, Hermathenæ and others. One of these compounds may have given origin to the tale of Hermaphroditos. By Ho

erve, the son of Zeus and Maia, probably Mother Earth856. He seems to have been the deity of productiveness in general, but

to be a protector in general861. For this cause, among others, it may have been that godsends or treasure-trove were ascribe

rations extended into the interior of the earth, Hermes would seem to have been in some points of view identified with Hades

to Hermes, that of conducting the departed to Erebos. Possibly it may have been on this account that Solôn directed the Athe

ghed up, and the grass or corn cut down. The eyes of Argos might then have originally signified the flowers with which the m

d879, and she does not appear among the gods on Olympos. She seems to have been early distinguished from the goddess called

ave been early distinguished from the goddess called Earth880, and to have been regarded as the protectress of the growing c

ascend to Olympos, or suffer the earth to bring forth, till she shall have seen her daughter. Finding that there was no othe

ed, And not unwillingly the coursers flew. Quickly the long road they have gone ; not sea Nor streams of water, nor the gras

the fancy of poets and vanity of the inhabitants of different places have taken abundance of liberties with the ancient tal

taken abundance of liberties with the ancient tale. There are, as we have already observed, no traces of this legend in Hom

is last circumstance betrays the late age of the fiction ; for, as we have already observed, in the time of Homer celestial

nd water being the causes of growth and increase in the natural world have been enveloped901. Perhaps the Demeter-Erinnys wa

able-vested ; 6. White-horsed, etc. The name of Demeter offers, as we have seen, no difficulty whatever ; but that of her da

ght-destroyer, a name corresponding well with Aïdes and Erebos913. We have ventured to offer this conjecture concerning the

oncerning the origin of the name Persephone, because we think critics have gone into an extreme respecting the religious opi

Pelasgians. For as there appears reason to suppose their religion to have been of a very rural character, the view generall

these deities ; which however remained so long confined to them as to have given origin to a proverb (Ἀττικοὶ τὰ Ἐλευίνια) a

 ; whence it follows as a necessary consequence, that the rites could have contained nothing that was grossly immoral or ind

solemn occasions. The delivering of a public discourse would in fact have been quite repugnant to the usages of the Greeks

inisters, the lesser stars. These fancies of priests and philosophers have been by modern writers formed into a complete sys

ις), played on the stringed instrument named phorminx. She is said to have invented hymns to the gods. Terpsichore, the muse

choric Dance (χορεία), appeared in a dancing posture. She was said to have invented the pipe (αὔλος). Urania, the muse of As

mouth, or carried a roll. Pieria in Macedonia is said by Hesiod937 to have been the birth-place of the Muses ; and everythin

llas938. Almost all the mountains, grots, and springs from which they have derived their appellations, or which were sacred

onless, and Helicôn swelled up with delight, so that his summit would have reached the sky had not Poseidôn directed Pegasos

egarded as connected in some way with the water the poet would hardly have thus represented them, as the humour would not ha

poet would hardly have thus represented them, as the humour would not have been fully appreciated by the audience. We may fu

d religion bear so great an affinity to those of Greece) seem also to have connected music with the water in their ancient r

twelve962. Some made them seven or ten in number963. The Horæ seem to have been originally regarded as the presidents of the

hen filled with shame she flies to Paphôs976. Yet though they seem to have been particularly attached to the goddess of love

tification of them was easy. The moon was believed by the ancients to have great influence over growth in general996 ; and a

uty1025, and are named as the punishers of perjury1026 : even beggars have their Erinnyes, that they may not be insulted wit

id to be a Titaness, one of the daughters of Heaven and Earth, and to have borne to Zeus, the Fates, and the Seasons, Peace,

by Zeus on his throne to give him counsel1034. Themis is said1035 to have succeeded her mother Earth in the possession of t

her mother Earth in the possession of the Pythian oracle1036, and to have voluntarily resigned it to her sister Phœbe, who

ps says But how shall men esteem us gods, and not Jackdaws, since we have wings and fly about ? To which Peisthetæros repl

ωμος. Momus. This god of raillery and ridicule does not appear to have been known to Homer. By Hesiod1053 he is classed

l qualities (of which the preceding articles are instances), seems to have been coeval with Grecian poetry and religion. It

ges in Homer in which there is any mention of or allusion to this god have been suspected by the ancient critics, either on

tion is spurious. In the last book of this poem1087 Thetis is said to have brought an urn (ἀμϕιϕορῆα), the gift of Dionysos,

alfcaste, as we may call them, Heracles, Achilleus, Sarpedôn, Æneias, have no advantage over their fellow-mortals, except gr

d obtained the power of a god1092. Supposing therefore Dionysos to have been, as his name might appear to indicate, one o

produce, with which the ‘sons of the Achæans’ were so familiar, could have been without a presiding god,) he may have been r

s’ were so familiar, could have been without a presiding god,) he may have been regarded as a son of Zeus by a goddess named

fter-times, in pursuance of a practice hereafter to be explained, may have been degraded to the rank of a heroine, and Diony

lained, may have been degraded to the rank of a heroine, and Dionysos have consequently become the son of Zeus by a mortal m

g and festivity ; and the festival of the deity presiding over it may have been a very joyous one, and celebrated with abund

, and celebrated with abundance of noise and mirth. Such, we say, may have been (for we venture not to assert it) the origin

eities into the system, particularly if their attributes or festivals have a resemblance to any of the old ones1096, the wor

his Dionysiac religion, that it is quite evident the latter could not have been known in Greece during the Achæan period1098

ek writers, on whom it is not impossible the Bramins imposed, as they have since done on the English, gave out that Dionysos

t produce that plant1107. This last is the absurd hypothesis which we have seen renewed in our own days, and supported by al

e theme of poets, especially of the dramatists, they do not appear to have been narrated in continuity, like those of Heracl

probably the inventions of the poet1115 ; in other parts he seems to have adhered with tolerable fidelity to his authoritie

ing over growth and increase in general ; and as Hermes, who seems to have been originally of coextensive power with him, wa

gradually restricted and made a god of cattle alone, so Dionysos may have been limited to the care of plants, particularly

eities sanctioned by those Athenian laws, which direct that those who have committed manslaughter should be brought before t

gement should be solemnly purified, — of which laws Dracôn is said to have been the author ? This religion was also confirme

f his contemporaries had known anything of that art, he needed not to have sent Odysseus to the nether-world. After a little

most ancient poems of Bacis, Pamphôs, Olên, and the Sibyls, appear to have been patched up, and all the avenues of pious fra

me of Onomacritus1135.” It is needless to remind our readers, that we have no account on which we can place reliance of any

. The revolution named the Return of the Heracleids, which is said to have occurred somewhat less than a century after that

race to abandon their country and seek new settlements. They seem to have turned their eyes to the former realms of the Tro

of thé kind between them and the Phrygians, whose religion we know to have been different1136. It does not however seem to h

igion we know to have been different1136. It does not however seem to have been the practice of the Aœdi to attend to distin

os, of Berecynthos, Sipylos, Cybelos ; from which last she is said to have derived her name, though the reverse is more like

Marsyas, and Attis were all ancient Phrygian deities. Marsyas, as we have seen, was a river-god ; and Attis, whose name occ

ke Adonis, a personification of the Sun, of whose union with Earth we have apparently another instance in Amphiôn and Niobe.

to her ; as from the former she made the pipes, and Attis was said to have been changed into the latter. We find from Pindar

s, the presents which they give to Menelaos are such as a Greek would have given. Egyptian antiquity knows nothing of tripod

he worship of the Grecian deities, the artful priesthood of Egypt may have contrived to frame the system above noticed, of t

e instructor of Apollo in divination1169. The worship of Pan seems to have been confined to Arcadia till the time of the bat

ia vincit amor.” In Arcadia, his native country, Pan appears never to have attained to such distinction. So late as the days

g1178. The god of herdsmen was not without his amours ; he is said to have captivated the goddess of the night, Selene, unde

occur in various relations to gods and men. Their amours, of which we have seen some instances, were numerous. The charge of

, when she informs Anchises that she is pregnant, and of her shame to have it known among the gods, says of the child1235, —

threatened penalty was inflicted1238.” The nymph Echo had been, as we have seen, beloved by the god Pan. She was also, we ar

rtifice, she declared by way of punishment, that in future she should have but little use of her tongue ; and immediately sh

er were vanquished ; and the nymphs cried out to them, “O youths, you have been contending with the Epimelian nymphs ! you s

the lyre made from the tortoise1244 ’ The word Nymph (νύμϕη) seems to have originally signified bride, and was probably deri

e statue of Tritôn at Tanagra being headless. He then subjoins, —  “I have seen another Tritôn among the curiosities of the

cales, and is of about the same hardness as the skin of a fish : they have fish-gills under their ears : their nostrils are

fingers and nails are of the form of the shells of shell-fish : they have , instead of feet, fins under their breast and bel

a Sidonian. Πόταμι. Fluvii. River-gods. Each river was held to have its presiding deity, who deity in it and directed

ey were aided by a serpent named Ladôn1283. These apples were said to have been the gift of Earth to Hera on her weddingday1

gave them Phor-cys and Keto for parents1285. Their names are said to have been Ægle, Erytheia, Hestia, and Arethusa1286, or

s1289. Their apples are supposed, and not entirely without reason, to have been a fiction, indebted for its origin to the ac

Gorgons and the Grææ are always mentioned together, and they seem to have been appropriated to the mythe of Perseus. We mig

ropriated to the mythe of Perseus. We might therefore suppose them to have been a pure poetic fiction, were it not that, as

crested waves that dash against the rocks of the coast1305. They must have originally belonged to the Sea (Pontos), whose gr

we think, placed by the Theogony in Oceanic isles ; they may however have dwelt on the opposite coast, though we believe fe

mple to him after that event1320. Boreas is also said by Homer1321 to have turned himself into a horse out of love to the ma

himself into a horse out of love to the mares of Erichthonios, and to have begotten on them twelve foals. Zephyros (Ζέϕυρς)

n named Carpos (Fruit) 1323. The South- (Νότος) and East-wind (Εὔρος) have been left without adventures. The Winds have all

ς) and East-wind (Εὔρος) have been left without adventures. The Winds have all wings or horses and chariots in the works of

e spoken of in the Odyssey1331 ; this people however are also said to have inhabited Epeiros1332, in which case nothing defi

s therefore justified in supposing that the Singer of the Odyssey may have chosen to regard all westwards of Greece as one w

Egypt is to Crete, we must suppose the country of the Lotus-eaters to have been far more to the west. They seem in the poet’

rs to have been far more to the west. They seem in the poet’s view to have been the last tribe of ordinary men in that direc

to have been the last tribe of ordinary men in that direction, and to have dwelt on the verge of the land of fable. The Lotu

. e. westwards1336, and came to that of the Cyclopes, which could not have been very far distant, or the poet would in that

very far distant, or the poet would in that case, as he always does, have specified the number of days occupied in the voya

e, being the son of Poseidôn and a sea-nymph : he is also said1337 to have been the strongest of the Cyclopes. It is not a l

of the Cyclopes ;’ and if it had been an island, he would, as usual, have noticed the circumstance : he would also have tol

nd, he would, as usual, have noticed the circumstance : he would also have told us with what wind they sailed to it, if it h

self1343. Γίγαντϵς. Gigantes. Giants. The Giants would seem to have dwelt westwards of the Cyclopes, the original cou

on to the fiction of a Giant-war. The peninsula of Pallene is said to have been the place of conflict, and with the aid of t

rbonian bog, Betwixt Damieta and Mount Casius old, Where armies whole have sunk. Typhon, or Typhaôn, is apparently the same

for that of Laputa1355. At the time when Odysseus came to it, it must have been lying near the country of the Cyclopes ; but

is departure and return. The Latin poets, following the later Greeks, have placed Æolos in the Liparæan islands1356. Λαισ

a, which we shall show to be near the extremity of the Sea, could not have been considerable, as the length of time consumed

oticed, of the abode of the Sun and Dawn being in the West, which may have engendered a belief that at the western extremity

those scattered by the poet over the Mediterranean, for it appears to have lain on the very edge of the Ocean-stream ; and a

s whom Homer calls human-speaking (αὐδήϵσσαι), and who do not seem to have possessed the power of moving through the air or

eam carried it along, and they reached Ææa while it was yet night. We have here a proof that the course of the Ocean was nor

p left the Ocean and entered the Sea, it was at Ææa. Circe is said to have had by Odysseus a son named Telegonos (Far-born),

god of the sea1369. The Moly (μῶλν), is said by these late writers to have sprung from the blood of a giant slain by Helios,

Ææa to the West, from their proper place in the East1373 ; and he may have retained the description of Ææa, which accords pe

he tales of the West find their way to the East ? On this question we have offered some remarks elsewhere, to which we must

wn out again, and resumed his voyage. Such is the earliest account we have of these monsters, in which indeed it may be doub

embling Charybdis, the most that can be said is, that that strait may have given occasion to the fable. Homer, however, woul

consequence of her intimacy with Poseidôn1400. Charybdis was said to have been a woman who stole the oxen of Heracles, and

llent isle of the god 1406, whose peculiar property it therefore must have been ; that according to the analogy of the Odyss

must have been ; that according to the analogy of the Odyssey it must have been a small island, for such were Ææa, Ogygia, a

s flocks and herds, and his two daughters their keepers. He must also have conceived it to lie much more to the west than Si

nceived it to lie much more to the west than Sicily, for it could not have been more than the third day after leaving Ææa th

ed even Hermes, one of the dwellers of Olympos1411. The poet seems to have conceived Ogygia to lie in the northwestern part

d are altogether as imaginary as any of the isles and tribes which we have already noticed, — all as ideal as those visited

y to Corcyra, for we know not what the Ionian Singer’s idea of it may have been. All we will say is, that his language respe

nd that if the Cyclopes were on the coast of Libya, Corcyra could not have been Scheria. The firm persuasion of the identity

ia. The firm persuasion of the identity of these two islands seems to have been produced by two passages of the poem, the on

m, the one in which Eurymedusa, the attendant of Nausicaa, is said to have been brought from Apeiros, which is taken to be E

at she knew anything of either Thrinakia or Scheria, and Odysseus may have taken the liberty of assigning a false position t

d its oracle at Dodona were so well known to the poet as they seem to have been, he never could have described the Phæacians

e so well known to the poet as they seem to have been, he never could have described the Phæacians, supposing Corcyra to be

n the trade of the Phœnicians in those early ages. Supposing Syria to have lain to the west of Greece, it follows that this

tive country by Taphian pirates, and sold to the father of Eumæos. We have now completed our survey of the magic isles and c

Great streams, ye springs and rivers, and ye hills Wood-hung ; for I have now gone o’er the whole Flood of the sea, and all

ke that of the earth their abode, is a subject which will be found to have engaged the thoughts of almost every race that oc

lf, has led almost all races to conceive the original state of man to have been one of peace and happiness. At all periods o

to transfer these ideas to the race of man ; to suppose them also to have commenced in blissful infancy, amid the abundant

infancy, amid the abundant wealth and careless ease of nature, and to have progressively passed through different stages, de

dened vice of mature and declining age. Most mythic systems therefore have their golden age1438. Ages of the World. H

nal mythe. Völcker1446 on the other hand considers the Heroic race to have been an essential part of the original mythe, whi

the however there is great confusion, for its original sense seems to have been lost very early, and Prometheus to have been

original sense seems to have been lost very early, and Prometheus to have been viewed as a Titan and the creator or instruc

le that fed on the inconsumable liver of Prometheus1468. In a word we have here a Grecian mythe of the Fall of man, which we

itrator, and he decided that, as Jupiter had given it life, he should have the body, but that as Care had formed it she shou

very pretty fable, which adds another instance to the many legends we have already given, invented to account for properties

ght of the evils of old-age. The malignant snakes moreover, when they have an opportunity, communicate their thirst to manki

se first men lived in intimate relation with the gods, who, as we may have already seen, were by no means beings of pure ben

mated in the transaction respecting the fire of which Zeus is said to have deprived men, and which Prometheus stole and brou

er Hellenic mythes of the origin of mankind, such as the one which we have given above ; but incongruities little discompose

times of Augustus some vestige of the old sense of the mythe seems to have remained ; for Horace classes Prometheus with Dæd

er from heaven by Pandora. It is rather strange how this notion could have prevailed, when the species of vessel was so expr

a phrase that does not at all accord with such a box as Pandora could have carried with her. Further it is said that ‘Hope a

ble house within the jar1485 ;’ where, though interpreters in general have understood the word house to signify the jar, an

tions on the subject. In the first place, as Buttmann and many others have observed, the resemblance between this mythe and

lgar female curiosity. It seems very strange that the ancients should have taken so little notice of this mythe. There is no

in Grecian literature, except in the fable of Babrius, who is said to have been anterior to Phædrus, in Nonnus1490, who left

thing untouched, and in the epigrammatist Macedonius1491. It seems to have had as little charms for the Latin poets ; even O

f learning the narrative in Hesiod was misunderstood ; and of this we have a convincing proof in Natalis Comes, one of the e

a scholar as Buttmann was deceived by it, and led to suppose such to have been the prevalent opinion among the ancients.

mong the ancients. Δευκαλίων καὶ Πύῤῥα. Deucalion et Pyrrha. We have seen that the ancient mythology of Greece contain

who sent Hermes desiring him to ask what he would. His request was to have the earth replenished with men. By the direction

and irreconcilable mythes. The circumstance of the ark would seem to have been learned at Alexandria1496, for we elsewhere

arest to the truth if we were to say, that those tribes who appear to have retained a recollection of that great event, have

ribes who appear to have retained a recollection of that great event, have inferred it from the evident tokens of inundation

races which derived their origin from Thessaly, and were believed to have advanced southwards, conquering and displacing th

degree of civilisation. They had not yet any common name, and seem to have had but little previous intercourse with foreign

e sacerdotal caste, and as some of the early tribes of Europe seem to have been similarly situated, some modern writers assu

m to have been similarly situated, some modern writers assume such to have been the early state of Greece, and even fancy th

from their favourite occupation of cultivating the land, but which we have no reason to suppose was ever common to the whole

this Pelasgian race1514, or one which had conquered them, is what we have no means of determining. The poems give not a hin

t the martial character of the race who fought at Thebes and Troy may have been developed by peculiar circumstances from the

liar circumstances from the peaceful one which is usually supposed to have distinguished the Pelasgians1515. Previous to the

migration, which is an undoubted historic event, there is supposed to have been some commotion in Thessaly, produced probabl

he most probable hypothesis on this subject, to suppose the Greeks to have been always one people, under different denominat

h as it continued to be in Arcadia to a late period ; and that, as we have seen in the case of Hermes, when the Achæan and H

ones were assigned them. The original meaning also of many mythes may have gone out of use ; what had been symbolical and al

y have gone out of use ; what had been symbolical and allegorical may have been understood literally and regarded as a real

tood literally and regarded as a real event ; purely imaginary beings have been esteemed actual personages, and the legends

ave been esteemed actual personages, and the legends relating to them have been treated as genuine history ; and hence have

nds relating to them have been treated as genuine history ; and hence have arisen many of the mythic persons, whose names in

have arisen many of the mythic persons, whose names indicate them to have been personifications of natural objects, or epit

-mythic inhabitants of the country, whom we denominate Pelasgians. We have already pointed out the incredibility of the hypo

history of Greece is genealogical ; all the personifications which we have just noticed are woven through one another in a m

e scenes of them. Without venturing to assert that it is the best, we have given the preference to the latter mode, and shal

urper of life1542. In narrating the adventures of Iasôn and Medeia we have followed Apollodorus, who seems to have adhered c

ntures of Iasôn and Medeia we have followed Apollodorus, who seems to have adhered closely to the versions of the legend giv

nd given by the Attic tragedians, in whose hands the hero and heroine have undergone the same fate with those of other place

lished1544.’ It is evident therefore that this poet supposed Iasôn to have reigned at Iolcos after his return from his great

his voyage, and retired with Medeia to Corinth1549. Iasôn is said to have put an end to his life after the tragic fate of h

doubted. Medeia seems plainly to be only another form of Hera, and to have been separated from her in the manner of which we

f Hera, and to have been separated from her in the manner of which we have already given instances. She is the counselling (

ght for his sword, but in vain ; and the Centaurs coming on him would have put him to death, but for Cheirôn, who saved him,

s founded only prevailed in the heroic age. Its chief object seems to have been to inspire horror for the violation of the d

1583. We also find the name Centaurs in the Odyssey1584. They seem to have been a rude mountaintribe, dwelling on and about

One of the most celebrated of the Lapiths was Cæneus, who was said to have been originally a maiden named Cænis. Poseidôn ha

— the former, the rude horse-riding tribes which tradition records to have been spread over the north of Greece ; the latter

gin simply κέντωρ 1600 as much more probable. Lapiths may, he thinks, have signified Stone-persuaders 1601 (from λᾰας πϵίθϵι

of towns. He supposes Hippodameia, as her name seems to intimate, to have been a Centauress, married to the prince of the L

is introduced into the mythe of Heracles, whose friend he is said to have been. The Marriage of Ceÿx (Τάμος Κήϋκος) was a c

of Ceÿx and Halcyone is apparently one of those legends, of which we have seen so many examples, devised to account for the

Migration. We may observe that the genuine mythic legends of Calydôn have been connected with the ethnographic genealogy.

Cadmos ; in the Odyssey1629 the sea-goddess Ino-Leucothea is said to have been a mortal, and daughter to Cadmos. Hesiod1630

edible, that a seafaring commercial people like the Phœnicians should have selected as the site of their very earliest forei

er. It is also strange that the descendents of these colonists should have so entirely put off the Phœnician character as to

ld be victorious in war. The name of this people (Ἐγχέλεις, eels) may have had its effect on the legend of the change of Cad

eant the Eupatrids, or ancient nobility of Thebes, of which there may have been only five Houses (γένεα). As such were fond

by his fate. Agaue (Illustrious) is an epithet of Persephone, who may have been made a heroine, as Thebes was a principal se

nt, and walled-in the town ; for which purpose the stones are said to have moved in obedience to the lyre of Amphiôn. Zethos

nd she was changed into a nightingale (ύηδών). Zethos is also said to have fallen by the arrows of Apollo. This legend is th

archy, as at Sparta and at Rome in its origin, and he conceives it to have been established by one of the ancient houses, as

m, though dead, Persephoneia has granted reason, that he alone should have sense while others flit about mere shades1695.’ W

nks previous to revealing to him the future1696. Teiresias is said to have been the son of Eueres and the nymph Chariclo, of

d Phlegyans. Even to Homer but a slight breath of their fame seems to have come1703. Pausanias1704 relates, that the country

himself Andreïs. He was succeeded by his son Eteocles, who is said to have been the first who sacrificed to the Graces. Eteo

ed the wrong origin of the name Minyans given to the heroes, which we have just mentioned. It is a remarkable fact, that Orc

neighbourhood ; and nothing but superior wealth and naval power could have induced them to admit the distant Orchomenos into

em he abstained from matrimony. As he grew rich and old, he wished to have children ; and going to Delphi, he consulted the

r his accomplice, cut off his head1713. Trophonios himself is said to have been shortly afterwards swallowed up by the earth

in underground treasuries or granaries, the brothers may in one sense have been the builders, in another the plunderers of t

re ancient form of the mythe, and the original conception of them may have been similar to that of the Molionids. It was pos

d on him, broke his ribs, and but for the prayers of Persephone would have killed him on the spot. He then asked Pluto to gi

ls, and entered. Heracles followed with his drawn sword, for he would have no one thought his superior. When Telamôn saw thi

ept Nestôr, who was living with the Gereneans1774. He is also said to have wounded. Hades and Hera as they were aiding the P

the as the constant guardian of the hero. The number of tasks may not have been originally twelve, though most accounts agre

invasion, which they were intended to justify ; there may, he allows, have been an Argive hero of perhaps the same name, who

he Greek colonists of the places which are made the scene of them. We have thus given a sketch of the theory of this most ab

s however may be obviated by supposing the name of the Dorian hero to have been different, and that of the Argive to have be

of the Dorian hero to have been different, and that of the Argive to have been adopted in its stead. But again, it does not

contrary, all analogy would lead us to suppose him, from his name, to have been her favourite1789. We would therefore hint a

ends, such as that of Geryoneus. In the Homeric poems there is, as we have seen, frequent mention of Heracles ; and in the T

Ogyges, in whose time the Bœotic flood is placed, is said by some to have been the first who reigned over Attica and Bœotia

eusinos was the founder of Eleusis. But in general Cecrops is held to have been the first who ruled over the country called

m, and Attica from its peninsular form. He is said by mythologists to have been an autochthôn, i. e. one who came from no fo

and as it were from, the land ; and, like autochthones in general, to have had a body composed of those of a man and a snake

c. 1582. It may therefore seem strange that Cecrops should apparently have been utterly unknown to Homer and Hesiod ; that t

it was said, and that a species of this insect was named κϵρκώπη, we have perhaps the simple origin of Cecrops1799. Κρα

, another autochthon, in whose time the flood of Deucaliôn is said to have happened. He married Pedias the daughter of Menyt

ropolis, and instituted the festival of the Panathenæa. He is said to have been the first who used the four-horsed chariot.

-pigeon1810. This fable seems to be one of considerable antiquity. We have already seen it under another form in the Odyssey

Pandionis, evidently alluding to it ; and elsewhere he is said1813 to have related that the nightingale had been deprived of

and, and its resemblance to Teres, a name of the kings of Thrace, may have caused him to be regarded as a Thracian. If it be

by her husband, she fled to Minôs king of Crete, whom she enabled to have children, and received the dog and dart in return

y1822, and the story is probably one of some antiquity. Though, as we have seen, an attempt was made to convert Cephalos int

rmity another daughter was added, whose name shows that she could not have belonged to the original mythe. It is, we should

as not the daughter of a king of Attica ; yet the real Erechtheus may have been her mythic sire. Κρέουσα, Ξοȗθος καὶ ῎Ιω

rried to Ægeus, fearing the loss of her influence when Theseus should have been acknowledged by his father, resolved to anti

were united for a common political and religious object, — could not have been a real person, much less a king of Attica. W

s, whom the more ancient tradition viewed as the first Attic king. We have seen how entirely Cecrops and his family belong t

his temple also was the well of salt water which Poseidôn was said to have produced with his trident ; it was called the ‘Er

between the Erechtheids and Theseus ; and Pylos would probably never have been king of Megara, if the Neleids of Pylos had

e introducers of the worship of Apollo into Attica, where it seems to have been originally confined to the military class. T

speak of real persons. Lycos, Pallas and Nisos, the sons of Pandiôn, have as little claim to reality as any of the others.

to reality as any of the others. As the Lyceion at Athens was said to have been named from Lycos, and there was on it a temp

he god and the prince were the same person. Pallas may in like manner have been connected with the patron-goddess of the cit

f the month, which was the sacred day of Poseidôn1861. There seems to have been a distinction between the ancient Poseidôn-E

ntures are manifestly formed on those of Heracles, whom he is said to have emulated, we are struck by the absence of the mar

VI. MYTHES OF CORINTH. The ancient name of Corinth was said to have been Ephyra, so called from one of the Ocean-nymp

yphos, that is the Very-wise, or perhaps the Over-wise 1873, seems to have originally belonged to that exalted class of myth

rvour and bustle of commerce1878. The legends above narrated probably have their sole origin in the name of Sisyphos. Βε

the foundation of this mythe lies still deeper. In Bellerophontes we have only one of the forms of Poseidôn, namely as Hipp

; and he is also the sire of Pegasos1885 ; and in the two combined we have a Poseidôn-Hippios, the rider of the waves, — a s

the navigation of the ancient Ephyra. The adventures of the hero may have signified the real or imaginary perils to be enco

empt at connecting Greece and Egypt in the mythic period ; for, as we have shown above, the Egyptian origin of the Attic Cec

nd bore a son named Epaphos1900. The legend of Io would not appear to have attracted so much of the attention of the elder p

o have attracted so much of the attention of the elder poets as might have been expected. Homer never alludes to it, unless

the country. Such was perhaps the original simple legend, and it may have had its source in the notions of the loves, the m

e sons, Palamedes, Oïax, and Nausimedôn. In this celebrated legend we have a very heterogeneous mixture of peoples and count

reeks, who are also called Argeians and Achæans. The names of nations have never, except among nomadic tribes, been derived

r calls it thirsty, πολυδίψιον), and the word δανὸς signifies dry. We have here then a simple derivation for the name Danaan

dry nature of the soil. We see therefore that the physical legend may have existed long before there was any intercourse wit

s any intercourse with the great land of mystery, and like that of Io have been subsequently modified so as to suit the new

hs, they contended for the kingdom ; and on this occasion are said to have been the inventors of shields. Prœtos was worsted

e of Dionysos for their contempt of his rites, and he would appear to have struck them with leprosy and with inordinate lust

of the original mythe. In such case the legend of the Prœtides would have some analogy with that of Io. Ἀкρίσιος, Δαναὴ

f the oracle about a son ; and the god replied, that he would himself have no male issue, but that his daughter would bear a

s hospitably entertained by that happy people1942. He is also said to have turned Atlas into a mountain on his return1943, a

er them, gave origin to the numerous broods of serpents by which they have ever been infested1944. The origin of the coral i

is spoken of as a well-known event. There does not however appear to have ever been a poem solely dedicated to the adventur

dia will account for the different forms of the mythic narratives. We have already hinted that mythes were generally very si

the guide of heroes at the time when the mythe was extended, she may have been substituted for the original goddess1962. We

h perfection as to be able to restore life to the dead. He is said to have thus recalled from the nether-world Capaneus and

unmixed Pelasgian ; and its principal deities are those which seem to have been worshiped by that people, namely Zeus, Herme

ount Lycæon, at the foot of which stood the town of Lycosura, said to have been built by Lycaôn, who established there games

name for Zeus, to whom he raised an altar, and he could not therefore have been described as impious in the primitive legend

ure wool, — an art which he learned from Aristæos1987. In Callisto we have another instance of the practice of converting an

en substituted1991. The resemblance between Arcas and ἄρκτος may also have had some effect on the formation of this legend19

h her in the following manner. She was to be armed, and the suitor to have the odds ; if she overtook him she was to kill hi

(κάζω), and Polydeukes, Dewful (δϵύω, δϵκής). In Helena therefore we have only another form of Selene ; the Adorner is a ve

rmer and the part of Thessaly about the Pagasaïc bay there appears to have been a very early connexion, as its mythic heroes

l came but the vulture ; but none was able to tell how Iphiclos might have children. They therefore brought the vulture, who

Iphiclos, scraping off the rust, drank it for ten mornings, he would have a child. All was done as the prophet desired, and

signed to the soothsaying Iamids of Olympia. The tradition appears to have been that they came from Arcadia. Poseidôn, we ma

d into a hero in the usual manner. As the ancient Epeians are said to have been Lelegians, and this people also dwelt in the

who with the moon is the author of the months ; or supposing this to have been a Lelegian mythe, and therefore long anterio

g anterior to the institution of the Olympic games, the daughters may have been the weeks of the year (the round number bein

nice and Therophone the daughters of Dexamenos2045 : they fell, as we have seen, by the arm of Heracles : their sons Amphima

At an entertainment given to the gods by Tantalos, he is said to have killed and dressed his son Pelops, and to have se

antalos, he is said to have killed and dressed his son Pelops, and to have set him for food before them. Demeter had eaten o

ched in bright curves over the marriagebed2064. Pelops is said2065 to have promised Myrtilos for his aid one half of the kin

ed Myrtilos for his aid one half of the kingdom, or as other accounts have it, to give him a share in the favours of Hippoda

es not confirm it ; and it seems very strange that Homer should never have alluded to the Asiatic origin of the Atreids if i

ps Tantalides’2072 ; which passage is the earliest intimation that we have of any connexion between Pelops and Tantalos, as

mes in the Peloponnese was built by Pelops. If the principle which we have advanced in the case of Pegasos, of different kin

related of the same object, Pelops, i. e. the Pelopians2077, may also have been regarded as a physical being, and the mythes

it to ‘lambabounding’ Thyestes, who left it to Agamemnôn2083. Here we have a family of princes rich in cattle legitimately t

ere invented. The author of the Alcmæonis, whoever he was, is said to have related the story of the gold-fleeced lamb2084. W

t frequently alluded to by Æschylus2085, though he does not appear to have made the deeds of Atreus and Thyestes the subject

of a drama. Sophocles wrote two Thyestes, and Euripides one ; and we have probably their contents in the legends transmitte

siod probably related the story at length ; but he does not appear to have made Europa a Sidonian, as was afterwards the pra

ountry, and obtained the sovereignty of a part of it. Zeus is said to have bestowed on him a life of treble duration2095 . R

eyed on the victims given to him2100 . The principal actions of Minôs have been already related2101 . He is said to have fal

ncipal actions of Minôs have been already related2101 . He is said to have fallen in a war against Cocalos king of Sicily, w

s to enlarge their own narrow cycle at the expense of others, seem to have joined her with their Theseus, and it was thus pe

he Moon, of which last the names of the Minoïc family would appear to have been appellations. Thus Europa (Broad-face) is th

the sea on a bull is an ancient expression of this idea. The same may have been the origin of the tale of Pasiphae's love fo

tan cycle only personifications of the moon, Minôs and his family may have been real persons named after their favourite dei

fire, so perhaps in that of the Æacids there is one to water. Thus we have in it Asopos, Ægina, Psamathe, Phocos, Thetis, Pe

ia, a town of the Tanagraïc or Theban territory in Bœotia, is said to have been the birth-place of Oriôn. As Zeus, Poseidôn,

with their host, they inquired if he had any wish which he desired to have gratified. Hyrieus replied, that he once had a wi

and heroines2137 ; but with Oriôn and these nymphs the case seems to have been reversed, the constellations having been bro

ξα) to a rude carriage is obvious enough, and the similitude seems to have struck both Greeks and Scandinavians2138. It stil

g together (whence they were also named the ‘Bunch’2143) might easily have suggested the idea. In like manner we think it pr

r therefore at particular seasons of the year the nocturnal sky would have presented the following appearance. The broad bri

ian women having, it was said, offended Aphrodite, she caused them to have an ill smell ; so that their husbands, unable to

ring him call, went with his drawn sword to aid him, supposing him to have fallen into the hands of robbers. Meeting Heracle

and by the vanity of those whose patron-heroes they were. It may also have been that the commercial voyages of the Minyans w

d-mines of Thasos or Pangæos were wrought so early, their produce may have given its golden hue to the fleece. This however

hat the Argonauts returned home through the Mediterranean, and, as we have seen, they were made to pursue the same route in

Ister flowed directly from the Alps, and he maintained that they must have gone up the Tanaïs ; in this however he had been

went to Epeiros, and founded Acarnania. In the preceding narrative we have probably the contents of three of the poems of th

is connected with the topography of western Greece. The cyclic poems have perished, as also has the Thebaïs of Antimachus ;

sts, Pausanias and other authors. Of the dramas on this subject there have come down to us the noble ‘Seven against Thebes’

nderings of Odysseus until his arrival in the island of the Phæacians have been already related2237. He was most hospitably

r was very copious. Of the original poems the Ilias and Odyssey alone have come down to us ; fragments only exist of the rem

emaining parts of the Cycle ; to judge by those of the Cypria it must have been a very beautiful poem ; those of the others

n a manuscript Homer at Venice. It is by these fragments that critics have been able to ascertain what the Epic Cycle really

en able to ascertain what the Epic Cycle really was. The Cycle, as we have observed, existed long after the commencement of

er the commencement of the Christian æra, and various poems appear to have been made from it. That of Quintus Smyrnæus in fo

n of his works on this subject which has reached us ; of Sophocles we have the Philoctetes, Ajax and Electra, and of Euripid

des the Hecuba, Troades, Andromache, Helena, Electra and Orestes ; we have also the Rhesus of another poet. The Cassandra of

coast of Asia ? To this we are inclined to answer in the negative. We have seen the personages and events of Grecian mytholo

but a scientific product from epic poems and local traditions2241. We have before noticed the Grecian habit of supposing tha

had acquired, and supposing therefore Achæans from the Peloponnese to have conquered a tract about the Hellespont, they may

nnese to have conquered a tract about the Hellespont, they may easily have conceived that the great hero of Argos, Heracles,

had led a host thither and taken and plundered a large city. This may have been at first a simple tradition ; it may have be

a large city. This may have been at first a simple tradition ; it may have been then expanded in ballads ; the number of war

 ; it may have been then expanded in ballads ; the number of warriors have been increased as colonists from other parts of H

plain, the tombs probably of princes and warriors of an extinct race, have been regarded as those of Trojan and Achæan chief

arded as those of Trojan and Achæan chiefs2242 ; and thus the war may have finally acquired the magnitude and importance whi

cause for this war was to be assigned, and the manners of the age may have suggested that of the abduction of a Grecian prin

ave suggested that of the abduction of a Grecian princess2243. But we have shown that the person selected is a purely imagin

any real people, we may observe that the names of the adverse leaders have no similarity to Grecian ones ; but all those of

he length of the war too is incredible ; no volunteer army would ever have remained so long absent from their homes and fami

emporary writers, and becomes as true as that of any other people. We have thus seen that the heroes, like the gods, of Gree

e creations of imagination. At the waving of the mythologie wand they have all melted into air, and Grecian history appears

Italy the case was different : the people of this country seem not to have possessed the lively fancy and ready invention of

. When, therefore, the papyrus made its way to Italy, though it might have found numerous ballads in praise of illustrious m

obtained those oracles called the Sibylline Books, which are known to have been Greek, and which always enjoined the adoptio

lcanus, Summanus, Vejovis and others of the Romans. Nine were held to have the power of casting the lightning, namely, Jupit

tirely derived from Etruria. The Latin Religion. Late writers have made it extremely probable that the Latins were a

ut Zeus and Demeter or Earth. As this is a circumstance that seems to have almost totally escaped the notice of modern inqui

do not follow the Persian Magi, at whose impulsion Xerxes is said to have burnt the temples in Greece, because they shut up

ius, who says2266 that “the ancients called all the gods fathers.” We have not the same direct evidence of the goddesses bei

Jovino, which was contracted by use to Juno. This name therefore must have originally signified simply goddess, and we find

t of that of the former deity, for in the Roman religion she seems to have ranked before Juno. On the side of the Cælian hil

pet and flute came to the Romans from Etruria, this proves Minerva to have been introduced from that country. No derivation

l in name and office. There is every reason to believe her worship to have been unborrowed by the Romans, and a part of the

s in several of the streets2307. Stata Mater is generally supposed to have been Vesta. We find this last also called Mater.

3 says that in the Sabine language Ceres signified bread ; but it may have done so only figuratively. Venus. Venus i

almost everything peculiar to her has disappeared. She cannot however have been one of the original deities of Rome, as her

sured that she was unknown in the time of the kings2314. She seems to have been a deity presiding over birth and growth in g

wo festivals at Rome named Vinalia, in each of which there appears to have been a reference to this goddess. The first was o

ine gate, whence we may collect that such was their practice ; and we have here a proof of the identification of the Roman d

1, 112, and elsewhere. 10. The earliest allusion to this practice we have met with is in Eurip. Bac. 26. 11. Paus. viii. 1

 26. 44. It is remarkable enough that the German mystic mythologists have either embraced Popery or shown a strong tendency

or shown a strong tendency toward it. 45. We would advise those who have studied the writings of Creuzer, Görres, Schellin

(De L. L. iv. p. 13. Bip.). 98. Herod. iv. 37-41. 99. Asia seems to have been at first nothing more than the rich land on

anted thither from Crete, its original soil. The whole fable seems to have been unknown to Homer, who always speaks of Zeus

, their navigation, and their civil institutions and occupations, and have no winter. But Thetis, the Soother (θέω), who red

e Heliades of Æschylus and the Phaëthôn of Euripides. Ovid appears to have followed closely the former drama. Hyginus and th

h doubt if the favourite theory of Voss (of which the idea appears to have been given by Eustathius) of these soles having a

Greek ἐπίσσωτρα. We can hardly suppose the smiths of Homer's days to have understood the mode of shoeing in a hoop. 366. T

by evidence. He founds it on Il. xiv. 201. 387. These beings, which have been confounded with the Corybantes and others, a

is curious to mark the apparent progress of this tale. In the text we have followed Callimachus (Hymn iv. 37. seq.), who say

i. 484. seq. Ilesiod, Works, 217. seq. 400. Met. viii. 620. seq. We have been unable to discover his Greek original. 401.

nable to discover his Greek original. 401. The reader will doubtless have observed the resemblance between this legend and

account of Lot and the angels in the book of Genesis, which last may have been carried to Greece, or have been learned by t

n the book of Genesis, which last may have been carried to Greece, or have been learned by the Greeks at Alexandria. See Lec

36. b. Voss, Anti-Symb. i. 203, 204. The ancient Hebrews seem also to have had gloomy ideas of Sheôl, their under-world ; th

was to be passed is mentioned in the Ilias (xxiii. 73.), but that may have been the ocean-stream. 474. The earliest mention

cems almost peculiar to the Odyssey ; the only allusion to it that we have met with elsewhere is in Sophocles (Œd. Tyr. 176.

. 600. See above, p. 64. 601. II. xxi. 499. 602. Hesiod also could have known nothing of this enmity, as (Th. 918.) he ma

Delos having been an invisible or floating island, does not appear to have been devised when this hymn was composed. We meet

ch. xii. Muses. 631. Ovid, Met. x. 106. seq. Serv. Æn. iii. 64. We have not met any Greek authority for this legend, and

373. This critic gives strong reasons for supposing the Hyacinthia to have been originally a feast of Demeter. The legend in

of these two gods in the undoubtedly genuine parts of the poem, must have some suspicion of this legend. The building of th

ing of the wall is spoken of elsewhere (vii. 452.), and it is said to have been the work of both the gods. 646. Apollod. i.

uod etiam nosmet, propria experientia edocti, attestari possumus.» We have ourselves heard the trumpet-tones of a swan. See

of a Sailor, i. 270. See Plut. Sympos. iii. 10. The Spanish women (we have read) will expose themselves without fear to the

the allusion to the rural character of the god. 861. He is said to have been called στρϕαȋος (Et. Mag. s. v.), from the t

ver queries if it should not be θαλασσονόμος. Could that strange poet have alluded to the practice of mixing sea-water with

g. 291.) renders it good, from the Laconic χάος, χαίος, ἀχαȋος, which have that signification in Aristoph. Lys. 91. 1157. an

. Fulgent. ii. 19. “The moon is believed by the Hindoo naturalists to have a powerful effect on vegetation, especially on ce

er’s gods being winged. It is remarkable that P. Knight, who seems to have known nothing of that theory, rejects the episode

s well as Homer made Pæôn distinct from Apollo. Solôn would appear to have done the same, ver. 57. compared with ver. 53. 1

the Bacchic orgies obtained a footing in that city, he would probably have figured as a Pentheus in the mythic annals of Rom

by one Dionysius, which treated of this war. 1116. Nonnus appears to have been well versed in the various poems ascribed to

ee Buttmann, Mytholog. ii. 159. seq. Lobeck, 1007. seq. These writers have collected all the passages in the ancients relati

ץӀæδ is certainly a valley ; all the spots denominated slades that we have seen were rich, grassy, irriguous, but somewhat d

ήνης for Κιοθήνης in Æschylus’ Prometheus, 799 ; for this poet, as we have just seen, places the Gorgons near lake Tritonis.

indman, son of Horseman. 1355. It seems strange that Völcker should have left this circumstance so entirely out of view, a

lcker should have left this circumstance so entirely out of view, and have determined Æolia to be one of the Ægatian islands

vius quotes Sappho as an authority, Welcker (Tril. 71. note) seems to have reason for thinking that this legend should be as

x. 64. seq. 1495. See Aristot. Meteor. i. 14. 1496. It may however have owed its origin to the resemblance between λάρναξ

1516. Herod. vii. 176. Müller, Orchom. 377. 1517. These are said to have been the Bœotians, who conquered and expelled the

Thebes. This event is a mere conjecture, and it would rather seem to have been the Epigoni who destroyed the Cadmeian power

586. Pyth. ii. 78. seq. 1587. Ovid, Met. xii. 210. seq. He seems to have followed the drama of Æschylus named the ‘Perrhæb

0. Theog. 937. 975. 1631. Ol. ii. 142. 1632. It is mentioned, as we have seen, by Pherecydes and Hellanicus. 1633. Accord

as Antiope (above, p. 312.). The root of Zethos may be ζάω or ζέω. We have elsewhere (above, p. 61.) the Sun the father of t

he penultimate. If he did not read by accent, the line would probably have been, as Pearce proposed to read, And Phineus an

Hom. Hymn to Pyth. Apoll. 118. 1713. The same trick is also said to have been played on Augeas, king of Elis, by Trophonio

too absurd to deserve refutation. But these ingenious writers should have known that no practice is more common, and that a

one of the tales which the Egyptians (who, by the way, seem never to have been an inventive people,) borrowed from the Gree

149. 1745. The proper scene of the adventure with the Centaurs must have been Thessaly, as in Euripides, Her. Fur. 365. se

ble. The legend was framed, he thinks, when the Greeks first began to have intercourse with Egypt, and expresses their idea

4. Buttmann, Mytholog. i. 246. seq. 1785. As Homer does not seem to have known anything of the Hyperboreans, the task of g

. He was said to be the prince of the Thracians, who were supposed to have dwelt in the old times in Daulis. Thuc. ii. 29. A

. 21. The practice of sending a ship annually to Delos — whatever may have given occasion to it — long continued. While it w

t his dog was called Cerberos, who tore Peirithoös to pieces, etc. We have already expressed our dissent from this tasteless

ode of procedure. 1848. The circumstance of women accusing those who have refused their favours is common to the history an

well known how fond people are of turning foreign words into such as have a signification in their own language, ex. gr. Be

nifred’s well in Drayton’s Polyolbion, Song x. “A fountain is said to have broke out in the place where St. Osithe was behea

so Völcker, Myth. der Jap. 200. seq. 1959. The chamber of Danae may have been called brazen to denote the hardness of the

d (see above, p. 32.), but the ancient Cyclopian treasuries appear to have been lined with brass. See Leake, Travels in the

ing inserted, as was often done. See Schwenk, 193. Possibly there may have been a Pelasgian word akin to the German zünden a

icion of iv. 514-520 being an interpolation be correct, Homer may not have made Ægisthos the son of Thyestes. 2088. Paus. v

ound between μύρμηξ, an ant, and Myrmidous, the tribe who are said to have dwelt in Ægina. 2112. Theog. 1004. 2113. Apollo

eq. Hygin. 195. P. A. ii. 34. Eudocia, 441. Pindar also would seem to have related it (Strab. ix. 1.). The unseemly legend o

ame from πλέω to sail, though apparently so obvious, does not seem to have occurred to the ancients. 2143. Βότρυѕ, Sch. Il.

Colchis. In the poem named ‘The Wedding of Ceÿx,’ Heracles is said to have been left behind at Aphetæ, where he went for wat

de of the Euxine, where the town of Tomi (τόμοι cuttings) was said to have derived its name from it. Apollod. i. 9, 24. Ovid

2181. Eur. Fr. Meleag. 18. 2182. Pind. Nem. ix. 57. seq. 2183. We have already (above, p. 178. note.) given what is perh

ia was then invented to account for the similarity. There may however have been an ancient Grecian legend of Iphigeneia. See

iii. 12. 6. Quint. Smyr. x. 259. seq. Conôn, 22. Parthen. 4. It must have been in the Epic Cycle. 2221. Here ends the Litt

as Odysseus did all the western part of the Mediterrauean. Libya must have bordered on the Lotus-eaters. 2232. See above, p

ry of Soohrâb in the ‘Tales and Popular Fictions’ (p. 164.) we should have said, “The circumstance of a son thus slain by hi

s, and thence their mutual jealousy. He also supposes the Pelopids to have meditated the recovery of the dominion of which t

s, 170. seq. The inventors of the mythic legends however could hardly have believed them to be true. Anaxagoras and other ea

the Grecian mythes. In their original and true sense they were, as we have seen, perfectly pure and moral. 2249. In like ma

mythology in such a manner as to make them a source of amusement. We have endeavored to tell them correctly, according to t

necessary to complete the subject, though it is believed these topics have not usually been presented in the same volume wit

ng chosen mythology as connected with literature for our province, we have endeavored to omit nothing which the reader of el

ient Greece and Rome are extinct. The so-called divinities of Olympus have not a single worshipper among living men. They be

into oblivion. We propose to tell the stories relating to them which have come down to us from the ancients, and which are

Milton alludes to them in Paradise Lost. He says the heathens seem to have had some knowledge of the temptation and fall of

urn are not very consistent; for on the one hand his reign is said to have been the golden age of innocence and purity, and

entwined with two serpents, called the caduceus.2 Mercury is said to have invented the lyre. He found, one day, a tortoise,

hatever evils are abroad, hope never entirely leaves us; and while we have that, no amount of other ills can make us complet

le than the former; for how could hope, so precious a jewel as it is, have been kept in a jar full of all manner of evils, a

s of our origin.   The comparison of Eve to Pandora is too obvious to have escaped Milton, who introduces it in Book IV. of

r, which was renewed as fast as devoured. This state of torment might have been brought to an end at any time by Prometheus,

secret which involved the stability of Jove’s throne, and if he would have revealed it, he might have been at once taken int

tability of Jove’s throne, and if he would have revealed it, he might have been at once taken into favor. But that he disdai

fering, and strength of will resisting oppression. Byron and Shelley have both treated this theme. The following are Byron’

elf elated with his recent victory over Python, he said to him, “What have you to do with warlike weapons, saucy boy? Leave

saucy boy? Leave them for hands worthy of them. Behold the conquest I have won by means of them over the vast serpent who st

eople together, and acquaintance ripened into love. They would gladly have married, but their parents forbade. One thing, ho

he found the veil all rent and bloody. “O hapless girl,” said he, “I have been the cause of thy death! Thou, more worthy of

and my love is as strong as thine. I will follow thee in death, for I have been the cause; and death which alone could part

parents of us both, deny us not our united request. As love and death have joined us, let one tomb contain us. And thou, tre

ollow him. If they had not seen his footprints in the sand they would have thought he flew. Cephalus and others stood on a h

e turned into stone. So lifelike and natural did they look, you would have thought, as you looked at them, that one was goin

, and forced herself to utter these few words: “I implore you, if you have ever loved me, if I have ever deserved kindness a

tter these few words: “I implore you, if you have ever loved me, if I have ever deserved kindness at your hands, my husband,

s, replied that it was a fresh creation from the earth. Juno asked to have it as a gift. What could Jupiter do? He was loath

, and at night tied her up with a vile rope round her neck. She would have stretched out her arms to implore freedom of Argu

outstretched hand. She longed to make herself known to him, and would have uttered her wish; but, alas! words were wanting.

nd, embracing her white neck, exclaimed, “Alas! my daughter, it would have been a less grief to have lost you altogether!” W

ck, exclaimed, “Alas! my daughter, it would have been a less grief to have lost you altogether!” While he thus lamented, Arg

was much beloved by the satyrs and spirits of the wood; but she would have none of them, but was a faithful worshipper of Di

was a faithful worshipper of Diana, and followed the chase. You would have thought it was Diana herself, had you seen her in

nto a bear. “I will take away,” said she, “that beauty with which you have captivated my husband.” Down fell Callisto on her

ty, became a horrid pair of jaws; her voice, which if unchanged would have moved the heart to pity, became a growl, more fit

ld the cause of her coming: “Do you ask why I, the queen of the gods, have left the heavenly plains and sought your depths?

ook when night darkens the world, and you shall see the two of whom I have so much reason to complain exalted to the heavens

, when such rewards are the consequence of my displeasure? See what I have been able to effect! I forbade her to wear the hu

ments result — such is the extent of my power! Better that she should have resumed her former shape, as I permitted Io to do

Prometheus, in J. R. Lowell’s poem, says: — “One after one the stars have risen and set, Sparkling upon the hoar frost of m

rian Cynosure.” Diana and Actæon. Thus in two instances we have seen Juno’s severity to her rivals; now let us le

s, our nets and our weapons are wet with the blood of our victims; we have had sport enough for one day, and to-morrow we ca

intruder, adding these words: “Now go and tell, if you can, that you have seen Diana unapparelled.” Immediately a pair of b

; but when he saw his horns in the water, “Ah, wretched me!” he would have said, but no sound followed the effort. He groane

t in a stag’s, — and falling on his knees, raised his eyes, and would have raised his arms in supplication, if he had had th

m regret that he should be away. He earnestly wished he was. He would have been well pleased to see the exploits of his dogs

ws and osiers. The goddess approached, and kneeling on the bank would have slaked her thirst in the cool stream, but the rus

ke my share of the common blessing. Yet I ask it of you as a favor. I have no intention of washing my limbs in it, weary tho

ldren, as it happened, were stretching out their arms. “Who would not have been moved with these gentle words of the goddess

e water. They still use their base voices in railing, and though they have the water all to themselves, are not ashamed to c

st of it. Their voices are harsh, their throats bloated, their mouths have become stretched by constant railing, their necks

, their mouths have become stretched by constant railing, their necks have shrunk up and disappeared, and their heads are jo

and said, “I call to witness the Sun which looks down upon us, that I have told you the truth. If I speak falsely, let this

omise; thrice and four times he shook his radiant head in warning. “I have spoken rashly,” said he; “this only request I wou

eaven is all the time turning round and carrying the stars with it. I have to be perpetually on my guard lest that movement,

u seek. Why do you hang round my neck and still entreat me? You shall have it if you persist, — the oath is sworn and must b

ve you to your chance, which I hope will plan better for you than you have done for yourself. Night is passing out of the we

le Bear were scorched with heat, and would fain, if it were possible, have plunged into the water; and the Serpent which lie

and with a husky voice called on Jupiter. “O, ruler of the gods, if I have deserved this treatment, and it is your will that

reward of my fertility, of my obedient service? Is it for this that I have supplied herbage for cattle, and fruits for men,

sion to the Sun’s palace and chariot. The water-nymph says, — “ —— I have sinuous shells of pearly hue Within, and things t

—— I have sinuous shells of pearly hue Within, and things that lustre have imbibed In the sun’s palace porch, where when uny

hed a sod; it did the same. He took an apple from the tree; you would have thought he had robbed the garden of the Hesperide

oman worthy of such a husband, speak, tell us your wishes; what favor have you to ask of us?” Philemon took counsel with Bau

sk to be priests and guardians of this your temple; and since here we have passed our lives in love and concord, we wish tha

r of Ceres, who threatens to follow their example. Now do you, if you have any regard for your own interest or mine, join th

ed her. “Go in peace,” she replied, “and be happy in your daughter; I have lost mine.” As she spoke, tears — or something li

d. While they were overcome with astonishment, she said, “Mother, you have been cruel in your fondness to your son. I would

d, “Mother, you have been cruel in your fondness to your son. I would have made him immortal, but you have frustrated my att

in your fondness to your son. I would have made him immortal, but you have frustrated my attempt. Nevertheless, he shall be

a passage with his prize to his own dominions. The river nymph would have told the goddess all she had witnessed, but dared

the blame on the innocent land. “Ungrateful soil,” said she, “which I have endowed with fertility and clothed with herbage a

o yield a passage to your daughter. I can tell you of her fate, for I have seen her. This is not my native country; I came h

namely, that Proserpine should not during her stay in the lower world have taken any food; otherwise, the Fates forbade her

mph all the flowery braids And festal rings, with which Olympic maids Have decked his current, as an offering meet To lay at

owe my change of form. I love Scylla. I am ashamed to tell you how I have sued and promised to her, and how scornfully she

was present at the festival, heard him and knew the thought he would have uttered; and as an omen of her favor, caused the

ope, horror-struck when she perceived what she had done, would gladly have hastened from the spot, but found her feet rooted

trunk, as if she would hold back the advancing wood, and would gladly have been enveloped in the same bark. At this moment A

ile she could she spoke. “I am not guilty. I deserve not this fate. I have injured no one. If I speak falsely, may my foliag

Where is that love of me that used to be uppermost in your thoughts? Have you learned to feel easy in the absence of Halcyo

you learned to feel easy in the absence of Halcyone? Would you rather have me away?” She also endeavored to discourage him,

he Day-star, that if fate permits I will return before the moon shall have twice rounded her orb.” When he had thus spoken,

aid farewell, and then fell senseless to the ground. Ceyx would still have lingered, but now the young men grasped their oar

d not bear any longer to be pleaded with for one already dead, and to have hands raised to her altars that ought rather to b

h her Ceyx. Utter not words of comfort, he is shipwrecked and dead. I have seen him, I have recognized him. I stretched out

not words of comfort, he is shipwrecked and dead. I have seen him, I have recognized him. I stretched out my hands to seize

wish, since thou wouldst go, thou hadst taken me with thee! It would have been far better. Then I should have had no remnan

adst taken me with thee! It would have been far better. Then I should have had no remnant of life to spend without thee, nor

the pitying gods both of them were changed into birds. They mate and have their young ones. For seven placid days, in winte

hard locked, and allowed not men to enter. The Fauns and Satyrs would have given all they possessed to win her, and so would

hink he had just come from turning over the grass. Sometimes he would have an ox-goad in his hand, and you would have said h

grass. Sometimes he would have an ox-goad in his hand, and you would have said he had just unyoked his weary oxen. Now he b

e, “if the tree stood alone, and had no vine clinging to it, it would have nothing to attract or offer us but its useless le

and will let an old woman advise you, — who loves you better than you have any idea of, — dismiss all the rest and accept Ve

story, which is well known in Cyprus to be a fact; and I hope it will have the effect to make you more merciful. “Iphis was

standing before her doors, he spake these last words: ‘Anaxarete, you have conquered, and shall no longer have to bear my im

these last words: ‘Anaxarete, you have conquered, and shall no longer have to bear my importunities. Enjoy your triumph! Sin

triumph! Sing songs of joy, and bind your forehead with laurel, — you have conquered! I die; stony heart, rejoice! This at l

e remembered in coming ages, and add those years to my fame which you have reft from my life.’ Thus he said, and, turning hi

h. It appeared to her like the sun bursting through a cloud. He would have renewed his entreaties, but there was no need; hi

said, “Why, my dear parents, do you now lament me? You should rather have grieved when the people showered upon me undeserv

ons, to keep concealed. “Why should you wish to behold me?” he said; “ have you any doubt of my love? have you any wish ungra

ould you wish to behold me?” he said; “have you any doubt of my love? have you any wish ungratified? If you saw me, perhaps

sted these persuasions as well as she could, but they did not fail to have their effect on her mind, and when her sisters we

rs like the tender blossoms of spring. As she leaned the lamp over to have a nearer view of his face a drop of burning oil f

r forgiveness, and perhaps her favor will restore you the husband you have lost.” Psyche obeyed the commands of Ceres and to

less of servants,” said she, “do you at last remember that you really have a mistress? Or have you rather come to see your s

aid she, “do you at last remember that you really have a mistress? Or have you rather come to see your sick husband, yet lai

f yours, wicked one, but his, whom to your own and his misfortune you have enticed.” So saying, she threw her a piece of bla

who said, “I know very well it is by none of your own doings that you have succeeded in this task, and I am not satisfied ye

you have succeeded in this task, and I am not satisfied yet that you have any capacity to make yourself useful. But I have

tisfied yet that you have any capacity to make yourself useful. But I have another task for you. Here, take this box and go

ne and threw it with all his force at the serpent. Such a block would have shaken the wall of a fortress, but it made no imp

ed to by Byron, where, addressing the modern Greeks, he says, — “You have the letters Cadmus gave, Think you he meant them

most kindly received, and the desired assistance readily promised. “I have people enough,” said Æacus, “to protect myself an

come of them?” Æacus groaned, and replied with a voice of sadness, “I have been intending to tell you, and will now do so, w

death. “What heart had I left me, during all this, or what ought I to have had, except to hate life and wish to be with my d

d them Myrmidons, from the ant, (myrmex,) from which they sprang. You have seen these persons; their dispositions resemble t

fe, and all the poets and writers of fiction since his day, when they have had occasion to describe a similar scene, have bo

nce his day, when they have had occasion to describe a similar scene, have borrowed their details from him. Chapter XIII

h force in the discharge; if he drew his bow Apollo himself could not have done it more gracefully. But when he laid aside h

an. And O, if any one should wound or kill Minos! No one surely would have the heart to do it; yet ignorantly, not knowing h

nd my father’s house. I ask no reward but yourself; for love of you I have done it. See here the purple lock! With this I gi

. “Ungrateful man,” she exclaimed, “is it thus you leave me? — me who have given you victory, — who have sacrificed for you

med, “is it thus you leave me? — me who have given you victory, — who have sacrificed for you parent and country! I am guilt

her with his beak and claws. In terror she let go the ship and would have fallen into the water, but some pitying deity cha

ling; she was fond of talking, and whether in chat or argument, would have the last word. One day Juno was seeking her husba

these words: “You shall forfeit the use of that tongue with which you have cheated me, except for that one purpose you are s

cept for that one purpose you are so fond of — reply. You shall still have the last word, but no power to speak first.” This

rted back, exclaiming, “Hands off! I would rather die than you should have me!” “Have me,” said she; but it was all in vain.

exclaiming, “Hands off! I would rather die than you should have me!” “ Have me,” said she; but it was all in vain. He left he

breasts Echo smote hers also. They prepared a funeral pile and would have burned the body, but it was nowhere to be found;

le pair         That likest thy Narcissus are?             O, if thou have         Hid them in some flowery cave,           

rang.   Hood, in his Flowers, thus alludes to Clytie: — “I will not have the mad Clytie,     Whose head is turned by the s

, the goddess of wisdom, was the daughter of Jupiter. She was said to have leaped forth from his brain, mature, and in compl

he web, or, after it was woven, adorned it with her needle, one would have said that Minerva herself had taught her. But thi

orm of an old woman and went and gave Arachne some friendly advice “I have had much experience,” said she, “and I hope you w

ss. On the contrary, I advise you to ask her forgiveness for what you have said, and as she is merciful perhaps she will par

dst. Neptune, the ruler of the sea, holds his trident, and appears to have just smitten the earth, from which a horse has le

n Jupiter advanced into the sea and swam with her to Crete. You would have thought it was a real bull, so naturally was it w

r. It was her children; and truly the happiest of mothers would Niobe have been if only she had not claimed to be so. It was

my form and presence unworthy of a goddess. To all this let me add I have seven sons and seven daughters, and look for sons

ons-in-law and daughters-in-law of pretensions worthy of my alliance. Have I not cause for pride? Will you prefer to me this

fer to me this Latona, the Titan’s daughter, with her two children? I have seven times as many. Fortunate indeed am I, and f

trong for Fortune to subdue. She may take from me much; I shall still have much left. Were I to lose some of my children, I

h you from these solemnities, — put off the laurel from your brows, — have done with this worship!” The people obeyed, and l

he dwelt she thus addressed her son and daughter: “My children, I who have been so proud of you both, and have been used to

and daughter: “My children, I who have been so proud of you both, and have been used to hold myself second to none of the go

s, younger boys, just from their tasks, had gone to the playground to have a game of wrestling. As they stood breast to brea

his ignorance that all needed not his intercessions; and Apollo would have spared him, but the arrow had already left the st

allery of Florence. It is the principal figure of a group supposed to have been originally arranged in the pediment of a tem

reek epigram supposed to relate to this statue: — “To stone the gods have changed her, but in vain; The sculptor’s art has

ern limit of the earth, where the sun goes down. Here he would gladly have rested till morning. It was the realm of King Atl

for her flowing tears and her hair that moved in the breeze, he would have taken her for a marble statue. He was so startled

ound.” At first she was silent from modesty, and, if she could, would have hid her face with her hands; but when he repeated

ke Perseus: “There will be time enough for tears; this hour is all we have for rescue. My rank as the son of Jove and my ren

y, in spite of her boasted beauty, black; at least so Milton seems to have thought, who alludes to this story in his Pensero

n as his own. It was in vain that Cepheus remonstrated, — “You should have claimed her when she lay bound to the rock, the m

g her to such a fate dissolved all engagements, as death itself would have done.” Phineus made no reply, but hurled his jave

n at Perseus, but it missed its mark and fell harmless. Perseus would have thrown his in turn, but the cowardly assailant ra

make my enemy defend me.” Then with a loud voice he exclaimed, “If I have any friend here let him turn away his eyes!” and

ired the whole of Mount Ætna to be laid upon him to keep him down. We have already spoken of the war which the giants waged

                          Upled by thee, Into the Heaven of Heavens I have presumed, An earthly guest, and drawn empyreal ai

alive. The Greeks embraced their hero, and Medea, if she dared, would have embraced him, too. It remained to lull to sleep t

for the flowers in the way. “Thus many like me, who in youth should have tasted     The fountain that runs by Philosophy’s

uns by Philosophy’s shrine, Their time with the flowers on the margin have wasted,     And left their light urns all as empt

Jason said to Medea, “My spouse, would that your arts, whose power I have seen so mighty for my aid, could do me one furthe

ping uncle of Jason, and had kept him out of his kingdom. Yet he must have had some good qualities, for his daughters loved

hariot before they discovered her treachery, or their vengeance would have been terrible. She escaped, however, but had litt

a sorceress, a class of persons to whom both ancient and modern poets have been accustomed to attribute every degree of atro

t thou hadst then died! Alas! evil is the conquest; but, brothers, ye have conquered.” And, turning away her face, she threw

Then Hippomenes addressed a prayer to Venus: “Help me, Venus, for you have led me on.” Venus heard and was propitious. In th

goal and skims over the sand. So light their tread, you would almost have thought they might run over the river surface or

pposite direction. Hercules was deceived by this stratagem, and would have failed to find his oxen, if it had not happened t

inding passages and turnings opening into one another, and seeming to have neither beginning nor end, like the river Maeande

ors under the name of Dioscuri, (sons of Jove.) They were believed to have appeared occasionally in later times, taking part

cent white steeds. Thus in the early history of Rome they are said to have assisted the Romans at the battle of Lake Regillu

o the gods themselves. Then she made known her request. The god would have stopped her as she spake, but she was too quick f

s part of his wanderings is his expedition to India, which is said to have lasted several years. Returning in triumph, he un

one there certainly is. Pardon us, gentle deity, for the violence we have done you, and give success to our undertakings.’

d them. ‘This ship shall not be profaned by such impiety,’ said I. ‘I have a greater share in her than any of you.’ But Lyca

shores you promised to take me to; yonder island is not my home. What have I done that you should treat me so? It is small g

celebrated the sacred rites of Bacchus.” Pentheus here exclaimed, “We have wasted time enough on this silly story. Take him

d, “We have wasted time enough on this silly story. Take him away and have him executed without delay.” Acetes was led away

e was torn to pieces, while his mother shouted, “Victory! Victory! we have done it; the glory is ours!” So the worship of Ba

hape, And downward fell into a grovelling swine.)” Ariadne. We have seen in the story of Theseus how Ariadne, the dau

s took pity on her, and consoled her with the promise that she should have an immortal lover, instead of the mortal one she

in leading the dances of the nymphs. He was fond of music, and as we have seen, the inventor of the syrinx, or shepherd’s p

uckled in a creed outworn, So might I, standing on this pleasant lea, Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn; Have si

on this pleasant lea, Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn; Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea, And hear ol

to Famine. As Ceres herself could not approach Famine, for the Fates have ordained that these two goddesses shall never com

en he awoke, his hunger was raging. Without a moment’s delay he would have food set before him, of whatever kind earth sea,

air produces; and complained of hunger even while he ate. What would have sufficed for a city or a nation, was not enough f

f inquired of about herself. She replied, “Pardon me, stranger, but I have been so intent upon my line that I have seen noth

, “Pardon me, stranger, but I have been so intent upon my line that I have seen nothing else; but I wish I may never catch a

another fish if I believe any woman or other person except myself to have been hereabouts for some time.” He was deceived a

d in his honor. He was called Portunus by the Romans, and believed to have jurisdiction of the ports and shores. Milton all

west; Notus or Auster, the south; and Eurus, the east. The first two have been chiefly celebrated by the poets, the former

with horns on my head. Or I should say I once could do so; but now I have but one horn, having lost one.” And here he groan

ht of the greatness of my conqueror, for it was Hercules. Perhaps you have heard of the fame of Dejanira, the fairest of mai

cal overflows by embankments and canals; and therefore he was said to have vanquished the river-god and cut off his horn. Fi

nt workmen who had made the thunderbolt. These were the Cyclopes, who have their workshop under Mount Ætna, from which the s

a substitute. But it was not so. Brave warriors, who would willingly have perilled their lives for their prince, shrunk fro

herself as the substitute. Admetus, fond as he was of life, would not have submitted to receive it at such a cost; but there

ast relieved him from his sufferings: — “Alas! I only wished I might have died With my poor father; wherefore should I ask

and sooner or later must pass to your domain. She too, when she shall have filled her term of life, will rightly be yours. B

ition, that he should not turn around to look at her till they should have reached the upper air. Under this condition they

own advantage. Hence sprang the art of keeping bees. Honey must first have been known as a wild product, the bees building t

us addressed her: “O mother, the pride of my life is taken from me! I have lost my precious bees. My care and skill have ava

ife is taken from me! I have lost my precious bees. My care and skill have availed me nothing, and you my mother have not wa

us bees. My care and skill have availed me nothing, and you my mother have not warded off from me the blow of misfortune.” H

tempt you to let go the chain, when he will make his escape. But you have only to keep him fast bound, and at last when he

whose bite she died. To avenge her death, the nymphs, her companions, have sent this destruction to your bees. You have to a

nymphs, her companions, have sent this destruction to your bees. You have to appease their anger, and thus it must be done:

tale Of his lost bees to her maternal ear.” Milton also appears to have had Cyrene and her domestic scene in his mind whe

represented by one tradition to be the son of Orpheus. He is said to have written sacred poems and oracles. Milton couples

as other narratives of the “Age of Fable,” that is, of the poets who have told them. In their present form, the first two a

him loud and mutinous, and said, “ Arion, you must die! If you would have a grave on shore, yield yourself to die on this s

equest, since nought will avail to save my life, that I may die, as I have lived, as becomes a bard. When I shall have sung

ife, that I may die, as I have lived, as becomes a bard. When I shall have sung my death song, and my harp-strings shall hav

bard. When I shall have sung my death song, and my harp-strings shall have ceased to vibrate, then I will bid farewell to li

yield uncomplaining to my fate.” This prayer, like the others, would have been unheeded, — they thought only of their booty

e know the power of song can tame his rage. Ye heroes of Elysium, who have passed the darkling flood, — ye happy souls, soon

hou canst not wend with me, nor I with thee. Companionship we may not have . May Galatea, queen of the deep, accord thee her

ch a god bestowed has been the delight of thousands, but false knaves have stripped me of my well-earned treasure; yet I ret

the ship arrived in the harbor, he summoned the mariners before him. “ Have you heard any thing of Arion?” he inquired. “I an

cus! him whom we all lament, whom some murderer’s hand laid low! What have the cranes to do with him?” and louder grew the s

ed that cry and the other to whom he spoke!” The culprit would gladly have recalled his words, but it was too late. The face

e early poets of Greece, but only a few fragments of his compositions have descended to us. He wrote hymns, triumphal odes,

child, Perseus, when grown up became a famous hero, whose adventures have been recorded in a previous chapter. Simonides p

on similar occasions, and one might suppose an ordinary mortal might have been content to share the praises of the sons of

perpetual youth united with perpetual sleep. Of one so gifted we can have but few adventures to record. Diana, it was said,

r son Dardanus. The sight had such an effect on her sisters that they have looked pale ever since.   Mr.  Longfellow has a p

and prevailed on Jupiter to grant him immortality; but, forgetting to have youth joined in the gift, after some time she beg

fined air making its escape from crevices or caverns in the rocks may have given some ground for the story. Sir Gardner Wilk

s flocks spread themselves around. Laying down his staff, which would have served for a mast to hold a vessel’s sail, and ta

t, saw Machaon wounded, and having told the cause of his coming would have hastened away, but Nestor detained him, to tell h

himself in fight to Patroclus. Jupiter looked down upon him and would have snatched him from the fate which awaited him, but

receive the fugitives, and to shut them as soon as the Trojans should have passed, lest the enemy should enter likewise. But

enter likewise. But Achilles was so close in pursuit that that would have been impossible if Apollo had not, in the form of

by whose command the people went to this day’s contest, where so many have fallen, seek safety for myself against a single f

h Achilles replied, “Dog, name not ransom nor pity to me, on whom you have brought such dire distress. No! trust me, naught

forth to the wall. When she saw the sight there presented, she would have thrown herself headlong from the wall, but fainte

mfort cheers me, whose bravest sons, so late the flower of Ilium, all have fallen. Yet one I had, one more than all the rest

One of these allies was Memnon, the Æthiopian prince, whose story we have already told. Another was Penthesilea, queen of t

y a celebrated statue of Minerva called the Palladium. It was said to have fallen from heaven, and the belief was that the c

g the encampment broken up and the fleet gone, concluded the enemy to have abandoned the siege. The gates were thrown open,

on, the priest of Neptune exclaims, “What madness, citizens, is this? Have you not learned enough of Grecian fraud to be on

hollow sound reverberated like a groan. Then perhaps the people might have taken his advice and destroyed the fatal horse an

Scythia, and to bring thence a statue of Diana which was believed to have fallen from heaven. Accordingly Orestes and Pylad

, and when at a safe distance Ulysses shouted out, “Cyclops, the gods have well requited thee for thy atrocious deeds. Know

whole magnificently entertained day after day, till Ulysses seemed to have forgotten his native land, and to have reconciled

er day, till Ulysses seemed to have forgotten his native land, and to have reconciled himself to an inglorious life of ease

tever he might say or do, by no means to release him till they should have passed the Sirens’ island. Ulysses obeyed these d

ss, detestable, filthy mesh, And merely given to the cold, bleak air. Have mercy, goddess! Circe, feel my prayer!” Scyll

had been warned by Circe of the two monsters Scylla and Charybdis. We have already met with Scylla in the story of Glaucus,

estruction was sure to fall on the offenders. Ulysses would willingly have passed the island of the Sun without stopping, bu

rest of the crew perished.   The following allusion to the topics we have just been considering is from Milton’s Comus, lin

is from Milton’s Comus, line 252: —                              “I have often heard My mother Circe and the Sirens three,

on, And fell Charybdis murmured soft applause.” Scylla and Charybdis have become proverbial, to denote opposite dangers whi

ant, and that it would be but a prudent preparation for that event to have a general washing of the clothes of the family. T

“The sites explain the Odyssey. The temple of the sea-god could not have been more fitly placed, upon a grassy platform of

n a line, and he whose arrow was sent through the whole twelve was to have the queen for his prize. A bow that one of his br

son they had persecuted for ten long years; and told them he meant to have ample vengeance. All were slain, and Ulysses was

— The Harpies — Dido — Palinurus. Adventures of Æneas. We have followed one of the Grecian heroes, Ulysses, in h

iness and hospitality. “Not unacquainted with distress,” she said, “I have learned to succor the unfortunate.” 23 The queen’

urus replied, “Tell me not of smooth seas or favoring winds, — me who have seen so much of their treachery. Shall I trust Æn

his way to final success. She closed with the encouraging words which have become proverbial: “Yield not to disasters, but p

The Infernal Regions. As at the commencement of our series we have given the pagan account of the creation of the wo

reathing fire. Æneas shuddered at the sight, drew his sword and would have struck, but the Sibyl restrained him. They then c

ed, “Those who are taken on board the bark are the souls of those who have received due burial rites; the host of others who

s of those who have received due burial rites; the host of others who have remained unburied are not permitted to pass the f

med his route. They next entered the fields where roam the heroes who have fallen in battle. Here they saw many shades of Gr

backs and fled, as they used to do on the plains of Troy. Æneas would have lingered long with his Trojan friends, but the Si

ch as fast as it is devoured grows again, so that his punishment will have no end. Æneas saw groups seated at tables loaded

s received in their country’s cause, holy priests also, and poets who have uttered thoughts worthy of Apollo, and others who

and poets who have uttered thoughts worthy of Apollo, and others who have contributed to cheer and adorn life by their disc

to cheer and adorn life by their discoveries in the useful arts, and have made their memory blessed by rendering service to

hing, he stretched out both hands to him, while tears flowed freely. “ Have you come at last,” said he, “long expected, and d

g expected, and do I behold you after such perils past? O my son, how have I trembled for you as I have watched your career!

ou after such perils past? O my son, how have I trembled for you as I have watched your career!” To which Æneas replied, “O

the individual; and we see men and women with their full-grown bodies have not the purity of childhood. So in proportion to

poet does not explain, to the upper world. Elysium. Virgil, we have seen, places his Elysium under the earth, and ass

ang the legend of the happy island Atlantis. This blissful region may have been wholly imaginary, but possibly may have spru

This blissful region may have been wholly imaginary, but possibly may have sprung from the reports of some storm-driven mari

d will myself bring offerings.” “I am no goddess,” said the Sibyl; “I have no claim to sacrifice or offering. I am mortal; y

I have no claim to sacrifice or offering. I am mortal; yet if I could have accepted the love of Apollo I might have been imm

I am mortal; yet if I could have accepted the love of Apollo I might have been immortal. He promised me the fulfilment of m

nd.’ Unluckily I forgot to ask for enduring youth. This also he would have granted, could I have accepted his love, but offe

t to ask for enduring youth. This also he would have granted, could I have accepted his love, but offended at my refusal, he

lowed me to grow old. My youth and youthful strength fled long ago. I have lived seven hundred years, and to equal the numbe

ved seven hundred years, and to equal the number of the sand grains I have still to see three hundred springs and three hund

urs. Rise! offer your vows to Juno, and deprecate her anger. When you have achieved your victory then think of me.” Æneas wo

and gave them laws. Such peace and plenty ensued that men ever since have called his reign the golden age; but by degrees f

d that he shall be given up to deserved punishment, and would ere now have attempted to enforce their demand; but their prie

y, and that their destined leader must come from across the sea. They have offered the crown to me, but I am too old to unde

by birth and time of life, and fame in arms, pointed out by the gods, have but to appear to be hailed at once as their leade

into such danger alone? Not so my brave father brought me up, nor so have I planned for myself when I joined the standard o

r may happen to me, I wish you to be safe. You are younger than I and have more of life in prospect. Nor can I be the cause

uryalus, assuring him of his lasting friendship. Euryalus replied, “I have but one boon to ask. My aged mother is with me in

his request. “Your mother shall be mine,” said Iulus, “and all that I have promised to you shall be made good to her, if you

pon Euryalus. “You shall pay the penalty of both,” he said, and would have plunged the sword into his bosom, when Nisus, who

, but must simply record the fate of the principal characters whom we have introduced to our readers. The tyrant Mezentius,

nd fear not but that your body shall be restored to your friends, and have due funeral honors.” So saying, he called the tim

rnus’s fortitude forsook him and he begged for mercy; and Æneas would have given him his life, but at the instant his eye fe

“Ring out, ye crystal spheres! Once bless our human ears     (If ye have power to charm our senses so;) And let your silve

ke up full concert with the angelic symphony.” Pythagoras is said to have invented the lyre. Our own poet Longfellow, in Ve

zed by certain signs. It was requisite that he should be quite black, have a white square mark on the forehead, another, in

cover his accomplice, cut off his head. Trophonius himself is said to have been shortly afterwards swallowed up by the earth

y sleeping in the temple. It has been inferred from the accounts that have come down to us that the treatment of the sick re

to Æsculapius, probably because of a superstition that those animals have a faculty of renewing their youth by a change of

es. A third theory has been advanced since the phenomena of Mesmerism have attracted attention, that something like the mesm

n mythology, and inquiry suggests itself. “Whence came these stories? Have they a foundation in truth or are they simply dre

in truth or are they simply dreams of the imagination?” Philosophers have suggested various theories on the subject; and 1.

s are derived from the narratives of Scripture, though the real facts have been disguised and altered. Thus Deucalion is onl

hus the story of Æolus, the king and god of the winds, is supposed to have risen from the fact that Æolus was the ruler of s

From these rudiments of learning sprung civilization, which the poets have always been prone to describe as a deterioration

f, That simple shepherd’s awe-inspiring god.” All the theories which have been mentioned are true to a certain extent. It w

ny one in particular. We may add also that there are many myths which have arisen from the desire of man to account for thos

for those natural phenomena which he cannot understand; and not a few have had their rise from a similar desire of giving a

rcise the highest powers of genius and art. Of the many attempts four have been most celebrated, the first two known to us o

erva of Phidias are lost, but there is good ground to believe that we have , in several extant statues and busts, the artist’

inity is in the act of stepping forward. The left arm, which seems to have held the bow, is outstretched, and the head is tu

[Homer.] Homer, from whose poems of the Iliad and Odyssey we have taken the chief part of our chapters of the Troja

, Scio, Rhodes, Colophon, Salamis, Argos, and Athens. Modern scholars have doubted whether the Homeric poems are the work of

ises from the difficulty of believing that poems of such length could have been committed to writing at so early an age as t

nto use. On the other hand it is asked how poems of such length could have been handed down from age to age by means of the

il, called also by his surname, Maro, from whose poem of the Æneid we have taken the story of Æneas, was one of the great po

these illustrious ancients. His poem of Paradise Lost, from which we have borrowed so many illustrations, is in many respec

gh the latter died when Ovid was yet too young and undistinguished to have formed his acquaintance. Ovid spent an easy life

ll poetical. Though these poems (the Tristia and Letters from Pontus) have no other topic than the poet’s sorrows, his exqui

c than the poet’s sorrows, his exquisite taste and fruitful invention have redeemed them from the charge of being tedious, a

d his Fasti. They are both mythological poems, and from the former we have taken most of our stories of Grecian and Roman my

ok be read; And, if aught true in poet’s visions be, My name and fame have immortality.” Chapter XXXVI. Modern Monster

Modern Monsters. There is a set of imaginary beings which seem to have been the successors of the “Gorgons, Hydras, and

itions, and, having no connection with the false gods of Paganism, to have continued to enjoy an existence in the popular be

he classical writers, but their chief popularity and currency seem to have been in more modern times. We seek our accounts o

sformed into a bird. Herodotus describes the bird, though he says, “I have not seen it myself, except in a picture. Part of

“I would scarcely believe that it kills with its look, for who could have seen it and lived to tell the story?” The worthy

of the irregular way in which he came into the world, was supposed to have a great antipathy to a cock; and well he might, f

nter the sacred place. The reader will, we apprehend, by this time have had enough of absurdities, but still we can imagi

hs dare blaspheme Freedom and thee? a new Actæon’s error Shall theirs have been, — devoured by their own hounds!         Be

list, out of whose account of the unicorn most of the modern unicorns have been described and figured, records it as “a very

d.” He adds that “it cannot be taken alive;” and some such excuse may have been necessary in those days for not producing th

iving animal upon the arena of the amphitheatre. The unicorn seems to have been a sad puzzle to the hunters, who hardly knew

, with which no hunter who was not exceedingly cunning in fence could have a chance. Others maintained that all the animal’s

n their heads a bony protuberance more or less like a horn, which may have given rise to the story. The rhinoceros horn, as

words: ‘My dear child, I do not give you that blow for any fault you have committed, but that you may recollect that the li

ence. Its viscous juice would do good service, and all who profess to have seen it, acknowledge that it got out of the fire

t. Under the Macedonian monarchy the doctrines of Zoroaster appear to have been considerably corrupted by the introduction o

sty, and conciliatory manners, they are favorably distinguished. They have numerous temples to fire, which they adore as the

of the universe, and the source from which all the individual deities have sprung, and into which all will ultimately be abs

tive, and has now only one temple in India, while Mahadeva and Vishnu have many. The worshippers of Vishnu are generally dis

cupations, existed from the earliest times. It is supposed by some to have been founded upon conquest, the first three caste

not allowed to visit the pagodas or temples of the other castes, but have their own pagodas and religious exercises. They a

sent as a delusive incarnation of Vishnu, is said by his followers to have been a mortal sage, whose name was Gautama, calle

is birth, presented before the altar of a deity, the image is said to have inclined its head as a presage of the future grea

d learning, and are supported at the principal temples, most of which have been richly endowed by the former monarchs of the

r several centuries after the appearance of Buddha, his sect seems to have been tolerated by the Brahmans, and Buddhism appe

seems to have been tolerated by the Brahmans, and Buddhism appears to have penetrated the peninsula of Hindustan in every di

have penetrated the peninsula of Hindustan in every direction, and to have been carried to Ceylon, and to the eastern penins

but to scatter it widely over adjacent countries. Buddhism appears to have been introduced into China about the year 65 of o

ted during former existences. But they hold that some few individuals have appeared on this earth from time to time, not und

ded to the earth to promote the welfare of mankind. These individuals have gradually assumed the character of reappearances

g merchants, of a Lama or spiritual chief among the Tartars, seems to have occasioned in Europe the report of a Presbyter or

la — The Valkyrior. Northern Mythology. The stories which have engaged our attention thus far relate to the myth

day over the whole world, and on their return report to him all they have seen and heard. At his feet lie his two wolves, G

hall of Odin, wherein he feasts with his chosen heroes, all those who have fallen bravely in battle, for all who die a peace

a box the apples which the gods, when they feel old age approaching, have only to taste of to become young again. Heimdall

rmed by solemn oaths, for without these precautions a giant would not have thought himself safe among the gods, especially w

ered into consultation, inquiring of one another who among them could have advised to give Freya away, or to plunge the heav

agreed that no one but Loki, the author of so many evil deeds, could have given such bad counsel, and that he should be put

r? Me thinks it is time for us to get up and dress ourselves; but you have not now a long way before you to the city called

t you have not now a long way before you to the city called Utgard. I have heard you whispering to one another that I am not

th thee hence.” “What new trial hast thou to propose?” said Thor. “We have a very trifling game here,” answered Utgard-Loki,

n. It consists in merely lifting my cat from the ground; nor should I have dared to mention such a feat to the great Thor if

the truth, now thou art out of the city, which so long as I live and have my way thou shalt never enter again. And, by my t

nown beforehand that thou hadst so much strength in thee, and wouldst have brought me so near to a great mishap, I would not

e, and wouldst have brought me so near to a great mishap, I would not have suffered thee to enter this time. Know then that

, I would not have suffered thee to enter this time. Know then that I have all along deceived thee by my illusions; first in

st me three blows with thy mallet; the first, though the least, would have ended my days had it fallen on me, but I slipped

ne of them remarkably deep. These are the dints made by thy mallet. I have made use of similar illusions in the contests you

thy mallet. I have made use of similar illusions in the contests you have had with my followers. In the first, Loki, like h

th, a deed so marvellous that had I not seen it myself I should never have believed it. For one end of that horn reached the

hearing these words Thor in a rage laid hold of his mallet and would have launched it at him, but Utgard-Loki had disappear

nched it at him, but Utgard-Loki had disappeared, and when Thor would have returned to the city to destroy it, he found noth

neither stones, nor sticks, nor any thing else can hurt Baldur, for I have exacted an oath from all of them.” “What,” exclai

have exacted an oath from all of them.” “What,” exclaimed the woman, “ have all things sworn to spare Baldur?” “All things,”

ecause I am blind,” answered Hodur, “and see not where Baldur is, and have , moreover, nothing to throw.” “Come, then,” said

d to gain all her love and good will. “For this,” said she, “shall he have who will ride to Hel and offer Hela a ransom if s

ing, as well as earths, and stones, and trees, and metals, just as we have all seen these things weep when they are brought

hing danger. He invented a net to catch the fishes, such as fishermen have used since his time. But Odin found out his hidin

caught him by the tail and compressed it, so that salmons ever since have had that part remarkably fine and thin. They boun

dwelling-places subterranean caves and clefts. They were supposed to have come into existence as maggots produced by the de

were frequently used for inscriptions, of which more than a thousand have been found. The language is a dialect of the Goth

criptions may therefore be read with certainty, but hitherto very few have been found which throw the least light on history

dead. The compositions of the Skalds were called Sagas, many of which have come down to us, and contain valuable materials o

at the time to which they relate. Iceland. The Eddas and Sagas have come to us from Iceland. The following extract fr

gives an animated account of the region where the strange stories we have been reading had their origin. Let the reader con

fe of every thing,” or “the source of all beings,” and which seems to have affinity with the Phœnician Baal. What renders th

given a detailed account of the manner in which this was done. “They have images of immense size, the limbs of which are fr

t on fire, those within are encompassed by the flames.” Many attempts have been made by Celtic writers to shake the testimon

oetry as well as the history of the Druids. In the poems of Ossian we have , if not the actual productions of Druidical times

To poverty they did not bind themselves; on the contrary they seem to have labored diligently to procure for themselves and

rts of life. Marriage also was allowed them, and most of them seem to have entered into that state. True, their wives were n

name of “Eilen nam ban,” women’s island, where their husbands seem to have resided with them, except when duty required thei

on thy deck, though dark it be,           A female form I see; And I have sworn this sainted sod Shall ne’er by woman’s foo

e circular Cairns which are found in various parts, and which seem to have been of Druidical origin. It is in reference to a

eris succurrere disco. —  Virgil . Not unacquainted with distress, I have learned to succor the unfortunate. No. 13. Pa

n deity Cronos (Time,) which, as it brings an end to all things which have had a beginning, may be said to devour its own of

expressed the dreamy, languid feeling which the lotus food is said to have produced. “How sweet it were, hearing the downwa

n by pictures still remaining on the walls of the Egyptian temples to have been borne by the priests in their religious proc

e myths of the Greeks and Romans are especially valuable because they have become an inseparable part of art and literature.

ause they have become an inseparable part of art and literature. They have a historical value, too, in conveying to the read

beauty-loving people with whom they originated. In this little book I have gathered together some of the most pleasing of th

have gathered together some of the most pleasing of these myths, and have told them in simple, fairy-tale style, without an

hey please and interest the child, they will fulfill their purpose. I have avoided the use of an undue number of proper name

those stumbling-blocks in the pathway of a young reader. Just enough have been given to hold the reader’s interest and to m

f the stories there are poems bearing directly on the subjects. These have been selected with the utmost care. They are desi

is work. I am afraid you will not love Juno very much by the time you have read all the stories I am going to tell you; for

ove and beauty, was the fairest of the goddesses. She was supposed to have sprung from the sea one day, in a cloud of spray,

about the woods and the waters and the fields wandered all the gods I have spoken of. They lived their lives of mingled plea

ne-looking boy. She longed to speak; but of course her growling would have frightened Arcas, so she merely kept her eyes fix

s word, for from that day to this, the Great Bear and the Little Bear have never set. ——— The Gladness of Nature Is this a

gtime, with all its loveliness, changed into a human being, you would have looked but an instant at Proserpine and said, “Sh

find her lost daughter. ——— The Voice of Spring I Come, I come! ye have called me long; I come o’er the mountains, with l

stars in the shadowy grass, By the green leaves opening as I pass. I have looked o’er the hills of the stormy North, And th

looks bright, where my step has been. From the streams and founts I have loosed the chain; They are sweeping on to the sil

must hasten away.” Then Ceres arose and went to Jupiter and said, “I have found the place where my daughter is hidden. Give

o me, and the earth shall once more be fruitful, and the people shall have food.” Jupiter was moved, both by the mother’s so

ly you wijl not forbid me to drink of this pure water, which the gods have put here for all to enjoy! I am weary from long w

. Then Latona began to plead, with tears in her eyes. “Surely, if you have no pity for me,” she said, “you cannot be so crue

o grief because she talked too much, and because she always wanted to have the last word. You can find out for yourselves wh

s or go through a tunnel. In fact, I should not wonder if most of you have already tried giving some call when you are passi

and manly as well. Every one who saw him loved him; but he seemed to have no heart, for he loved no one but himself. One da

now, the poor girl could not tell it in words. But Narcissus hated to have any one show him affection; so he pushed her asid

At the time, no one understood the meaning of the words; but when you have read this story, I think you will see what the wi

sed their daughter, and all of them lived very happily. Thus it might have gone on until they died, had not Arachne’s head b

compare yourself with the gods. Ask pardon for the foolish words you have just spoken. I promise you that Minerva will gran

eatment. She seized a rope which lay near her on the floor, and would have hung herself, to end her shame and sorrow. But Mi

f his. When Apollo met Cupid thus armed, he began to taunt him. “What have you to do with the arrow?” he cried, in a boastfu

with the arrow?” he cried, in a boastful tone. “That is my weapon. I have just proved it by slaying the terrible monster. C

ched the entrance, when Orpheus had a sudden fear that Eurydice might have lagged behind. Before he could think of what he w

the birds and the trees and the wild animals; for, since he could not have Eurydice, he cared for no other companions. But t

eus, to whom the sight of such careless mirth was very painful, would have turned aside; but as soon as the women saw his ly

terror turned him to look back;     I heard him wail, “Oh, love, What have I done! what have I done!” And then I saw no more

to look back;     I heard him wail, “Oh, love, What have I done! what have I done!” And then I saw no more the sun,     And

ay. With one blow of their tails or of their brazen hands, they could have crushed poor Perseus to atoms. But worse than tha

for a few moments, lost in deep thought, and then said, “My boy, you have undertaken a dangerous task, yet with my help you

ing about them was that instead of having two eyes each, as you and I have , there was but one eye for all three of them. The

rd these words, he trembled in his winged shoes. However, he need not have been afraid, for the sisters fell to quarreling a

that the other had taken the eye, and I do not know how it all would have ended, had not Perseus spoken. “My good women,” h

n the air, and then, from a safe distance, called out, “You shall not have your eye back, my friends, unless you tell me exa

ich Medusa lives.” This was a secret with which the sisters would not have parted if they could have helped themselves; but

s a secret with which the sisters would not have parted if they could have helped themselves; but the loss of their precious

for he, too, had thought him dead. “Aha, Perseus!” he cried, “so you have come back without doing what you promised to do.

ng what you promised to do. Your courage is not so great as you would have us believe.” “Nay, your majesty,” answered Perseu

you would have us believe.” “Nay, your majesty,” answered Perseus, “I have slain Medusa, and have brought you back her head.

ve.” “Nay, your majesty,” answered Perseus, “I have slain Medusa, and have brought you back her head.” “That you must prove

phs. Now the sea nymphs were very fair indeed, and it angered them to have Cassiopeia compare herself with them. People in t

ve Cassiopeia compare herself with them. People in those days seem to have had very cruel ways of showing their anger. The n

s silence in the room, until at length the old man spoke: “Perseus, I have come to claim my promised bride, Andromeda. Give

t companion for her walks. But Juno hated Io; for, as you remember, I have told you what a jealous queen she was, and she co

have told you what a jealous queen she was, and she could not bear to have Jupiter care for any one besides herself. So one

, her frown was so dark that it seemed almost to hide the sunlight. I have told you that the gods knew everything. So, in so

ainst his will. As Juno led Io away, she said to herself, “Now that I have you, I will take good care to keep you.” So she s

resh grass for her. But that was too much for the poor girl, — not to have her own father know her! She could not speak to h

tone, “You women of Thebes, wherefore do you worship Latona, whom you have never seen, when here I stand before you with all

ueen, and she is but a humble woman. She has only two children, and I have seven times that number, each one of them more lo

na; for if all my wealth and power were taken from me, I should still have my children, seven times the number of hers. And

not yet humbled, for, raising her arms toward heaven, she cried, “You have taken revenge, most cruel Latona, and think you h

she cried, “You have taken revenge, most cruel Latona, and think you have broken my heart. Yet I am still greater and riche

ve broken my heart. Yet I am still greater and richer than you, for I have seven children left, and you have only two.” Now

greater and richer than you, for I have seven children left, and you have only two.” Now Apollo and Diana, on seeing Niobe’

 For I hear you at your play, And the questions that perplexed me      Have vanished quite away. Ye open the eastern windows

   With light and air for food, Ere their sweet and tender juices      Have been hardened into wood, That to the world are c

m unhappy, — she made him a slave to the king of Argos. Nothing could have been harder for Hercules to bear than slavery; fo

m free if he would perform twelve very difficult tasks. Nothing could have suited Hercules better, for he delighted in dange

fore many days, Hercules had asked her to be his wife. The girl would have said yes gladly, but she knew that her father had

the cradle.” And he sprang upon the serpent, and in an instant would have wrung its neck, when lo! it had vanished, and in

n the lower parts; so of course he could cross a stream when it would have been impossible for a man to do so. Hercules acce

im over the edge of the cliff into the sea below. Perdix would surely have been drowned, had he not been rescued by Minerva,

day he looked at the white-sailed vessels on the water, and longed to have one of them for his own. One day Icarus was looki

e bright, blue sky, And the frolicsome winds as they wander by! They have left their nests on the forest bough; Those homes

after him to kill him on the road. Perhaps the people of Athens might have blamed their king severely for this cruel act, ha

Rise! for the day is passing,     And you lie dreaming on; The others have buckled their armor     And forth to the fight ar

shed king. “I am the king’s daughter,” she said, “and for your sake I have stolen my father’s purple lock, which will enable

of a stranger? She who would do that would do anything wicked. I will have nothing to do with you or your evil deeds.” Morni

orthless to me. The gates of my own city are closed against me, for I have betrayed it for your sake. I will follow you; for

me, for I have betrayed it for your sake. I will follow you; for if I have been a traitor to my people, I have at least been

sake. I will follow you; for if I have been a traitor to my people, I have at least been a friend to you.” The soldiers push

ght of those comely boys and fair, trembling maidens, any heart might have softened. But whenever King Minos felt the least

among you?” “I am he, your majesty,” answered Theseus proudly, “and I have a favor to ask of you. I pray you, let my compani

ers and homeless wanderers, and to share with them the best fare they have to offer. In olden times people thought even more

oke. “My good people,” he said, “know that the two strangers whom you have entertained so graciously and kindly are no less

shed couple. “My good people,” said he, “you alone of all the village have been saved, and your humble cottage I have change

u alone of all the village have been saved, and your humble cottage I have changed into a temple of the gods. ‘Before I leav

nd thereupon he and his companion, Mercury — whose name I am sure you have all long since guessed — vanished from sight. Phi

the foot of the mountain, and said, “My son, forget not the lessons I have taught you. Always speak and act the truth, and b

he stately form of Juno, queen of heaven. “Young man,” said she, “you have a good and brave heart, and you shall not regret

At this the king laughed aloud. “Is it possible,” said he, “that you have never heard the story of the Golden Fleece? Long

“that you have never heard the story of the Golden Fleece? Long years have I been waiting for a hero to bring it hither, for

Golden Fleece back to Greece, the king laughed aloud, and said, “You have come on a very bold mission, for only he who perf

very bold mission, for only he who performs aright the three tasks I have set can carry away the Golden Fleece.” And the to

den Fleece in the wood, and never sleeps by night or by day. When you have succeeded in doing these three things, you may ta

d, the two bulls came snorting and bellowing toward him. If you could have seen the creatures, you would have believed, as a

bellowing toward him. If you could have seen the creatures, you would have believed, as all the people did, that Jason’s las

king looked angry and sullen. He knew very well that Jason could not have succeeded except by the aid of magic, and he susp

at part of the sea was dangerous to sail through, and many people who have narrowly escaped shipwreck there have told how th

il through, and many people who have narrowly escaped shipwreck there have told how they heard the loud, fierce barking of d

name. You know a flower with a name very much like that? Perhaps they have something to do with each other. Let us read the

ory and see. Hyacinthus was a happy, sunny-hearted lad, who seemed to have no care in the wide world. Perhaps that is why Ap

ally dead, and he called him by name again and again. He would gladly have died for him, and he did not care to live without

by the side of his dead friend, and wept and moaned, so that it would have made you cry, too, if you had seen him. Then, at

he took no interest in the outside world. Many women of Cyprus would have been glad to marry this maker of beautiful things

d his chisel and hammer to express it in marble, just as a poet might have expressed it in song. From early morning till the

hows that King Midas was sometimes not so wise a monarch as he should have been. You remember reading in another story how P

, white locks and flowing beard, and large dreamy eyes that seemed to have looked on the hills about him for hundreds of sum

loosely about his shoulders. A strange and beautiful picture it must have been, and I wish all of you could have been there

and beautiful picture it must have been, and I wish all of you could have been there to see it. Pan was the first to play,

had punished their king for his stupid judgment. But Midas could not have blamed the barber, even if he had known about his

indeed, and were much larger and stronger than any of the giants you have read about in your fairy tales. They lived in mou

k. For these strange beings, instead of having two eyes, as you and I have ? had but a single large one; and that one gleamed

e that it frightened you much more than a hundred ordinary eyes could have done. Indeed, it was said that when the Cyclops w

were not roaring or shooting out flames, would not be very likely to have feelings of love or tenderness. Yet I am going to

wealth, — all these cows belong to me, and all these sheep. You shall have sweet milk to drink and fresh white cheese to eat

milk to drink and fresh white cheese to eat. For playmates you shall have the young deer and the hares and the lambkins and

pair of snow-white doves, as well as the twin cubs of a bear which I have found on the mountain summit. “O Galatea, lift yo

th wool; so too, a beard and shaggy hair are becoming to a Cyclops. I have but one eye in the middle of my forehead, yet the

e imagined. Venus one day called to her the god of love, and said, “I have a commission for you, my son. You must descend to

d sing hymns in your praise? “No,” answered the goddess, “Her parents have never aught her to celebrate me, and they have de

goddess, “Her parents have never aught her to celebrate me, and they have declared she is hirer than I. To punish their pre

he knew not whom, she was not so distressed as some timid girls would have been: she said, “The gods command me to leave my

s are good, they cannot intend to hurt me. Why should they harm me? I have always honoured them. I have prayed to them, and

d to hurt me. Why should they harm me? I have always honoured them. I have prayed to them, and obeyed their commands, I have

ys honoured them. I have prayed to them, and obeyed their commands, I have pitied and helped the poor; and when I leave my d

yrus to Somnus, “has charged me to come hither, and request you would have the goodness to go along with me to a high promon

One evening, as Psyche was conversing with Cupid, she said le him, “I have a favour to ask of you. My time is mostly spent i

ve your sisters; but beware of taking any advice they may give you. I have no confidence in their good will towards you. I a

s of this thy sanctuary, heaps of wheat, which the liberal and devout have brought hither, as offerings to thee. Have compas

ich the liberal and devout have brought hither, as offerings to thee. Have compassion upon me; the implacable Venus pursues

ounce some severer punishment, when a messenger of the gods, it might have been Mercury, or Iris, whispered her that Cupid h

er, to me unknown, has thought fit to interfere with my commands. You have been assisted in the task I gave you, but I shall

erry-man conveyed her over the Styx, twice without pay, and she might have presented the cosmetic to Venus without difficult

it. It is true people once believed that there were such gods as you have been reading about. Ann. But there never were su

other. No; they are become Christians. The people of Greece and Italy have been taught something of our religion — the relig

f our religion — the religion we learn from the Bible. Ann. How long have the people of Greece and Italy been Christians.

twenty-four compartments. Never was a story better exhibited.” Ann. Have you any more stories like this of Psyche for me t

any more stories like this of Psyche for me to read? Mother. Yes, I have many; and the next I will give you shall be one a

the sun, fancied Pluto’s domain must be. Pluto, however, resolved to have her without her mother’s permission. One charming

ue-haired sea-nymphs, or those that haunt the rivers and fountains. I have left them all, and chosen thee. Come, then, with

kept her, and how her mother bore the loss of her. Mother. You shall have a story of Ceres, and that will tell you how much

t believe that water could be changed to ice. Ann. But the man might have seen it himself. Mother. No; that man could not

t the man might have seen it himself. Mother. No; that man could not have seen it. He lived in a very hot country, where it

me, Arethusa?” asked the wheat-crowned goddess. “Yes; you are she who have gained the hills and valleys which once belonged

ed, the harvest waves, and the olive yields its fruit. The fields you have given to man were once my favourite haunts — and

ost the dearest object I possessed myself — my dear, dear Proserpine. Have you never seen or heard of my child?” Arethusa th

car, flew to Olympus, and demanded her daughter of Jupiter. “You may have your daughter,” answered Jupiter to her supplicat

come hither. She will eat up all that is in the cauldron, and I shall have none; and then what shall I do?” Ceres was very a

he punished Becubo’s son so severely for so small a fault. She should have remembered his mother’s kindness to herself, and

s kindness to herself, and excused the little boy. Mother. She might have reproved him gently, and that would have taught h

ttle boy. Mother. She might have reproved him gently, and that would have taught him better manners. The next story you rea

You cannot leave the kingdom; your subjects require your care, but I have no subjects that need me. My good Zanthea, the fa

gne, and when he saw Philomela, he preferred her; though he could not have her for a wife while her sister lived. Tereus did

young creature, alone and route as she was, and thought if she could have something to employ herself about, she would feel

hen the guilty father saw the dead body, he drew his sword, and would have murdered Progne and Philomela, but an invisible p

read stories of the good, and not of the bad. Mother. And I like to have you read stories of good people, because good act

ir conduct is human manners. These are in the world, and there always have been good and bad people. When you read of the un

d when they lived. Ann. But why were they so bad then? Mother. As I have told you before, because they did not know better

Yes, the sixth commandment is, “Thou shalt not kill.” Did the Greeks have that commandment? Mother. No; God gave it to the

efore their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.” But Paul and Bar

wo gods were repulsed in similar rude ways from many doors, and might have gone back to Olympus, to the golden beds4 which V

“It becomes us to offer a sacrifice to these gods,” said Baucis. “We have no victim,” said Philemon, “save our old goose yo

laimed the god; “just man, excellent woman, and worthy of each other! Have you a wish in your hearts which the gods can gran

d. Mother. Glass was known two thousand years ago, but glass windows have not been in fashion in Europe more than three hun

not been in fashion in Europe more than three hundred years. Ann. I have read of very fine houses which were in Greece and

ine houses which were in Greece and Rome. Those fine houses could not have been very comfortable without glass windows. Mot

ed in honour of their memories. Ann. This story reminds me of some I have read in the Bible. Mother. Of what Scripture sto

y bathing themselves when they first entered a house. Mother. As you have pointed out a story in the Old Testament, I will

rve to explain the Bible sometimes. I never beard a nightingale sing; have you? Mother. The nightingale is not known in Ame

Western Asia. She is called in poetry, Philomela, from that fable you have been reading. The fable might be concluded by say

the history of Psyche. As soon as Mercury saw Herse, he determined to have her for a wife, and immediately descended the kin

a, to “see your sister Herse. I desire to make her my bride. Will you have the goodness to persuade your sister to favour my

he comes, she will go to the apartment of the ladies of our house. We have no mother, but our good nurse, Euryclea, is our f

into the garden, the god unexpectedly appeared before her, and would have entered the house, but Aglauria placed herself in

n. Ann. Is any part of this story true? Mother. Yes; all stories have some truth in them, or we should not like them.

love both fact and fiction, though they are different. A fiction must have some truth mixed with it, or we should not like i

when it is not very likely to be true. Ann. What part of the story I have been reading is true? Mother. That Cecrops was k

houses, nor to make good clothes, nor did the men and women marry and have families. They lived almost like flocks of wild a

eity, and an example to man.” That is the moral of the fable. Ann. I have often seen the moral of a fable mentioned. What i

e should never be able to obtain. Those who refuse to enjoy what they have , often afflict themselves with longing for what t

the pretty Europa, the king’s daughter. He thought he should like to have her himself; so he came like a beautiful milk-whi

aid it belonged to that god, and that none but his worshippers should have any of it. and it was guarded by a dragon, which

r off. Arm. Do you suppose a heifer guided Cadmus? Mother. He might have followed a heifer; and where she lay down might h

Mother. He might have followed a heifer; and where she lay down might have been a spot on which he thought fit to build a ci

d, the survivers joined Cadmus. You will remember all the dragons you have read of, guarded wells and gardens. In those days

attention and thought, to understand any thing. Another day you shall have more stories of the family of Cadmus. Acteon.

and the laughing of young girls bathing in the fountain. Acteon would have escaped unobserved, but Diana saw him, and was gr

or care, in all that we do. If Acteon had been cautious, he would not have gone to sleep in a place which he did not know to

ly intended it, before we are displeased with them; and, even if they have injured or affronted us, to be moderate in our an

aw giants who had revolted against Jupiter, and the Titans, who would have turned the gods out of Olympus. Among the condemn

ou know if Athamas were ever so good, if he lost his reason, he might have killed his wife and child. Ann. Yes, because ins

e gods would make them amends in another life. These Furies, whom you have read of as very cruel, some persons called by ano

pain, were supposed to intend to improve the sufferer’s heart Ann. I have heard before of uttering a curse. What is a curse

t if they should carry him off; his father would offer a large sum to have him restored. In order to get this ransom, they p

ise and drunkenness could not be acceptable to a god. Pentheus should have told the Bacchantes that their behaviour was impr

hould have told the Bacchantes that their behaviour was improper, and have tried to persuade them to a more orderly conduct;

nspiration. We cannot, they would say, restrain this feeling which we have . We cannot prevent our desire to shriek, and shou

t men and women at this time do not worship false gods, and that they have been taught to worship God properly. Mother. The

to the oracle. The oracle told Acrisius that his daughter Danas would have a son, who would kill him. Acrisius thought if hi

l him. Acrisius thought if his daughter were never married, she could have no son to kill him, and therefore he shut up the

be put into a chest, and thrown into the waves. Many pathetic stories have been written concerning poor Danæ, tossed about u

sleep. Dictys spoke first. “Unhappy lady,” said he, “whence came you? Have you been shipwrecked? Have all your companions pe

“Unhappy lady,” said he, “whence came you? Have you been shipwrecked? Have all your companions perished? The vessel, perhaps

ood man,” replied Danæ, “you see before you all the vessel in which I have encountered the sea. My cruel father, the king of

he hesitated, and shuddered “What can this mean?” thought Perseus; “I have concealed the frightful Medusa; what alarms the k

who dashed through the water with a terrific noise; but when he would have seized her, Perseus presented to his view the hor

king of Seriphus, to bring him the head of Medusa, though I could not have travelled to her dwelling, but for the wings whic

Perseus. “Stranger!” uttered he, addressing himself to Perseus; “You have taken another man’s bride. It may be that you do

less of their own promise, they did not wait for me to claim her, but have bestowed her upon you. Restore her to me; else th

innocent persons, because envious people hurt the innocent, when they have an opportunity, as Polydectes would have hurt Per

hurt the innocent, when they have an opportunity, as Polydectes would have hurt Perseus. Now, I suppose you know what a pers

d a beautiful star she is. Ann. One or two questions more and I will have done. What was Minerva’s Ægis? Mother. It was a

shield which no weapon could penetrate. It means that the truly wise have a defence in their wisdom, against the wicked, th

, a fountain had lately gushed from the rock long sealed and dry. “We have ,” said she, “called the fountain Hippocrene, for

ng to one another, that is, they are associated with one another. You have seen the objects you speak of at the same time. T

e story of the Python, if I could. Mother. The Python is supposed to have been some fatal disease, which had destroyed grea

s o people; at length, it was stopped. Some excellent physician might have found a remedy for it; and then the disease was c

nd the patron of must and poetry. Apollo and Daphne. Those who have read the story of Cupid and Psyche, now that he w

or the struggle of force. Conversation: Mother and Ann. Ann. I have heard of Shakspeare’s laurels; what does that mea

s the word is, laurels. Mother. You understand, I perceive, what you have been told concerning literal and figurative langu

rative language. I must tell you a little more concerning Apollo. You have seen casts and medallions of the pagan gods. Ann

ings in it is the Belvidere Apollo. A print of him is in the book you have been reading. Belvidere signifies beautiful view.

to me another day some few more Classical Tales; but when they shall have been finished, you must return to something usefu

o understand pictures, and statues, and poetry, better than you could have done without reading them. But, at present, you c

sent, you can afford no more time to fictions; you must read facts. I have a book of Grecian History,10 which will teach you

Alpheus, or the Nile. These rivers, or river gods, are represented to have had children and friends, and to have loved them,

river gods, are represented to have had children and friends, and to have loved them, as Peneus loved Daphne. The truth pro

ce, addressing her, “I am come to offer thee favour and protection. I have commanded this cloud to envelop thy path, and I c

arge to Argus, a person renowned for his vigilance. Argus was said to have had an hundred eyes, some of which were always aw

r more estimable because other persons who are related to us, are, or have been wise and virtuous. Our own goodness, knowled

“this young prince has no more glorious ancestors than your own; as I have often told you, they are the very same. Go to the

urple, and followed by a splendid retinue. “Thebans,” cried Niobe, “I have come among you in pity for your folly; how absurd

er her ever so foolishly, or supplicate her ever so fervently. If you have heard her history, you must know that, previous t

n, she had not a dwelling, and Terra refused her one, so that she can have no power to bestow any thing upon you. “If a mort

Latona. ‘Hard-hearted wretches! behold these innocent children; they have not tasted water this day!’ “‘The countrymen only

are already advanced in classical studies, but rather for pupils who have not yet entered, or who, like the greater number

can mythologies, will be found a pleasing addition, as these subjects have not been treated in the ordinary text-books. The

tin’s “Histoire de France,” and the “Monuments Celtiques” of Reynaud, have been consulted, together with the Irish Chronicle

riarchs. The idea of propitiating the deity in such a manner seems to have been universal both in the old and the new world,

own gods and their peculiar superstitions, but they do not appear to have had any regular mythology. When the Romans receiv

ir entire system of religion. They shared a tradition, which seems to have been universal, of a time of primeval innocence,

resembled men? Ans. Yes; in many particulars. They supposed them to have the same passions, both good and evil. They were

lo? Ans. Many absurd and impossible adventures are told. He seems to have been very vain of his musical skill, as we see fr

ed before him, it was suddenly converted into gold, and when he would have quenched his thirst, the water was changed into a

sister of Mars. She is generally represented as above, but some poets have described her as rushing through the ranks of war

e taught men how to plant the vine and till the ground. He is said to have subdued India, and many other countries of the Ea

nd her sisters, were the leaders in this act, which was considered to have been performed under a divine impulse. Ques. Wha

wl are also represented on the shield. Ques. Why was Minerva said to have sprung full armed from the head of Jupiter? Ans.

he blood fell upon the burning sands, and produced the serpents which have ever since infested that region. From the blood o

cool waters, when some clowns rudely hindered her. She begged them to have compassion, and not deny her so small a refreshme

ks personified Night, under the name of Latona; hence she was said to have been the first wife of Jupiter, the mother of Apo

a belief? Ans. It appeared quite certain that the sounds of which we have spoken, were really heard from this statue at sun

tions of the figures which are yet uninjured show that the whole must have presented a beautiful and imposing appearance. Th

Ops, or Rhea, and was the father of Jupiter, Neptune and Pluto. As we have already learned, Saturn devoured the rest of his

e degree by the modern Carnival. Saturn is thought by some persons to have been the same as Noah. Janus. Ques. Who wa

hose origin very contradictory accounts are given. He was supposed to have reigned in Italy in the time of Saturn, and to ha

e was supposed to have reigned in Italy in the time of Saturn, and to have associated that god with him in the kingdom. He w

er, they rowed silently until they reached the open sea. Some writers have imagined that the Cyclops were a race of miners,

to take their own lives, thirteen suffered the terrible punishment we have described. The last execution of this kind took p

If there were seven Vestals always in office, the entire number must have been twenty-one. The thirty years being ended, th

Jupiter promised to grant her request, in case Proserpine should not have tasted food in the infernal regions. Ceres descen

oral as the festivals held in honor of Bacchus. Ques. Who is said to have instituted them? Ans. Triptolemus [Triptol′emus]

ddess of law and justice. Her origin is uncertain; but she is said to have been a Titaness. Ques. Who was Astræa [Astræ′a]?

oman holding scales in one hand, and a sword in the other. The scales have been variously explained, but they are generally

fell into the hands of the Athenians, and a sculptor, said by some to have been Phidias, afterwards carved from it a beautif

with joined hands, while Apollo is seated in their midst. Ques. How have some writers accounted for the number of Muses?

r Lynceus. His origin is uncertain, but he is said by some authors to have been a son of Mercury and a nymph of Arcadia. Qu

s restored to its former splendor. The inhabitants of Ephesus seem to have been particularly attached to the worship of Dian

he Goths in the reign of Gallienus; and the materials of the building have been since used in the construction of other edif

othea, while Melicertes was worshipped as Palæmon. He was supposed to have power in saving vessels from shipwreck, and was,

great fear and anxiety. Ques. To whom was Pluto married? Ans. As we have learned before, Pluto was married to Proserpine,

hich crime they are obliged to draw water from a deep well until they have filled an immense sieve. Their labor is therefore

known as Ivica, Minorca and Majorca. For this reason, he was said to have three heads and three bodies, and passed into fab

Bellerophon made this mountain inhabitable, and was therefore said to have killed the Chimæra. At present anything which is

spirit which watched over the family, each individual was supposed to have his Lar, or familiar genius, who watched over him

Fides, or Fidelity, had a temple near the Capitol, which was said to have been founded by Numa Pompilius. The symbols of th

stice was worshipped by the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. Her emblems have been described in the article on the goddess Astr

was unlawful to take any one from it by force. This altar is said to have been erected by the kindred of Hercules, after th

erstition has been remarked among the modern Hindoos, who are said to have dedicated temples to thunder and lightning, earth

were always represented in such a manner as to excite abhorrence. We have an instance of this in the altar erected to Calum

spring from them. Jason accepted the conditions, but would inevitably have perished, had not Medea, the king’s daughter, sav

s with a mysterious box, in which were imprisoned all the evils which have since afflicted the human race. Prometheus, suspe

t in the midst of all human miseries, hope yet remains. The fable may have been derived from some ancient tradition of Eve’s

ucted by Mercury, who gave him a golden lyre with which he is said to have built the walls of Thebes, causing the stones to

many daughters, who were all slain by Apollo and Diana. He is said to have killed himself in despair. The legend of the buil

gos. This prince had been warned by an oracle that his daughter would have a son, who was destined to deprive him of life. A

the hero, was the slaying of the Chimæra, a fabulous monster which we have already described, and which was then spreading t

age, and declared him his successor in the kingdom. Bellerophon might have ended his days in happiness and prosperity, had h

Dædalus. Ques. Who was Dædalus [Dæd′alus]? Ans. He is said to have been a native of Athens, eminent for his skill in

land, in the erection of many splendid edifices. Various explanations have been given of the fable of Dædalus. The most prob

He introduced the use of masts and sails in ships, and he is said to have been the first who represented statues in natural

hon], Salamis [Sal′amis], Rhodes, Argos and Athens. Smyrna appears to have the best claim, and it is considered certain that

een written many years before. It is evident, therefore, that he must have offended Augustus in some manner which the latter

s. This is a collection of legends of all the transformations said to have taken place in heathen mythology, beginning with

d. If the Metamorphoses had been destroyed by this rash act, we would have lost many interesting fables which have been rend

ed by this rash act, we would have lost many interesting fables which have been rendered immortal by the beauty of Ovid’s ve

m and prudence in council, and his courage on the field of battle. We have already spoken of the part which he took in carry

desire than to remain always in that country. Ulysses was obliged to have these men dragged away by force, and even then, i

t within sight of land, when a violent storm arose, in which he would have perished had he not been aided by a compassionate

obstruct the mouth of their harbor. The arrival of the hero could not have occurred more opportunely for the deliverance of

ill. The request was received with shouts of derision, and some would have driven the insolent beggar from the hall. Telemac

ba, and the tears of his wife Andromache [Androm′ache]. He fell as we have seen, and this event was shortly followed by the

ccidental encounter, and, after his victory over the Sphinx, which we have already mentioned, he fulfilled the other predict

rant to be entombed alive. The misfortunes of Œdipus and his children have been celebrated by three Greek tragedians: Æschyl

ch bears her name, the character of Antigone is beautifully drawn. We have the sternest heroism, tempered always by the tend

ers a permanent settlement in the country. This proposal seems not to have been displeasing either to Æneas or to the Trojan

ounders of Rome. The Æneid concludes with the death of Turnus, but we have some further particulars handed down by tradition

he troubles raised by Sylla, the Sibylline Verses are said by some to have perished in the conflagration. It is believed, ho

ade, which are generally admitted to be forgeries. Different opinions have prevailed with regard to the prophecies of the si

of the second century, it was not possible that the Christians should have added anything to them. There are also passages i

thers experienced similar effects, and the exhalation was supposed to have a certain divine property. The cavity was approac

cian general, seized these treasures to pay his troops. He is said to have carried off, in gold and silver, a sum equal to t

According to Pausanias, the city and temple were saved by Pan, as we have seen in the account given of that god; but others

known to exist of the cavern whence issued the sacred vapor, but some have thought it might be discovered by searching in th

seventh night the brothers died in their sleep. The oracle is said to have been discovered on the following occasion: In a t

Siwah. It is about five degrees west of Cairo. The temple is said to have been founded by Bacchus under the following circu

was cut from a tree in the sacred grove of Olympia, which was said to have been brought by Hercules from the land of the Hyp

to the owner of the horse or chariot, although he himself should not have been present at the games. The Greek historians r

hter, so absurd did the pretensions of the royal poet appear. What we have said of the Olympic Games, may be applied with so

ebrated as the haunt of the lion slain by Hercules. They were said to have been restored by that hero, and were celebrated e

ced awnings to screen the audience from the sun, but the Greeks would have regarded such a precaution as a mark of effeminac

s to them a national, and even, in some sort, religious solemnity. To have covered in the stage itself, and imprisoned gods

ned gods and heroes in a gloomy apartment artificially lighted, would have appeared to the ancients in the highest degree ab

riate wigs and masks. It has been supposed that the use of masks must have embarrassed the actors, and made them appear stif

rassed the actors, and made them appear stiff and unnatural. This may have been true to a certain extent, but we must rememb

ir audience, the changes of expression, and the play of feature would have been quite lost, while the large and finely color

ld have been quite lost, while the large and finely colored masks may have had a very good effect. Nothing would have seemed

d finely colored masks may have had a very good effect. Nothing would have seemed more out of place to the Greeks, than to s

ce, they gave it depth and volume, almost as a speaking trumpet would have done. Ques. What was the Chorus? Ans. It was a

y fainted, and several children died of fright. In this connection we have an interesting story. Ibycus, a lyric poet, was o

ed the crime, and suffered the punishment they had deserved. Attempts have been made by French and German tragedians, to rev

ined at the expense of the state. The cost of the entertainments must have been heavy, if we are to judge by the description

living trees from the forest were planted on the stage. Whatever may have been the faults of the Greek drama, there is no d

idias with statues and other ornaments. This magnificent temple would have been sufficient in itself to confer immortal glor

vine honors from his subjects even during his life. He married, as we have already learned, Io, the daughter of Inachus, who

d on a lotus-flower, with his finger on his lips. Besides the gods we have mentioned, the Egyptians worshipped the dog, the

ard where Egypt’s realms are nam’d What monster gods her frantic sons have fram’d Here Ibis gorged with well-grown serpents,

s. Who were these divinities? Ans. The names Baal and Moloch seem to have been, at first, different appellations of the Sun

epository of the most ancient astronomical observations. Some writers have imagined that the Chaldeans and Babylonians worsh

, this was one of the many appellations of the Sun. Ques. What proof have we of the popularity of this god among the Phœnic

ame for Adonis, whose story is of Eastern origin. His death, which we have already referred to in connection with the goddes

already referred to in connection with the goddess Venus, is said to have taken place in the mountains of Libanus, from whi

Ans. The doctrines of Zoroaster, an Eastern sage, who is thought to have lived in Bactria about twelve hundred years befor

kept burning on their altars. The Parsees of Hindostan say that they have sacred fire which has never been extinguished sin

teach one supreme deity, called Brahma, and like the Persians seem to have some idea of the Trinity, speaking of Brahma, Vis

t are Castes? Ans. They are different classes into which the Hindoos have been divided from the earliest times. Ques. How

uddha. Ques. Who was Buddha? Ans. Buddha is said by the Vedas to have been a delusive incarnation of Vishnu, but his fo

se were so much attached to this form of idolatry, that the Buddhists have incorporated it with their own rites. Chapter

e creator of all things. The third religion is Buddhism, which, as we have seen, was introduced into China in the first cent

unded popularity during life, but the honors paid to him after death, have no parallel in history. His tablet is in every sc

It is a proof, if any were needed, that human motives are too weak to have any lasting influence on the passions of men; and

en; and the Chinese, particularly the followers of Confucius, seem to have lost even the last traces of natural religion. Q

d elevated ideas. He has been compared favorably with Plato, and some have claimed that the Chinese philosopher travelled as

le that a sage so eager in the pursuit of religious knowledge, should have failed to learn something of the ancient propheci

efold divinity. His followers, however, like the rest of the Chinese, have no definite idea of God. Ques. What class of Chi

apecks, and these are trained for the service of Buddha. These Bonzes have sunk so low in public estimation, that they are o

inese on religious subjects? Ans. They are entirely indifferent, and have but a vague idea of the existence of anything bey

erence is the greatest obstacle with which the Christian missionaries have to contend in China. Ques. Do the Chinese ever a

icles which he was accustomed to use, etc. The children thus examined have sometimes answered in so extraordinary a manner t

amined have sometimes answered in so extraordinary a manner that many have supposed Satan was permitted to aid in the impost

as this mythology transmitted by oral tradition only? Ans. This must have been the case for a long time; as the oldest of t

over the whole world, and on their return report to him all that they have seen. At Odin’s feet lie two wolves, to whom he g

the elves, or good fairies. Freya was invoked by lovers, and seems to have been a sort of Scandinavian Venus. Bragi.

t it was not lawful for any god to pronounce his name. Hodur seems to have been a personification of night. The Valkyrior

all created things, to spare Baldur. “Aye,” said Frigga; “all things have sworn, save a mistletoe which was growing on a mo

ht him by the tail, and compressed it so, that all salmons ever since have had that part remarkably thin. Being restored to

, the runes were used for inscriptions, of which more than a thousand have been found. The language is a dialect of the Goth

in and Ireland. Ques. Where did it originate? Ans. Various theories have been advanced on this subject. Some refer it to t

God, all things had a beginning, but that nothing created would ever have an end. Notwithstanding these enlightened ideas,

hey built. We read that Zenodorus, a famous sculptor, said by some to have been a native of Gaul, executed a statue of Teuta

years was the ordinary novitiate required. The bards of Gaul seem to have passed away with the religious system to which th

f the divinity. They were also the teachers of youth. The Druids must have possessed some knowledge of the motions of the he

s, since they counted the year by lunations; astronomical instruments have also been found among the druidical remains in Ir

ids was handed down by oral tradition only. The few inscriptions they have left are in symbolic writing, which resembles the

tions concerning these sorceresses. In Ireland, they do not appear to have played either so terrible or so important a part.

eftains assembled at Tara. It was Easter Eve, and the Saint, who must have been well aware of the penalty of death attached

d. The idolatrous rites peculiar to the season of the summer solstice have been long forgotten but the custom of lighting fi

oors. They rise and find strange barks waiting on the shore. Scarcely have they entered these, when the light craft is weigh

many gaps in the stony lines, as every house in the vicinity seems to have been built from this convenient quarry. At Stoneh

e centre of the work is a massive slab of fine sandstone, supposed to have been an altar. This cromlech is surrounded by a t

lignant dwarfs and night-elves still haunt the deserted cromlech, and have power at certain times, to wreak their malice on

bly, with truths derived from primitive tradition. The Aztecs seem to have adopted the religion of their more civilized pred

ted them in the arts of civilized life. It is singular that he should have been described with every characteristic of the E

en described with every characteristic of the European race; and some have conjectured that he was indeed a native of the Ea

erminates in sorrow and in death. In speaking of human sacrifices, we have yet to mention the most revolting feature. The Me

e doctrine did not, however, lead to the practical results that might have been expected. Ques. What name did the Peruvians

he father of the royal Inca race; and, connected with this belief, we have one of the few legends worthy of note in the barr

the coincidence is singular, because no communication is believed to have existed between the two countries. Ques. Where w

and of Titicaca, whence the founders of the Inca dynasty were said to have proceeded. Everything belonging to this sanctuary

d and distributed among the people. Ques. What points of resemblance have been noticed between the religious observances of

pt to propitiate him by any form of worship. Cupay seems, in fact, to have been only a personification of sin. Supplemen

icily, where he was kindly entertained by Hiero. His death is said to have occurred in a very extraordinary manner. As he sl

works written by him on various subjects, both in prose and verse, we have only his “Commentaries,” in ten books. Seven of t

nd Augustus. He wrote a “General History” in forty books, of which we have now fifteen entire, with scattered fragments of t

sentiment, but in the moral tone of his dramas. Sophocles is said to have observed that while he represented men as they ou

t man, with the resources of the world at his command, would probably have sacrificed both wealth and power for the common b

rian and a naturalist. It is not easy to understand how one man could have followed so many different avocations, filled hig

ent avocations, filled high offices under different emperors, and yet have found time for such a vast amount of composition.

hat his fingers might not be too much benumbed to hold the stylus. We have but one complete work of this author, his Natural

f his contemporaries. The style of these letters is studied, and they have none of the ease and familiarity of friendly corr

f him as the first who wrote verses for money. In this connection, we have a story which would show that the poet was not be

n, we have a story which would show that the poet was not believed to have forfeited the favor of the gods by his avarice. W

x were mingled largely with those of his royal patron. A mortal might have been content to share his honors with the divine

d on an eminence which, from the water-marks surrounding it, seems to have been formerly an island in the lake. So great a c

ed them, therefore, with superstitious awe, and connected them, as we have seen, with the fables of their mythology. These r

whole being cut from a single stone. Some of the buildings appear to have been of pyramidal form, and to have covered sever

. Some of the buildings appear to have been of pyramidal form, and to have covered several acres. Of the people who executed

A Latin writer, celebrated for his extensive learning. He is said to have composed five hundred volumes, all of which are n

mpose so many volumes; and how he who composed so many volumes, could have found leisure to peruse such a variety of books.”

n in society in which superior mental endowments and an ample fortune have placed you, that amiable deportment, gentleness a

In cases where evident morals are inculcated by Fables, observations have been given; while poetical extracts have been sel

ated by Fables, observations have been given; while poetical extracts have been selected, which cannot fail to show how Myth

cannot fail to show how Mythology is mingled with poetry: and thus I have attempted to demonstrate the importance of mythol

to them certain powers and qualities; but, as very few of their works have been transmitted to us, a knowledge of their myth

tially necessary to a liberal education. The ancients are supposed to have borrowed much of their fabulous history from the

acquainted with the religion of the Jews, and their priests appear to have decked out in the robe of fiction many historical

and many other nations besides the Grecians and Romans, a mythology? Have not the Scriptures been looked upon as the grand

attributes of the living God, supposed various gods and goddesses to have empire over the different parts of the universe;

ve the Greeks, and after them, the Romans, for their religion? As you have informed me that their system of mythology was in

der the name of Jupiter, each of those nations or cities pretended to have its particular Jupiter. Varron mentions more than

tiny. This idea of Destiny is the most beautiful confession that men have made of the necessity of one supreme God; but it

Of Janus. Janus, a god in the Roman calendar, is said by some to have been the son of Cœlus, and a brother of Saturn; b

h arrived in Greece and Italy. We shall find that idolatry and fables have almost all followed in the same steps. The Romans

Themis, Eurynome, Ceres, Mnemosyne, Latona and Juno. Juno appears to have been the last and the most celebrated of his wive

fices in order to gratify the basest of passions. Thus, he is said to have assumed the shape of a crow to woo his sister Jun

s. Some of them having been recalled from Italy or Spain were said to have been delivered from the Infernal Regions. By the

s related in relation to Jupiter. Obs. 3. — The gods, whom the poets have associated with Jupiter, only mark the different

a by him, directing his labours by her counsels; whence he is said to have given, as it were, a soul to his statues. Prometh

that among its bitterest dregs are always found some sweets, seems to have suggested the beautiful idea of Epimetheus’ shutt

first inventress of the art of cultivating the earth. She is said to have repented of the improper demeanor of which she ha

rning garments, and kept herself in such privacy, that a famine would have afflicted the whole world, had not Pan discovered

e blood of swine we beset alone, Which thus requite the mischief they have done.” Ovid. “To thee, fair goddess, we’ll a g

r and Leda. 4. June, sign of Cancer (a crab.) The crab is supposed to have pricked Hercules, when killing the Lernean hydra.

, set up in the temple of Serapis at Thebes, in Egypt, is reported to have uttered a melodious sound at sunrise, and a lugub

st her a frightful serpent, called Python, which the poets suppose to have been formed of the mud left on the earth by the w

also the raven, the crow, and the swan, because they are thought, to have had the gift of foreseeing futurity. Hence they s

Jupiter against him? Whither did he retire? Of what is Apollo said to have been the inventor? Had Apollo any other adventure

progress in knowledge. The name of the Muses is generally supposed to have been derived from the Greek muein, to explain the

o one would honour his memory. After having unavailingly attempted to have his works admired, he thought he revenged himself

e or captain of the Muses was often given to Hercules, who appears to have been confounded with the sun. Mr.  Court de Gebel

marriage. Though Diana was the patroness of chastity, she is said to have forgotten her dignity in the company of the god P

upon the world, for which we allegorically take Pan. Diana is said to have become so enamoured of Endymion, that she came do

s fled into Egypt under the forms of different animals. He is said to have subjected Egypt, Phrygia, Syria, and India. In Et

o conquered India. Obs. 3. — Many learned men believe that the poets have represented Moses in their Bacchus. They find so

hus were born in Egypt. The former was exposed on the Nile; the poets have told the same thing about the latter. The name of

with a shuttle. The proud Arachne, being overcome, in despair, would have hung herself, but was suspended by Minerva, and m

ilding, an image of the goddess, called the Palladium, is reported to have fallen from heaven into or near it. By the oracle

Garden. Obs. 1. — The idea of this poetical generation, appears to have been taken from the Sacred Books, where Wisdom sa

their thighs and bodies. At Comona, in Cappadocia, Bellona is said to have had 3000 priests. — See Fig. 24. Fig. 24. Bello

f the twelve ancilia, or sacred shields, one of which was supposed to have fallen from heaven. His victims were the horse, o

mother of Cupid, and the patroness of the Graces, is said by some to have been the daughter of Jupiter and Dione; by others

by some to have been the daughter of Jupiter and Dione; by others to have sprung from the froth of the sea, borne in a sea-

ng over her worship, he formed a college of priests. Venus is said to have behaved in the most licentious manner; and her wo

e blood that flowed from his wound into the flower , which is said to have ever since retained the colour of its origin. Pro

e ever since retained the colour of its origin. Proserpine is said to have brought him back to life on condition that he sho

of the gods, signifies that the empire of beauty extends to those who have not the gift of pleasing. It represents unequal u

favour is deceitful and love is precarious. Hesiod supposes Cupid to have been the son of Nox and Æther, and to have been p

. Hesiod supposes Cupid to have been the son of Nox and Æther, and to have been produced at the same time with Chaos and Ear

bele, whose temple they had profaned, when they were too impatient to have their nuptials consummated. There was in Leucate,

ong into the sea, and perished. The river Selemus was also reputed to have the virtue of extinguishing the fire of love by b

d. They are naked, to intimate that they borrow nothing from art, and have no other charms than those of nature; they are yo

Vulcan was married to the beautiful goddess Venus, but she appears to have despised her deformed husband, and to have had ch

Venus, but she appears to have despised her deformed husband, and to have had children by Mars, Mercury, Bacchus, Neptune,

gin, renders it probable that he was the same Tubalcain. The Grecians have made up the history of the third out of that of t

ogether with additions of their own. Obs. 2. — The Cyclops appear to have been the aboriginals of Sicily. Ignorance of thei

redoubled strokes of the Cyclops on their anvils. They are fabled to have had but one eye; to explain which, some suppose t

o mentions five deities of this name, but the actions of all but one have been attributed to the son of Jupiter and Maia. M

ed to the care of the seasons. On the day of his birth, he is said to have stolen the oxen of Admetus, tended by Apollo. Thi

imes he is said, in sport, and in spite of their utmost vigilance, to have purloined from Apollo his bow and quiver, from Ne

. The wants and necessities of life are continually recurring. To have them unsupplied, causes death. Hence the most une

e them unsupplied, causes death. Hence the most unenlightened nations have sought out some supernatural beings to preside ov

ng and drawing water from it. Almost all the inhabitants of the earth have libations to the ocean, seas, fountains, and rive

re fruitfulness. Oceanus was married to Tethys, by whom he is said to have had three thousand children. His nymphs were call

iter loved her; but having read in the book of Destiny that she would have a son greater than his father, he gave her for a

ome sea-fight. Obs. 2. — By the use of his trumpet Triton is said to have frightened away the giants in their wars with the

, Scylla, Charybdis. The Sirens were three in number, supposed to have been the daughters of Achelaus and Melpomene: the

erself into the sea, and was turned into a rock. Charybdis is said to have been an avaricious woman, who stole away Hercules

mp is called Saronic, instead of Phœban. The king-fishers, sea-birds, have power to build their nests on the waves, even dur

gins who attend on celestial, terrestial, and marine deities. Dryades have empire over the woods. Hamadryades are born, and

with trees. Oreades, or Oriestiades, preside over the mountains. Auræ have dominion over the air. Naphææ preside over the gr

marine deities, distinguished? What name is given to those nymphs who have empire over the woods? What name is common to the

the nymphs who are born and expire with trees? Whom do the mountains have for their rulers? What nymphs have dominion over

with trees? Whom do the mountains have for their rulers? What nymphs have dominion over the air? What nymphs preside over t

. Æolus, the god of the winds and tempests, is usually supposed to have been the son of Jupiter, by Acesta or Sergesta, t

Æolus gave him all the winds confined in a bag that he might thereby have power to resist all obstacles to his voyage. On c

and thus greatly protracted his voyage home. The Winds are fabled to have been the sons of Aurora and Astræus, one of the g

ance and protection. His sorrows, his fears, and necessities, seem to have forced him to believe that there was a power supe

lled Consentes. These differed from the twelve great gods, of whom we have previously spoken. Jupiter and Terra were the fir

eation. Questions. Give some account of Demogorgon. What descriptions have the poets transmitted to us respecting that obscu

boundaries. Ceres, protectress of tillage, is said by the ancients to have introduced the use of boundaries. Plutarch ascrib

s to warm her heart to love.” Obs. 1. — Flora the first, appears to have existed anciently, but her origin is unknown. The

as the goddess of groves and flowers. Obs. 2. — Vertumnus is said to have been an ancient king of Etruria, celebrated for h

vest. Runcina presides over weeding. The ancients invoked Occator to have their fields harrowed. Sator and Sarritor presid

at goddess presides over weeding? What god did the ancients invoke to have their fields harrowed? What gods preside over sow

t of a man, with horns on his head, and a long beard; his lower parts have the likeness of a goat; being clothed with the sk

larly adored in Arcadia; Innus or Inculus, because he was supposed to have afflicted dreamers with the night-mare; Lupercus

er was extended to streets, ways, the country, and the sea. When they have the care of cities, they are denominated Lares Ur

s useless for mortality to wrestle with it. In all ages, philosophers have consecrated it, and poets have hymned it. A fragm

tle with it. In all ages, philosophers have consecrated it, and poets have hymned it. A fragment of Diodorus Siculus informs

l abode is found an eternal increase of departed souls, some of which have been justly driven from the tracts of light, and

was considered as belonging to Pluto’s kingdom. The Styx is fabled to have been the daughter of the Ocean; and hence, gods s

sed to marry him. To gain this point, he was, therefore, compelled to have recourse to stratagem. In a fit of rage, he rode

ndly seeks as the themes on which she loves often to expatiate. “All have their manes, and these manes bare: The few who’er

alled Corinth, and debauched his niece Tyro. Sisyphus, who is said to have put no faith in Autolycus on account of his havin

e was refused the performance of the usual ceremony by which he might have been purified of murder. But he obtained his pard

ter, who promoted him to heaven. Such a favour, for which he ought to have been thankful, increased his insolence. He attemp

ed their secrets, and stolen away the ambrosia and nectar in order to have his friends taste them; but most chroniclers agre

up in dishes, Atreus and Thyestes feasted on them. The sun is said to have turned his course back to the east, because he co

ere monsters, described as half men, and half horses, and are said to have been born of a cloud by Ixion, whence they are ca

or the marshy ground, abounded with serpents. Bellerophon is said to have cleared the mountain of the Chimæra, and made it

er: upon which he became so frantic as to put out his eyes, and would have laid violent hands upon himself, had not Antigone

rs, a lustrum, or five years, a year, and seasons. He was admitted to have but three seasons, Slimmer, Autumn and Winter; bu

masculine or feminine name. People implored Thought, that they might have nothing but good thoughts. All kinds of piety wer

the first man that Vulcan had fashioned, Momus said, that he ought to have placed a window in his breast, through which his

laced a window in his breast, through which his inmost thoughts might have been seen. When Neptune had formed the bull, he o

e Centaur Chiron, who taught him the art of medicine. He is fabled to have sprung out of a crow’s egg, under the form of a s

rm of a serpent. To him were sacrificed a goat, because he is said to have been nourished by that animal, and a cock, which

ngular name of Æsculapius, whom the Greeks called Asclepios, seems to have been derived from the oriental languages. It is c

them employ darts, which the ordinary strength of four men could not have thrown. The Egyptians, as has been mentioned, wer

isely the time in which the worship of the heroes began. The ancients have left no positive information on this point. The l

ae, daughter of Acrisius, king of Argos, by Jupiter, who is fabled to have metamorphosed himself into a shower of gold, whil

passengers, for whom he laid snares, into the sea. Theseus is said to have descended, in company with his bosom friend Pirit

. Jupiter having declared that a child being about to be born, should have dominion over all his own race, Juno disguised he

the milky-way, which is called in Greek, Galaxia. Lilies are said to have been created by the fall of it on the earth, and

y called the “Twelve Labours of Hercules.” A prodigious lion, said to have fallen from the moon into the forest of Nemæa, ra

of stones, with which he vanquished his adversaries. This is said to have taken place in that division of ancient Gaul, cal

lub into a distaff, and his arrows into a spindle. Omphale is said to have sometimes put on his armour, and ridiculed him as

up. Thus Jason and his companions returned home; and Medea is said to have restored by her charms, the old decrepit Æson to

Leda, wife of Tyndarus, king of Sparta, by Jupiter, who is feigned to have assumed the likeness of a swan, in order to gain

rtality, and from the other, Castor and Clytemnestra, who are said to have been mortal like their mother. Castor and Pollux

at whose instigation she killed Agamemnon when he returned. She would have put her son Orestes to death; but his sister Elec

Pylades. So close and sacred was their friendship, that the one would have died for the other. In the worship of the goddess

dation of a new empire. It is from Æneas that the Romans pretended to have been descended. Virgil acquaints us with the lif

d her his hand. Priam consented. They entered the temple of Apollo to have their nuptial rites celebrated. Paris, brother to

posed to him to ask for any privilege he might choose. He demanded to have a son without a wife. His request was granted. Th

were appointed to guard the golden apples, which Juno is reported to have given to Jupiter on the day of their nuptials. Th

orld by a sphere; which gave rise to the fable in which he is said to have sustained the heavens on his shoulders. He instru

e. In order to take some respite from his toils, Atlas is reported to have requested Hercules to load himself with the burde

signifies rainy. Obs. 3. — The golden apples of Juno, some fancy to have been merely oranges, a fruit very rare in ancient

e ancients varied in their opinions respecting Osiris; and the Greeks have blended the attributes of others with his. They b

but his ordinary figure was a living bull. Obs. — Osiris appears to have been the Moses of the Jews, and the Bacchus of th

nd the Bacchus of the Greeks. In the character of king, he is said to have civilized his subjects who, through his persuasio

morals; and after having effected a reform among his own subjects, to have travelled and spread civilization in other region

jects, to have travelled and spread civilization in other regions; to have entrusted his throne to the care of his wife Isis

throne to the care of his wife Isis, and Hermes, her minister; and to have run over Asia and Europe, every where introducing

s. There was also an ox worshipped at Heliopolis; but this is said to have been sacred to Iris. Apis had generally two templ

was then erected in a temple, called the Serapeum. It is reported to have exceeded in magnificence, all the other temples o

Mahabads had either appeared, or were to appear, in a human form, to have the direction of mundane affairs. A parallel refo

rs. Menu was a lawgiver: Fourteen personages of this name are said to have existed successively. The history of the third is

th, they learn the Gayterre, or invocation of praise to the sun. They have absolute dominion over the Indians. They abstain

ns. They abstain from fermented liquors and animal food, because they have great faith in metempsychosis. The Sanscrit langu

and rebellious spirits does that manifold divinity pursue? What ideas have the Hindoos of the original creation? Who were Ca

mmonitish, Moabitish, and Syrian mythologies. Idolatry is supposed to have sprung up first in Phœnicia. The worship of the h

retired to the sea, and spent the night in the waters. He is said to have left behind him some writings, in which he taught

s animals, men with two wings, and others with four. Men were seen to have two heads, a man’s head and a woman’s; in short,

ed over physic. Parents carried their sick children to his temple, to have them cured of their diseases, and taught them how

he lower people two. The number of these gods, besides those which we have briefly mentioned, was immense. The Spaniards fou

ight of those nations through whose territories they travelled, might have given them the idea of constructing some for them

, vastly larger than Herodotus describes them to be. The ideas we now have of the arts and mechanical powers, are confounded

e number of fables, if the remains of such colossal structures, which have braved the rust of so many centuries, did not att

mple of Minerva. Herodotus asserts, that the wise Amasis regretted to have commanded so painful a labour, and left it at the

etend that each of these stories was a stadium in height, which would have carried the elevation of the whole to one thousan

were allowed to present their offerings. Hence, these offerings must have been multiplied almost without end, for nothing w

nism, is was consecrated to all the gods. It is generally supposed to have been built by the direction, and at the expense o

lace of St. Angelo. The statues of the gods, which filled the niches, have been plundered or concealed under ground. When th

d a very learned treatise, in which he strives to prove, that oracles have no other origin than in the deception of priests.

culated to throw discredit upon the system of Van Dale. Could oracles have so long preserved their credit and eclat, if they

the gift of speech. Herodotus has sought after the event that could have given rise to this fiction. Two priestesses of Th

id, he gave out that the dove, or Pleiai, had spoken. Such is said to have been the origin of the famous oracle of Dodona.

of their Ammon on any motion or sign of the statue. — These accounts have been transmitted to us by Quintus Curtius and Dio

on the rock. A woman was seated on this kind of chair, and is said to have received the exhalations without injury. This pri

ministry. The Pythian was usually taken from a poor family. She must have lived without luxury, and without the love of fin

mselves to enter without being perceived. Pausanias farther says; “I have descended into the den, and have consulted the or

rceived. Pausanias farther says; “I have descended into the den, and have consulted the oracle in order to assure myself of

nt to consult the oracle. The Pythia replied that it was necessary to have recourse to Trophonius, and directed them to seek

ntiquity agree in attesting the existence of the Sibyls; but disputes have arisen in regard to their number, their countries

ed of the Romans, names ten Sibyls, and cites the ancient authors who have spoken of them. We shall follow the opinion of Va

t all the verses of the Sibyls were written in Greek; which would not have been the case, if the Sibyls had been of differen

had been of different countries. He believes this mysterious girl to have travelled much, and that her actions and travels

collected with as much care as the oracles of the Pythian, could not have been translated into Greek. However, we will pres

it was necessary for a decree of the Senate to be passed in order to have recourse to them; and the Decemviri were not perm

ount Olympius was the spot on which Jupiter is said, by the poets, to have held his court. It was, accordingly, blessed with

ectly acquainted with antiquity. It is the Olympiads, how ever, which have spread the greatest light over the chaos of ancie

no less extraordinary in his death than in his life. Some learned men have supposed that the desire of revenging himself upo

, so that I can scarcely consent to yield to the various proofs which have been adduced in its favour. It is, doubtless, mor

hese descriptions of his brilliant exploits, that the historians, who have transmitted them to us, were poets. Odin, carryin

g the most important points. The religion of the Scythians appears to have been simple in early times. It inculcated but few

ligious edifice; cruel punishments were reserved for those who should have despised these three fundamental precepts, to con

e origin of this guilty change; and we are aware that the same causes have tended to corrupt all religions contrived by men.

hip. But the Scandinavians did not all agree as to the one who should have the preference. The Danes particularly honored Od

a general tradition, the various circumstances of which most nations have embellished, altered, or suppressed at pleasure.

ictions, the same desire of explaining the phenomena of nature, which have decked out fables among all people. In considerin

or man to change the course of things, or to resist the destinies. We have already seen that they admitted three Fairies or

e. Were it not for that monument of the Icelandic mythology, which we have referred to, we should know but little of the rel

. I was rock’d in giants’ cradle,     Giants’ lore my wisdom gave; I have known both good and evil,     Now I lie in lowly

Say, proud Warder, rob’d in glory,     Are the foes of nature nigh? Have they climb’d the mountains hoary?     Have they s

e the foes of nature nigh? Have they climb’d the mountains hoary?      Have they storm’d the lofty sky? On the wings of temp

sed, are very rare in the isle of Selande; for which reason they must have been transported a great distance — monuments mor

ts more lasting than any of modern art or industry. At all times, men have thought that in order to honour deity more highly

one drank whilst making his prayer or vow. Whatever horror we may now have for human sacrifices, it nevertheless appears by

arthaginians, and, indeed, almost all the nations of Europe and Asia, have been covered with the same opprobrium. The Peruvi

nd a thousand of the like practices followed. The three Parcæ whom we have mentioned, delivered oracles in temples. That of

ing spectacle of the credulity, ignorance, and errors of men. What we have related, is sufficient to show how necessary it i

aggerated and altered accounts handed down by uncertain tradition. We have already observed, that most nations give for thei

nations give for their founders, either gods or imaginary heroes. We have shown that the Greeks made similar exertions to v

xertions of self-love cannot efface. In the general view, by which we have attempted to trace out the origin of idolatry and

e European continent; but neither the memory nor the monuments of men have preserved any record which might indicate the per

gh to extend our observations to those ages and early histories which have left some vestiges, where the mind can walk witho

wards the north, and gradually peopled the whole island. Whatever may have been the origin of the inhabitants of Great Brita

order to strengthen their power, to render homage to religion, and to have chanters of their exploits, the kings and chiefs

characteristic of the inhabitants of Great Britain, who, at all times have known how to unite lofty valour with the finest v

ain, always so attached to the remembrance of their ancestors, should have transmitted from generation to generation, the po

erers of those whom they looked upon as their enemies. Petty passions have always the fatal tendency of misleading, and freq

we are almost at a stand concerning their truth. What an idea must we have of knights, who wished to be painted in the roman

s that, from the most ancient times, the inhabitants of Great Britain have astonished the rest of the world by their wisdom,

s, unless he had sung over him the funeral hymn. This hymn appears to have been the only essential ceremony of their obsequi

ed to his family, rendered that prophetic sound. How pleasant it must have appeared to one, to believe all nature peopled wi

nspired, yet how deeply interesting and touchingly charming they must have been! They were enough to feast and fill up the m

lso find among them vestiges of the worship of the Phœnicians; for we have ample proof, that in very remote times, those fir

the reader for a few moments by presenting what history and tradition have preserved and transmitted as certain, with respec

drawn between the Magi and the Druids, and shows that the Gauls might have held the religion of the Persians, or, at least,

of the Druids had the same origin; the differences between them might have been easily caused by wars, separation, and time.

d by wars, separation, and time. The religion of the Gauls appears to have always been purer than that of other heathen nati

t places to be plundered by his troops. Hence, misinformed historians have asserted, that the ancient Gauls had temples. “Th

that the ancient Gauls had temples. “Those people,” says Tacitus , “ have nothing for their temple but a forest, where they

They believed in the doctrine of metempsychosis, which they could not have learned from Pythagoras, since they taught it lon

xims of the Druids, it must be observed, that we present them as they have come down to us by tradition, since the Druids ne

. 8. Souls pass into other bodies after the death of those which they have animated. 9. If the world perish, it will be by w

mployment. 19. All fathers of families are kings in their houses; and have the power of life and death over their wives, chi

to disobey or oppose them. Chapter XII. Of the Druidesses. We have already said that the whole system of the moralit

s Mr. Mallet in his excellent Introduction to the History of Denmark, have shown themselves, in their treatment of the softe

ch was infused all the fire and ardour that heroism could produce. We have no doubt of the existence of that atrocious maxim

therefore, if it did exist among the Druids and the Gauls, could not have belonged to them, but at the time of their greate

orld without media; since, if this had been the case, all things must have been, like himself, ineffable and unknown. It is

n, and so on; which the ancients desiring, to signify to us by names, have symbolically denominated them. Hence, says Olympi

stories essentially according to the traditions; next, that it should have some of the spirit of the old Greek and Latin myt

, an attempt has been made to approach the original tales as they may have existed in the mouths of the people. Embellishmen

as they may have existed in the mouths of the people. Embellishments have been introduced after the manner of the fairy-tal

ave been introduced after the manner of the fairy-tale, and the plots have been shortened and simplified. There have been so

e fairy-tale, and the plots have been shortened and simplified. There have been some omissions, also, to suit the immaturity

some omissions, also, to suit the immaturity of the pupils, but none have been made without careful consideration, and it i

tradictory among themselves, and if in any detail of our rendering we have invented a significance whose existence it would

r crops. Nowadays, men must work hard and take much care if they will have large harvests, but we are told that in early tim

e crop was taken in, another began to sprout. Ceres took care also to have the flowers always blooming. This she did because

to see what damage had been done; for he feared that the earth might have been so harmed that the sun would shine through i

. He told her that she should be his bride and queen; that she should have all the underworld bow down before her, and that

e,” said Pluto, as they drove on. “It is very pleasant, and you shall have all the gold and jewels you wish. You shall sit b

she met a spirit of sleep, or of dreams, she would stop it and ask, “ Have you seen my daughter, Proserpina?” But none of th

water and look at her with gentle, majestic eyes, and she would ask, “ Have you seen my daughter, Proserpina?” But none of th

y and raised her beautiful face and dripping hair above the surface. “ Have you seen my daughter, Proserpina?” asked Ceres. S

ir leaves, and the grass was sprouting up, making the meadows green. “ Have I not said that nothing shall grow upon the earth

n the earth until the fair young goddess comes back. The men of earth have given the evil season a name, and have called it

s comes back. The men of earth have given the evil season a name, and have called it Winter; but Pluto and the other dweller

hink it the best of all seasons, for only during those months do they have their beautiful queen in their midst. Persep

e gods of heaven dwell, and he knew how it cheers and warms those who have it. He knew also that the fire was sacred, and th

ut by gentleness, will I bring down the joy of Olympus; and men shall have it.” But Prometheus said, “Do it not. Happiness i

ome gift for men, O Jupiter!” answered Epimetheus, bravely. “Let them have some of the joy of Olympus.” Jupiter thought long

eus answered, sternly, “Do not dare to open it, Pandora, for the gods have forbidden it!” Pandora was silent, but she could

ll this woe?” they would ask Epimetheus; and Pandora would answer, “I have done it, for I let out the spirits from the box.”

ren?” he said. “Leave such weapons to me, who know how to use them. I have slain Python with my darts, but what can you do w

nar, and I love you, Daphne. All the world worships me, and you shall have all that the world can give. Do but stop and hear

r he is here.” Apollo also had seen the river, and he thought, “Now I have her. She can flee no further.” As he came out

a goddess of Olympus. “Take her, sweet singer,” said Pluto, “for you have deserved her well; but have a care. If before you

her, sweet singer,” said Pluto, “for you have deserved her well; but have a care. If before you reach the upper world you l

the world above. All the way Orpheus was thinking, “Is she behind me? Have they really let her come? Are we really to begin

Orpheus walked softly and asked himself: — “Is she really following? Have the gods of the underworld really let her go?” He

ht made him forget all else. “It is true, after all,” he cried. “They have really given you back, O my Eurydice!” and he tur

in the faint light of the cavern. Orpheus stood dazed; then he would have rushed after her, but the god stood in his way. “

of trouble, yet bear it with so light a heart that they never seem to have a care in the world. This was the case with Hercu

re. They came gliding swiftly toward the cradle, and there might then have been an end of both of its little occupants, but

ght him his letters, and he had other teachers such as mortals seldom have . He learned to box and wrestle, to shoot with the

e of every joy, you shall never meet with any sorrow, you shall never have to worry about any troubles, you shall never know

, you shall never know hunger or thirst; best of all, you shall never have to fight in battle.” “A gentle woman, and a gentl

hree-headed dog, Cerberus, from the underworld, that Eurystheus might have a look at it. But perhaps the hardest labor of al

   Their sparkle I sought, Where crystal was weeping,    Its tears I have caught. “The sea-nymph I’ve courted    In rich c

ght. “The sea-nymph I’ve courted    In rich coral halls; With Naiads have sported    By bright waterfalls. But sportive or

ught of such a loss, but the stranger said: — “Call to me if ever you have need, for I will hear you always. I am Apollo.” W

will hear you always. I am Apollo.” When Admetus heard this, he would have knelt before him, but already the gentle god of l

hat turns to gray; Change, silent lips, forever fair,    To lips that have their day! Oh, perfect arms, grow soft with life,

Note. — Pygmalion was a sculptor of the isle of Cyprus. He is said to have made an image of a maiden which was so beautiful

od sat on a throne and was so dazzlingly bright that human eyes would have been blinded to look at him, and Phaëton dared no

med of you,” he said. “What proof do you wish? — for you shall surely have it.” Then Phaëton, without a moment’s pause, crie

slowly on, but sunset was as far distant as ever. When the day should have been ending, the chariot of the sun was careering

r,” she said, “help me and my child. I am a king’s daughter, though I have come to this island in such an humble manner. The

os. My child is called Perseus. Because of ill omens at his birth, we have been driven from home to die.” “Fear no longer,”

for several years not unhappily. King Polydectes loved her and would have married her, but all her thoughts were of Argos a

nst him who had it.” Then Perseus said: “If I live, O King, you shall have Medusa’s head,” and he arose and went quietly out

re, Perseus, when the king and his court are feasting?” she asked. “I have promised King Polydectes the head of the Gorgon M

Medusa,” replied the young man, and I will not see him again until I have it.” The aged woman smiled. “What can you do agai

h you, Perseus,” she said; “therefore, be of good courage. Moreover I have brought you the sandals of Mercury, to help you o

ne, and King Polydectes was glad at heart to think that now he should have his way. He sent a messenger to Danaë and command

lowed. If they had but touched him, no mortal sword or strength would have been of any avail. Sometimes he rose high in the

d more enraged. When at last he made a move toward the hero and would have crushed him, Perseus drew from his mantle the ter

to Perseus: — “What shall I give you, young hero? Ask, for you shall have it, even to the half of my kingdom.” “Not the hal

kingdom do I wish,” replied Perseus; “but give me, O King, her whom I have saved — give me Andromeda.” Cepheus was pleased w

ll and remained there, quivering. “King Polydectes,” said Perseus, “I have brought you the gift you wished. Here is the head

d there — stone. Thus Danaë was saved. The people of the island would have made Perseus king in the place of Polydectes, but

rustling spray? “’Tis the white-horn’d doe,” the hunter cries,    “I have sought since break of day.” Quick o’er the sunny

est to a great stone which lay there. “Under this stone,” said he, “I have put a sword and a pair of sandals. I must leave y

d still harder, but the stone was firm. Ten ordinary men could hardly have moved it. He made a third trial. The muscles of h

us was ready to set out. His grandfather and those of the court would have had him go by sea, for the way to Athens by land

by raising the great stone.” The old king wept for joy. But he would have slain Medea. The enchantress, however, by her mag

taur, a fierce and evil monster, half a man and half a bull. Twice we have sent the awful tribute, and now lots must be draw

d what his son had chosen to do, he was stricken with grief. He would have commanded him to remain and not risk a life so pr

Give the apple to me, Paris,” she said. “Give it to me, and you shall have the most beautiful woman in the world. She lives

n longed to return to her home, and Priam and his people would gladly have let her go, but Paris would not agree to it, and

f the plunder and his favorite slave. For this threat, Achilles would have slain Agamemnon, even in the midst of the Grecian

im by his golden hair, and said: — “Do him no harm, for you shall yet have justice done you.” So Achilles pushed back his sw

at beside her son and wept with him. Then Achilles said: — “Indeed, I have had my revenge, mother, and the Greeks have paid

hilles said: — “Indeed, I have had my revenge, mother, and the Greeks have paid dearly for the wrong Agamemnon did me; but w

the front of the battle against the Trojans; nor shall I rest until I have slain the mighty Hector and avenged the death of

sted ten years. Finally the beautiful Paris was slain, and that might have been an occasion to end the struggle, but even th

In the city of Troy, there was a statue of Minerva which was said to have fallen from heaven. It was called the Palladium,

rted high on heavy wooden legs and was so large that twenty men might have sat within it. Now, the horse is the animal sacre

Greeks had made this monster in honor of Neptune, so that they might have a safe voyage. “What shall we do with it?” the Tr

s asked one another. Some thought it ought to be burned; others would have pushed it into the sea; still others advised that

large?” “I will tell you all,” said the deceitful Sinon. “The Greeks have not gone for good. It is true they have gone to G

deceitful Sinon. “The Greeks have not gone for good. It is true they have gone to Greece, but they will return in a few wee

heard the sweet voice with its Grecian tones, they started and would have answered, but the wise warrior Ulysses saw the da

and he started on his journey home Before a fair breeze he would soon have ended his voyage, but as his ships were rounding

hey were all in, lifted a huge door-stone which twenty oxen could not have moved, and set it against the entrance. After tha

ses and his companions. “Who are you, strangers?” he said, “and where have you come from?” Their hearts sank at the sound of

ng Agamemnon at Troy, and now, when we thought to reach our homes, we have been driven from our course and lost on the ocean

ed to find his companions or share their fate. Then, indeed, it might have gone hard with the hero, but that upon the way th

ompanions stayed a year on the island of Circe. The enchantress would have had them stay always, but when she saw that Ulyss

d him how much his home had need of him. “For years these lawless men have been rioting in your palace, and wooing your wife

er’s neck. “Son,” said Ulysses, after their greetings were ended, “we have work before us. You and I must punish these lawle

it at him. It struck him on the shoulder, but though it would almost have felled an ox, Ulysses was not moved by it. He wal

n, and when at last she rose to go, she said: — “Stranger, your words have touched me deeply. Never has there come to the pa

bend it and shoot through the rings,” said Telemachus, “no one shall have you.” Telemachus was the first to, try. Once, twi

pe. “He did not come here to woo me, but if he bend the bow, he shall have a rich prize.” “Leave us, mother,” said Telemachu

us leave her to her own thoughts for a while. She will know me when I have put off these rags.” They went out, and Minerva t

y΄sium (e-lyzh΄um), or Ely΄sian Fields. Abode of departed spirits who have been brave and good, 22, 38. En΄na. A valley in

mphs, 96. Nax΄os. An island s.e. of Greece, where Theseus is said to have deserted Ariadne, 168. Neme΄an Lion. The lion th

pherds there, 71; fairest of men; was called upon to judge who should have the golden apple intended “for I the fairest,” 17

ard; and that, too in a manner so strange and immediate, that it must have greatly affected their minds in stimulating to go

thus, every class of society, from the patrician to the peasant, must have been imbued with feelings which, while they belie

the Heathen Mythology in a poetical and fabulous shape, we are apt to have a false idea of the religious feeling of the anci

and modern, is so entirely cheerful, that we are apt to think it must have wanted gravity to more believing eyes. Every fore

as better. “Imagine the feelings with which an ancient believer must have gone by the oracular oaks of Dodona, or the calm

udy theology and philosophy at Delphi: with what feelings must he not have passed along the woody paths of the hill, approac

f nations, Mythology has always been found to exist; imaginary beings have been adored, and a system of worship established,

the assertions they are called on implicitly to believe. With this we have nothing to do; the object of the present work bei

to offer a brief and succinct history of those Gods whose adventures have created most interest, and by means of them to gi

l fictions with which Homer and Hesiod, and their poetical imitators, have enriched and embellished their works; but althoug

e mind! what objects of pity are those cold and insensible hearts who have never felt your charms! and what objects of pity

e with a view to the nature of things and others to civil affairs. We have another sign, and that no small one, of this hidd

ve another sign, and that no small one, of this hidden sense which we have been speaking of, which is that some of these fab

me is, that many of these fables seem not to be invented by those who have related them, Homer, Hesiod , and other writers;

d are various only from the additional embellishments diverse writers have bestowed on them… The wisdom of the ancients was

its of their industry; and happy if they looked no further, that they have afforded matter and occasion so worthy of contemp

haos is often mentioned in the history of the Gods, but seems only to have had a momentary reign. He is the most ancient of

is wife Cybele. But a mother’s yearning for her offspring, appears to have filled even the breast of a goddess; and when del

rather than submit to the tyrannical passion of Cybele, he is said to have destroyed himself, and the goddess metamorphosed

hs, and named the Horn of Plenty. As Jupiter emerged from infancy, we have seen he had to strive with the Titans, who disput

easure and divide the weary years From which there is no refuge, long have taught And long must teach. Even now the Torturer

dispersed themselves over the world, and which from that fatal moment have never ceased to afflict the human race. Hope alon

en hair!” Collins. “Hope sets the stamp of vanity on all, That men have deemed substantial since the fall, Yet has the wo

lastly of Olympus, in which he dwelt, and on which poets and painters have exercised their imaginations. The figures of Jupi

nd painters have exercised their imaginations. The figures of Jupiter have varied according to the circumstances and the tim

ave varied according to the circumstances and the times in which they have appeared. He has been represented as a swan, a bu

swan, a bull, a shower of gold, and as a cuckoo: but Homer appears to have inspired ideas of the most noble kinds to the scu

lebrated at Olympus. The following, perhaps the finest description we have of Jupiter, while granting the prayer of Achilles

rent realm, accountable to thee, Great ruler of the world; these only have To speak and be obeyed; to those are given Assist

y, she would not be able to quit her place of concealment, should she have partaken of any nourishment while there; and it w

Insérer image anonyme_heathen-mythology_1842_img031 Destiny. We have already seen that the decrees of Destiny, or Fate

rpetual green thy boughs adorn.” Ovid. However earnest Apollo might have been in his pursuit of Daphne, he did not long re

s!” Apollo was so disconsolate at the death of Hyacinth, that, as we have seen, he changed his blood into a flower which bo

ncealed; As monarch’s vices must not be revealed: For fear the people have them in the wind. Who long ago were neither dumb

, the king my husband wears A goodly, royal pair of ass’s ears. Now I have eased my bosom of the pain, Till the next longing

lly returned to Thales, and was deposited in the temple; where, as we have seen, it served the sibyl for a seat. ‌This story

, they were turned into magpies, and since their transformation, they have preserved the talent so dear to beauty, of being

d at the desecration, attacked her, and in all probability, she would have perished by the hands of her son, had not Jupiter

ta, daughter of the king of Arcadia, wounded him first, but she would have fallen beneath the fury of its revenge, had it no

ver idol, and ne’er worshipped thee! It is too late, or thou shouldst have my knee; Too late now for the old Ephesian vows,

Bacchus was returning triumphantly in his ship, from the conquest we have recorded, crowned with vine leaves, and flushed w

any bleaching stones they wont to greet.     And thence into her lap have boldly sprung, Washing her weedy tresses to and f

Washing her weedy tresses to and fro, That round her crouching knees have darkly hung, But she sits careless of waves’ ebb

say how he came there, and what they were going to do with him. “You have nothing to fear,” was the reply, “only tell us wh

ry damsels! whence came ye, So many, and so many, and such glee? “Why have ye left your bowers desolate,     Your lutes and

olly Satyrs! whence came ye, So many, and so many, and such glee? Why have ye left your forest haunts, why left     Your nut

, aided by drunkenness, producing something beyond insanity, seems to have caught them in its whirlwinds, and to bear them o

and to bear them over the earth, as the rapid volutions of a tempest have the everchanging trunk of a waterspout; or as the

ice is stopped, her joints forget to bow, Her eyes are mad, that they have wept till now. …………………………………………………    “She looks

drops upon their whiteness stood.” Shakspere. Proserpine is said to have restored him to life, on condition of his spendin

pollo of the capital, or the union of both like the Apollo Belvidere, have the tenderness of arch, yet pure and affectionate

his labours he was assisted by the Cyclops, who are said by some, to have possessed but one eye, placed in the middle of th

many entreaties, accompanied with tears, that the king of heaven must have complied, had it not been for the more touching a

e in the isle of Cyprus, where she gave birth to Cupid. Vulcan, as we have recorded, was celebrated for the ingenious works

return, where he was reconciled to his parents. He seems, however, to have been retained there more for ridicule than any ot

which could gather the greatest number in the least time. Cupid would have been triumphant, had not Perestere, who accompani

earth looked on her almost as a divinity, and in some instances would have worshipped her in the belief that she was Venus,

 Holy the air, the water and the fire.” Keats. Of this deity, poets have written until the God, become identified with the

s of hell: Earthly these passions of the earth They perish where they have their birth;     But Love is indestructible: Its

ms, to gain her love A rival crowd of envious lovers strove. They who have seen her, own they ne’er did trace, More moving f

desecration of that sanctuary, where only worship and incense should have been offered. Insérer image anonyme_heathen-mytho

which produced it: such a countenance is seen in few.” Shelley. We have already seen that Minerva, not satisfied with bei

s, named Salii, carried small bucklers, supposed to be sacred, and to have fallen from the skies. To him was consecrated the

s of Mars, as the God of War, and consequently the winner of victory, have been very numerous. ‌ His most celebrated temple

the presider over gladiators, and was the god of all exercises, which have in them a manly or spirited character. Insérer im

cial for the use of mankind. As monarch of the sea, he is supposed to have had possession of the deep, and all the treasures

                    We ask not such from thee! “Yet more, the depths have more! what wealth untold, Far down, and shining t

                 Earth claims not these again! “Yet more, the depths have more! thy waves have rolled, Above the cities of

h claims not these again! “Yet more, the depths have more! thy waves have rolled, Above the cities of a world gone by! Sand

      Man yields them to decay “Yet more! the billows and the depths have more! High hearts and brave are gathered to thy b

me; yet to the son of Jupiter and Maia, the actions of all the others have been probably attributed, as he is the most famou

s they had used in the pursuit of gain; and this may be considered to have been particularly necessary when it is remembered

superior intelligences. For the most part, therefore, these Immortals have no origin in history; but, as allusions are const

s melancholy fate, changed him into the flower Narcissus. Many morals have been attempted to be deduced from this beautiful

ttempted to be deduced from this beautiful fable, but in none of them have their authors been very successful, unless we may

s And, in distress, for refuge flies to prayers. ‘O father Bacchus, I have sinned,’ he cried, ‘And foolishly thy gracious gi

, that he ordered it instantly to be removed. The creature is said to have answered the description which poets and painters

ure is said to have answered the description which poets and painters have given of the Satyrs. Priapus was the most celebra

 * But the bright cup? the nectared draught Which Jove himself was to have quaffed!     Alas, alas, upturned it lay         

th Autumn, Ceres with Summer, and Flora with Spring. The four seasons have also been described with great distinctness, by p

ers; and many are the strains attributed to her. “I come, I come! ye have called me long, I come o’er the mountains with li

stars in the shadowy grass, By the green leaves opening as I pass. I have breathed in the south, and the chesnut flowers, B

I have breathed in the south, and the chesnut flowers, By thousands have burst from the forest bowers, And the ancient gra

not for me in my hour of bloom, To speak of the ruin or the tomb. I have looked o’er the hills of the stormy north, And th

f softer green, And the moss looks bright where my foot hath been. I have sent thro’ the wood-paths a glowing sigh, And cal

e dark fir-branch into verdure breaks. From the streams and founts I have loosed the chain, They are sweeping on to the sil

rs must die! Ye smile! — but your smile hath a dimness yet — Oh! what have ye looked on since last we met? Ye are changed,

ortality! Are they gone? is their mirth from the mountains passed? Ye have looked on death since ye met me last! I know whe

ince ye met me last! I know whence the shadow comes o’er you now, Ye have strewn the dust on the sunny brow! Ye have given

dow comes o’er you now, Ye have strewn the dust on the sunny brow! Ye have given the lovely to earth’s embrace, She hath tak

Ye are marked by care, ye are mine no more, I go where the loved, who have left you, dwell, And the flowers are not death’s

en eternity. The squirrel gloats on his accomplished hoard, The Ants have trimm’d their garners with ripe grain,         An

ts have trimm’d their garners with ripe grain,         And honey bees have stored The sweets of summer in their luscious cel

ored The sweets of summer in their luscious cells; “The swallows all have winged across the main; But here the Autumn melan

Thetis said, ‘Fair goddess of the waves, consent to wed, A son you’ll have , the terror of the field, To whom, in fame and po

fire in attempting to see whether they were immortal. Achilles would have shared the same fate, if Peleus had not snatched

come.” Virgil. From his knowledge of futurity, mankind are said to have received the greatest benefits. —————— “Blue Pro

 All hidden things and free, Of the dim, old sounding wilderness,      Have lent their soul to thee.     “Thou art come from

night, and the other light like day. “Night, when like perfumes that have slept All day within the wild flower’s heart, Ste

ut the thoughts the soul has kept In silence and apart: And voices we have pined to hear, Through many a long and lonely day

                  I come with mightier things! Who calls me silent? I have many tones — The dark skies thrill with low myste

                 I am the solemn night!” Hemans. Death. Poets have given to Death a heart of iron, bowels of steel,

Thou twin’st the cypress wreath round victory’s brow,     The brave have won the fight, but, fighting, fell; It was thine

over the interests of private families. Their worship is supposed to have ‌arisen from the ancient custom among the Romans

Though from your rites Estranged, and exiled from your altars long, I have not ceased to love you, Household Gods! O ye whom

bravery united with moderation. The worship of the Graces appeals to have had birth in Samothracia; then Elis, Perinthia, D

r of Euphrosyne, Aglaia, and Thalia. Of them, the greatest statuaries have erected the most groups, and Socrates himself, be

Vulcan, by observing that if he wished to make man perfect, he should have placed a window at his heart; and when he found t

a sham, he never bound it! Love, who saw the whole proceeding, Would have laughed, but for good breeding; While old Hymen,

emphis, stretches grandly forth, Upon whose silent shore the dead      Have a proud city of their own, With shrines and pyram

ds are those, who, sprung from the union of a mortal with a divinity, have taken their place among the Immortals; and “Fabul

tes who infested ‌Hellespont and the neighbouring seas, and from this have always been considered as gods favourable to sail

one foot bare, and the other shod, the appearance of Jason, who as we have seen, had lost one of his sandals, alarmed him, a

oft assails, The infernal tyrant, and at last prevails; Then calls to have decrepid Æson brought, And stupifies him with a s

to death. Medea also died at Colchis, and after her death is said to have been married to Achilles in Elysium. It is assert

is the most celebrated, and as such, doubtless, many of their actions have been attributed to him. In order to gain the affe

nd for that good deed, now I pity thee! Hercules. I want thy pity, I have slain my sons. Theseus. Thee, for thy grace, in

eus. This last bloody deed, (Wretch that I am!) the murder of my sons Have I achieved, to crown my house with ills. I am red

, That never Grecian might behold me more, With whom in better days I have been happy. Why therefore should I live? What ble

the club, immediately two sprang up, and the labour of Hercules would have remained unfinished, had he not commanded his fri

as a complete pattern of virtue and piety, and is asserted by them to have been employed for the benefit of mankind, and for

lain Gorgon he carried with him, arose the innumerable serpents which have for ages infested the sandy deserts of Lybia. “W

self unable to contend with so powerful a foe, Perseus was obliged to have recourse to the head of Medusa, and Atlas was ins

you claim his merit? Had you thought Her charms so great, you should have bravely sought, That blessing on the rocks where

the loss of her.” Ovid. ‌A fierce contest ensued, and Perseus must have fallen a victim to the fury of Phineus, had he no

Heroes. Heroes are mortals, who, by their glorious achievements, have excited the admiration of their kind, and receive

eir kind, and received the respect due to those immortal spirits, who have distinguished themselves in the service of their

to Athens, he found that Mnestheus had usurped the crown which should have fallen upon his children. In vain did Theseus att

henian people.     Leonarde. “’Tis one of those bright fictions that have made The name of Greece only another word, For lo

ous! How like a god he stands, one haughty hand Raised in defiance! I have often looked ‌Upon the marble, wondering it coul

t.     Phæ. I am not mad! would to the gods I were — Think not that I have yielded willingly, Unto the passion which I now a

lded willingly, Unto the passion which I now avow, Daily, and hourly, have I striven against it: And night by night, when vi

many a confused shape, All bearing one image, and that image thine, I have striven, wrestled, fought against this love, But

word?     Hip. Aye!     The. Dost dread it?     Hip. No; the innocent have nought to fear;     The. Now by my crown, this is

ve, thy heart Hath turned to her’s; how with an impure lip, Thy words have pierced her to the soul.     Hip. And dost thou d

am not the wretch that thou would’st make me. Horror — astonishment —  have kept me silent —     The. Darest thou add falseho

stinguished honour which the ancients rendered to Orpheus, appears to have been an homage paid by the refinement of the age

was the son of Œager by the muse Calliope, though some assert him to have been the son of Apollo, because the god, owing to

hers in melody and beauty. After his death, he is reported by some to have received divine honours, the muses rendering the

om he had seven sons and seven daughters; the trials of this princess have been given in the history of Apollo, leaving a to

rack an innocent man. ‌ Œd. Speak, then. Phor. Alas! what would you have me say? Œd. Did this old man take from your arms

s me. Œd. Thou shalt not die; speak then, who was it? Speak, While I have sense to understand the horror, For I grow cold.

other. With a prophetic voice he exclaimed: — “Lo! the immortal gods have called — the ground on which we stand, shall be m

the Areopagus in the age of ‌Pausanias, and some of the ancient poets have represented him in hell, as the place, which crim