ted through the air, In magic glances play upon the eye, Combining in their endless, fairy form A wild creation.” To Mrs.

cel in the cultivation of the imaginative faculties, may associate in their minds a name so justly entitled to their admirati

faculties, may associate in their minds a name so justly entitled to their admiration and esteem, has had no small degree of

mall degree of influence in urging me to take this step. By directing their attention to the example of one who continually e

cipices, where she beholds a thousand-fanged serpent come up and gnaw their guilty hearts; and, at last dropped by that serpe

resentations, called idols. The Babylonians worshipped Bel or Baal as their idol, and so on. The Chaldeans, the Phœnicians, t

attributed to them certain powers and qualities; but, as very few of their works have been transmitted to us, a knowledge of

s very few of their works have been transmitted to us, a knowledge of their mythology is not essentially necessary to a liber

liberal education. The ancients are supposed to have borrowed much of their fabulous history from the Bible. The Egyptians we

ble. The Egyptians were acquainted with the religion of the Jews, and their priests appear to have decked out in the robe of

hatever related to the worship of the gods that had been brought into their country by the colonies from Phœnicia and Egypt;

colonies from Phœnicia and Egypt; so that they soon greatly increased their number, by bestowing divine honours on such as ra

n time they excelled in civilization and refinement. They represented their gods in human shape of the most excellent charact

could discover in the figure of man, was displayed in the statues of their deities. The natural consequence of raising morta

ooked upon as the grand source from which the ancients formed much of their fabulous history? Can the whole of the Grecian an

The Grecians and Romans, having adopted this fabulous history as their religion, found, by experience, that it was admir

he was taught to entertain the highest veneration. In the infancy of their republic, the deep and extensive concerns of the

heathen divinities serve the Greeks, and after them, the Romans, for their religion? As you have informed me that their syst

er them, the Romans, for their religion? As you have informed me that their system of mythology was introduced in the absence

men have made of the necessity of one supreme God; but it was out of their power to define and comprehend him, since they ha

his order. The third order was composed of the demi-gods, who derived their origin from a god by a female mortal or from a go

it may be proper to speak of Saturn and Cybele, his parents, although their rank was far inferior to his own. The Greeks deem

; no war was proclaimed; no offender was executed; and masters served their slaves. Saturn was called Stercutius, because he

duteous son and his usurping sway. And hence the Golden Times derived their name.” Virgil. “December now brings Saturn’s m

rgil. “December now brings Saturn’s merry feasts, When masters bear their sportive servants’ jests.” Ausonius. Questions.

w wine and frankincense, on the day that the Roman consuls entered on their office. At Rome, a temple of brass was erected to

y waits. Then when the sacred Senate votes the wars, The Roman consul their decree declares, And in his robes the sounding ga

own name to that goddess, and that the Corybantes, her priests, took their names from Corybas. In time Cybele was reckoned t

If they let the sacred fire expire, through inattention, or violated their vows of chastity, they were burnt alive, being sh

lictors with the fasces; and even the consuls on meeting them, bowed their fasces in token of respect. Their declarations we

sacred fire renewed by the rays of the sun, attended the monarchs in their wars. Questions. Who was Vesta? Please to tell me

ntle sails, While her fair train with beckoning hands deplore, Strain their blue eyes, and shriek along the shore. Onward he

e, And skim on shooting wing the shining tide; Emerging Tritons leave their coral caves, Sound Europe’s shadowy shores with l

which was, no doubt, a fortress in Thessaly. Let our readers sharpen their minds in explaining the other fables related in r

re nothing more than a family of princes, who acknowledged Saturn for their sovereign, but who afterwards revolted. In order

n, but who afterwards revolted. In order to represent, allegorically, their atrocious crimes and passions, the poets incarnat

ls into which the frightened gods figured themselves were nothing but their images carved on the prows of the ships in which

to be repeopled, and were commanded to throw behind them the bones of their grandmother. They rightly guessed that by their g

ind them the bones of their grandmother. They rightly guessed that by their grandmother was intended the earth, and by her bo

he gods to depose Jupiter; but by the help of Briareus, he frustrated their attempts, and Apollo and Neptune were cast out of

Argus lies; and all that wond’rous light, Which gave his hundred eyes their useful sight, Lies buried now in one eternal nigh

“At her command rush forth the steeds divine; Rich with immortal gold their trappings shine: Bright Hebe waits: Hebe, ever yo

appiness of the married pair, that his name was loudly invoked during their celebration. Hymen was represented as a handsome

of family peace, was worshipped, that husbands might be reconciled to their wives. When a married couple quarrelled, they usu

aired to her temple, and there unsealing the sources of confidence in their breasts, they laid aside all bad feelings, and ca

Pilumnus, so called from the pestle, with which the ancients pounded their corn, before they made their bread. Intercidona

pestle, with which the ancients pounded their corn, before they made their bread. Intercidona was invoked, because she firs

sleep in cradles. Nundina was invoked by parents, who gave names to their children soon after their birth; and was also cal

a was invoked by parents, who gave names to their children soon after their birth; and was also called Nona Dies. When a boy

whom they were named Laverniones. They worshipped her, when they put their designs and intrigues into execution. She appears

e emblems indicate? What five deities favoured the nuptial rites with their presence? What was the duty of Jugatinus? What w

s? What was the duty of Manturna? What goddess reconciled husbands to their wives? What was the province of Pilumnus? What is

y fifth year. The initiated only were admitted; and whoever disclosed their secrets, was put to an ignominious death. Proserp

a mother; Thesmophoris, because she taught men to affix boundaries to their possessions. Ceres was represented as a tall, bea

show, In long procession, shouting as they go; Invoking her to bless their yearly stores, Inviting plenty to their crowded f

hey go; Invoking her to bless their yearly stores, Inviting plenty to their crowded floors, Thus in the spring, and thus in s

which Phryxus and Helle fled away to escape from the persecutions of their step-mother. 2. April, sign of Taurus (a bull.) H

un. Early in the morning, they prepare the chariot and the horses for their father, and open the gates of heaven. Ethes, Pasi

ion with Diana, he slew the children of Niobe, because Niobe insulted their mother. Niobe herself was changed into a rock. Hi

sacrificed to him. The hawk and the wolf were sacred to him, because their eyes are piercing; also the raven, the crow, and

’cine is mine; what herbs and simples grow In fields, in forests, all their powers I know, And am the great physician call’d

which brought on her the wrath of Apollo and Diana. They pierced with their arrows the children of Niobe in the plains near T

an extreme heat, which the night itself could not abate, the fable of their death was imagined. Homer says that the children

e heard. The arrows of Apollo represent the rays of the sun. Such was their power, that sudden deaths were attributed to them

uring the prevalence of contagious diseases, the people placed before their houses laurel branches, in hopes that the gods wo

ose and indissoluble relation of the liberal arts to the sciences. On their mountain, Pegasus is seen to expand his wings tow

when the Muses were going to Mount Parnassus to learn the lessons of their master Apollo, a heavy fall of rain forced them t

mountain Helicon in Bœotia; Parnassides, because Mount Parnassus was their favorite retreat; Pegasides, because Pegasus, a w

impressions; and it is with that mental endowment that mankind refine their intellect, and they are also indebted to it for t

mankind refine their intellect, and they are also indebted to it for their progress in knowledge. The name of the Muses is g

her. She was denominated Tisiphone, because married women consecrated their girdle to her; Lucina, because she was invoked by

cross-ways; Chitone, because women after childbirth used to offer her their children’s clothes; Bubastis, by the Egyptians, a

ar veneration, and offered on her altars all strangers shipwrecked on their coast. At Sparta boys of high birth were annually

Thessaly had the fame of drawing the moon down from heaven by dint of their incantations; eclipses were supposed to be produc

os with a view to sell him for a slave. They had already proceeded on their voyage, when Bacchus, a blooming and lovely boy,

s laughed at his distress; but they were soon astonished to find that their ship was immovable. The masts were surrounded wit

cians, and celebrated by young men, when they ran with vine leaves in their hands, from the temple of Bacchus to the chapel o

y trampling upon the skins of goats. In these rites the Romans daubed their faces with juice extracted from the bark of trees

notice. The Egyptians sacrificed pigs to Bacchus before the doors of their houses. The goat was usually offered to him, beca

man youth, deriv’d from ruin’d Troy, In rude Saturnian rhymes express their joy; Deform’d with vizards, cat from barks of tre

with vizards, cat from barks of trees, With taunts and laughter loud their audience please; In jolly hymns they praise the g

aises duly sing, And consecrated cakes and chargers bring; Dragg’d by their horns let victim goats expire, And roast on hazel

. — Many learned men believe that the poets have represented Moses in their Bacchus. They find so striking resemblances betwe

posed of men, women, and children, wandered long in the wilderness in their journey to the land of Canaan. Fable represents B

informed that no enemy could succeed against them, if it remained in their city. The oracle was religiously observed for a l

celebrated in April. On these festival days, pupils made presents to their teachers. They were obliged to give them, in orde

g introduced an Egyptian colony among the people of Athens, corrected their barbarous customs, and taught them to cultivate t

ence which had arisen between the sailors, who recognized Neptune for their chief, and the people, united with the senate, wh

e to foreign ambassadors. Her priests, called the Bellonarii, offered their own blood, from wounds inflicted on their thighs

led the Bellonarii, offered their own blood, from wounds inflicted on their thighs and bodies. At Comona, in Cappadocia, Bell

the Latins, the reputed father of Romulus and Remus. The Gauls called their Mars Hesus, and sacrificed to him human victims.

of Venus, Vulcan’s wife; but Apollo informing the injured husband of their intrigue, he spread around the lovers invisible n

es the press; her steps Bellona treads, And shakes her iron rod above their heads.” “Loud clamours rose from various nations

of war, and finally levelled Troy with the ground. The Syrians called their Venus Astarte; the Persians Anaitis; she was deno

ers; Barbata, because the Roman women, afflicted with the shedding of their hair, prayed to her for the re-growth of it; Cypr

the island Cythera; Calva, because the women in her temple converted their hair into ropes for engines, when Rome was presse

. “Young Dione, nursed beneath the waves, And rocked by Nereides, in their coral caves, Charmed the blue sisterhood with pla

ms, In slow meanders wander o’er her charms: See round her snowy neck their lucid track, Pearl her white shoulders, gem her i

impossibility of reconciling them, allowed the poets the exercise of their imaginations as their guide. They consulted their

nciling them, allowed the poets the exercise of their imaginations as their guide. They consulted their passions or those of

ets the exercise of their imaginations as their guide. They consulted their passions or those of kings and great personages w

dventures, were the materials they made use of to form the history of their Venus. Painting and sculpture, sisters of poetry,

of Bahlon. In age, size, and fortune, they resembled each other. With their beauty they alternately refined their joys and so

they resembled each other. With their beauty they alternately refined their joys and softened their cares, and by the most ag

r. With their beauty they alternately refined their joys and softened their cares, and by the most agreeable participation, c

hey were fitted for conjugal happiness. They solicited the consent of their parents, which was refused by reason of a previou

nding between the two families. A partition-wall was made to separate their houses. But nothing is impregnable to love; for t

a chink in the wall, where they conversed undiscovered, and which, at their parting, they carefully shut on both sides; but t

at all times, besieged with a train of wooers. In order to get rid of their importunities, she at length declared that whoeve

would be beaten by her, should be put to death. Accordingly they made their best efforts to beat her; but were all outrun: an

their best efforts to beat her; but were all outrun: and the loss of their lives was attributed to the fault of their feet.

ll outrun: and the loss of their lives was attributed to the fault of their feet. Venus gave Hippomonus some apples of the He

whose temple they had profaned, when they were too impatient to have their nuptials consummated. There was in Leucate, near

Euphrosyne, (gay,) and Pasithea. They were the constant attendants of their mother, who sometimes represented Hours or Season

le, innocent, pure, lightly drest, and in elegant attitudes, and with their hands connected, to show the mutual affection tha

affection that subsisted between them. Behold the real loveliness of their innocence, of their piety, of their good humour,

isted between them. Behold the real loveliness of their innocence, of their piety, of their good humour, the irresistible cha

em. Behold the real loveliness of their innocence, of their piety, of their good humour, the irresistible charms of their una

nce, of their piety, of their good humour, the irresistible charms of their unaffected modesty and humanity, with all the rar

and pleasing marks of sensibility; virtues which add new softness to their sex, and even beautify their beauty, the magicism

ility; virtues which add new softness to their sex, and even beautify their beauty, the magicism of their celestial friendshi

oftness to their sex, and even beautify their beauty, the magicism of their celestial friendship, and the cherishing memory o

magicism of their celestial friendship, and the cherishing memory of their warm hearts! — See Fig. 28. Fig. 28. The Graces

ed the Cyclops, a race of giants with a circular eye in the middle of their forehead. They were described as working in the c

e, Huge Cyclops dwelt in Ætna’s rocky womb, On thundering anvils rung their loud alarms, And leagued with Vulcan forged immor

wield, And tittering graces peep behind the shield. With jointed mail their fairy limbs o’erwhelm, Or nod with pausing step t

the boiling ore, Heard undismay’d the breathing bellows roar, Admired their sinewy arms, and shoulders bare, And ponderous ha

d ponderous hammers lifted high in air, With smiles celestial bless’d their dazzled sight, And beauty blazed amid infernal ni

oblique he goes, And still the bellows, and, ill order laid, Locks in their chest the instruments of trade. Then with a spong

rom side to side the fiery caverns roar, Loud groans the mass beneath their ponderous blows, Fierce burns the flame, and the

s and Brontes gave, And strong Pyracmon shook the gloomy cave; Before their sovereign came, the Cyclops strove With eager spe

ord are hurl’d, All charged with vengeance on a guilty world. Beneath their hands, tremendous to survey! Half rough, half for

h’d on his back, he dash’d against the stones Their broken bodies and their crackling bones. With spouting blood the purple p

dire glutton grinds the trembling limbs. Not unreveng’d Ulysses bore their fate, Nor thoughtless of his own unhappy state. F

. The second was one of the first kings of the Egyptians, or, rather, their first divinity. Their silence respecting his orig

of the third out of that of the first two, together with additions of their own. Obs. 2. — The Cyclops appear to have been t

e Cyclops appear to have been the aboriginals of Sicily. Ignorance of their origin caused them to be looked upon as the sons

that volcano was compared to the redoubled strokes of the Cyclops on their anvils. They are fabled to have had but one eye;

ome suppose they wore a mask to keep off the fire with one hole above their eyes through which to see their works. Questions.

keep off the fire with one hole above their eyes through which to see their works. Questions. Who was Vulcan? Did he reside i

ights, measures, &c. It was he who released the souls of men from their bodies, conducted them to Charon’s boat, to be fe

nto a stone. At different times he is said, in sport, and in spite of their utmost vigilance, to have purloined from Apollo h

eep, and when asleep, would awaken. When it was applied to the dying, their spirit separated gently from the mortal frame; bu

ling, crafty, and cunning. He consulted the learned, and profitted by their discourses to instruct himself in the sciences an

ened nations have sought out some supernatural beings to preside over their fortunes and destinies; and hence, too, every ele

of a pure, spiritual, and holy Supreme Being who is worthy to receive their highest adorations: and hence we find in all the

, because it represented to them the tremendous Typhon. They reserved their whole veneration for the waters of the Nile. They

a. The Persians having pretended to sustain the pre-eminence of fire, their great divinity, the Egyptian priests accepted the

pect of the Egyptians for the Hydria, which they also called Canopus, their god. According to them, the Nile, or water in gen

ill lasts, and the princes who reign on the banks of this river, make their subjects pay for the right of bathing and drawing

s sort of idolatrous worship by adding to it the charms and graces of their fictions. Hence sprang the sea deities whose numb

name, Oceanides and Oceantides. The Argonauts, before they prosecuted their expedition, offered him flour, honey, and oil on

utiful virgins, mounted on dolphins, and bearing Neptune’s trident in their hands, or sometimes garlands of flowers. Thetis w

e was most venerated by the Libyans. The Greeks and Romans celebrated their Isthmean games and Consualia in honour of him. Du

During his feasts, horses and mules crowned with flowers, rested from their toils. Nobody durst disturb their rest. His ordin

s crowned with flowers, rested from their toils. Nobody durst disturb their rest. His ordinary victims were the horse and the

trumpet with which to convene the water deities when Neptune requires their presence. “Good Neptune’s steeds to rest are set

Shaking his trident, urges on his steeds, Who with two feet beat from their brawny breasts The foaming billows; but their hin

with two feet beat from their brawny breasts The foaming billows; but their hinder parts Swim, and go smooth against the curl

e of his trumpet Triton is said to have frightened away the giants in their wars with the gods. This fable may be considered

umber, supposed to have been the daughters of Achelaus and Melpomene: their names were Parthenope, Ligeia, and Leucosia, or,

were overcome, and the pupils of Apollo punished them by pulling off their wings, of which they made crowns. The Sirens appe

nother, a flute, and the third, singing. They knew how to accommodate their songs to the tempers of men. Such was the sweetne

eir songs to the tempers of men. Such was the sweetness and melody of their notes, that passengers were often allured by them

melody of their notes, that passengers were often allured by them to their destruction. The Tritons and Sirens are sometimes

rmaids. Ulysses and Orpheus were the only two passengers, who escaped their machinations. The former being forewarned by Circ

o escaped their machinations. The former being forewarned by Circe of their dangerous melody, stopped the ears of his comrade

“Sirens were once sea-monsters, mere decoys, Trepanning seamen with their tuneful voice.” Ovid. “Far on the right her do

are they represented? Who were the only two passengers, that escaped their machinations? What story is related of Scylla? Wh

s a Bœotian fisherman. One day he perceived that the fishes recovered their strength by touching an herb upon which he had em

t they durst not offer vows to that goddess, because they dreaded for their children the misfortunes which had overwhelmed Le

, instead of Phœban. The king-fishers, sea-birds, have power to build their nests on the waves, even during winter. The ancie

groves and valleys. The meadows and fields acknowledge Limoniades for their proctors. Meliæ watched over the ash. Naides, or

anes under green trees. Nymphs were charged to preside over them; and their numbers was immense. Questions. By what title are

hs who are born and expire with trees? Whom do the mountains have for their rulers? What nymphs have dominion over the air? W

es and valleys? What nymphs do the meadows and fields acknowledge for their protectors? What appellation was given to the nym

n this hall th’ undaunted monarch stands, And shakes his sceptre, and their rage commands; Which did he not, their unresisted

s, And shakes his sceptre, and their rage commands; Which did he not, their unresisted sway Would sweep the world before them

id he not, their unresisted sway Would sweep the world before them in their way: Earth, air and seas, through empty space wou

ore the driving soul. In fear of this the father of the gods Confined their fury to these dark abodes, And locked them safe,

s’d with mountain loads; Impos’d a king with arbitrary sway, To loose their fetters or their force allay.” Obs. — The deifi

loads; Impos’d a king with arbitrary sway, To loose their fetters or their force allay.” Obs. — The deification of the win

vests, gardens, meadows, countries, had divine protectors. Houses had their gods, Lares and Penates, and each of them his hon

y the cultivation of fields and gardens, or by some useful invention, their names were given to those unknown divinities, and

pal gods of the earth. Their functions and names prove that they owed their origin and the worship paid to them, to the want

t they owed their origin and the worship paid to them, to the want of their assistance, felt by those who contrived them. Cha

d facility. Such is the origin of those laws which caused men to mark their property by boundaries. Ceres, protectress of til

pril, under the name of Palilia. At such times, the peasants perfumed their sheep with the fumes of olive, box, fir, rosemary

Runcina presides over weeding. The ancients invoked Occator to have their fields harrowed. Sator and Sarritor preside over

er pow’r.” Obs. — All these deities were of Roman origin. They bore their names from the offices which they performed, and

ddess presides over weeding? What god did the ancients invoke to have their fields harrowed? What gods preside over sowing an

with pine branches. When they met drunkards, they stupified them with their looks. The Fauns, the Satyrs, and the Sylvans, pe

city of Delphi, at whose sight they fled, as if an enemy had been at their heels. Others say that it originated from frightf

, and fields, and who were usually found in the train of Bacchus, had their upper part like a man and their lower parts like

ly found in the train of Bacchus, had their upper part like a man and their lower parts like a shaggy goat. Pan was called De

e guarded the sheep-folds from wolves. “Pan loves the shepherds, and their flocks he feeds.” Virgil. “He sighs, his sighs

nd while the tender flocks securely feed, And harmless shepherds tune their pipes to love, And amaryllis sounds in ev’ry grov

e Fauns. How did the Fauni, the Satyri, and the Sylvani differ as to their offices? Who was Pan? Describe the disgusting for

en they reign in heaven, they are called Pentrales, and the palace of their residence, Pentrale. They endue us with that heat

rior gods, who presided over houses and families. In process of time, their power was extended to streets, ways, the country,

alitia, or Compitalia, were celebrated in the roads and open streets; their statues, clad in the skins of dogs, were placed i

in a niche behind the door, and sometimes around the hearths; and at their feet were placed the images of barking dogs, to e

and at their feet were placed the images of barking dogs, to express their care and vigilance. The burnt offerings were wine

erings were wine and incense, fruit and wood, crumbs and a sow. While their festivals were observed, their statues were adorn

ruit and wood, crumbs and a sow. While their festivals were observed, their statues were adorned with garlands of violets and

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

se than the manes which they imagined to be continually hovering over their former houses, for the purpose of protecting the

them. The Genii of women were called Junones. The Genii aided men by their private counsels and heir power, and looked after

aided men by their private counsels and heir power, and looked after their most secret thoughts. They carefully watched over

looked after their most secret thoughts. They carefully watched over their voyage of life, attending them from their cradles

They carefully watched over their voyage of life, attending them from their cradles to their graves. They carried the prayers

tched over their voyage of life, attending them from their cradles to their graves. They carried the prayers of men to the go

ne, incense, flowers, parched bread, and salted corn, were brought to their altars. “To Genius consecrate a cheerful glass.”

. “To Genius consecrate a cheerful glass.” Perseus. “Their wives, their neighbours, and their prattling boys, Were call’d

te a cheerful glass.” Perseus. “Their wives, their neighbours, and their prattling boys, Were call’d; all tasted of their

heir neighbours, and their prattling boys, Were call’d; all tasted of their sportive joys: They drank, they danc’d they sung,

y. But in proportion as men forsook the path of virtue, marked out by their progenitors, their ideas were overcast, their tra

n as men forsook the path of virtue, marked out by their progenitors, their ideas were overcast, their traditions became obsc

f virtue, marked out by their progenitors, their ideas were overcast, their traditions became obscured, and idolatry took roo

tirely taken from the customs the Egyptians observed when they buried their dead. “The Greek Mercury,” says he, “the conducto

nded his fable of hell. Diodorus adds that people frequently kept in their houses their embalmed ancestors, in order to perp

e of hell. Diodorus adds that people frequently kept in their houses their embalmed ancestors, in order to perpetuate the re

s their embalmed ancestors, in order to perpetuate the remembrance of their good actions. The respect of the Egyptians for th

nts of the poor became rich or powerful, they discharged the debts of their ancestors, reinstated their memory, and buried th

or powerful, they discharged the debts of their ancestors, reinstated their memory, and buried them honourably. Occasionally

ly embalmed bodies were deposited as security in borrowing. Some gave their own bodies as a pledge; and if they failed to mee

g. Some gave their own bodies as a pledge; and if they failed to meet their engagements, they were devoted to infamy during t

failed to meet their engagements, they were devoted to infamy during their lifetime, and were deprived of burial honours. No

nd that forest is found the residence of departed heroes with arms in their hands. Within sight of it, is the tribunal of the

steaming sulphur, which infects the skies; Hence do the Grecian bards their legends make, And give the name Avernus to the la

and Death, and Death’s half-brother, Sleep, (Forms terrible to view,) their sentry keep. With anxious pleasures of a guilty m

tumnal green.” “A hundred years they wander on the shore, At length, their penance done, are wafted o’er.” “Stretch’d in hi

f hell, furnished the poets with ample materials upon which to employ their lively imagination. The Acheron, (which means ang

d into hell, because it had quenched the thirst of the Titans, during their fight with the gods. It runs through Thesprotia,

 The fable of Cerberus originated in the Egyptian practice of causing their dogs to watch over their dead. Questions. Please

iginated in the Egyptian practice of causing their dogs to watch over their dead. Questions. Please to describe hell. Who was

the distaff, the spindle, and the scissors, which are the emblems of their office. When he rides in a chariot, he is drawn b

ng maid. — Her starting damsels sprung from massy seats, Dropp’d from their gauzy laps their gather’d sweets, Clung round the

arting damsels sprung from massy seats, Dropp’d from their gauzy laps their gather’d sweets, Clung round the struggling nymph

The wheels descending roll’d in smoky rings, Infernal Cupids flapped their demon wings; Earth with deep yawn received the fa

inos, Rhadamanthus, and Æacus, were the judges of hell. They tried at their tribunal, the souls which Mercury led to hell. Th

e contained the fortunes or destinies of mankind, when the dead plead their different causes before him. He possessed the pow

hastly, and embrowned as with smoke, with inflamed eyes bursting from their sockets, with snakes on their heads, garments tat

smoke, with inflamed eyes bursting from their sockets, with snakes on their heads, garments tattered, black, bloody, and hang

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

ns, void of light, Two daughters at a birth were born to night: These their brown mother, brooding on her care, Endu’d with w

n sumptuous palaces. Questions. Who were the judges of hell? What are their peculiar offices? Who were the Furies? What was t

hell? What are their peculiar offices? Who were the Furies? What was their mode of chastisement? How are they represented? W

ho driv’st care from the mind, and dost unload The tired limbs of all their weariness, And for new toil the body dost refresh

this world, and watches diligently to prevent any noise from breaking their slumbers. Sometimes he is represented in the like

seeks as the themes on which she loves often to expatiate. “All have their manes, and these manes bare: The few who’er clean

fields the soft Elysian air.” “These holy rites perform’d they took their way, Where long extended plains of pleasures lay.

, and a purple sky: The blissful seats of happy souls below, Stars of their own, and their own sun they know.” “Patriots, wh

sky: The blissful seats of happy souls below, Stars of their own, and their own sun they know.” “Patriots, who perish’d for

their own, and their own sun they know.” “Patriots, who perish’d for their country’s right, Or nobly triumph’d in the field

the nether world, in a pleasurable or playful state, in proportion to their merits or demerits. Tartarus was the place of woe

ommonly large bodies. They had fifty heads and one hundred arms each; their mouths belched out flames; and for legs they had

own by him, frightened the inhabitants in such a manner as to derange their minds. Joining the giants, he hurled a hundred ro

ng liver still supply’d the feast; Still are the entrails fruitful to their pains, Th’ immortal hunger lasts, th’ immortal fo

ads nine acres of infernal ground; Two ravenous vultures, furious for their food, Scream o’er the fiend, and riot, in his blo

h his own, knew his bulls by a mark which he had put on the bottom of their feet; and by this means, was enabled to separate

Of mimic thunder, and the glitt’ring blaze Of pointed lightnings, and their forked rays.” Tantalus, the son of Jupiter by t

hat, having been introduced at the table of the gods, he had revealed their secrets, and stolen away the ambrosia and nectar

the murder of Pelops. The Danaides were fifty sisters, so called from their father Danaus: and named also Belides, from their

ers, so called from their father Danaus: and named also Belides, from their grandfather Belus. It is reported that Ægyptus, b

y armed his daughters with daggers, giving them strict orders to kill their respective husbands on their wedding night, which

ggers, giving them strict orders to kill their respective husbands on their wedding night, which orders they all obeyed, exce

ars of a bear. Their parents were Neptune, or Oceanus, and Terra; and their names, Aello, Ocypete, and Celeno. They were filt

rra; and their names, Aello, Ocypete, and Celeno. They were filthy in their habits, and voracious in their appetite. They plu

ypete, and Celeno. They were filthy in their habits, and voracious in their appetite. They plundered the tables of Phoneus, k

influencing the terrors and ravages of the storm, the nature of which their names are descriptive. The Gorgons were three sis

Cete. Their names were Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa. In lieu of hair, their heads were covered with vipers, which had the pow

orming those into stones who looked at them. Their hands were brazen; their wings, golden; their bodies were covered with imp

nes who looked at them. Their hands were brazen; their wings, golden; their bodies were covered with impenetrable scales; and

is tooth exceeded in strength the strongest tusks of a wild-boar; and their looks caused death. They dwelt near the gardens o

they were often at war with the Amazons, and were governed by Medusa, their queen. That hero fought them, and killed Medusa;

the Gorgons as female warriors of great beauty. The admiration which their appearance produced, banished the power of self-d

he power of self-defence. Profitting by this advantage, they attacked their enemies, and overcame them. The poets painted thi

ir enemies, and overcame them. The poets painted this fatal effect of their beauty, by saying that their looks changed to sto

. The poets painted this fatal effect of their beauty, by saying that their looks changed to stone and rendered immovable who

he Gorgons.” Hanno, general of the Carthaginese, penetrated even into their country, and found women whose running equaled in

ne day be killed by his son. He therefore ordered his wife to destroy their child soon after his birth; but the mother gave t

him: an affray ensued, in which Laius and his armour-bearer both lost their lives. After this, he resumed his journey, arrive

s constant attendant, prevented him. Eteocles and Polynices succeeded their father in the government, and agreed alternately

oth killed in single combat. Their enmity was of longer duration than their lives. The bodies were laid on the same pile to b

ghter, killed herself. The Athenians were victorious; and, therefore, their goddess Felicity assumed the name of Macaria. The

nt ideas the ancients entertained of eternity. All the genealogies of their gods prove that they could not conceive a divinit

emple all who professed the arts, assembled, when they had to sustain their rights and prerogatives that the presence of the

ddess. — See Fig. 54. Fig. 54. Fidelity. A people as idolatrous of their Liberty as the Romans, could not fail to make her

been massacred by the Corinthians, a cruel plague destroyed a part of their children. The Oracle ordered them to sacrifice to

run after her, to repair the evils she causes; but they are lame, and their cruel sister always outruns them. — See Fig. 63.

oets and the ancients are vainly fond of alluding to those deities in their works, and of pourtraying their influence and eff

fond of alluding to those deities in their works, and of pourtraying their influence and effects. It is, therefore, an easy

crow’s egg, under the form of a serpent. He attended the Argonauts in their expedition to Colchis, in the capacity of a physi

as has been mentioned, were in the habit of sitting in judgment after their death upon the actions of kings, generals, and al

son of Juno. His name was consecrated to designate men celebrated by their courage and fine actions. This etymology is most

ame. Sacrifices were offered to the divinities, and libations made in their honour; but the celebration of their funeral pomp

ivinities, and libations made in their honour; but the celebration of their funeral pomp, during which they sang their most b

ur; but the celebration of their funeral pomp, during which they sang their most brilliant exploits, was confined to heroes.

n by offering sacrifices to the gods; they next invoked the heroes of their country. It was generally believed that the latte

tators, soon established the practice of celebrating the obsequies of their relatives by feasts, invocations, and offerings.

them remarkable tombs; from which they proceeded to make libations to their statues and altars; and, at last, their tombs wer

roceeded to make libations to their statues and altars; and, at last, their tombs were seen to change themselves into temples

sing his ancestors, and even of granting them other honors; but often their celebrity was extended entirely beyond the family

s, kingdoms, and populous nations, thought fit to honor on account of their important services and brilliant actions. They be

dopted them, and rendered them a worship as splendid and extensive as their renown. Private persons could raise to their rela

plendid and extensive as their renown. Private persons could raise to their relatives nothing but simple tombs in the form of

and to pay them a still more solemn homage there were established to their honor, mysteries, ceremonies, and colleges of pri

heir honor, mysteries, ceremonies, and colleges of priests adapted to their services. The number of heroes and heroines being

e Nereides by pretending to equal them in beauty. The nymphs extended their wrath over the whole country. The inhabitants had

he second. The Amazons were a warlike nation of women. They burnt off their right breast, in order to brandish weapons with m

force, and to shoot arrows with more effect. They killed the boys at their birth, and brought up the girls. Hercules, accomp

rcules, accompanied by Theseus, defeated them, and, taking Hippolyte, their queen, prisoner, married her to Theseus. By Hippo

t the Centaurs, and exterminated two tyrants of Sicily, notorious for their crimes and barbarous actions. The first, called P

a brazen bull, and burnt them with a slow fire, during which torture their cries resembled the lowing of a bull. Perillus wa

he second tyrant, Procrustes, bound strangers to an iron-bed, and cut their limbs so as to accommodate them to the extent of

is haunts, rushed upon the unwary travellers, stripped them, and tied their limbs to the branches of trees, which, when bent

the branches of trees, which, when bent down, threw them up, and tore their limbs in pieces. The second, Sciron, delighted in

maze, Tries ev’ry winding court and street in vain, And doubles o’er their weary steps again. Thus hardy Theseus, with intre

e had loaded them, added illustrious particulars to his life, exerted their refinement and genius in bestowing uncommon lustr

dle, Juno sent two serpents to destroy him. These he boldly seized by their necks, and crushed them to death. His twin brothe

leans; The Cretan bull he vanquishes and chains: Diomedes’ horses him their conqueror own; Then he brings low three-headed Ge

ir gasping throats with clenching hands he holds; And death entwisted their convoluted folds. Next in red torrents from her s

ly blooming in the memory of all, and transmitted in the histories of their times to the latest posterity. Xenophon says, tha

es, and give himself up to amusement. In short, our readers may exert their ingenuity in explaining the fables of Hercules in

g up in the grove of Mars, guarded by huge bulls, breathing fire from their nostrils, and by a vast, watchful dragon, and was

our and activity of youth, although some assert that Æson died before their return. In a little time Jason abandoned her for

believe that, in Colchis, several brooks rolled spangles of gold with their sand. Skins of sheep, adorned with their wool, we

rolled spangles of gold with their sand. Skins of sheep, adorned with their wool, were stretched in the bottom of those water

d two eggs, from one of which sprang Pollux and Helena, who inherited their father’s immortality, and from the other, Castor

other, Castor and Clytemnestra, who are said to have been mortal like their mother. Castor and Pollux were often called Tynda

d in running and the art of taming horses. These two heroes recovered their sister Helena from Theseus, who had stolen her, b

ither he was led by his bosom friend Pylades. So close and sacred was their friendship, that the one would have died for the

was, by the unanimous voice of the Greeks, appointed generalissimo on their expedition against Troy. He killed a favourite st

e to the birth of those princes and princesses, Castor and Pollux and their sisters, it may be observed, that the rooms of pa

to be met with on that river: hence the poets introduced a swan into their fable. The beauty of Leda, the whiteness and eleg

le of Castor and Pollux’s living and dying alternately, is founded on their being represented, after their death, by the sign

g and dying alternately, is founded on their being represented, after their death, by the sign of Gemini; and as one of the t

of that sign hides itself under the horizon whilst the other appears, their pretended reciprocity in sharing immortality, was

ts, into melancholy, or elevated them into raptures of joy — rendered their sorrows charming, or made their rage heroic and d

them into raptures of joy — rendered their sorrows charming, or made their rage heroic and delightful. —  See Fig. 75. Fig

whom he laid his complaints. Periander caused all the mariners, when their ship had returned, to be crucified. “He on his c

g this immense colossus, deliberated whether they would admit it into their city. Laocoon was violently opposed to it; but Si

so enormous a size as to prevent the Trojans from introducing it into their city. While the Trojans, who had rejoiced at the

nto their city. While the Trojans, who had rejoiced at the retreat of their enemies, were buried in sleep, a part of their wa

iced at the retreat of their enemies, were buried in sleep, a part of their walls was pulled down. Sinon opened the horse’s f

ifty warriors, who had been concealed in it, appeared with Ulysses at their head. The signal being given to the Greeks in amb

ed to Sparta with Helen; Idomoneus, Philoctetes, and Nestor, regained their homes; but Ulysses wandered about for ten years b

? By what stratagem did the Greeks take Troy? What heroes returned to their country? Chapter VIII. Æneas. Æneas was the

er some goods, which he offered for sale. The young princesses turned their attention to the bracelets, the glasses, the neck

his hand. Priam consented. They entered the temple of Apollo to have their nuptial rites celebrated. Paris, brother to Hecto

nd drove them back to Æolia again, and occasioned additional delay in their returning home. Circe transformed his companions

sword drawn, in order to demand the restoration of his companions to their original shapes. After this he reconciled himself

s attempted to stop him; but in order that he might not be allured by their charming voices, he closed his ears, and tied him

e mast. By this expedient, he escaped the fatal snares into which, by their melody, they drew men. He was civilly entertained

lf to his son Telemachus, and to his faithful shepherd Eumœus; and by their assistance, rushed upon the suitors of Penelope,

s constellations, because they immoderately bewailed the hard fate of their father Atlas. So were the Hyades, because they in

s. So were the Hyades, because they incessantly lamented the death of their brother Hyas. Hesperus was brother to Atlas. He

more, they conceived that he was translated into heaven: whence, upon their observing a bright star, setting after the sun, t

apples, which Juno is reported to have given to Jupiter on the day of their nuptials. The place of their residence, as fixed

d to have given to Jupiter on the day of their nuptials. The place of their residence, as fixed by Hesiod, is generally consi

the heaven and the earth had but one form, being mingled together by their nature; but afterwards having been separated, the

ir, the particles of fire rose, and gave to the sun, moon, and stars, their circular motion. Solid matter fell down, and form

ble and palpable. The priests placed the. Sphinxes at the entrance on their temples, thereby to show that their theology cont

the. Sphinxes at the entrance on their temples, thereby to show that their theology contained secrets of wisdom under enigma

t hieroglyphics, intended to represent divine attributes. In studying their sacred language, the hieroglyphics of which were

s of worship among the Egyptians, were confided to the priests alone, their rites were characterized by blindness, ignorance,

egetables, such as garlics, leeks, and onions. Juvenal intimates that their religious exercises were not held in estimation b

re not held in estimation by the Romans; but history makes mention of their principal deities. They adopted eight great gods:

Isis, Typhon, Apollo, and Aphrodite or Venus. The ancients varied in their opinions respecting Osiris; and the Greeks have b

ery sacerdotal body was furnished with land to defray the expenses of their rites. The ox was chosen to represent him. Isis,

iversal bewailing, as if Osiris was just dead; and the priests shaved their heads in token of deep mourning. This continued t

and a piece of money placed on it; after which the inquirers applied their ears to the mouth of the god, and then withdrew,

pplied their ears to the mouth of the god, and then withdrew, closing their ears, till they had left the temple. The first so

arks of joy, Cambyses, on his visit to Egypt, ordered the priests and their god to appear before him. When he saw an ox held

ns consecrated the remembrance of its primitive state in the fable of their Typhon. Obs. 2. — We may consider the story of H

amphitheatre. Before Serapis was introduced, the Egyptians worshipped their gods with prayers and frankincense only. By the e

er to enjoin silence. The Romans placed his statue at the entrance of their temples, to denote that the mysteries of religion

liest image of the Omnipresent Deity. Their priests were called Magi; their rites at first were solemnized in a plain and sim

rst were solemnized in a plain and simple manner. But these tenets of their primitive religion sunk into Sabism, or the adora

, which is now the prevailing religion, though numbers still preserve their ancient faith, and are denominated Parsees, or Gu

serpent, and introduced other evil spirits which he had seduced from their obedience. The man-bull died of his venom. But a

chaos. The seven Genii, the ministers and companions of Ahriman, with their subaltern spirits, were distributed into the diff

Mithras unceasingly labours to reclaim, purify, and qualify them for their primitive felicity. ————— Robed in purest white

ire blaz’d beside them. Towards the sacred flame They turn’d and sent their tuneful praise to heav’n. From Zoroaster was the

that foodfull earth might parch, That streams exhaling might forsake their beds, Whence, pestilence and famine.            

ich is committed to the care of guardian spirits, and is contained in their sacred books, called Vedas, which means to know.

rebellious and malignant spirits, called Dewtahs, headed by Mahasoor their prince, throws at them the fiery bolts of vengean

by pious Hindoos with an invocation to Ganesa. His image is set up in their streets and roads, and against their temples and

o Ganesa. His image is set up in their streets and roads, and against their temples and houses. They daily sprinkle it with o

ume the Zennar, or sacred cord of three threads, the mystic emblem of their faith, they learn the Gayterre, or invocation of

ey have great faith in metempsychosis. The Sanscrit language in which their sacred books are written is known only to the pri

given to Rama, Chrishna, and Budha, another benificent deity. It was their business to abolish human sacrifices, and to intr

re distinguished by splendid coronets of gems, by sparkling jewels in their ears, by resplendent necklaces, by beautiful garl

s, by resplendent necklaces, by beautiful garlands of flowers beneath their waists, by mantles loose, of golden tissue, or co

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

oluntary suicide, and in the custom of women, burning themselves with their deceased husbands; a custom which is yet encourag

rns; To whose bright image, mighty by the moon, Sidonian virgins said their vows and songs. —————— Thammuz came next behind,

nd six years; the nere, six hundred; and the sose, sixty. Each one of their early kings lived several sares. Some learned men

Some learned men believe that the Chaldeans gave the name of years to their days. In the Chaldean mythology are related stori

and, in short, all that could contribute to polish them, and elevate their morals. At sunset he retired to the sea, and spen

e days after, he sent out others, which returned with a little mud in their mouths. The third time he sent them out, they ret

fe, daughter, and pilot. Those who remained in the vessel, not seeing their companions return, came out of it, and sought aft

Genus, dwelt in Phœnicia. A great drought prevailing, they stretched their hands towards the sun, which they regarded as the

od against another. Their children, who were of huge dimensions, gave their names to the mountains. Hence the names of mount

ythology. To supply the want of writing, the Mexicans represented their religion and history by hieroglyphical paintings.

ey supposed that the blessed lived in the palace of the sun, and that their time was employed in music, dancing, praising the

louds, and that they occasionally revisited the earth to warble forth their celestial music, and inhale the perfume of flower

, kneeling or prostrate. They offered incense four times every day to their idols, and were all furnished with censers in the

imes every day to their idols, and were all furnished with censers in their domestic devotions. Their rites were characterize

ed to worship, and reservoirs of water in which the priests performed their ablutions, and a sacred fountain of which they dr

ts of Mexico were numerous and rich. They were provided with land for their maintenance. Their duties were various. Some were

mythological paintings. Children of the highest order were devoted in their infancy to attend to temple concerns. Those of th

s permitted to marry. The Mexicans had 14 principal gods. They called their supreme god Teotl. They described him as a spirit

ng gems, dying cotton, and growing corn. He was the reputed author of their laws; which were characterized by profound wisdom

dence was on the summits of those high mountains in which rivers take their rise. People repaired thither to offer their devo

ins in which rivers take their rise. People repaired thither to offer their devotions to him. He was waited upon by inferior

hem as dwelling in a region involved in eternal night, and celebrated their rites at night. Jo-al-ti-cit was the goddess of

t was the goddess of cradles. Different tribes of Mexicans worshipped their gods of war, the chief of whom was Mex-it-li, the

war, the chief of whom was Mex-it-li, the most highly honoured among their divinities. A great mulitude of human victims was

-tot, the Æsculapius of Mexico, presided over physic. Parents carried their sick children to his temple, to have them cured o

ents carried their sick children to his temple, to have them cured of their diseases, and taught them how to worship the god.

illustrious, and that others were fabulous beings. Most fictions owed their birth to ignorance or flattery; but in order to c

y knew that the propensities and passions of men served to strengthen their opinions Truth was covered with a veil: Lie came

eflectingly and unreservedly to this method that the poets altered in their works the accounts of ancient events, the remembr

nd from allegory to the literal sense; which occasions the mixture of their images, the obscurity of their fictions, and ofte

sense; which occasions the mixture of their images, the obscurity of their fictions, and often the indecency of their fictio

r images, the obscurity of their fictions, and often the indecency of their fictions. Many philosophers, by way of fiction, v

cency of their fictions. Many philosophers, by way of fiction, veiled their various kinds of knowledge under the garb of alle

or literal truths, until events or circumstances occurred to threaten their faith, or to disturb the public religion. It is,

compartments, which it may be useful to notice in order to understand their descriptions of them. The first was the vestibule

eremonies. Nothing could equal the respect which the ancients had for their temples. Arian says, that it was forbidden there

to spit, or to defile them in any way. Sometimes they entered them on their knees. They served as an asylum for debtors and c

the women prostrated themselves in the holy place, and swept it with their hair. Sometimes, however, when prayers appeared i

grandeur. They loved colossal figures, and employed immense stones in their construction, although they had to bring them fro

ures, which have braved the rust of so many centuries, did not attest their existence. But this chapel was not placed in the

f pounded coal, over which they spread the skins of sheep, bound with their woolen fleece. This temple was four hundred and t

s magnificent work. Other architects succeeded them, and followed out their designs; but, as previously observed, it did not

spoils which the people of Elis won from the inhabitants of Pisa and their allies, when they took and sacked the city of Pis

ple, and artists, were equally ambitious to send thither monuments of their magnificence and talents. Chapter V. Temple of

all the passions, curiosity, and inquietude, were allowed to present their offerings. Hence, these offerings must have been

ly had no fewer temples than Greece. Many of them were remarkable for their magnificence or singularity. That of Jupiter, on

of these is of rugged marble. Their height is thirty-seven feet; and their diameter, five feet. Eight columns adorn the fron

as necessary to support it; at the same time announcing, that, should their strength ever be diminished, the work would be li

dit upon the system of Van Dale. Could oracles have so long preserved their credit and eclat, if they had been the result of

d that of Jupiter Ammon, in Libya, had the same origin; and both owed their establishment to the Egyptians. This historical i

ans. This historical incident is related as follows: Two doves winged their flight from the Egyptian city of Thebes. The one

inhabitants, that the great Jupiter wished to establish an oracle in their country. This prodigy at first astonished the peo

d it was given out, that the oaks in the Dodona forest also delivered their oracles. The beam of the ship Argo, which the Arg

r, did not understand her language; and in order still more to excite their wonder, she practised some ceremonies of her anci

and horns of a ram. Eighty priests of this god carried his statue on their shoulders, in a gilt ship. They pursued no partic

hich hung on both sides of it. The priests announced the decisions of their Ammon on any motion or sign of the statue. — Thes

d it; but several of those frantic devotees, having, in the excess of their phrenzy, thrown themselves headlong into the abys

ery, and with infinite precautions in choosing victims, in inspecting their entrails, and in deriving auguries from them. The

ost all the gods, and the greatest number of demigods and heroes, had their oracles. None of them, however, had so large a nu

antiquity. Every day new ones appeared, whilst the more ancient lost their credit. Oftentimes they were plundered. That of D

envoys, but they durst hot punish them without judgment, and gave for their judges two priestesses and two men. The two pries

ng the existence of the Sibyls; but disputes have arisen in regard to their number, their countries, and names, and the time

ce of the Sibyls; but disputes have arisen in regard to their number, their countries, and names, and the time in which they

f that all the Sibyls spoke in Greek; and, secondly, he shows not why their predictions, which were collected with as much ca

ted, policy and ambition well knew how to employ them so as to favour their projects. Julius Cæsar, perpetual dictator and ab

ere were many Apocryphas, as much faith in them as had been placed in their predecessors, they never received. It was in orde

th to throw down his adversary. The combatants appeared naked, rubbed their bodies with oil, and spread over them very fine d

cing with the strokes of fists. In the game of the cestus, they armed their hands with large leather strings, and a kind of l

Argonauts in Æolis, to celebrate these games for the happy success of their voyage; and the people promised to re-assemble th

s, which was four hundred and forty-two years after. Greece then made their celebration her principal epoch. The people count

y wore a triumphal crown, and had the first places in the assemblies: their cities enriched them with presents; and, during t

es: their cities enriched them with presents; and, during the rest of their days, they were entertained at the expense of the

called Hellanodices, or judges of the Greeks. None ever appealed from their decisions. At first, there were but two judges; b

but, in order to render more difficult the means of corrupting them, their number was afterwards increased to ten. The prodi

y all the poesies of Northern Europe, by the annals of the people, by their institutions, and by their ancient usages, (some

rn Europe, by the annals of the people, by their institutions, and by their ancient usages, (some of which still exist,) info

which was paid to the god Odin. It is known that several nations gave their pontiffs the name of the god whom they served. Fr

Britain in the fifth century, counted Odin or Woden in the number of their ancestors. The same was true of other Anglo-Saxon

that the heroes of all these nations, pretended to be descended from their gods, and especially from the god of war. The his

ng exposed themselves courageously in battle, should die with arms in their hands. As soon as he had breathed his last, his b

pire, and finally avenged themselves, as well as the injuries done to their founder and to all those whom she had stripped an

act, by the sweetness of his songs, the spirits of the dead, who left their black abysses to come and range themselves around

thern people, whom they styled barbarians. They were ignorant even of their language, especially as the Celts made a scruple

as the Celts made a scruple of unraveling to foreigners the thread of their doctrines. Hence, the former, compelled to remain

their doctrines. Hence, the former, compelled to remain spectators of their worship, could hardly seize the spirit of it. Yet

nd restless imaginations, and are greedy for the marvellous; and that their ardent passions seldom allow them to keep up a ju

inquietude and levity. Notwithstanding this, the Scythians corrupted their worship by a mixture of ceremonies, some ridiculo

people, and not confound the fictions of the poets with the creeds of their sages. This religion of the sages taught, that th

, subdued and corrupted by the arms and luxury of the Romans, adopted their gods, and submitted to their yoke. We may, theref

e arms and luxury of the Romans, adopted their gods, and submitted to their yoke. We may, therefore, conclude, that it was at

on of Northern Europe, since Odin. The Edda of the Icelanders and their ancient poesies are the sole monuments which can

gods to be worshipped. The Scythians adopted, as the capital point of their religion, the adoration of one being, omnipotent

d intelligences. So reasonable a doctrine had so great influence over their minds, that they often displayed their contempt o

ne had so great influence over their minds, that they often displayed their contempt of the polytheism of those nations who t

ed them as barbarians; and every time they became the stronger party, their first care was to destroy all the objects of an i

his aid, other minds, genii, and divinities of every description. But their predominant passions became the measure of their

ery description. But their predominant passions became the measure of their faith; wherefore the supreme god, the first idea

rder to consolidate the empire which he had usurped over men and over their minds. Some traces of the worship paid to him amo

idered themselves under the safeguard of Thor; and the Swedes had for their tutelary god Freya, who, according to the Edda, p

a son of nine gigantic sisters, born on the margin of the earth, was their door keeper. He appeared with a pensive brow, and

to the bad principle the name of Loke, and placed it in the number of their gods. He was the son of the giant Farbaute and of

He had several children of Signie, his wife. Three monsters also owed their existence to him: the wolf Fenris, the serpent Mi

s are drops of gold. Lofna reconciles divided consorts. Vara receives their oath, and punishes those who violate them. Snotra

hey appear with a helmet and mail, and mounted on swift horses. It is their duty to wait upon heroes. Odin also employs them

es; for these courageous people took care not to attribute defeats to their weakness, or want of valour; but these, as well a

g spear, And seem’d to know nor hope nor fear.         So mildly firm their placid air,         So resolute, yet heav’nly fai

 So resolute, yet heav’nly fair. But not one ray of pity’s beam, From their dark eyelids seem’d to gleam; Nor gentle mercy’s

back on the ground, where it keeps up the dew with which bees compose their honey. The three beautiful virgins, the Nornas, o

sometimes ingenious, that they endeavoured to extol the simplicity of their religion; but various passages in ancient history

not follow this creed, acknowledging no other subaltern divinity than their own courage. Having thus enumerated the names and

ng from this fountain.) The sun had no palace; the stars did not know their homes; the moon did not know her power. Then ther

n heaven, others under heaven. Days were distinguished, and years had their number. They made the earth round, and girded it

e mythology of the Greeks and Romans assisted in the embellishment of their fictions, their poems, and their romances. We may

he Greeks and Romans assisted in the embellishment of their fictions, their poems, and their romances. We may easily conceive

ans assisted in the embellishment of their fictions, their poems, and their romances. We may easily conceive how much a belie

ld save. The precepts of the Celtic religion were chiefly confined to their being intrepid in war, to their serving the gods,

tic religion were chiefly confined to their being intrepid in war, to their serving the gods, and appeasing them by sacrifice

war, to their serving the gods, and appeasing them by sacrifices, to their being just, hospitable to strangers, faithful to

sacrifices, to their being just, hospitable to strangers, faithful to their word, and true to their conjugal faith. Chapte

ng just, hospitable to strangers, faithful to their word, and true to their conjugal faith. Chapter IV: Tenets of the Celt

will infest the earth, when the brothers will wallow in the blood of their brethren, when the sons will be the assassins of

n the blood of their brethren, when the sons will be the assassins of their fathers, and the fathers of their children, and n

n the sons will be the assassins of their fathers, and the fathers of their children, and no one will spare his friend. Soon

on. Then there will appear astonishing prodigies; monsters will break their chains and escape; the great dragon will roll in

will be split, and an army of evil genii and of giants, conducted by their princes, will enter to attack the gods; but Hiend

riptions, we see by them that the Scandinavians held as a doctrine of their religion, the immortality of the soul, and future

then the heroes quaffed the oil of Enherium, and the Valkyrias filled their cups. All who died not imbrued with blood, had th

uld seem, that the Scandinavians and the people of the north made war their chief occupation, and carried valour even to the

those in pride advancing,     Through the barren tract of night? Mark their steel divinely glancing, .     Imir falls in holy

path of day; In that bower where serpents twining,     Loathsome spit their venom’d spray.” Herbert’s Helga. Chapter V:

f victims. Firestones were commonly found, for no fire except that of their altars, was considered pure enough for so holy a

ght to make for him some prodigious efforts, and to consecrate to him their riches. Europe and Asia lavished their treasures

orts, and to consecrate to him their riches. Europe and Asia lavished their treasures to construct the temple at Ephesus. The

rth, whose strength, courage, patience, and perseverance, constituted their sole riches, bore heavy masses of rocks on to the

n as the people of the North formed new alliances with other nations, their religion underwent alterations; step by step new

ecrated to the three great divinities. They were there represented by their peculiar symbols. Odin held a sword in his hand.

at which produced all others. This epoch also marked the beginning of their year, which, among the people of the North genera

much fighting and success in projected enter-prizes. In early times, their offerings were simple, such as a pastoral people

senate, and all distinguished individuals, were present, and brought their offerings which were placed in the large temple.

heir offerings which were placed in the large temple. The absent sent their presents, and the priests were charged to receive

angers assembled in crowds. The access was shut to those who had lost their honor by some blemish, and especially to all who

lost their honor by some blemish, and especially to all who had lost their courage. In time of war, they chose their human v

ecially to all who had lost their courage. In time of war, they chose their human victims among captives; and in peace, among

ises of life to come, that they sometimes congratulated themselves on their destiny. The choice did not always fall on those

ve the blood of victims. After having killed the animals, they opened their entrails to read futurity in them; and afterwards

usage was once almost general on earth. The Gauls long offered men to their supreme god, Esus or Teutal. The aboriginals of S

mall idols. It was also believed, that others conjured the manes from their tombs, and forced them to relate the destinies. O

as looked upon as the inventor of these characters, asserted that, by their means, he could raise the dead to life. There wer

ow. The same characters were employed in all the different cases; but their combination, and the manner of tracing them, were

ssary it is that they should be guided by lights superior to those of their reason. Chapter VI. Researches into the ancien

rtain tradition. We have already observed, that most nations give for their founders, either gods or imaginary heroes. We hav

heroes. We have shown that the Greeks made similar exertions to veil their real origin; but that their fables, which were a

the Greeks made similar exertions to veil their real origin; but that their fables, which were a fantastical admixture of rea

s of men have preserved any record which might indicate the period of their separation. It is well enough to extend our obser

us to point out that fact; but it throws no light on the beginning of their history. The most renowned of all the Celts, are

the nations against whom they carried on frequent wars, that they owe their celebrity. Julius Cesar and Tacitus relate that G

ltic Gauls peopled. The relative situation of those countries renders their statement probable; and the conformity of languag

s which existed between the Britons and the Gauls, leaves no doubt of their having had a common origin. It appears that the G

as the infallible organs of divinity, those pontiffs so celebrated by their divination, and that of their wives, by their pre

vinity, those pontiffs so celebrated by their divination, and that of their wives, by their pretended intercourse with heaven

ntiffs so celebrated by their divination, and that of their wives, by their pretended intercourse with heaven, and by their m

at of their wives, by their pretended intercourse with heaven, and by their manner of living, which was as austere as retired

lly in Great Britain; but, after the beginning of the second century, their credit decreased, because wars were multiplied, a

ho were called Vergobrets, (a title equal to that of kings,) rendered their power more independent of the druids. Tremnor, gr

s seized the whole authority. In the meantime, in order to strengthen their power, to render homage to religion, and to have

en their power, to render homage to religion, and to have chanters of their exploits, the kings and chiefs of the tribes reca

to sing the gods and heroes. The conquerors, jealous of immortalizing their names, spared these dispensers of glory; attracte

ng their names, spared these dispensers of glory; attracted them into their camps; where gratitude and rewards animated the b

their camps; where gratitude and rewards animated the bards to paint their protectors as heroes endowed with all virtues. Th

genius and knowledge elevated them above the vulgar. They consecrated their songs to the picture of all virtues and all heroi

l virtues and all heroic sentiments. The kings were eager to take for their models the heroes of the poems imagined by the ba

nhabitants of Great Britain, always so attached to the remembrance of their ancestors, should have transmitted from generatio

, should have transmitted from generation to generation, the poems of their bards. It is to that usage, continued among the r

er having long been the first instructers and the early historians of their country, the bards descended from those high offi

o protected them, or the slanderers of those whom they looked upon as their enemies. Petty passions have always the fatal ten

xtinguishing, genius. The bards, forgetting the noble inspirations of their predecessors, sought no other employment than tha

and giants, succeeded the sublimest conceptions of real poetry, until their folly and trash disgusted even the common people

bards, who nearly disappeared. The warriors, nevertheless, preserved their valour, and would not altogether renounce the bri

ur, and would not altogether renounce the brilliant honour of hearing their exploits celebrated. Courage, and the noble desir

our admiration. In reading them, we are almost at a stand concerning their truth. What an idea must we have of knights, who

inhabitants of Great Britain have astonished the rest of the world by their wisdom, their knowledge, and their bravery. Ch

Great Britain have astonished the rest of the world by their wisdom, their knowledge, and their bravery. Chapter VII. Rel

stonished the rest of the world by their wisdom, their knowledge, and their bravery. Chapter VII. Religious tenets of the

vians, whom he calls Loda. Ossian represents those people as invoking their god, around a statue which he calls the stone of

oul, and in the rewards and punishments of another life. According to their notions, the clouds were the residence of souls a

ording to their notions, the clouds were the residence of souls after their separation from the body. Valiant and virtuous me

and virtuous men were received with joy into the ethereal palaces of their fathers, while the wicked, the slothful, and the

hought that departed souls commanded the winds and tempests; but that their power was not extended over men. A hero could nev

l hymn. This hymn appears to have been the only essential ceremony of their obsequies. The body was laid on a bed of clay, in

foresaw with what care the bards kept up the opinions which rendered their ministry so consolatory and so necessary. It was

shades were interested in all the fortunate or unfortunate events of their living friends. No nation has given stronger beli

d the voices of the dead; and when sleep came to surprise them amidst their reveries, they considered their dreams as certain

en sleep came to surprise them amidst their reveries, they considered their dreams as certain presages of futurity. The good

rits did not appear in the same manner: the good showed themselves to their friends during the daytime, and in smiling and so

arms of the beautiful. Their shades preserved the traits and forms of their earthly beauty: terror never surrounded them; and

auty: terror never surrounded them; and, when they traversed the air, their motions were graceful, and the light noise which

great undertaking, the souls of fathers were thought to descend from their clouds, and come to predict good or ill success:

h made doleful howlings at its aspect. The most natural effects which their ignorance could not comprehend were attributed to

s, Pluto, Samothes, Teutates, and various other gods, had not come to their knowledge until by their communication with forei

tes, and various other gods, had not come to their knowledge until by their communication with foreigners. The Picts and the

cation with foreigners. The Picts and the Saxons acquainted them with their Andate, the goddes of victory: the Romans also br

r Andate, the goddes of victory: the Romans also brought them some of their gods. Tacitus and Dion Cassius assure us, that it

at in very remote times, those first navigators of the world, brought their goods into Great Britain, and exchanged them for

the worship they acquired from foreigners, since all historians, all their traditions, and all their customs, sufficiently p

from foreigners, since all historians, all their traditions, and all their customs, sufficiently prove that the religion of

he latter, by alleging that the Gauls in peopling that island carried their mysteries with them. In order to reconcile the tw

y be supposed that the Gauls in passing into England, carried thither their religion; but that those islanders, being more re

the Druids of Gaul had for those of England, whom they considered as their superiors. The world, continues the Abbé, at firs

ly, and had but one creed. In separating from each other, men changed their primitive religion, and lost its purity. Some, co

d on them by the North. The Magi and the Druids, equally venerated in their respective countries, were always consulted on ma

matters of great importance. They were equally the sole ministers of their religion. The Magi rejected the opinion which giv

The Persians adored the fire; the Druids kept up a perpetual fire in their forests. The Persians rendered to the water a rel

tinued only until the conquests of the Romans. The Druids, forgetting their primitive wisdom, became addicted to divination a

time built there, whilst the British Druids continued the exercise of their antique religion, amidst the forests, the majesti

as that of Toulouse, into which they cast gold and silver, taken from their enemies. To this worship was joined that of river

igious ceremonies. It was there that they buried treasures taken from their enemies; and also, that prisoners were immolated,

Gauls had temples. “Those people,” says Tacitus , “have nothing for their temple but a forest, where they discharge the dut

ing for their temple but a forest, where they discharge the duties of their religion. No one can enter into that wood, unless

in had over them. Chapter IX. Of the different classes of Priests; their manner of living; their dress and functions.

pter IX. Of the different classes of Priests; their manner of living; their dress and functions. The name Druids comes, n

supreme chiefs; so that the inferior orders were entirely subject to their will, and could not even remain in their presence

ers were entirely subject to their will, and could not even remain in their presence, unless they had obtained their permissi

and could not even remain in their presence, unless they had obtained their permission. The inferior ministers were the Bards

and sung them accompanied by the harp. So great value was attached to their verses, that they were often the means of immorta

going to combat, or even after they had commenced it, they laid down their arms to listen to their advice. The Bards were no

n after they had commenced it, they laid down their arms to listen to their advice. The Bards were not wholly confined to sin

nlightened in matters of religion. So high an idea was entertained of their learning, that Cicero considers them the inventor

cero considers them the inventors of mythology. The Druids, hidden in their forests, led an austere life. Thither the nations

o usually admired nothing but what was splendid, was so astonished at their manner of living and their science, that he could

ut what was splendid, was so astonished at their manner of living and their science, that he could not withhold from them his

held. The ceremony of entering upon the profession, was performed by their receiving the embrace of the old Druids. The cand

was superior to that of nobles. All bowed before them; and it was to their care that the education of the most distinguished

and all the interests of the people, justice was administered only by their ministry. They decided equally on public and priv

im. As the Druids were charged with all the high offices of religion, their power was unbounded. Sacrifices, offerings, publi

icting future events, the care of consulting the gods, of replying in their names, and of studying nature; the right of estab

ited powers which they enjoyed undisputed. Their state dispensed with their going to war, and exempted them from all taxes. T

d retaining in memory the prodigious number of verses which contained their maxims on religion and political economy. Ancient

sses, and enjoy all the prerogatives of the order; but they exercised their functions separately from men. Their divination h

of this usurpation is unknown. Chapter X: Doctrine of the Druids; their Superstitions; ceremony of the Oak-misletoe.

rm and greatness of the Supreme Being, the course of the stars and of their revolutions. They pretended to know the whole of

They made a great difference between those who died peaceably amidst their relatives and friends, and those who lost their l

died peaceably amidst their relatives and friends, and those who lost their life in serving their country. The former were in

their relatives and friends, and those who lost their life in serving their country. The former were interred without ceremon

logy, without songs of honour. It was thought that when warriors lost their lives, and that their names were transmitted to f

honour. It was thought that when warriors lost their lives, and that their names were transmitted to future generations, the

mortality of the soul were not to be universal. They, who had adorned their lives by no exploit, either warlike or splendid,

time immemorial, they were accustomed to bury the dead, or to enclose their ashes in urns. They placed in the tombs, the arms

their ashes in urns. They placed in the tombs, the arms of the dead, their valuable furniture, and the cedula of money which

d the cedula of money which they had lent. They wrote even letters to their friends, though dead. One of their superstitions

d lent. They wrote even letters to their friends, though dead. One of their superstitions was that every letter cast into the

st into the tomb, arrived as directed. The Druids orally communicated their sciences and their doctrines to their candidates,

rrived as directed. The Druids orally communicated their sciences and their doctrines to their candidates, whose novitiate wa

The Druids orally communicated their sciences and their doctrines to their candidates, whose novitiate was extremely long. T

candidates, whose novitiate was extremely long. They never wrote down their maxims, nor any thing appertaining to their scien

ng. They never wrote down their maxims, nor any thing appertaining to their sciences. They arranged and digested all sorts of

o astrology, magic, and divination, in the hope of thereby increasing their credit and authority. They maintained that people

many superstitious practices with the manner in which they collected their plants, as left it easy to be perceived, that the

whom that plant touched, instantly felt peace and gaiety spring up in their breast. It is also necessary to range among the n

up in their breast. It is also necessary to range among the number of their superstitions, their persuasion that, at the deat

t is also necessary to range among the number of their superstitions, their persuasion that, at the death of great personages

perstitions, their persuasion that, at the death of great personages, their souls excited storms and tempests. The noise of t

emselves to be transported through the air; but the most cruel of all their superstitions, was that of immolating human victi

show how pertinaciously they persisted in it. The most solemn of all their ceremonies, was that of collecting the oak-mislet

red among them. It was always on the sixth of the moon that they made their principal acts of devotion. On the day intended f

den sickle must be made use of to cut it; 3. All that are born derive their origin from heaven. 4. The secret of the sciences

should be raised up until the age of fourteen out of the presence of their parents. 15. Money lent in this life, will be ren

6. There is another world, and those who kill themselves to accompany their friends, will live there with them. 17. All lette

received into no employment. 19. All fathers of families are kings in their houses; and have the power of life and death over

are kings in their houses; and have the power of life and death over their wives, children, and slaves. Such are the princip

ate the mind — them who controlled the education of youth, and hurled their anathemas against all who dared to disobey or opp

e maxims, that which gave to fathers the right of life and death over their wives, their children, and slaves. Paternal and d

t which gave to fathers the right of life and death over their wives, their children, and slaves. Paternal and domestic autho

delight in eulogizing the respect which the Gauls and Germans had for their wives; but the wives of the Druids sometimes shar

wives; but the wives of the Druids sometimes shared the authority of their husbands. They were often consulted in political

ent Introduction to the History of Denmark, have shown themselves, in their treatment of the softer sex, far superior to the

of an indifference more insulting than jealousy. The Celts considered their women as equals, and companions whose esteem and

irtuous regards as far as any other nation. Faithful to the one which their heart had chosen, they never had several wives at

to those kind offices. During the time of convalescence, the charm of their conversation served to inflame the courage of the

courage of the knights; and in order to recall heroic enterprizes to their remembrance, they read to them poems and romances

ometimes slaughter helpless innocence. Those pontiffs were jealous of their authority, although it was so great and so well e

l established, that, to maintain it, they did not need to be cruel in their families. All the people fell at their feet, and

ey did not need to be cruel in their families. All the people fell at their feet, and no human being was above their power. H

lies. All the people fell at their feet, and no human being was above their power. How, then, could they delight in filling w

ove their power. How, then, could they delight in filling with terror their female companions, who alone could give charms to

g with terror their female companions, who alone could give charms to their solitude; or those children that were to perpetua

e charms to their solitude; or those children that were to perpetuate their memory; or their slaves, who watched to anticipat

solitude; or those children that were to perpetuate their memory; or their slaves, who watched to anticipate and satisfy all

ir memory; or their slaves, who watched to anticipate and satisfy all their wants? This cruel maxim, therefore, if it did exi

ds and the Gauls, could not have belonged to them, but at the time of their greatest degradation. There existed three kinds o

ried, remained in temples, where they cleared tables, and did not see their husbands but for one day in the year; the third d

ee their husbands but for one day in the year; the third did not quit their husbands, and took care of the domestic affairs o

the stars, and could read future events, abandoned almost entirely to their wives this portion of their ministry. The almost

ture events, abandoned almost entirely to their wives this portion of their ministry. The almost idolatrous veneration which

The almost idolatrous veneration which the Gauls and Germans had for their women, caused them to imagine, that they possesse

sessed more highly than themselves, the gift of persuading and making their predictions believed in. Accordingly, they sent t

stions on futurity; to which they returned so judicious answers, that their reputation was spread over the whole world. Peopl

the whole world. People came from every quarter to consult them; and their decisions inspired infinitely more confidence tha

caused them to be consulted. History has preserved a great number of their replies; but it makes no particular mention of th

y of Chartrain until the middle of the fifth century. It appears that their order became extinct, not until the time in which

othing more than the dregs of the universe. These mighty powers, from their surpassing similitude to the first great God, wer

, and with the First Cause; yet so, as amidst this union, to preserve their own essence distinct from that of the highest God

, they may be compared to trees rooted in the earth; for as these, by their roots, are united to the earth, and become earthl

come earthly in an eminent degree without being earth, so the gods by their elevation are closely united to the First Cause,

powers, also, are called by the poets, a golden chain, on account of their connection with each other and their incorruptibl

s, a golden chain, on account of their connection with each other and their incorruptible nature. The first of these powers m

e say that they cannot enjoy Milton. But were these persons to add to their more solid acquirements the easy learning of this

a source of entertainment; those more advanced a useful companion in their reading; those who travel, and visit museums and

n retracing a path of literature which leads them back to the days of their childhood, and revives at every step the associat

ties of old religion, The Power, the Beauty, and the Majesty That had their haunts in dale or piny mountain. Or forest, by sl

names; Spirits or gods that used to share this earth With man as with their friend; and at this day ’Tis Jupiter who brings w

theology, but to those of literature and taste. There they still hold their place, and will continue to hold it, for they are

people from whom the Romans, and other nations through them, received their science and religion. The Greeks believed the ear

and religion. The Greeks believed the earth to be flat and circular, their own country occupying the middle of it, the centr

d by storm or tempest. The sea, and all the rivers on earth, received their waters from it. The northern portion of the earth

The gods favored them so highly that they were wont to leave at times their Olympian abodes and go to share their sacrifices

hey were wont to leave at times their Olympian abodes and go to share their sacrifices and banquets. On the western margin of

knew little of any real people except those to the east and south of their own country, or near the coast of the Mediterrane

permit the passage of the Celestials to earth, and to receive them on their return. The gods had their separate dwellings; bu

elestials to earth, and to receive them on their return. The gods had their separate dwellings; but all, when summoned, repai

Olympian king that the gods feasted each day on ambrosia and nectar, their food and drink, the latter being handed round by

hey conversed of the affairs of heaven and earth; and as they quaffed their nectar, Apollo, the god of music, delighted them

esponsive strains. When the sun was set, the gods retired to sleep in their respective dwellings. The following lines from th

hildren. Jupiter, with his brothers and sisters, now rebelled against their father Saturn and his brothers the Titans; vanqui

ounsel. The Erinnyes, or Furies, were three goddesses who punished by their secret stings the crimes of those who escaped or

lic justice. The heads of the Furies were wreathed with serpents, and their whole appearance was terrific and appalling. Thei

oods and fields. They were conceived to be covered with bristly hair, their heads decorated with short, sprouting horns, and

bristly hair, their heads decorated with short, sprouting horns, and their feet like goats’. Momus was the god of laughter,

t liberties. A feast was given them at which they sat at table, while their masters served them, to show the natural equality

held to be the souls of the ancestors, who watched over and protected their descendants. The words Lemur and Larva more nearl

Juno: that is, a spirit who had given them being, and was regarded as their protector through life. On their birthdays men ma

iven them being, and was regarded as their protector through life. On their birthdays men made offerings to their Genius, wom

heir protector through life. On their birthdays men made offerings to their Genius, women to their Juno. A modern poet thus a

life. On their birthdays men made offerings to their Genius, women to their Juno. A modern poet thus alludes to some of the R

ation on the subject which we derive from the pages of Scripture, had their own way of telling the story, which is as follows

es in arranging and disposing the earth. He appointed rivers and bays their places, raised mountains, scooped out valleys, di

He gave him an upright stature, so that while all other animals turn their faces downward, and look to the earth, he raises

providing him and all other animals with the faculties necessary for their preservation. Epimetheus undertook to do this, an

e her, and sent her to Prometheus and his brother, to punish them for their presumption in stealing fire from heaven; and man

o furnish timbers for vessels, nor had men built fortifications round their towns. There were no such things as swords, spear

Age. Crime burst in like a flood; modesty, truth, and honor fled. In their places came fraud and cunning, violence, and the

sisters, husbands and wives, could not trust one another. Sons wished their fathers dead, that they might come to the inherit

res. Flocks, herds, men, and houses are swept away, and temples, with their sacred enclosures, profaned. If any edifice remai

s. Jupiter, when he saw none left alive but this pair, and remembered their harmless lives and pious demeanor, ordered the no

waters obeyed, and the sea returned to its shores, and the rivers to their channels. Then Deucalion thus addressed Pyrrha: “

earth, and prayed the goddess to inform them how they might retrieve their miserable affairs. The oracle answered, “Depart f

ey sought the thickest shades of the wood, and revolved the oracle in their minds. At length Deucalion spoke: “Either my saga

t the oracle means. At least, it will do no harm to try.” They veiled their faces, unbound their garments, and picked up ston

t least, it will do no harm to try.” They veiled their faces, unbound their garments, and picked up stones, and cast them beh

esh; the stony part became bones; the veins remained veins, retaining their name, only changing their use. Those thrown by th

bones; the veins remained veins, retaining their name, only changing their use. Those thrown by the hand of the man became m

se Lost: — “More lovely than Pandora, whom the gods Endowed with all their gifts; and O, too like In sad event, when to the

poets. He is represented as the friend of mankind, who interposed in their behalf when Jove was incensed against them, and w

! to whose immortal eyes     The sufferings of mortality,     Seen in their sad reality, Were not as things that gods despise

n his eye And nostril, beautiful disdain, and might And majesty flash their full lightnings by, Developing in that one glance

he triumphal pomp to the Capitol, you shall be woven into wreaths for their brows. And, as eternal youth is mine, you also sh

d acquaintance ripened into love. They would gladly have married, but their parents forbade. One thing, however, they could n

through the gap. As they stood, Pyramus on this side, Thisbe on that, their breaths would mingle. “Cruel wall,” they said, “w

he wall; and when night came and they must say farewell, they pressed their lips upon the wall, she on her side, he on his, a

rom the grass, they met at the accustomed spot. Then, after lamenting their hard fate, they agreed, that next night, when all

t, when all was still, they would slip away from watchful eyes, leave their dwellings and walk out into the fields; and to in

aps. No sooner was the dog let loose than he darted off, quicker than their eye could follow him. If they had not seen his fo

to ancient Tethys and Oceanus, the powers of ocean, and in answer to their inquiries thus told the cause of her coming: “Do

eeing a man, screamed and rushed towards the goddess to hide her with their bodies. But she was taller than the rest and over

ne fastened on his back, another seized his shoulder. While they held their master, the rest of the pack came up and buried t

While they held their master, the rest of the pack came up and buried their teeth in his flesh. He groaned, — not in a human

d his own Thoughts, along that rugged way, Pursued like raging hounds their father and their prey.” Stanza 31. The allusion

s, along that rugged way, Pursued like raging hounds their father and their prey.” Stanza 31. The allusion is probably to Sh

ou for life itself. Let these infants move your pity, who stretch out their little arms as if to plead for me;’ and the child

plead for me;’ and the children, as it happened, were stretching out their arms. “Who would not have been moved with these g

with these gentle words of the goddess? But these clowns persisted in their rudeness; they even added jeers and threats of vi

or was this all. They waded into the pond and stirred up the mud with their feet, so as to make the water unfit to drink. Lat

r hands to heaven exclaimed, ‘May they never quit that pool, but pass their lives there!’ and it came to pass accordingly. Th

They now live in the water, sometimes totally submerged, then raising their heads above the surface or swimming upon it. Some

pon the bank, but soon leap back again into the water. They still use their base voices in railing, and though they have the

are not ashamed to croak in the midst of it. Their voices are harsh, their throats bloated, their mouths have become stretch

ak in the midst of it. Their voices are harsh, their throats bloated, their mouths have become stretched by constant railing,

oats bloated, their mouths have become stretched by constant railing, their necks have shrunk up and disappeared, and their h

by constant railing, their necks have shrunk up and disappeared, and their heads are joined to their bodies. Their backs are

r necks have shrunk up and disappeared, and their heads are joined to their bodies. Their backs are green, their disproportio

d, and their heads are joined to their bodies. Their backs are green, their disproportioned bellies white, and in short they

on his writing certain treatises.” “I did but prompt the age to quit their clogs     By the known laws of ancient liberty,  

for upon the walls Vulcan had represented earth, sea, and skies, with their inhabitants. In the sea were the nymphs, some spo

ing on the backs of fishes, while others sat upon the rocks and dried their sea-green hair. Their faces were not all alike, n

rab in another. Nor will you find it easy to guide those horses, with their breasts full of fire that they breathe forth from

horses, with their breasts full of fire that they breathe forth from their mouths and nostrils. I can scarcely govern them m

vice, spare the whip and hold tight the reins. They go fast enough of their own accord; the labor is to hold them in. You are

erve to guide you. And, that the skies and the earth may each receive their due share of heat, go not too high, or you will b

hanks to his reluctant parent. Meanwhile the horses fill the air with their snortings and fiery breath, and stamp the ground

e reins fell from his hands. The horses, when they felt them loose on their backs, dashed headlong, and unrestrained went off

; the fields are parched with heat, the plants wither, the trees with their leafy branches burn, the harvest is ablaze! But t

st is ablaze! But these are small things. Great cities perished, with their walls and towers; whole nations with their people

reat cities perished, with their walls and towers; whole nations with their people were consumed to ashes! The forest-clad mo

this day. The Nymphs of the fountains, with dishevelled hair, mourned their waters, nor were the rivers safe beneath their ba

hevelled hair, mourned their waters, nor were the rivers safe beneath their banks: Tanais smoked, and Caicus, Xanthus, and Me

e a dry plain; and the mountains that lie beneath the waves lifted up their heads and became islands. The fishes sought the l

rt on the surface. Even Nereus, and his wife Doris, with the Nereids, their daughters, sought the deepest caves for refuge. T

s fate, were turned into poplar trees, on the banks of the river, and their tears, which continued to flow, became amber as t

lf Of the half-parched Eridanus, where weep Even now the sister trees their amber tears O’er Phaëton untimely dead.” In the

ate wandered away, and was found by some peasants, who carried him to their king, Midas. Midas recognized him, and treated hi

to increase in length, grow hairy, within and without, and movable on their roots; in short, to be on the perfect pattern of

king, in obedience to the command of the oracle, which had said that their future king should come in a wagon. While the peo

d the inhospitable inhabitants would not rouse themselves to open for their reception. At last a humble mansion received them

d Philemon, united when young, had grown old together. Not ashamed of their poverty, they made it endurable by moderate desir

When the two heavenly guests crossed the humble threshold, and bowed their heads to pass under the low door, the old man pla

est for another time. A beechen bowl was filled with warm water, that their guests might wash. While all was doing, they begu

of its own accord. Struck with terror, Baucis and Philemon recognized their heavenly guests, fell on their knees, and with cl

terror, Baucis and Philemon recognized their heavenly guests, fell on their knees, and with clasped hands implored forgivenes

fell on their knees, and with clasped hands implored forgiveness for their poor entertainment. There was an old goose, which

rtainment. There was an old goose, which they kept as the guardian of their humble cottage; and they bethought them to make t

cottage; and they bethought them to make this a sacrifice in honor of their guests. But the goose, too nimble, with the aid o

too nimble, with the aid of feet and wings, for the old folks, eluded their pursuit, and at last took shelter between the god

They had reached to within an arrow’s flight of the top, when turning their eyes below, they beheld all the country sunk in a

ng their eyes below, they beheld all the country sunk in a lake, only their own house left standing. While they gazed with wo

. While they gazed with wonder at the sight, and lamented the fate of their neighbors, that old house of theirs was changed i

mon took counsel with Baucis a few moments; then declared to the gods their united wish. “We ask to be priests and guardians

Baucis changing in like manner. And now a leafy crown had grown over their heads, while exchanging parting words, as long as

se,” they said, together, and at the same moment the bark closed over their mouths. The Tyanean shepherd still shows the two

ch as our ancestors did use, Was metamorphosed into pews, Which still their ancient nature keep By lodging folks disposed to

defy us; and there is that daughter of Ceres, who threatens to follow their example. Now do you, if you have any regard for y

ged on his steeds, calling them each by name, and throwing loose over their heads and necks his iron-colored reins. When he r

ackberries, and sticks for his fire. His little girl was driving home their two goats, and as she passed the goddess, who app

of the Eleusinian mysteries, which, in the splendor and solemnity of their observance, surpassed all other religious celebra

ed spirits meet! Like him the river god, whose waters flow, With love their only light, through caves below, Wafting in trium

Tis for the theft of Enna’s flower from earth These urchins celebrate their dance of mirth,     Round the green tree, like fa

And those more distant showing from beneath         The others’ wings their little eyes of light. While see! among the clouds

thers’ wings their little eyes of light. While see! among the clouds, their eldest brother,     But just flown up, tells with

he fishes, which had been laid on the grass, began to revive and move their fins as if they were in the water; and while he l

f the water received him graciously, and admitted him to the honor of their society. They obtained the consent of Oceanus and

that was mortal in him should be washed away. A hundred rivers poured their waters over him. Then he lost all sense of his fo

her head upon a pillow of the softest feathers, as if she could enjoy their softness. The festival of Venus was at hand — a f

alive! The veins when pressed yielded to the finger and again resumed their roundness. Then at last the votary of Venus found

med lotus. They embraced the trunk of the yet warm tree, and showered their kisses on its leaves. Now there was nothing left

Venus, will not touch the hearts of lions and bristly boars. Think of their terrible claws and prodigious strength! I hate th

the story of Atalanta and Hippomenes, who were changed into lions for their ingratitude to her. Having given him this warning

ground. Ceyx would still have lingered, but now the young men grasped their oars and pulled vigorously through the waves, wit

the harbor, and the breeze plays among the ropes. The seamen draw in their oars, and hoist their sails. When half or less of

reeze plays among the ropes. The seamen draw in their oars, and hoist their sails. When half or less of their course was pass

eamen draw in their oars, and hoist their sails. When half or less of their course was passed, as night drew on, the sea bega

s the roar of the winds and waves his orders are unheard. The men, of their own accord, busy themselves to secure the oars, t

thought of parents, and kindred, and pledges left at home, comes over their minds. Ceyx thinks of Halcyone. No name but hers

er things without life. These wait upon kings and great personages in their sleeping hours, while others move among the commo

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

us herself. In fact Venus found her altars deserted, while men turned their devotion to this young virgin. As she passed alon

he, promptly obedient, soon brought them across the mountain down to their sister’s valley. They embraced her and she return

ain down to their sister’s valley. They embraced her and she returned their caresses. “Come,” said Psyche, “enter with me my

fresh yourselves with whatever your sister has to offer.” Then taking their hands she led them into her golden palace, and co

treasures. The view of these celestial delights caused envy to enter their bosoms, at seeing their young sister possessed of

these celestial delights caused envy to enter their bosoms, at seeing their young sister possessed of such state and splendor

young sister possessed of such state and splendor, so much exceeding their own. They asked her numberless questions, among o

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

ail to have their effect on her mind, and when her sisters were gone, their words and her own curiosity were too strong for h

find sheep feeding without a shepherd, with golden-shining fleeces on their backs. Go, fetch me a sample of that precious woo

o, fetch me a sample of that precious wool gathered from every one of their fleeces.” Psyche obediently went to the river sid

f the rising sun, they burn with a cruel rage to destroy mortals with their sharp horns or rude teeth. But when the noontide

e, and showed a triple row of teeth. No sooner had the Tyrians dipped their pitchers in the fountain, and the ingushing water

ead out of the cave and uttered a fearful hiss. The vessels fell from their hands, the blood left their cheeks, they trembled

red a fearful hiss. The vessels fell from their hands, the blood left their cheeks, they trembled in every limb. The serpent,

d the points of spears to appear above the surface. Next helmets with their nodding plumes came up, and next the shoulders an

e daughter of Venus. The gods left Olympus to honor the occasion with their presence, and Vulcan presented the bride with a n

untry of the Enchelians, who received them with honor and made Cadmus their king. But the misfortunes of their children still

ed them with honor and made Cadmus their king. But the misfortunes of their children still weighed upon their minds; and one

their king. But the misfortunes of their children still weighed upon their minds; and one day Cadmus exclaimed, “If a serpen

is fate. Both became serpents. They live in the woods, but mindful of their origin, they neither avoid the presence of man no

e wells and springs; thousands of snakes crept over the land and shed their poison in the fountains. The force of the disease

The luckless ploughman wondered to see his oxen fall in the midst of their work, and lie helpless in the unfinished furrow.

in the unfinished furrow. The wool fell from the bleating sheep, and their bodies pined away. The horse, once foremost in th

veins enlarged and gasped for the air. Men could not bear the heat of their clothes or their beds, but preferred to lie on th

d gasped for the air. Men could not bear the heat of their clothes or their beds, but preferred to lie on the bare ground; an

of the stream, and others would drink of it notwithstanding. Such was their weariness of their sick beds that some would cree

others would drink of it notwithstanding. Such was their weariness of their sick beds that some would creep forth, and if not

strong enough to stand, would die on the ground. They seemed to hate their friends, and got away from their homes, as if, no

e on the ground. They seemed to hate their friends, and got away from their homes, as if, not knowing the cause of their sick

iends, and got away from their homes, as if, not knowing the cause of their sickness, they charged it on the place of their a

knowing the cause of their sickness, they charged it on the place of their abode. Some were seen tottering along the road, a

long as they could stand, while others sank on the earth, and turned their dying eyes around to take a last look, then close

ing branches, sacred to Jupiter. I observed a troop of ants busy with their labor, carrying minute grains in their mouths and

rved a troop of ants busy with their labor, carrying minute grains in their mouths and following one another in a line up the

d following one another in a line up the trunk of the tree. Observing their numbers with admiration, I said, ‘Give me, O fath

, and grow larger and larger, and by and by to stand erect, lay aside their superfluous legs and their black color, and final

r, and by and by to stand erect, lay aside their superfluous legs and their black color, and finally to assume the human form

zed with wonder and delight they approached and kneeling hailed me as their king. I paid my vows to Jove, and proceeded to al

e ant, (myrmex,) from which they sprang. You have seen these persons; their dispositions resemble those which they had in the

en these persons; their dispositions resemble those which they had in their former shape. They are a diligent and industrious

are a diligent and industrious race, eager to gain, and tenacious of their gains. Among them you may recruit your forces. Th

hen they have had occasion to describe a similar scene, have borrowed their details from him. Chapter XIII. Nisus and Scy

ne which carried Minos, she was borne along an unwelcome companion of their course. A sea-eagle soaring aloft, — it was her f

Echo by her talk contrived to detain the goddess till the nymphs made their escape. When Juno discovered it, she passed sente

fountain, with water like silver, to which the shepherds never drove their flocks, nor the mountain goats resorted, nor any

phs mourned for him, especially the water-nymphs; and when they smote their breasts Echo smote hers also. They prepared a fun

omus. She is seeking her brothers in the forest, and sings to attract their attention. “Sweet Echo, sweetest nymph, that liv

arts of weaving and embroidery that the Nymphs themselves would leave their groves and fountains to come and gaze upon her wo

p the woof into its place and compacts the web. Both work with speed; their skilful hands move rapidly, and the excitement of

proud of; but it was not her husband’s fame, nor her own beauty, nor their great descent, nor the power of their kingdom tha

s fame, nor her own beauty, nor their great descent, nor the power of their kingdom that elated her. It was her children; and

spring, Apollo and Diana, — when the people of Thebes were assembled, their brows crowned with laurel, bearing frankincense t

ws crowned with laurel, bearing frankincense to the altars and paying their vows, — that Niobe appeared among the crowd. Her

fore the gates was a broad plain, where the youth of the city pursued their warlike sports. The sons of Niobe were there with

le arrow overtook him as he fled. Two others, younger boys, just from their tasks, had gone to the playground to have a game

ther, together cast a parting look around them, and together breathed their last. Alphenor, an elder brother, seeing them fal

of grief. The sisters stood in garments of mourning over the biers of their dead brothers. One fell, struck by an arrow, and

contains no ashes now:     The very sepulchres lie tenantless     Of their heroic dwellers; dost thou flow,     Old Tiber! t

nd Gorgons. The Grææ were three sisters who were gray-haired from their birth, whence their name. The Gorgons were monstr

Grææ were three sisters who were gray-haired from their birth, whence their name. The Gorgons were monstrous females with hug

e surges baited by the fierce North-east, Tossing with fretful spleen their angry heads, E’en in the foam of all their madnes

ossing with fretful spleen their angry heads, E’en in the foam of all their madness struck To monumental ice.                

beauty, had dared to compare herself to the Sea-Nymphs, which roused their indignation to such a degree that they sent a pro

hills reëchoed the sound. The parents, transported with joy, embraced their future son-in-law, calling him their deliverer an

, transported with joy, embraced their future son-in-law, calling him their deliverer and the savior of their house, and the

heir future son-in-law, calling him their deliverer and the savior of their house, and the virgin both cause and reward of th

ueen that strove To set her beauty’s praise above The sea-nymphs, and their powers offended.” Cassiopeia is called “the star

ty and faculties. Others, as the giants, differed from men chiefly in their size; and in this particular we must recognize a

ung man also driving in a chariot. On his refusal to leave the way at their command the attendant killed one of his horses, a

self down from the rock and perished. The gratitude of the people for their deliverance was so great that they made Œdipus th

f the people for their deliverance was so great that they made Œdipus their king, giving him in marriage their queen Jocasta.

was so great that they made Œdipus their king, giving him in marriage their queen Jocasta. Œdipus, ignorant of his parentage,

the cranes used to migrate every winter to the Pygmies’ country, and their appearance was the signal of bloody warfare to th

dy warfare to the puny inhabitants, who had to take up arms to defend their cornfields against the rapacious strangers. The P

end their cornfields against the rapacious strangers. The Pygmies and their enemies the Cranes form the subject of several wo

ts arbitress, and nearer to the earth Wheels her pale course; they on their mirth and dance Intent, with jocund music charm h

e country of the Griffins. They found gold in the mountains and built their nests of it, for which reason their nests were ve

d gold in the mountains and built their nests of it, for which reason their nests were very tempting to the hunters, and they

ir instinct led them to know where buried treasures lay, and they did their best to keep plunderers at a distance. The Arimas

om of Colchis, and was, as Pelias pretended, the rightful property of their family. Jason was pleased with the thought, and f

stor were among them. They are called the Argonauts, from the name of their vessel. The Argo with her crew of heroes left the

they found the sage Phineus, and from him received instruction as to their future course. It seems the entrance of the Euxin

eded by two small rocky islands, which floated on the surface, and in their tossings and heavings occasionally came together,

. Jason and his men seized the favorable moment of the rebound, plied their oars with vigor, and passed safe through, though

e through, though the islands closed behind them, and actually grazed their stern. They now rowed along the shore till they a

s well known that a crop of armed men would spring up, who would turn their weapons against their producer. Jason accepted th

op of armed men would spring up, who would turn their weapons against their producer. Jason accepted the conditions, and a ti

he hill-sides. The brazen-footed bulls rushed in, breathing fire from their nostrils that burned up the herbage as they passe

trembled to behold him. Regardless of the burning breath, he soothed their rage with his voice, patted their necks with fear

s of the burning breath, he soothed their rage with his voice, patted their necks with fearless hand, and adroitly slipped ov

e! no sooner had they reached the surface than they began to brandish their weapons and rush upon Jason. The Greeks trembled

o brandish their weapons and rush upon Jason. The Greeks trembled for their hero, and even she who had provided him a way of

e kept his assailants at bay with his sword and shield, till, finding their numbers overwhelming, he resorted to the charm wh

stone and threw it in the midst of his foes. They immediately turned their arms against one another, and soon there was not

ere was not one of the dragon’s brood left alive. The Greeks embraced their hero, and Medea, if she dared, would have embrace

d the fleece and with his friends and Medea accompanying, hastened to their vessel before Æetes the king could arrest their d

mpanying, hastened to their vessel before Æetes the king could arrest their departure, and made the best of their way back to

ore Æetes the king could arrest their departure, and made the best of their way back to Thessaly, where they arrived safe, an

, Their time with the flowers on the margin have wasted,     And left their light urns all as empty as mine.” Medea and Æ

As soon as he had completely imbibed them, his hair and beard laid by their whiteness and assumed the blackness of youth; his

saw what Medea had done for Æson, they wished her to do the same for their father. Medea pretended to consent, and prepared

s of Pelias saw the experiment with delight, and appointed a time for their father to undergo the same operation. But Medea p

pell cast upon them by Medea. The daughters stood by the bedside with their weapons drawn, but hesitated to strike, till Mede

de with their weapons drawn, but hesitated to strike, till Medea chid their irresolution. Then turning away their faces, and

ated to strike, till Medea chid their irresolution. Then turning away their faces, and giving random blows, they smote him wi

urning away their faces, and giving random blows, they smote him with their weapons. He, starting from his sleep, cried out,

e you doing? Will you kill your father?” Their hearts failed them and their weapons fell from their hands, but Medea struck h

ll your father?” Their hearts failed them and their weapons fell from their hands, but Medea struck him a fatal blow, and pre

in her serpent-drawn chariot before they discovered her treachery, or their vengeance would have been terrible. She escaped,

when her son was born, beheld the three Destinies, who, as they spun their fatal thread, foretold that the life of the child

’s lair. They stretched strong nets from tree to tree; they uncoupled their dogs, they tried to find the footprints of their

tree; they uncoupled their dogs, they tried to find the footprints of their quarry in the grass. From the wood was a descent

bough. The dart of Jason misses its object, and kills instead one of their own dogs. But Meleager, after one unsuccessful st

one, laid violent hands upon herself. The sisters of Meleager mourned their brother with uncontrollable grief; till Diana, pi

imposed a condition which was generally effectual in relieving her of their persecutions, — “I will be the prize of him who s

is given; each starts from the goal and skims over the sand. So light their tread, you would almost have thought they might r

shed. The youth carried off his prize. But the lovers were so full of their own happiness that they forgot to pay due honor t

hey forgot to pay due honor to Venus; and the goddess was provoked at their ingratitude. She caused them to give offence to C

rful goddess was not to be insulted with impunity. She took from them their human form and turned them into animals of charac

heir human form and turned them into animals of characters resembling their own: of the huntress-heroine, triumphing in the b

ers At airy distance, with majestic motion, A ruler of the waters and their powers.” Childe Harold, IV. In Moore’s Rhymes o

n. They were very warlike and held several flourishing cities. It was their custom to bring up only the female children; the

zon, went and persuaded the rest that the strangers were carrying off their queen. They instantly armed and came in great num

of Geryon, Cacus stole part of the cattle, while the hero slept. That their foot-prints might not serve to show where they ha

serve to show where they had been driven, he dragged them backward by their tails to his cave; so their tracks all seemed to

been driven, he dragged them backward by their tails to his cave; so their tracks all seemed to show that they had gone in t

onor, yet no one can deny that he has deserved it.” The gods all gave their assent; Juno only heard the closing words with so

fell into his hands. If they were shorter than the bed, he stretched their limbs to make them fit it; if they were longer th

mpanion of his way, with his rescued companions sailed for Athens. On their way they stopped at the island of Naxos, where Th

efore they had recovered from the attack of Hercules, and carried off their queen Antiope. The Amazons in their turn invaded

tack of Hercules, and carried off their queen Antiope. The Amazons in their turn invaded the country of Athens and penetrated

nian, and they swore inviolable fidelity. Their deeds corresponded to their professions, and they ever continued true brother

ons of all ages and both sexes. The old men carried olive branches in their hands, and the young men bore arms. The young wom

ands, and the young men bore arms. The young women carried baskets on their heads, containing the sacred utensils, cakes, and

ished poets, musicians, and authors the best opportunities to present their productions to the public, and the fame of the vi

e, And sorrowing Nereids decked his watery grave; O’er his pale corse their pearly sea-flowers shed, And strewed with crimson

flowers shed, And strewed with crimson moss his marble bed; Struck in their coral towers the passing bell, And wide in ocean

wins. Helen, so famous afterwards as the cause of the Trojan war, was their sister. When Theseus and his friend Pirithous had

ed off Helen from Sparta, the youthful heroes Castor and Pollux, with their followers, hasted to her rescue. Theseus was abse

was absent from Attica and the brothers were successful in recovering their sister. Castor was famous for taming and managing

ing. They were united by the warmest affection and inseparable in all their enterprises. They accompanied the Argonautic expe

atmosphere play round the sails and masts of vessels, were called by their names. After the Argonautic expedition, we find C

attle of Lake Regillus, and after the victory a temple was erected in their honor on the spot where they appeared.   Macaula

ike they were, no mortal     Might one from other know; White as snow their armor was,     Their steeds were white as snow. N

o the Nisæan nymphs, who nourished his infancy and childhood, and for their care were rewarded by Jupiter by being placed, as

oor people, who had no fields or flocks to leave me, but they left me their fishing rods and nets and their fisherman’s trade

flocks to leave me, but they left me their fishing rods and nets and their fisherman’s trade. This I followed for some time,

y us there, when some by signs and others by whispers signified to me their will that I should sail in the opposite direction

e else pilot the ship;’ withdrawing myself from any further agency in their wickedness. They cursed me, and one of them, excl

rom Naxos. “Then the god, pretending that he had just become aware of their treachery, looked out over the sea and said in a

fast as if it was fixed on the ground. The men, astonished, pulled at their oars, and spread more sail, trying to make progre

aid of both, but all in vain. Ivy twined round the oars and hindered their motion, and clung to the sails, with heavy cluste

adness; some leaped overboard; others preparing to do the same beheld their companions in the water undergoing a change, thei

do the same beheld their companions in the water undergoing a change, their bodies becoming flattened and ending in a crooked

face, now under it, scattering the spray, and spouting the water from their broad nostrils. Of twenty men I alone was left. T

ting ready the instruments of execution the prison doors came open of their own accord and the chains fell from his limbs, an

or Hamadryads, were believed to perish with the trees which had been their abode and with which they had come into existence

at part of the grove in its fall. The Dryads in dismay at the loss of their companion and at seeing the pride of the forest l

element. When Jove and his brothers overthrew the Titans and assumed their power, Neptune and Amphitrite succeeded to the do

he Centaur, Peleus succeeded in winning the goddess for his bride and their son was the renowned Achilles. In our chapter on

ng hands the languid thirsty quaff New life in you; fresh vigor fills their veins. No warmer cups the rural ages knew, None w

, None warmer sought the sires of humankind; Happy in temperate peace their equal days Felt not the alternate fits of feveris

d, Blessed with divine immunity from ills, Long centuries they lived; their only fate Was ripe old age, and rather sleep than

was entertaining at his hospitable board, while they were delayed on their journey by the overflow of his waters. Having fin

Cornucopia.’”   The ancients were fond of finding a hidden meaning in their mythological tales. They explain this fight of Ac

rkmen who had made the thunderbolt. These were the Cyclopes, who have their workshop under Mount Ætna, from which the smoke a

e their workshop under Mount Ætna, from which the smoke and flames of their furnaces are constantly issuing. Apollo shot his

But it was not so. Brave warriors, who would willingly have perilled their lives for their prince, shrunk from the thought o

so. Brave warriors, who would willingly have perilled their lives for their prince, shrunk from the thought of dying for him

ld servants who had experienced his bounty and that of his house from their childhood up, were not willing to lay down the sc

heir childhood up, were not willing to lay down the scanty remnant of their days to show their gratitude. Men asked, “Why doe

were not willing to lay down the scanty remnant of their days to show their gratitude. Men asked, “Why does not one of his pa

saw, And yet unwittingly, in truth,     They made his careless words their law. “And day by day more holy grew     Each spo

al devotion. She was the daughter of Œdipus and Jocasta, who with all their descendants were the victims of an unrelenting fa

success. At length both hosts agreed that the brothers should decide their quarrel by single combat. They fought and fell by

ght, and at last the invaders were forced to yield, and fled, leaving their dead unburied. Creon, the uncle of the fallen pri

y on the spot where they parted. Ulysses and Penelope had not enjoyed their union more than a year when it was interrupted by

beasts were softened by his strains, and gathering round him laid by their fierceness, and stood entranced with his lay. Nay

harm. The former crowded round him and the latter relaxed somewhat of their hardness, softened by his notes. Hymen had been c

no happy omens with him. His very torch smoked and brought tears into their eyes. In coincidence with such prognostics, Euryd

ceased to tear the giant’s liver, the daughters of Danaüs rested from their task of drawing water in a sieve, and Sisyphus sa

ld have reached the upper air. Under this condition they proceeded on their way, he leading, she following, through passages

glance behind him, when instantly she was borne away. Stretching out their arms to embrace one another, they grasped only th

and mountains, melting the hearts of tigers and moving the oaks from their stations. He held himself aloof from womankind, d

on the recollection of his sad mischance. The Thracian maidens tried their best to captivate him, but he repulsed their adva

e Thracian maidens tried their best to captivate him, but he repulsed their advances. They bore with him as long as they coul

Honey must first have been known as a wild product, the bees building their structures in hollow trees or holes in the rocks,

old stories to amuse the rest. The sad voice of Aristæus interrupting their occupation, one of them put her head above the wa

ment, he was hospitably received by Cyrene and her nymphs, who spread their table with the richest dainties. They first poure

panions, have sent this destruction to your bees. You have to appease their anger, and thus it must be done: Select four bull

, build four altars to the nymphs, and sacrifice the animals, leaving their carcasses in the leafy grove. To Orpheus and Eury

o Orpheus and Eurydice you shall pay such funeral honors as may allay their resentment. Returning after nine days, you will e

faithfully obeyed these directions. He sacrificed the cattle, he left their bodies in the grove, he offered funeral honors to

f bees had taken possession of one of the carcasses and were pursuing their labors there as in a hive.   In The Task, Cowper

Mount Cithaeron, where they grew up among the shepherds, not knowing their parentage. Mercury gave Amphion a lyre and taught

ccupied himself in hunting and tending the flocks. Meanwhile Antiope, their mother, who had been treated with great cruelty b

Thebes, and by Dirce, his wife, found means to inform her children of their rights and to summon them to her assistance. With

of their rights and to summon them to her assistance. With a band of their fellow-herdsmen they attacked and slew Lycus, and

wall. It is said that when he played on his lyre the stones moved of their own accord and took their places in the wall. See

n he played on his lyre the stones moved of their own accord and took their places in the wall. See Tennyson’s poem of Amphio

ay when he was asleep under the oak the serpents licked his ears with their tongues. On awaking he was astonished to find tha

se this chapter were real persons some of whose works yet remain, and their influence on poets who succeeded them is yet more

heir influence on poets who succeeded them is yet more important than their poetical remains. The adventures recorded of them

s of the “Age of Fable,” that is, of the poets who have told them. In their present form, the first two are translated from t

er, like the others, would have been unheeded, — they thought only of their booty, — but to hear so famous a musician, that m

t only of their booty, — but to hear so famous a musician, that moved their rude hearts. “Suffer me,” he added, “to arrange m

rang into the deep sea. The waves covered him, and the seamen held on their way, fancying themselves safe from all danger of

a flock of cranes flew overhead taking the same course as himself in their migration to a southern clime. “Good luck to you,

gistrates, and demanded vengeance on the murderers and expiation with their blood. But what trace or mark shall point out the

ruits of his crime, while vengeance seeks for him in vain. Perhaps in their own temple’s enclosure he defies the gods minglin

voices sounds like the roar of the sea, while the circles widening in their ascent rise tier on tier, as if they would reach

silent forms be living beings? The Choristers, clad in black, bore in their fleshless hands torches blazing with a pitchy fla

ss, and in place of hair writhing and swelling serpents curled around their brows. Forming a circle, these awful beings sang

curled around their brows. Forming a circle, these awful beings sang their hymn, rending the hearts of the guilty, and encha

sang their hymn, rending the hearts of the guilty, and enchaining all their faculties. It rose and swelled, overpowering the

was too late. The faces of the murderers, pale with terror, betrayed their guilt. The people took them before the judge, the

ed their guilt. The people took them before the judge, they confessed their crime, and suffered the punishment they deserved.

should take that “Lover’s-leap” would, if not destroyed, be cured of their love.   Byron alludes to the story of Sappho in

ain. One day Orion saw them and became enamoured and pursued them. In their distress they prayed to the gods to change their

and pursued them. In their distress they prayed to the gods to change their form, and Jupiter in pity turned them into pigeon

m into pigeons, and then made them a constellation in the sky. Though their number was seven, only six stars are visible, for

l more doubtful. Yet there are not wanting some modern testimonies to their being still audible. It has been suggested that s

on of Faunus and a Naiad. His father and mother loved him dearly, but their love was not equal to mine. For the beautiful you

cision was made known, they all, at the suggestion of Ulysses, one of their number, took an oath that they would defend her f

She chose Menelaus, and was living with him happily when Paris became their guest. Paris, aided by Venus, persuaded her to el

rgil. Menelaus called upon his brother chieftains of Greece to fulfil their pledge, and join him in his efforts to recover hi

of the injured Menelaus, was chosen commander-in-chief. Achilles was their most illustrious warrior. After him ranked Ajax,

d brought the forces to the coast of Troy. The Trojans came to oppose their landing, and at the first onset Protesilaus fell

uld suspense permit the foe to cry,     ‘Behold they tremble! haughty their array, Yet of their number no one dares to die?’

the foe to cry,     ‘Behold they tremble! haughty their array, Yet of their number no one dares to die?’     In soul I swept

when such stature they had gained That Ilium’s walls were subject to their view, The trees’ tall summits withered at the sig

ored Apollo to afflict the Greeks till they should be forced to yield their prey. Apollo granted the prayer of his priest, an

y the wrath of the gods and avert the plague. Achilles boldly charged their misfortunes upon Agamemnon as caused by his withh

either side. Juno and Minerva, in consequence of the slight put upon their charms by Paris, were hostile to the Trojans; Ven

iately to Jove’s palace and besought him to make the Greeks repent of their injustice to Achilles by granting success to the

successful. The Greeks were driven from the field and took refuge in their ships. Then Agamemnon called a council of his wis

penitent message. They performed that duty, but Achilles was deaf to their entreaties. He positively refused to return to th

for Greece without delay. The Greeks had constructed a rampart around their ships, and now instead of besieging Troy they wer

d of besieging Troy they were in a manner besieged themselves, within their rampart. The next day after the unsuccessful emba

set fire to the ships. Neptune, seeing the Greeks so pressed, came to their rescue. He appeared in the form of Calchas the pr

ors with his shouts, and appealed to each individually till he raised their ardor to such a pitch that they forced the Trojan

r’s art of healing, and was therefore of great value to the Greeks as their surgeon, besides being one of their bravest warri

e of great value to the Greeks as their surgeon, besides being one of their bravest warriors. Nestor took Machaon in his char

time of departing for Troy, Achilles and himself had been charged by their respective fathers with different advice: Achille

heard. He told the prince the sad condition of affairs at the camp of their late associates: Diomede, Ulysses, Agamemnon, Mac

l more to the disgrace already mine.” Then exhorting the troops to do their best he dismissed them full of ardor to the fight

the inhabitants of heaven to interpose in like manner whenever any of their offspring were endangered; to which reason Jove y

s for his own use, so artfully constructed that they moved forward of their own accord when wanted, and retired again when di

d on the charity of strangers. When Achilles and the Greeks had taken their revenge on the killer of Patroclus they busied th

er of Patroclus they busied themselves in paying due funeral rites to their friend. A pile was erected, and the body burned w

leep. The recollection of his lost friend kept him awake, remembering their companionship in toil and dangers, in battle or o

or yield, the god approached, and grasping Priam’s hand offered to be their guide to Achilles’ tent. Priam gladly accepted hi

m the walls, the people poured forth to gaze once more on the face of their hero. Foremost of all, the mother and the wife of

he wife of Hector came, and at the sight of the lifeless body renewed their lamentations. The people all wept with them, and

, and to the going down of the sun there was no pause or abatement of their grief. The next day preparations were made for th

, who came with a band of female warriors. All the authorities attest their valor and the fearful effect of their war cry. Pe

ors. All the authorities attest their valor and the fearful effect of their war cry. Penthesilea slew many of the bravest war

filled with armed men. The remaining Greeks then betook themselves to their ships and sailed away, as if for a final departur

of the malice of Ulysses he had been left behind by his countrymen at their departure. With regard to the wooden horse, he to

od with his two sons. They first attacked the children, winding round their bodies and breathing their pestilential breath in

first attacked the children, winding round their bodies and breathing their pestilential breath in their faces. The father, a

winding round their bodies and breathing their pestilential breath in their faces. The father, attempting to rescue them, is

t they overpower all his efforts and strangle him and the children in their poisonous folds. This event was regarded as a cle

, being let out by the traitor Sinon, opened the gates of the city to their friends, who had returned under cover of the nigh

usband, and they were among the first to leave the shores of Troy for their native land. But having incurred the displeasure

s. Menelaus and Helen at length arrived in safety at Sparta, resumed their royal dignity, and lived and reigned in splendor;

ed at Sparta, he found Menelaus and Helen celebrating the marriage of their daughter Hermione to Neoptolemus, son of Achilles

re accustomed to sacrifice to the goddess all strangers who fell into their hands. The two friends were seized and carried bo

ho they were, Iphigenia disclosed herself to them, and the three made their escape with the statue of the goddess, and return

he court of Areopagus to decide his fate. The Erinyes brought forward their accusation, and Orestes made the command of the D

Lotus-eaters were kindly entertained by them, and were given some of their own food, the lotus-plant, to eat. The effect of

lt in caves and fed on the wild productions of the island and on what their flocks yielded, for they were shepherds. Ulysses

ock, quantities of cheese, pails and bowls of milk, lambs and kids in their pens, all in nice order. Presently arrived the ma

tely won so much glory in the conquest of Troy; that they were now on their way home, and finished by imploring his hospitali

e Greeks, whom he hurled against the side of the cave, and dashed out their brains. He proceeded to devour them with great re

s the rock with which the giant had closed up the door was far beyond their power to remove, and they would therefore be in h

zed two more of the Greeks, and despatched them in the same manner as their companions, feasting on their flesh till no fragm

d despatched them in the same manner as their companions, feasting on their flesh till no fragment was left. He then moved aw

ments as before, he seized two more of Ulysses’ companions and dashed their brains out, and made his evening meal upon them a

ed what grievous hurt had caused him to sound such an alarm and break their slumbers. He replied, “O friends, I die, and Noma

the giant felt of the animals’ backs and sides, but never thought of their bellies; so the men all passed safe, Ulysses hims

ces from the cavern, Ulysses and his friends released themselves from their rams, and drove a good part of the flock down to

m their rams, and drove a good part of the flock down to the shore to their boat. They put them aboard with all haste, then p

he giant answered them with curses, but Ulysses and his friends plied their oars vigorously, and soon regained their companio

lysses and his friends plied their oars vigorously, and soon regained their companions. Ulysses next arrived at the island of

urtful and dangerous, commanding fair winds to blow the barks towards their country. Nine days they sped before the wind, and

luded it must contain treasures given by the hospitable king Æolus to their commander. Tempted to secure some portion for the

en immediately the winds rushed forth. The ships were driven far from their course, and back again to the island they had jus

ack again to the island they had just left. Æolus was so indignant at their folly that he refused to assist them further, and

e refused to assist them further, and they were obliged to labor over their course once more by means of their oars. The L

nd they were obliged to labor over their course once more by means of their oars. The Læstrygonians. Their next adventu

l without. As soon as the Læstrygonians found the ships completely in their power they attacked them, heaving huge stones whi

d them, heaving huge stones which broke and overturned them, and with their spears despatched the seamen as they struggled in

tched the seamen as they struggled in the water. All the vessels with their crews were destroyed, except Ulysses’ own ship, w

side, and finding no safety but in flight, he exhorted his men to ply their oars vigorously, and they escaped. With grief for

is men to ply their oars vigorously, and they escaped. With grief for their slain companions mixed with joy at their own esca

they escaped. With grief for their slain companions mixed with joy at their own escape, they pursued their way till they arri

eir slain companions mixed with joy at their own escape, they pursued their way till they arrived at the Ææan isle, where Cir

a powerful magician. These dreadful animals fawned upon them, wagging their tails and rising on their hinder feet, playful as

dreadful animals fawned upon them, wagging their tails and rising on their hinder feet, playful as dogs. The sounds of soft

ly changed into swine, in “head, body, voice, and bristles,” yet with their intellects as before. She shut them in her sties

ertaining them. She was as good as her word. The men were restored to their shapes, the rest of the crew summoned from the sh

gth his companions recalled him to nobler sentiments, and he received their admonition gratefully. Circe aided their departur

sentiments, and he received their admonition gratefully. Circe aided their departure, and instructed them how to pass safely

e Sirens. The Sirens were sea-nymphs who had the power of charming by their song all who heard them, so that the unhappy mari

ariners were irresistibly impelled to cast themselves into the sea to their destruction. Circe directed Ulysses to fill the e

vious orders, sprang forward and bound him still faster. They held on their course, and the music grew fainter till it ceased

heard, when with joy Ulysses gave his companions the signal to unseal their ears, and they relieved him from his bonds.   The

houghts that passed through the brains of the victims of Circe, after their transformation. In his Endymion he represents one

ed with anxious eyes the dreadful whirlpool, they were not equally on their guard from the attack of Scylla, and the monster,

Ulysses had yet seen; to behold his friends thus sacrificed and hear their cries, unable to afford them any assistance. Circ

Circe had put on board. So long as this supply lasted the people kept their oath, but contrary winds detained them at the isl

inds detained them at the island for a month, and after consuming all their stock of provisions, they were forced to rely upo

torm of thunder and lightning ensued. A stroke of lightning shattered their mast, which in its fall killed the pilot. At last

rce and the Sirens three, Amidst the flowery-kirtled Naiades, Culling their potent herbs and baneful drugs, Who as they sung

hey migrated to the isle of Scheria, under the conduct of Nausithoüs, their king. They were, the poet tells us, a people akin

as they dwelt remote from gain-seeking man, no enemy ever approached their shores, and they did not even require to make use

ry port and needed no pilot. Alcinoüs, the son of Nausithoüs, was now their king, a wise and just sovereign, beloved by his p

the water, and working with cheerfulness and alacrity soon despatched their labor. Then having spread the garments on the sho

he shore to dry, and having themselves bathed, they sat down to enjoy their meal; after which they rose and amused themselves

ayed. But when they had refolded the apparel and were about to resume their way to the town, Minerva caused the ball thrown b

hes were interposed between him and a group of young maidens whom, by their deportment and attire, he discovered to be not me

ainted with the facts. She called back her scattered maidens, chiding their alarm, and reminding them that the Phæacians had

vation, Ulysses passed among the busy crowd, and with wonder observed their harbor, their ships, their forum (the resort of h

s passed among the busy crowd, and with wonder observed their harbor, their ships, their forum (the resort of heroes,) and th

g the busy crowd, and with wonder observed their harbor, their ships, their forum (the resort of heroes,) and their battlemen

ed their harbor, their ships, their forum (the resort of heroes,) and their battlements, till they came to the palace, where

to guard the approach. Along the walls were seats spread through all their length with mantles of finest texture, the work o

nces sat and feasted, while golden statues of graceful youths held in their hands lighted torches which shed radiance over th

, fig, and olive. Neither winter’s cold nor summer’s drought arrested their growth, but they flourished in constant successio

d, arranged with neatest art. In the midst two fountains poured forth their waters, one flowing by artificial channels over a

ded. After the feast the king proposed that the young men should show their guest their proficiency in manly sports, and all

he feast the king proposed that the young men should show their guest their proficiency in manly sports, and all went forth t

games of running, wrestling, and other exercises. After all had done their best, Ulysses being challenged to show what he co

ther than the utmost throw of theirs. All were astonished, and viewed their guest with greatly increased respect. After the g

riend? Ulysses replied by announcing himself by his true name, and at their request, recounted the adventures which had befal

his narrative raised the sympathy and admiration of the Phæacians for their guest to the highest pitch. The king proposed tha

d, In wondrous ships, self-moved, instinct with mind; No helm secures their course, no pilot guides; Like man intelligent the

t and to luncheon when she went with the maidens of the court to wash their garments.” Fate of the Suitors. Ulysses ha

her how they should get the better of the suitors and punish them for their outrages. It was arranged that Telemachus should

s with joy at his return, though secretly mortified at the failure of their plots to take his life. The old beggar was permit

sses sat eating his portion in the hall, the suitors began to exhibit their insolence to him. When he mildly remonstrated, on

row unerring through the rings. Without allowing them time to express their astonishment, he said, “Now for another mark!” an

e to share the fortunes of the remnant of the conquered people, under their chief Æneas, in their search for a new home, afte

s of the remnant of the conquered people, under their chief Æneas, in their search for a new home, after the ruin of their na

their chief Æneas, in their search for a new home, after the ruin of their native city. On that fatal night when the wooden

there the race of Æneas shall dwell, and reduce all other nations to their sway.” The Trojans heard with joy and immediately

d by the oracle?” Anchises remembered that there was a tradition that their forefathers came from Crete and thither they reso

ther they resolved to steer. They arrived at Crete and began to build their city, but sickness broke out among them, and the

lly migrated. To Hesperia, now called Italy, therefore, they directed their future course, and not till after many adventures

flock of these odious harpies came rushing down upon them, seizing in their talons the meat from the dishes and flying away w

rom the dishes and flying away with it. Æneas and his companions drew their swords and dealt vigorous blows among the monster

se, for they were so nimble it was almost impossible to hit them, and their feathers were like armor impenetrable to steel. O

make war on ourselves?” She then predicted dire sufferings to them in their future course, and having vented her wrath flew a

emselves coasting along the shore of Epirus. Here they landed, and to their astonishment learned that certain Trojan exiles,

to advance far into the sea, so that the Trojans, in terror, took to their oars to get out of his way. Hearing the oars, Pol

shores resounded, and at the noise the other Cyclopes came forth from their caves and woods and lined the shore, like a row o

nd lined the shore, like a row of lofty pine trees. The Trojans plied their oars and soon left them out of sight. Æneas had b

coasted along the island of Sicily. Juno, seeing the Trojans speeding their way prosperously towards their destined shore, fe

ily. Juno, seeing the Trojans speeding their way prosperously towards their destined shore, felt her old grudge against them

cean. A terrible storm ensued and the Trojan ships were driven out of their course towards the coast of Africa. They were in

pried off with his own trident, while Triton and a sea-nymph, putting their shoulders under others, set them afloat again. Th

frica opposite Sicily, where at that time a Tyrian colony under Dido, their queen, were laying the foundations of a state des

of friends and followers, both men and women, succeeded in effecting their escape from Tyre, in several vessels, carrying wi

f Sichæus. On arriving at the spot which they selected as the seat of their future home, they asked of the natives only so mu

ave them a hospitable reception, the Trojans re-embarked, and held on their course for Italy. Venus now interceded with Neptu

e not of smooth seas or favoring winds, — me who have seen so much of their treachery. Shall I trust Æneas to the chances of

he adventurers leap to land. While his people were employed in making their encampment Æneas sought the abode of the Sibyl. I

sent two of her doves to fly before him and show him the way, and by their assistance he found the tree, plucked the branch,

sion we present a view of the regions of the dead, depicted by one of their most enlightened poets, who drew his doctrines fr

d by one of their most enlightened poets, who drew his doctrines from their most esteemed philosophers. The region where Virg

Toil, Poverty, and Death, — forms horrible to view. The Furies spread their couches there, and Discord, whose hair was of vip

leep. Æneas and the Sibyl sprang to land. The first sound that struck their ears was the wailing of young children, who had d

amines the deeds of each. The next class was of those who had died by their own hand, hating life and seeking refuge in death

murky atmosphere, recognized the hero, and filled with terror turned their backs and fled, as they used to do on the plains

of Tartarus descended deep, so that its recesses were as far beneath their feet as heaven was high above their heads. In the

its recesses were as far beneath their feet as heaven was high above their heads. In the bottom of this pit, the Titan race,

ainties, while near by stood a Fury who snatched away the viands from their lips as fast as they prepared to taste them. Othe

as fast as they prepared to taste them. Others beheld suspended over their heads huge rocks, threatening to fall, keeping th

ping them in a state of constant alarm. These were they who had hated their brothers, or struck their parents, or defrauded t

nstant alarm. These were they who had hated their brothers, or struck their parents, or defrauded the friends who trusted the

frauded the friends who trusted them, or who, having grown rich, kept their money to themselves, and gave no share to others;

the marriage vow, or fought in a bad cause, or failed in fidelity to their employers. Here was one who had sold his country

g the ground at his feet all dry. Tall trees laden with fruit stooped their heads to him, pears, pomegranates, apples, and lu

flows out among men. Here dwelt those who fell by wounds received in their country’s cause, holy priests also, and poets who

of Apollo, and others who have contributed to cheer and adorn life by their discoveries in the useful arts, and have made the

and adorn life by their discoveries in the useful arts, and have made their memory blessed by rendering service to mankind. T

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

erdant valley, where he was contemplating the ranks of his posterity, their destinies and worthy deeds to be achieved in comi

due time. Meanwhile they dwell on Lethe’s bank, and drink oblivion of their former lives.” “O father!” said Æneas, “is it pos

sition the less pure is the individual; and we see men and women with their full-grown bodies have not the purity of childhoo

uls in the current of winds, or merging them in water, or burning out their impurities by fire. Some few, of whom Anchises in

t back to life endowed with new bodies, having had the remembrance of their former lives effectually washed away by the water

en of the most insignificant animal, not knowing but it may be one of their relations in an altered form. Anchises, having ex

II. he characterizes the rivers of Erebus according to the meaning of their names in the Greek language: — “Abhorred Styx, t

pleasure and pain.” The Sibyl. As Æneas and the Sibyl pursued their way back to earth, he said to her, “Whether thou

or that duty, who, on great occasions, consulted them and interpreted their oracles to the people. There were various Sibyls;

Trojans with dire sufferings. In particular she predicted that before their wanderings ceased they should be pressed by hunge

re their wanderings ceased they should be pressed by hunger to devour their tables. This portent now came true; for as they t

to devour their tables. This portent now came true; for as they took their scanty meal, seated on the grass, the men placed

r as they took their scanty meal, seated on the grass, the men placed their hard biscuit on their laps, and put thereon whate

canty meal, seated on the grass, the men placed their hard biscuit on their laps, and put thereon whatever their gleanings in

men placed their hard biscuit on their laps, and put thereon whatever their gleanings in the woods supplied. Having despatche

res to find out who were the present inhabitants of the land, and who their rulers. A hundred chosen men were sent to the vil

informed him of the arrival of the foreigners and of the attempts of their prince to rob him of his bride. Next she turned h

hand, furiously assaulted the hunting party. These were protected by their friends, and the herdsmen were finally driven bac

ds, and the herdsmen were finally driven back with the loss of two of their number. These things were enough to rouse the sto

invoked the god of the river and all his tributary fountains to lend their aid. Then for the first time a vessel filled with

the river’s bank. He called aloud, demanding who they were, and what their object. Æneas, holding forth an olive-branch, rep

but browsed like beasts upon the leafy boughs, or fed voraciously on their hunted prey. Such were they when Saturn, expelled

oment. The Etruscans hold the country beyond the river. Mezentius was their king, a monster of cruelty, who invented unheard-

p to deserved punishment, and would ere now have attempted to enforce their demand; but their priests restrain them, telling

shment, and would ere now have attempted to enforce their demand; but their priests restrain them, telling them that it is th

aven that no native of the land shall guide them to victory, and that their destined leader must come from across the sea. Th

, pointed out by the gods, have but to appear to be hailed at once as their leader. With you I will join Pallas, my son, my o

camp. Accordingly the attempt was made, but the Trojans were found on their guard, and having received strict orders from Æne

rict orders from Æneas not to fight in his absence, they lay still in their intrenchments, and resisted all the efforts of th

to the field. Night coming on, the army of Turnus, in high spirits at their fancied superiority, feasted and enjoyed themselv

in consultation, deliberating how they should send notice to Æneas of their situation. The offer of the two friends was gladl

ly appeared a troop directly in front of them, which, under Volscens, their leader, were approaching the camp. The glittering

, were approaching the camp. The glittering helmet of Euryalus caught their attention, and Volscens hailed the two, and deman

into the wood. The horsemen scattered in all directions to intercept their flight. Nisus had eluded pursuit and was out of d

ack and stretched him on the plain with a death-blow. In the midst of their amazement another weapon flew and another of the

So saying, he called the timid followers and delivered the body into their hands. Mezentius meanwhile had been borne to the

re was a cessation of arms for some days to allow both armies to bury their dead. In this interval Æneas challenged Turnus to

is said visited Egypt, where he was instructed by the priests in all their learning, and afterwards journeyed to the East, a

lves in a society to aid each other in the pursuit of wisdom, uniting their property in one common stock for the benefit of t

He traced the various forms and phenomena of the world to numbers as their basis and essence. The “Monad” or unit he regarde

. The people believed that during this festival the crocodiles forgot their natural ferocity and became harmless. There was,

unt, it was established in the following manner: Two black doves took their flight from Thebes in Egypt. One flew to Dodona i

was at Epidaurus. Here the sick sought responses and the recovery of their health by sleeping in the temple. It has been inf

cause of a superstition that those animals have a faculty of renewing their youth by a change of skin. The worship of Æsculap

The Naiad. Sunbeams upon distant hills Gliding apace with shadows in their train, Might with small help from fancy, be trans

fleet Oreads sporting visibly. The Zephyrs, fanning, as they passed, their wings, Lacked not for love fair objects whom they

hey wooed With gentle whisper. Withered boughs grotesque, Stripped of their leaves and twigs by hoary age, From depth of shag

natural phenomena which he cannot understand; and not a few have had their rise from a similar desire of giving a reason for

e at last. Thus lovely Halcyons dive into the main, Then show far off their shining plumes again.” Ovid . Ovid allu

hristianity. They are mentioned perhaps by the classical writers, but their chief popularity and currency seem to have been i

n the new-born Phœnix first is seen, Her feathered subjects all adore their queen, And while she makes her progress through t

t of the air her glory sings, And round him the pleased audience clap their wings.” Milton, in Paradise Lost, Book V., comp

hey approached; a second were a kind of wandering Medusa’s heads, and their look caused an instant horror which was immediate

ned up or struck dead, fled the moment they heard the distant hiss of their king, although they might be in full feed upon th

and thee? a new Actæon’s error Shall theirs have been, — devoured by their own hounds!         Be thou like the imperial bas

gaze, — for freemen mightier grow, And slaves more feeble, gazing on their foe.” The Unicorn. Pliny, the Roman natur

erally the existence of the unicorn. Yet there are animals bearing on their heads a bony protuberance more or less like a hor

davesta, or sacred books of that people. Zoroaster was the founder of their religion, or rather the reformer of the religion

y the introduction of foreign opinions, but they afterwards recovered their ascendency. Zoroaster taught the existence of a s

simple. They used neither temples, altars, nor statues, and performed their sacrifices on the tops of mountains. They adored

with astrology and enchantment, in which they were so celebrated that their name was applied to all orders of magicians and e

temples built by human hands, — The loftiest heights ascending, from their tops, With myrtle-wreathed Tiara on his brows, Pr

century, who compelled the greater number of the Persians to renounce their ancient faith. Those who refused to abandon the r

nce their ancient faith. Those who refused to abandon the religion of their ancestors fled to the deserts of Kerman and to Hi

f that impious race,    Those slaves of fire, that morn and even Hail their creator’s dwelling-place     Among the living lig

of the Hindus is professedly founded on the Vedas. To these books of their scripture they attach the greatest sanctity, and

abandon the sacred ordinances of the Vedas, by which means they lost their strength and supremacy. Kalki is the name of the

ched to the tower, by which the people draw it along. The priests and their attendants stand round the throne on the tower, a

ht into the world, became the fathers of the human race, and heads of their respective castes. They were commanded to regard

ere commanded to regard the four Vedas as containing all the rules of their faith, and all that was necessary to guide them i

the rules of their faith, and all that was necessary to guide them in their religious ceremonies. They were also commanded to

ous ceremonies. They were also commanded to take rank in the order of their birth, the Brahmans uppermost, as having sprung f

ere the royal counsellors, the judges and magistrates of the country; their persons and property were inviolable; and though

diate classes, whose rank and privileges may be readily inferred from their occupations. The Sudras or fourth class are bound

ed of all civil rights, and stigmatized by particular laws regulating their mode of life, their houses, and their furniture.

ts, and stigmatized by particular laws regulating their mode of life, their houses, and their furniture. They are not allowed

d by particular laws regulating their mode of life, their houses, and their furniture. They are not allowed to visit the pago

allowed to visit the pagodas or temples of the other castes, but have their own pagodas and religious exercises. They are not

eir priests are chosen from all classes; they are expected to procure their maintenance by perambulation and begging, and amo

aintenance by perambulation and begging, and among other things it is their duty to endeavor to turn to some use things throw

Lost, Book XI., where, describing Adam’s vision of his descendants in their various nations and cities, scattered over the fa

e rivers issued from this fountain, and when they had flowed far from their source, they froze into ice, and one layer accumu

ons by placing in the heavens the sun and moon and appointing to them their respective courses. As soon as the sun began to s

ad created the world they walked by the side of the sea, pleased with their new work, but found that it was still incomplete,

nses, expressive features, and speech. Midgard was then given them as their residence, and they became the progenitors of the

avens Hugin and Munin, who fly every day over the whole world, and on their return report to him all they have seen and heard

court or field and fight until they cut each other in pieces. This is their pastime; but when meal time comes they recover fr

es. This is their pastime; but when meal time comes they recover from their wounds and return to feast in Valhalla. The Va

ce of those who shall be slain. The Valkyrior are his messengers, and their name means “Choosers of the slain.” When they rid

and their name means “Choosers of the slain.” When they ride forth on their errand, their armor sheds a strange flickering li

means “Choosers of the slain.” When they ride forth on their errand, their armor sheds a strange flickering light, which fla

rst is a hammer, which both the Frost and the Mountain giants know to their cost, when they see it hurled against them in the

e it hurled against them in the air, for it has split many a skull of their fathers and kindred. When thrown, it returns to h

re placed on the borders of heaven to prevent the giants from forcing their way over the bridge Bifrost (the rainbow.) He req

himself to be bound with this apparently slight ribbon, he suspected their design, fearing that it was made by enchantment.

in Giant His Wages Once on a time, when the gods were constructing their abodes and had already finished Midgard and Valha

rt that remained to be finished was the gateway. Then sat the gods on their seats of justice and entered into consultation, i

mountain giant who had come amongst them. Feeling no longer bound by their oaths, they called on Thor, who immediately ran t

ger bound by their oaths, they called on Thor, who immediately ran to their assistance, and lifting up his mallet, paid the w

as of all men the swiftest of foot. He bore Thor’s wallet, containing their provisions. When night came on they found themsel

y should travel in company, and Thor consenting, they sat down to eat their breakfast, and when they had done, Skrymir packed

ask for any more of his company. Thor and his companions proceeded on their way, and towards noon descried a city standing in

the middle of a plain. It was so lofty that they were obliged to bend their necks quite back on their shoulders in order to s

was so lofty that they were obliged to bend their necks quite back on their shoulders in order to see to the top of it. On ar

and it was also getting late; so he showed Thor and his companions to their seats, and they passed the night there in good ch

k of day, Thor and his companions dressed themselves and prepared for their departure. Utgard-Loki ordered a table to be set

ome hurling darts at him, some stones, while others hewed at him with their swords and battle-axes; for do what they would, n

tended woman, inquired of her if she knew what the gods were doing at their meetings. She replied that they were throwing dar

ay hands on him who had done the deed, but they were obliged to delay their vengeance out of respect for the sacred place whe

ect for the sacred place where they were assembled. They gave vent to their grief by loud lamentations. When the gods came to

brown color, they appeared only at night, for they avoided the sun as their most deadly enemy, because whenever his beams fel

mmediately into stones. Their language was the echo of solitudes, and their dwelling-places subterranean caves and clefts. Th

ficers of all created beings, and worked in metals and in wood. Among their most noted works were Thor’s hammer, and the ship

yr, and which was so large that it could contain all the deities with their war and household implements, but so skillfully w

im, the inhabitants of Jotunheim, Alfheim, and Midgard, together with their habitations, would be destroyed. The fearful day

and men perish in great numbers, and the eagles of the air feast upon their still quivering bodies. The wolf Fenris will now

the general devastation the sons of Muspelheim will rush forth under their leader Surtur, before and behind whom are flames

eaks under the horses’ hoofs. But they, disregarding its fall, direct their course to the battle-field called Vigrid. Thither

ki and Heimdall meet and fight till they are both slain. The gods and their enemies having fallen in battle, Surtur, who has

alled them, the bitter runes, were employed to bring various evils on their enemies; the favorable averted misfortune. Some w

ey are the depositaries of whatever historic lore there is, and it is their office to mingle something of intellectual gratif

riors, by rehearsing, with such accompaniments of poetry and music as their skill can afford, the exploits of their heroes li

iments of poetry and music as their skill can afford, the exploits of their heroes living or dead. The compositions of the Sk

ount of the region where the strange stories we have been reading had their origin. Let the reader contrast it for a moment w

ic men these, men who had deep thoughts in them and uttered musically their thoughts. Much would be lost had Iceland not been

triking is that the Druids as well as the Phœnicians identified this, their supreme deity, with the Sun. Fire was regarded as

umerous inferior gods. They used no images to represent the object of their worship, nor did they meet in temples or building

they meet in temples or buildings of any kind for the performance of their sacred rites. A circle of stones (each stone gene

an area of from twenty feet to thirty yards in diameter, constituted their sacred place. The most celebrated of these now re

anner of a table upon other stones set up on end. The Druids had also their high places, which were large stones or piles of

ty under the symbol of the sun. That the Druids offered sacrifices to their deity there can be no doubt. But there is some un

rtainty as to what they offered, and of the ceremonies connected with their religious services we know almost nothing. The cl

central part of the district, to discharge the judicial functions of their order. All questions, whether public or private,

y of the moon. On the latter they sought the Mistletoe, which grew on their favorite oaks, and to which, as well as to the oa

icing and solemn worship. “They call it,” says Pliny , “by a word in their language, which means ‘heal-all,’ and having made

. The Druids were the teachers of morality as well as of religion. Of their ethical teaching a valuable specimen is preserved

ed in the Triads of the Welsh Bards, and from this we may gather that their views of moral rectitude were on the whole just,

nciples of conduct. They were also the men of science and learning of their age and people. Whether they were acquainted with

ere, to some extent. But it is certain that they committed nothing of their doctrine, their history, or their poetry to writi

ent. But it is certain that they committed nothing of their doctrine, their history, or their poetry to writing. Their teachi

tain that they committed nothing of their doctrine, their history, or their poetry to writing. Their teaching was oral, and t

eir history, or their poetry to writing. Their teaching was oral, and their literature (if such a word may be used in such a

er and laws of nature, and investigated and taught to the youth under their charge many things concerning the stars and their

to the youth under their charge many things concerning the stars and their motions, the size of the world and the lands, and

history consisted in traditional tales, in which the heroic deeds of their forefathers were celebrated. These were apparentl

. At these meetings none but Bards of merit were suffered to rehearse their pieces, and minstrels of skill to perform. Judges

and minstrels of skill to perform. Judges were appointed to decide on their respective abilities, and suitable degrees were c

ime of the Roman invasion under Julius Caesar. Against the Druids, as their chief enemies, these conquerors of the world dire

ruids, as their chief enemies, these conquerors of the world directed their unsparing fury. The Druids, harassed at all point

nglesey and Iona, where for a season they found shelter and continued their now dishonored rites. The Druids retained their p

shelter and continued their now dishonored rites. The Druids retained their predominance in Iona and over the adjacent island

over the adjacent islands and mainland until they were supplanted and their superstitions overturned by the arrival of St. Co

e, and the savage nations on the adjoining shores incommoded him with their hostility, and on several occasions endangered hi

with their hostility, and on several occasions endangered his life by their attacks. Yet by his perseverance and zeal he surm

sought his counsel and availed themselves of his judgment in settling their disputes. When Columba landed on Iona he was atte

ed them, and most of them seem to have entered into that state. True, their wives were not permitted to reside with them at t

which still bears the name of “Eilen nam ban,” women’s island, where their husbands seem to have resided with them, except w

ir husbands seem to have resided with them, except when duty required their presence in the school or the sanctuary.   Campb

he walls of the Egyptian temples to have been borne by the priests in their religious processions. It probably represented th

a manner so strange and immediate, that it must have greatly affected their minds in stimulating to good, or deterring from e

of the ancients. We are in the habit of supposing, that they regarded their fables in the same poetical light as ourselves; t

, not only constituted the worship of the Greeks of old, but governed their lives, their actions, their laws, and the very as

nstituted the worship of the Greeks of old, but governed their lives, their actions, their laws, and the very aspirations of

orship of the Greeks of old, but governed their lives, their actions, their laws, and the very aspirations of their hearts. T

d their lives, their actions, their laws, and the very aspirations of their hearts. They aimed at excellence in the highest,

their hearts. They aimed at excellence in the highest, in order that their statues might be installed in their national temp

nce in the highest, in order that their statues might be installed in their national temples as ‌those of demi-gods, and the

barbarous the people, there was a principle evidently acknowledged in their actions, of the necessity of a supreme being; and

themselves, that a divine being watched over, and was the rewarder of their good, or the punisher of their evil deeds. The pr

watched over, and was the rewarder of their good, or the punisher of their evil deeds. The priests of Phœnicia and Egypt wer

pt were the origin of the elements of this profane faith, and through their means, its transmission may be traced to the Gree

reatly refining it, before its reception by the Romans who multiplied their Gods in about the same degree that their vices in

by the Romans who multiplied their Gods in about the same degree that their vices increased; while their armies, which overra

their Gods in about the same degree that their vices increased; while their armies, which overran the ‌world, doubtless gave

overran the ‌world, doubtless gave to the Scandanavians and the Gauls their ideas of the faith of Odin; and the fables of the

s is, at best, so vague and shadowy, that its inculcators get lost in their own inventions, and their followers scarcely comp

d shadowy, that its inculcators get lost in their own inventions, and their followers scarcely comprehend the assertions they

rail against the delightful fictions with which Homer and Hesiod, and their poetical imitators, have enriched and embellished

d Hesiod, and their poetical imitators, have enriched and embellished their works; but although these fictions did not contai

through the world; the stars are so many divinities, who measure with their golden beams the regular progress of time; the mo

his nods shakes the foundation of Olympus. Surrounding the throne of their sovereign, the other divinities quaff nectar, fro

the world was scarcely worthy, that we are willing rather to present their mature opinions, than to obtrude our own) we shal

was either great or happy, great if these figures were the fruits of their industry; and happy if they looked no further, th

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

Uranus, or Heaven, was the Day. Espousing his sister Titæa, from their union sprang the Titans, those giants of antiquit

es in fame; One eye was placed (a large round orb, and bright) Amidst their forehead to receive the light; Hence were they Cy

y, however, only ripened the spirit of rebellion which he feared, and their frightful confinement but urged them to greater e

o renounce his claim in favour of Saturn, who delivered them all from their confinement; but with the condition that whatever

, should be destroyed. Saturn, faithful to his promise, swallowed, at their birth, all the male children brought to him by hi

he Corybantes, or warrior priests, who, making a deafening noise with their drums and cymbals, prevented for a period the cri

rected yet, nor cause was heard; But all was safe, for conscience was their guard: The mountain trees in distant prospects pl

w oceans to explore, And happy mortals unconcerned for more, Confined their wishes to their native shore: No walls were yet,

ore, And happy mortals unconcerned for more, Confined their wishes to their native shore: No walls were yet, nor fence, nor m

were forged, but void of care or crime, The soft creation slept away their time; The teeming earth, yet guiltless of the plo

execution of criminals were alike suspended, while masters waited on their slaves at table, in remembrance of the ideas of l

er image anonyme_heathen-mythology_1842_img014 Such of them as forgot their vow, were placed in a large hole under the earth,

from my sighs and dampened with my tears!     Priest. The Gods demand their victim!     Vestal. ’Tis blasphemy to think it; O

ans, who disputed with him the right to reign in Heaven. The first of their feats was to heap mountain on mountain in order t

who strove To dart the trees, uprooted, from the grove:     For weak their might against the shield     Which Pallas’ matchl

d beneath the mountains which they themselves had prepared to execute their vengeance on Jupiter. Many times, though vainly,

ce on Jupiter. Many times, though vainly, the Titans sought to avenge their defeat; and Olympus, from this time, was only tro

Titans mourned Within a den where no insulting light Could glimmer on their tears; where their own groans They felt, but hear

in a den where no insulting light Could glimmer on their tears; where their own groans They felt, but heard not; hard flint t

n opague element to keep Their clenched teeth still clenched, and all their limbs Locked up like veins of metal cramped and s

up like veins of metal cramped and screwed: Without a motion save of their big hearts, Heaving in pain.” Keats’ Hyperion.

e its undisputed king, espoused Juno his sister. ‌The commencement of their union was a happy one, and was called the age of

then were caves or homely sheds, With twining osiers fenced, and moss their beds: Then ploughs for seed the fruitful farrows

e name of Jupiter Ammon, i. e. — sandy. By this time mankind had owed their creation to the King of the Gods. Prometheus, gra

re subtle, foul, or savage fiends People the abyss, and leave them to their task. Oh that we might be spared: I to inflict, A

land and main; O’er human race distempers silent stray, And multiply their strength by night and day! ’Twas Jove’s decree th

uth, modesty, and shame the world forsook; Fraud, avarice, and force, their places took. Then sails were spread to every wind

ssaulted, and by gold betrayed. Now (brandished weapons glittering in their hands) Mankind is broken loose from moral bands:

us, in which he dwelt, and on which poets and painters have exercised their imaginations. The figures of Jupiter have varied

brow laden with ‌dark clouds; his eyes darting lightning from beneath their lids; and his chin covered with a majestic beard.

ch the hospitality of Baucis and Philemon saved them from the fate of their friends. He is represented as the guardian of man

thers, ill-fated, are condemned to toil Their tedious life, and mourn their purpose blasted, With fruitless act and impotence

sed to submit to his wishes, unless he would consent to marry her. At their nuptials, invitations were sent to all the Gods,

rgus lies in pieces, cold and pale, And all his hundred eyes with all their light Are closed at once in one perpetual night;

nd the moist ground smiles with enamelled flowers, The cheerful birds their airy carols sing, And the whole year is one etern

valleys speeds, By name encouraging his foamy steeds; He rattles o’er their necks the rusty reins, And ruffles with the strok

rattles o’er their necks the rusty reins, And ruffles with the stroke their shaggy manes Throws to his dreadful steeds the sl

incense rise;     But waking flowers,     At morning hours, Give out their sweets to meet thee in the skies!         “God o

nd of making dreams an image of reality to those who place it beneath their pillow. ——— “Her feet she found Benumbed with co

ring eyes, Till fixed to earth, she strove in vain to rise, Her looks their paleness in a flower retained, But here and there

hey gained. Still the loved object the fond leaves pursue, Still move their root, the moving sun to view And in the Heliotrop

als in his honour, which continued for three days; they did not adorn their hair with garlands during their festivals, nor ea

ed for three days; they did not adorn their hair with garlands during their festivals, nor eat bread, but fed only upon sweet

pollo responded to those of these noble sisters: they received him in their palace, and assembled together with him to conver

sembled together with him to converse on the arts and sciences. Among their possessions, the Muses and Apollo had a winged ho

ly lamented; the fauns, satyrs and dryads, wept at his fate, and from their abundant tears flowed a river of Phrygia, well kn

long ago were neither dumb nor blind: ‌Nor apt to think from heaven their title springs, Since Jove and Mars left off beget

The flying horses took advantage of his confusion, and departed from their accustomed track. Phaeton repented too late of hi

onths, without ceasing, until the Gods changed them into poplars, and their tears into grains of amber; while the young king

er young was joined with it, she changed him into a grasshopper. From their union sprang Memnon, who was killed by Achilles a

he conquered Egypt, and its ruins still astonish modern travellers by their grandeur and beauty. “Unto the sacred sun in Mem

his eye And nostril, beautiful disdain, and might, And majesty, flash their full lightnings by, Developing in that one glance

ames, that of Soractes, where the priests worshipped by treading with their naked feet on burning coals, though without feeli

d that of Delphi, in which the youth of the place offered to the gods their locks of hair, possibly because this offering was

l be found to afford much interest. The fishermen who had found it in their nets, sought the oracle to consult its responses.

is so closely allied to that of Apollo that we shall present some of their adventures in this part of our work. The first is

of singing; being overcome, they were turned into magpies, and since their transformation, they have preserved the talent so

athen-mythology_1842_img048a One day when the Muses were distant from their place of abode, a storm surprised them, and they

the ‌gates, and sought to offer them insult. They immediately spread their wings and flew away. The king wishing to fly afte

madness the dogs that accompanied him to the chase, they turned upon their metamorphosed master, who, in horrible dread of t

te he had himself so often inflicted, fled rapidly from them. True to their breed, however, the dogs succeeded in running him

nged it by sending into his kingdom a monstrous wild boar; and to rid their country of its ravages, he caused the Greek princ

altar, whereon they immolated all those whom shipwreck had thrown on their inhospitable shores. Insérer image anonyme_heathe

e A far bound galley on its perilous way, Whilst breezy waves toss up their silvery spray — Sometimes I watch thee on from st

nothing but the mere, mild moon, Behind those chesnut boughs Casting their dappled shadows at my feet; I will be grateful fo

rs as they run, Still lend thy lonely lamp, to lovers fond, And blend their plighted shadows into one: Still smile at even on

t to the guardianship of the nymphs of the mountain of Nysa, who, for their care of the son of Jupiter, in process of time, w

d into heaven. When Bacchus, for thus was he ‌named, had grown out of their guidance, Silenus became his preceptor and foster

but the doors of the prison in which Bacchus was confined, opened of their own accord. Pentheus became more irritated, and c

round in wild distorted airs they fly, And make the mountains echo to their cry: Some brandish high an ivy woven spear, The l

the rites divine. To wicked men denied. These, tabors take, These in their hands, the twinkling cymbals shake; While many sw

rank to such excess of the juice which was so temptingly presented to their sight, that, in the fury of their intoxication, t

hich was so temptingly presented to their sight, that, in the fury of their intoxication, they slew their host, and threw him

ed to their sight, that, in the fury of their intoxication, they slew their host, and threw him into a deep well. ‌To expiate

was the sleep of the God, that they had proceeded for a long space on their journey before he awoke. Fully aware of his divin

ntinued to steer the wrong course for Naxos, Bacchus threw himself at their feet, as they made for shore. “Those are not the

of his captors, while they continued to row merrily to the shore with their prize.‌ “The beauteous youth now found himself

boy?’” But behold! the vessel becomes motionless; in vain they plied their oars, their bark moved not: and suddenly vine tre

behold! the vessel becomes motionless; in vain they plied their oars, their bark moved not: and suddenly vine trees seemed to

as the sailors were astonished at this phenomenon, it was equalled by their horror, when Bacchus waved a spear he held in his

, and of vine. The Bacchantes, his ordinary priestesses, bore also in their hands the thyrsis. His feasts were celebrated eve

y_1842_img060b The Bacchantes went into the mountains with torches in their hands, covered with the skins of tigers and panth

leek Arabians prance, Web-footed alligators, crocodiles, Bearing upon their scaly backs, in files, Plump infant laughers, mim

ing vintage hotly pierce     Old Tartary the fierce, The kings of eld their jewel sceptres vail, And from their treasures sca

tary the fierce, The kings of eld their jewel sceptres vail, And from their treasures scatter pearled hail; Great Brahma from

unkenness, many of them dying of it as of a disease. In the height of their misery they sought the oracle, which declared tha

he height of their misery they sought the oracle, which declared that their calamity would not cease, until Callirhoe was sac

man youth, derived from ruined Troy, In rude Saturnian rhymes express their joy; With taunts and laughter loud their audience

ude Saturnian rhymes express their joy; With taunts and laughter loud their audience please, Deformed with vizards cut from b

hts that are inspired by the juice of the grape. All writers agree in their delineation of the wild madness which distinguish

ion of the ‌God. Nothing can be conceived more wild and terrible than their gestures, touching, as they do, the verge of dist

r gestures, touching, as they do, the verge of distortion, into which their fine limbs and lovely forms are thrown. There is

eddies. “The hair, loose and floating, seems caught in the tempest of their own tumultuous motion; their heads are thrown bac

floating, seems caught in the tempest of their own tumultuous motion; their heads are thrown back, leaning with a kind of del

on; their heads are thrown back, leaning with a kind of delirium upon their necks, and looking up to heaven, whilst they tott

g up to heaven, whilst they totter and stumble, even in the energy of their tempestuous dance. “One represents a faun, with t

s not suited to the severe and exact apprehensions of the Romans, and their strict morals were violated by it, and sustained

embling well his pale cheeks and the blood, Which in round drops upon their whiteness stood.” Shakspere. Proserpine is said

s.” Darwin. Anchises, however, though warned by her not to speak of their intimacy, boasted of it one day at a feast, and w

hich was inscribed, Detur pulchriori. All the goddesses claimed it as their own, and the contention at first became general;

, Juno, Venus, and Minerva, were left at last to decide between them, their respective right to beauty. Neither of the gods w

e anonyme_heathen-mythology_1842_img069 The goddesses appeared before their judge, and endeavoured, by profuse offers, to inf

Venus the fairest woman in the world for a wife. When Paris had heard their several claims, he adjudged the prize to Venus, a

igh.     “Bring in thy train the vengeful boy,     And Graces (while their robes loose flow     Gives glances of a breast of

robes loose flow     Gives glances of a breast of snow;) Wantoning in their thoughtless joy. Let Hermes grace the jocund scen

ting and half rising from a shell, and the fullness of her limbs, and their complete roundness and perfection, do not diminis

heaven, by many a towered structure high, Where sceptred angels held their residence, And sate as princes; Nor was his name

abited the western part of the island of Sicily; but the tradition of their only having one eye originated, in all probabilit

ion of their only having one eye originated, in all probability, from their custom of wearing small bucklers of steel which c

y, from their custom of wearing small bucklers of steel which covered their faces, with a small aperture in the middle, corre

ere like unto the gods, Save that a single ball of sight was fixed In their mid forehead. Cyclops was their name, From that r

t a single ball of sight was fixed In their mid forehead. Cyclops was their name, From that round eye-ball in their brow infi

eir mid forehead. Cyclops was their name, From that round eye-ball in their brow infixed; And strength, and force, and manual

to the most unsightly of the Gods. During the festival which followed their union, the altar of Hymen was that which received

oblique he goes; And stills the bellows, and in order laid, Locks in their chests his instruments of trade: With his huge sc

roses about her hung, Violets ’neath her mantle sprung,     Shedding their light of blue.     “Pillowed on one fair arm she

smooth wind to realms of wonderment? What Psyche felt, and Love, when their full lips First touched; …………………………………… ………………………

when their full lips First touched; …………………………………… ……………………… With all their sighs And how they kist each other’s tremulous ey

wery meads, His blushing bride the quivered hero leads; Charmed round their heads pursuing Zephyrs throng, And scatter roses

ams of spring in soft effusion play, And halcyon hours invite them on their way. Delighted Hymen hears their whispered vows,

ay, And halcyon hours invite them on their way. Delighted Hymen hears their whispered vows, And binds his chaplets round thei

ighted Hymen hears their whispered vows, And binds his chaplets round their polished brows, Guides to his altar, ties the flo

Guides to his altar, ties the flowery bands, And as they kneel unites their willing hands.” Darwin. The love which had fall

t though the lips and skin of this mysterious being seemed so soft to their sister, it was by the power of enchantment, and t

h no less than it would frighten: and succeeded in persuading her, by their next meeting, to provide herself with the means o

and leads them in his golden chain; Joins the fond pair, indulgent to their vows, And hides with mystic veil their blushing b

ns the fond pair, indulgent to their vows, And hides with mystic veil their blushing brows. Round their fair forms their ming

to their vows, And hides with mystic veil their blushing brows. Round their fair forms their mingling arms they fling, Meet w

d hides with mystic veil their blushing brows. Round their fair forms their mingling arms they fling, Meet with warm lip, and

arwin. Thus Cupid was at length re-united to his beloved Psyche, and their loves were speedily crowned by the birth of a chi

lay calm breathing on the bedded grass;     Their arms embraced, and their pinions too;     Their lips touched not, but had

hell: Earthly these passions of the earth They perish where they have their birth;     But Love is indestructible: Its holy f

ground, and left her temples bare. ‌Her usual features vanished from their place, Her body lessened — but the most, her face

face while blowing the instrument; Minerva convinced of the truth of their remarks, by looking at herself in a fountain near

watery rock, Hairs which are vipers, and they curl and flow,     And their long tangles in each other lock: And with unendin

part of the statue certainly suggest that idea. “The Greeks rarely in their representations of the characters of their Gods —

dea. “The Greeks rarely in their representations of the characters of their Gods — unless we call the poetic enthusiasm of Ap

e proud of sacrificing to a deity, whom they considered the patron of their city, and the father of the first of their monarc

y considered the patron of their city, and the father of the first of their monarchs; a faith to which ‌they loved to give cr

t then to think upon the hearts that grieve. For those who peril thus their lives in war, The misery that sweeps along the br

hopeth on, but hopeth on in vain.     Evadne. And that is lost too in their country’s shouts The voice of gratitude for those

ries up every fear; The record of a nation’s loud applause, Writes on their tombs in characters of brass. And graves within o

they might obtain possession of his wealth; when the poet discovered their intention, he endeavoured to outwit them. ‌ “All

deep. At the sound, the traitors were struck silent, and hesitated in their course, but they had gone too far: it was too lat

p, Children of ancient Nereus, and behold Their streaming dance about their father old, Beneath the blue Egean; where he sate

the depths have more! what wealth untold, Far down, and shining thro’ their stillness lies; Thou hast the starry gems, the bu

r not now the booming waters roar, The battle thunders will not break their rest; Keep thy red gold and gems, thou stormy gra

ps watchful guard, and with his iron throat, Affrights the spirits in their pale sojourn,” Thurlow. is as well known to the

ness, thinking, perhaps, that the very reason which they assigned for their refusal, was an additional one in his favour for

ing maid. Her startling damsels sprung from mossy seats, Dropped from their gauzy laps the gathered sweets, Clung round the s

The wheels descending, rolled in smoky rings, Infernal Cupids flapped their demon wings; Earth with deep yawn received the fa

hre had not been granted, were for a hundred years allowed to solicit their passage in vain. If any living person presented h

he steps along; Sad swains, and nymphs forlorn, on Lethe’s brink, Hug their past sorrows, and refuse to drink; Night’s dazzle

rly the bull, were the only sacrifices which were offered to him, and their blood was not sprinkled on the altars, but permit

e sate in the middle, holding a sceptre in his hand. The dead pleaded their different causes before him, and the impartial ju

mankind. Rhadamanthus was employed in compelling the dead to confess their crimes, and in punishing them for their offences.

ompelling the dead to confess their crimes, and in punishing them for their offences. Insérer image anonyme_heathen-mythology

g of Argos, were also there, who, in obedience to the cruel advice of their parent, had caused their husbands to perish; with

re, who, in obedience to the cruel advice of their parent, had caused their husbands to perish; with Tityus, who having had t

s nine acres of infernal ground; ‌Two ravenous vultures, furious for their food, Scream o’er the fiend, and riot in his bloo

Troy. O Hermes, ’tis thou who conductest the blest To the seats where their souls shall for ever exist, Who governest their s

st To the seats where their souls shall for ever exist, Who governest their shades by the power of thy spell, The favourite o

he inquirers, by assuming different shapes, and totally escaping from their grasp. Divinities of the Second Class. The

ters of antiquity, with natures partly real, and partly imaginary. By their power, the government of the universe was carried

the universe was carried on; but mortals in attributing to these gods their own passions and weaknesses, began to blend with

be joined.’ He formed the reeds, proportioned as they are, Unequal in their length and waxed with care, They still retain the

e of a beautiful nymph. “Deep through the spring, his eye-balls dart their beams, Like midnight stars that twinkle in the st

ted to be deduced from this beautiful fable, but in none of them have their authors been very successful, unless we may gathe

ing, From each sister voice     Round thy rocky dwelling;         And their sweetness fills         All the hollow hills, ‌W

ance the peasant leads, Even, ’mid that time of peace, Beasts of prey their fury cease, The lambkin roams all free and bold,

arm Then protects from every harm. Lo, to hail the Sylvan king, Woods their leafy honours bring, Strewing in profusion gay, V

ready slaves prepare a sumptuous board, Spread with rich dainties for their happy lord, Whose powerful hands the bread no soo

gods of the Country, were considered as mischievous, and inspired by their appearance, great fright in the shepherds — altho

m a flute or tambourine, to make the nymphs dance, when they inflamed their senses by the burning nature of their harmony, an

ymphs dance, when they inflamed their senses by the burning nature of their harmony, and the rapid measure with which they tr

efly upon Bacchus, rendering themselves conspicuous in his orgies, by their riot and lasciviousness. It is said, that a Satyr

uced by Numa Pompilius, who persuaded his subjects that the limits of their lands and states, were under the immediate inspec

might be placed. The people of the country assembled once a year with their families, and crowned with garlands and flowers,

lies, and crowned with garlands and flowers, the stones which divided their different possessions. It is said that when Tarqu

ded to her office.             “’Twas on a day When the immortals at their banquet lay,             The bowl     Sparkled wi

red between us, and kissed them with looks; But the willows unbosomed their secret, and never I returned to a spot I had star

For the haunters of fields, they all shunned me by flight, The men in their horror, the women in fright: None ever remained,

at the bridal of Perithous is famous in history, and was the cause of their destruction. The Centaurs inflamed with wine, beh

venly form beheld, all wished her joy; And little wanted, but in vain their wishes all employ. For one, most brutal of the br

scented thorns, And some from whom the voluptuous winds of June Catch their perfumery.” Barry Cornwall. She married Zephyru

n. Sometimes a dresser of the vine he feigns, And lawless tendrils to their boughs restrains. Sometimes his sword a soldier s

odern, all of whom were delighted to pour forth tributes of praise in their honour; Spring is usually drawn as a nymph, with

e flinging spray o’er the forest boughs, They are bursting fresh from their sparry caves, And the earth resounds with the joy

e All whom I saw in the vanished year! There were graceful heads with their ringlets bright, Which tossed in the breeze with

the sapphire sky, And had not a sound of mortality! Are they gone? is their mirth from the mountains passed? Ye have looked o

to earth’s embrace, She hath taken the fairest of beauty’s race, With their laughing eyes and their festal crown, They are go

hath taken the fairest of beauty’s race, With their laughing eyes and their festal crown, They are gone from amongst you in s

’s pale denizens come forth to breathe. The free, fresh air, and lave their fevered brows; And beauty loves young fairy flowe

founts and bowers! O’er the very waters now,                      In their play, Flowers are shedding beauty’s glow —       

s should prey         Undazzled at noon-day, And tear with horny beak their lustrous eyes. Where are the blooms of Summer? i

lustrous eyes. Where are the blooms of Summer? in the west, Blushing their last to the last sunny hours, When the mild eve b

The squirrel gloats on his accomplished hoard, The Ants have trimm’d their garners with ripe grain,         And honey bees h

ipe grain,         And honey bees have stored The sweets of summer in their luscious cells; “The swallows all have winged ac

rs were subjected to his power. The ancients were very reverential in their homage to Oceanus, and worshipped with great sole

formed that her son would become greater than his father, they ceased their addresses, and Peleus, the son of Æacus, was perm

y to secure him, lest by taking some unnatural shape, he should elude their vigilance. Insérer image anonyme_heathen-mytholog

who allowed him to give liberty to the winds, or to recall them into their caverns at his pleasure.     “Oh many a voice is

a leader comes.     “Thou hast been o’er solitary seas,     And from their wastes brought back Each noise of waters that awo

ts dark and deep,     Thou mighty, rushing wind! And thou bearest all their unisons     In one, full swell combined; The rest

n things and free, Of the dim, old sounding wilderness,     Have lent their soul to thee.     “Thou art come from cities lig

es lighted up     For the conqueror passing by, Thou art wafting from their streets, a sound     Of haughty revelry: The roll

ale is told.” South Wind.     “I met two young lovers,     And listed their vows, Where the woodbine covers     The old oak b

ir vows, Where the woodbine covers     The old oak boughs. Enhancing their pleasures     I fluttered around. And joined with

    “I’ve wafted through bowers     Where angels might muse, And kiss their bright flowers     Of loveliest hues. And maiden

hold our carousals aloft with the stars, Where they glitter along in their golden cars, We frolic and bound with the playful

name, who keep the waters calm and serene while they build and sit on their nests in the surface of the sea.                

her being carried off; they prayed for wings from the Gods, to unite their efforts with those of Ceres.‌ In despair at the

their efforts with those of Ceres.‌ In despair at the uselessness of their search, they retired to the sea shore, where, in

most enchanting and attractive nature, while those who were drawn by their beauty to listen to them, perished on the spot. I

the wings and body of a vulture, the ears of a bear, having claws on their feet and hands, and spreading famine wherever the

laws on their feet and hands, and spreading famine wherever they made their hideous appearance. Insérer image anonyme_heathen

spheres, clothed in robes spangled with stars, and wearing crowns on their heads. Their dresses are differently described by

, Whose motions all things upon earth ordain, Whence revolutions date their fickle reign. These robed in white, at equal dist

nd knew they were inexorable, and that ‌it was impossible to mitigate their decrees, yet they evinced a respect for their div

impossible to mitigate their decrees, yet they evinced a respect for their divinity, by raising statues to them. Insérer ima

                  I come with every star; Making thy streams, that on their noon-day track, Give but the moss, the reed, the

he deep organ of the forest shades, Or buried streams, unheard amidst their glades                         Till the bright da

n the human breast, A thousand still, small voices I awake, Strong in their sweetness, from the soul to shake                

ffections, which, though long o’erborne,                         Make their tones heard at last.                         I b

w, And all cool simples that sweet rest bestow; Night from the plants their sleepy virtue drains, And passing, sheds it on th

   Her spirit haply weaves; A harmony profound,     Of woods with all their leaves. A murmur of the sea,     A laughing tone

he image of Somnus was always placed near that of death on account of their apparent resemblance.     “How wonderful is deat

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

t was believed that these spirits quitted, during the hours of night, their melancholy dwelling-place, and “revisited the gli

dwelling-place, and “revisited the glimpses of the moon,” to exercise their benevolence or their fury. They were allowed also

revisited the glimpses of the moon,” to exercise their benevolence or their fury. They were allowed also to leave their tombs

cise their benevolence or their fury. They were allowed also to leave their tombs three times during the course of the year w

to leave their tombs three times during the course of the year while their fêtes, which were the most pompous in Rome, were

their fêtes, which were the most pompous in Rome, were proceeding in their honour. Nemesis. Nemesis, Goddess of Justic

athen-mythology_1842_img156 The Romans were particularly attentive in their adoration of this deity, whom they solemnly invok

rom the ancient custom among the Romans and other nations, of burying their dead within their houses, and the belief that the

stom among the Romans and other nations, of burying their dead within their houses, and the belief that the spirits of the de

the belief that the spirits of the departed continually hovered over their former dwellings, for the protection of the inhab

niche behind the doors of the houses, or around the hearths; while at their feet was placed a dog barking, to intimate the wa

ited. Their festivals were observed at Rome in the month of May, when their statues were crowned with garlands of flowers, an

ght by superstition to pay deep reverence to the statues or images of their deceased friends, that reverence was soon changed

as soon changed for a more regular worship, and they were admitted by their votaries to share immortality and power, with the

overty or riches of the worshipper. When offerings were made to them, their shrines were crowned with garlands, and besides o

owned with garlands, and besides one day in every month set apart for their homage, their festivals were celebrated during th

lands, and besides one day in every month set apart for their homage, their festivals were celebrated during the Saturnalia.

oth Happiness abide!” ——————— “To your Household Gods Return, for by their altars, Virtue dwells, And Happiness with her; he

he ancients supposed, presided over the actions of mankind, gave them their private councils, and carefully watched over thei

mankind, gave them their private councils, and carefully watched over their most secret intentions. Some of the ancient philo

hey pleased, and of assuming whatever shapes were most subservient to their intentions. At the moment of death, they delivere

countenance, smiling faces, small mouths, hair negligently tied over their head, and with their hands placed in a graceful a

faces, small mouths, hair negligently tied over their head, and with their hands placed in a graceful attitude. They sometim

, And Advice with scrupulous head: Strict age and sour severity, With their grave saws, in slumber lie. We, that are of purer

er lie. We, that are of purer fire, Imitate the starry quire, Who, in their nightly watchful spheres, Lead in swift round the

he captivity of his mistress, and encouraging the captives, they slew their ravishers while they slept. Immediately after thi

stivals were instituted in his honour, and he was solemnly invoked at their nuptials. “Hail, wedded love, mysterious law, tr

abelled-knots to tie men, Love, the maker — Bought of Hymen.’ Scarce their bargains were completed, When the nymphs all crie

supposed to preside. The Romans placed his statue at the entrance of their temples, to intimate that the mysteries of religi

ndly forth, Upon whose silent shore the dead     Have a proud city of their own, With shrines and pyramids o’erspread — Where

like sacred things, Nor wanting aught of life, but breath,     Lie in their painted loveliness, ‌And in each new successive

painted loveliness, ‌And in each new successive race,     That visit their dim haunts below, Look with the same unwithering

the air,     Save the low, humming, mournful sound Of priests, within their shrines at prayer, For the fresh dead, entombed a

e, who, sprung from the union of a mortal with a divinity, have taken their place among the Immortals; and “Fabulous History”

Immortals; and “Fabulous History” is the name given to the recital of their deeds. Castor and Pollux. From the love of J

the most fiery coursers. These brothers fought Theseus for outraging their sister Helena; they destroyed the pirates who inf

a violent storm was raging, a couple of names were seen playing over their heads, and immediately the tempest was appeased,

69 As Jason was young and desirous of glory, Pelias reminded him that their common relation, Phryxus, had been inhumanly murd

All were in fear for the fate of the Argonauts, but Juno watched over their safety, and extricated them from their difficulti

gonauts, but Juno watched over their safety, and extricated them from their difficulties. Medea, the king’s daughter, fell in

credits him, and kindly does produce Enchanted herbs, and teaches him their use, Their mystic names, and virtues he admires.

furious nostrils sulphurous flames discharge, The blasted herbage by their breath expires, As forges rumble with excessive f

glow, When water in the panting mass ye throw, With such a noise from their convulsive breast, Through bellowing throats the

h the monsters turn Their glaring eyes, and eager to engage, Brandish their steel-tipt horns in threatening rage: With brazen

and plays his part. The passive savages like statues stand, While he their dewlap strokes with soothing hand; ‌To unknown y

While he their dewlap strokes with soothing hand; ‌To unknown yokes their brawny necks they yield, And like tame oxen, plou

f command, No foe, but the Æmonian youth appears, As there they level their steep pointed spears. Wonders ensue, among his ga

earing his voice, as thunderstruck they stopped Their resolution, and their weapons dropped: Medea then the mortal blow besto

Jason to Corinth, in which place they resided forty years. Unhappily their matrimonial happiness was disturbed by Jason’s in

more revolting to the mind, for Medea slew two of her own children in their father’s presence, and when the incensed Jason at

ir father’s presence, and when the incensed Jason attempted to avenge their murder on the barbarous mother, she escaped by fl

le hours of triumph sound, and altars burn. And shouting nations hail their Queen’s return: Aghast, she saw new-decked the nu

arteries swell with fresh supplies. Gazing spectators scarce believe their eyes. But Æson is the most surprised to find A ha

a, who was anxious to avenge her husband’s wrongs, destroyed him with their own hands. Their credulity met with a severe puni

with wild foot and shook her torrent brow, And called the furies from their dens below!” Ovid. When in Athens, to which pla

pensive thought — and bid thee weep? When the young suppliants clasp their parent dear,     Heave the deep sob, and pour the

r and Alcmena is the most celebrated, and as such, doubtless, many of their actions have been attributed to him. In order to

ed the servants who came to raise it, and on Erginus coming to avenge their death, he slew him, and delivered his country fro

cules. Fly, thou unhappy, my polluting guilt! Theseus. Friends, from their friends, no stain of guilt contract. Hercules. T

breast, two hideous serpents came, Sent by Juno to destroy me, rolled their spires Within my cradle. When my age advanced To

the wild beasts; or, according to others, consecrated to Jupiter, and their breed still existed in the age of Alexander the G

d to guard some golden apples, given by Jupiter to Juno on the day of their marriage. Ignorant of the precise situation of th

ir gasping throats with clenching hands he holds; Till death entwists their convoluted folds. And in red torrents from her se

infirm were sent to sleep in his temples, that they might receive in their visions the agreeable presages of their approachi

s, that they might receive in their visions the agreeable presages of their approaching recovery. The children of Hercules ar

grew. What if the Thracian horses, fat with gore, Who human bodies in their manger tore, I saw, and with their barbarous lord

fat with gore, Who human bodies in their manger tore, I saw, and with their barbarous lord, o’erthrew? What if these hands Ne

, new plagues consume me; neither force, Nor arms, nor darts can stop their raging course, Devouring flame through my racked

owever, are the protectors of innocence, and that of Perseus was made their peculiar care. Pluto lent him his helmet, possess

uto’s helmet, which rendered him invisible, Perseus was able to steal their eye and their tooth while sleeping, and refused t

which rendered him invisible, Perseus was able to steal their eye and their tooth while sleeping, and refused to return them

leeping, and refused to return them until they had informed him where their sisters, the Gorgons resided. When the necessary

ing sisters, who frantic with rage, looked around for the murderer of their sister, but in vain, for he had already put on th

t mankind, That nature first produced the snaky kind: On her at first their forky tongues appeared, From her their dreadful h

he snaky kind: On her at first their forky tongues appeared, From her their dreadful hissings first were heard.” Ovid. Chry

, A thousand herds o’er grassy plains were spread: Her wondrous trees their shining stores unfold, Their shining stores too w

s unfold, Their shining stores too wondrous to be told; Their leaves, their branches, and their apples, gold.     Then Perseu

ing stores too wondrous to be told; Their leaves, their branches, and their apples, gold.     Then Perseus the gigantic princ

ient tradition had announced that his gardens were to be plundered of their fruits by one of the sons of the King of Heaven;

ngful fight, And views his varied friends, a dreadful sight; He knows their faces, for their help he sues, And thinks, not he

views his varied friends, a dreadful sight; He knows their faces, for their help he sues, And thinks, not hearing him, that t

sues, And thinks, not hearing him, that they refuse, By name lie begs their succour, one by one, Then doubts their life, and

they refuse, By name lie begs their succour, one by one, Then doubts their life, and feels the friendly stone. Struck with r

then-mythology_1842_img196 Heroes. Heroes are mortals, who, by their glorious achievements, have excited the admiratio

, who, by their glorious achievements, have excited the admiration of their kind, and received the respect due to those immor

immortal spirits, who have distinguished themselves in the service of their country. Homer represents a hero as a prince of

an, who had cleansed them of robbers and pirates, as the offspring of their monarch. The Pallantides, however, who expected t

g of their monarch. The Pallantides, however, who expected to succeed their uncle on his throne, were enraged at the receptio

nraged at the reception of Theseus, and attempted to assassinate him; their barbarous intent recoiled upon themselves, for th

mutual friendship, and rushed into each others arms: from that time, their affection became proverbial. Theseus was present

to carry away one of the daughters of the gods. They first attempted their scheme upon Helen, the beautiful daughter of Leda

pon Helen, the beautiful daughter of Leda, and when they had obtained their victim, cast lots for her: Theseus was successful

away Proserpine, but Cerberus was too watchful, and Pluto apprised of their intentions, stopped them: Pirithous was placed on

however, in his descent into hell, the two heroes were released from their captivity, and when Theseus returned to Athens, h

seus attempt to eject the usurper, the Athenians remained faithful to their new choice, and Theseus retired in disgust to the

of the usurper, regained the throne of Athens: and that the memory of their father might not be without honour, sent for his

in war; And every spring the flowers of all the city, Young maids in their first beauty, stately youths, Were sacrificed to

for the Greeks, who seemed likely to be overwhelmed by the numbers of their opponents.      “Know ye not when our dead     F

 From sleep to battle sprung? When the Persian charger’s tread     On their covering greensward rung! When the trampling marc

his tall and shadowy crest; But the arrows drew no blood,     Though their path was thro’ his breast.                     Wh

ts rapid current ceased to flow, the wild beasts of the forest forgot their nature, and gazed on him in mute admiration, whil

in mute admiration, while the very rocks moved towards him to express their joy. “The rocks re-echo shrill, the beasts of fo

eguiled. The birds surround the den, and, as in weary rest, They drop their fluttering wings, forgetful of the rest, Amazed t

charmed and animated by his presence, and the nymphs made his company their chief desire. It was not long before the winged d

orced the heart of hardest oak to groan, And made fierce tigers leave their rage and moan.” With his resistless lyre in his

nd; in vain was his society sought by the Thracian women; he rejected their overtures with coldness, until enraged at his beh

hs of Ivy twisted round, Prevent a deep impression of the wound, Next their fierce hands the bard himself assail, Nor can his

their fierce hands the bard himself assail, Nor can his song against their wrath prevail; In vain he lifts his suppliant han

the Ægean sea. The inhabitants of Dian asserted that his tomb was in their city, but the people of Mount Libethrus, in Thrac

claimed the same honour, remarking that the nightingales which formed their nests near it, excelled all others in melody and

d, And midst the graceful statues round the hall Shedding the calm of their celestial mien, Stood pale, yet proudly beautiful

the extremity of her anguish, devoted her two sons in the presence of their dead father, to revenge his death. Insérer image

Their implacable hatred manifested itself even after death, for when their bodies were placed on the bier, their ashes refus

self even after death, for when their bodies were placed on the bier, their ashes refused to mingle, and the very flames sepa

and of Hippodamia, he made bold war upon his neighbour, and conquered their land, which he named Peloponnesus, or the isle of

y of the Pelopides murder and assassination seem never to have ceased their fearful course. Atreus and Thyestes, the sons of

; His imprecations echo down to hell, And rouse the snaky furies from their Stygian cell. One while, he labours to disgorge h

eet spring with so swift a force Across the fields, they seem to wing their course: And now, on real wings themselves they ra

their course: And now, on real wings themselves they raise, And steer their airy flight by different ways: One to the woodlan

us became her husband, Agamemnon marrying Clytemnestra; and Tyndarus, their father, monarch of Sparta, assisted in recovering

rus, their father, monarch of Sparta, assisted in recovering for them their father’s kingdom. Menelaus succeeded to his fathe

gs of Menelaus, and was proclaimed the chief of the kings, who united their armies beneath the walls of Argos; and showed his

r assistance. The Greek army amounted to sixty thousand soldiers, and their fleet to twelve hundred vessels, but at the very

ef of the forces, ordered his herald to command them all to retire to their separate homes. Ulysses and the other generals in

m bound, the knife already reared When that offended power who caused their woe, Relenting, ceased her wrath, and stopped the

e may have changed in her last depths, Together with the Gods and all their laws. Iphig. Father! we must not let you here co

ght the Grecian camp with his terrible weapons to assist them against their enemies. Insérer image anonyme_heathen-mythology_

It was necessary to take from the Trojans the talismanic protector of their city, the Palladium. Ulysses was also charged wit

and they went forth to seek the statue of Pallas, in the very city of their intrepid foes. It was necessary likewise that Rhe

an enormous horse of wood, and shut up in it the best and bravest of their soldiers. Then pretending to raise the siege, the

d, casting anchor near the isle of Tenedos. The Trojans, happy to see their sails retreating from their shores, left their wa

sle of Tenedos. The Trojans, happy to see their sails retreating from their shores, left their walls to look at the immense m

Trojans, happy to see their sails retreating from their shores, left their walls to look at the immense machine which remain

to doubt the gift of an enemy. Vainly he cried, “fear the Greeks and their gifts!” They would not listen to him. At this mom

d to defend them, but the serpents coiling round him, squeezed him in their complicated wreaths, so that he died in the great

Two serpent forms incumbent on the main Lashing the white waves with their redundant train, Arched their blue necks, and sho

n the main Lashing the white waves with their redundant train, Arched their blue necks, and shook their towering crests, And

waves with their redundant train, Arched their blue necks, and shook their towering crests, And ploughed their foamy way wit

rched their blue necks, and shook their towering crests, And ploughed their foamy way with speckled breasts; Then, darting fi

led breasts; Then, darting fierce amid the affrighted throngs, Rolled their red eyes, and shot their forked tongues. — — Two

g fierce amid the affrighted throngs, Rolled their red eyes, and shot their forked tongues. — — Two daring youths to guard t

orked tongues. — — Two daring youths to guard the hoary sire, Thwart their dread progress, and provoke their ire, Round sire

ths to guard the hoary sire, Thwart their dread progress, and provoke their ire, Round sire and sons the scaly monsters rolle

rolled, Ring above ring in many a tangled fold, Close and more close their writhing limbs surround, And fix with foamy teeth

. With brow upturned to Heaven the holy sage In silent agony sustains their rage; While each fond youth, in vain, with pierci

for the horse into the city; they then celebrated the deliverance of their country with feasts and festivals. Aided by the d

to remain in the country. Several of them, famed for beauty, inspired their masters with passions which manifested themselves

laws confined: Untaught to plant, to turn the glebe and sow; They all their products to free nature owe. The soil untill’d a

isted by his companions, he put out his eye. Ulysses had provided for their escape, for fastening himself under the stomach o

ly indulge his wrath by throwing at random large pieces of rock after their vessel, which was bearing them quickly away from

r their vessel, which was bearing them quickly away from the scene of their danger. Insérer image anonyme_heathen-mythology_1

her with his drawn sword, to compel her to restore his companions to their previous shapes. The fascinations of Circe proved

l and prophetic assurance that she should once more see him, that all their efforts to influence her were vain. In order to p

l his race! Then shall I seek alone the flying crew, Or with my fleet their flying souls pursue? Rather with steel thy guilty

customary for men of learning to assemble ‌there, and even to deposit their most valuable writings as a place of peculiar saf

Fidelity was adored even before Romulus and Numa had given laws to their people; and the oath sworn in her name was regard

e victims of these evils, yet they have frequently celebrated them in their verses; nor could more important engines in the m

couple, of Phrygia, who, unblessed by the goods of fortune, found in their mutual and deep affection, a happiness, which not

lived long married and a happy pair Now old in love, tho’ little was their store, Inured to want, their poverty they bore, N

py pair Now old in love, tho’ little was their store, Inured to want, their poverty they bore, Nor aimed at wealth, professin

d been refused by the inhabitants of the village, sought refuge under their humble roof. Unaccustomed to visitors, they were,

e beings they had received; the ancient couple throwing themselves on their knees, offered to their guests the deep homage of

ed; the ancient couple throwing themselves on their knees, offered to their guests the deep homage of their hearts. The Gods

themselves on their knees, offered to their guests the deep homage of their hearts. The Gods were pleased with their entertai

ir guests the deep homage of their hearts. The Gods were pleased with their entertainment; but could not forget the inhospita

uld not forget the inhospitality with which they had been received by their countrymen, and let loose the waves, and sent the

ilemon and Baucis, were, however, saved, and a superb temple replaced their lowly dwelling, of which they were made the pries

neither might outlive the other, they both died on the same day, and their bodies were changed into trees, and placed before

laced before the ‌door of the Temple which had arisen on the ruins of their lowly cottage. “Lost in a lake the floated level

lk to grow A stately temple shoots within the skies, The crotchets of their cot in columns rise, The pavement polished marble

e two young Thebans, who, being greatly enamoured of one another, had their union opposed by their friends, between the famil

o, being greatly enamoured of one another, had their union opposed by their friends, between the families of whom there had b

es of whom there had been a variance for many years. “But to prevent their wandering in the dark, They both agree to fix upo

n the dark, They both agree to fix upon a mark; A mark that could not their designs expose: The tomb of Venus was the mark th

id. They determined, however, if possible, to elude the vigilance of their persecutors, and agreed to meet outside the walls

ity, under the mulberry tree which grew there, and then to celebrate ‌ their union. Thisbe was the first who arrived at the pl

mple shepherd boy.” Barry Cornwall. Polyphemus, however, discovered their retreat, and with it, the cause of all the scorn

one stream, And from its watery melodies catch an air, And tune it to their simple instruments.” Barry Cornwall. Hero an

he wave, What is the peril fond hearts will not brave! Delicious were their moonlight wanderings, Delicious were the kind, th

ing trees And perfumed breathings upon every breeze.” L. E. L. But their intercourse was soon stopped, it seemed too beaut

mpositions, but two now remain; which, fragments as they are, shew by their uncommon sweetness and beauty, how worthily the p

her to divine honours, and erected a temple to her, and even stamped their money with her image.                 “Thou! who

When, upon the death of Romulus, he was chosen by the senators to be their sovereign, it was with great difficulty that he c

f which was to prevent any graven images or statues from appearing in their sanctuaries for upwards of one hundred and thirty

not only the Romans, but the neighbouring nations were anxious to pay their testimony of reverence to a monarch, whom they co

he application of them. He forbade the Romans to burn his body, after their usual custom, but ordered them to bury it near Mo

ed the reasons why he had made the innovations into the ceremonies of their religion. “Egeria! sweet creation of some heart,

ns to fetch some water from a neighbouring grove; becoming alarmed at their delay, he went in search of them, and found they

ut just in time to witness him finishing the meal, which had followed their destruction. In fierce despair Cadmus attacked, a

him regularly morning and evening, and throw water from the palms of their hands upon the ground, and towards the sun, which

ey adore as the likeness of the Eternal, while at mid-day, they renew their homage by the offer of a flower. The Hindoo paint

This is the being from whom the enormous number of followers take their stand, under the title of Bouddhism, and with who

; and the veneration of his votaries for this human representative of their god, is celebrated over Europe. Below this sovere

hes in many instances to those of the Greek and Roman deities, and if their legends offer an interest by their singularity, t

he Greek and Roman deities, and if their legends offer an interest by their singularity, they prove at the same time, that th

are less agreeable than those of the people of the West, who indulge their sensual ideas to a considerable extent. Below the

   Thereat the heart of the Universe stood still; The elements ceased their influences; the hours Stopt in the eternal round;

, Time, change, and life, and death, In sudden trance opprest, forgot their powers. A moment and the dread eclipse was ended,

d love to dwell,     Alone and unapproachable.” Southey. To perform their ablutions in its waters, to die on its brink, to

re generally abandoned to the current of the wave. The most famous of their places of worship is that point of the peninsula,

les remote: As they preserve our laws and bid our terror cease, So be their darling laws preserved, in wealth, in joy, in pea

these animals, who are placed at the four cardinal points. In most of their temples one of them is sure to be seen. Insérer i

s, overtopping His human height, and arching down his head, Sought in their hands for food. Then quitting, reared, and stretc

        Hail power unknown! for at thy beck         Vales and groves their bosoms deck,         And every laughing blossom d

of the gods of Scandinavia is Odin, who was in all probability one of their kings, and whose amours, as numerous as those of

fall, are honoured by the mighty mother Frigga, herself mourning over their fate, not indeed for their sake, but for the sake

ighty mother Frigga, herself mourning over their fate, not indeed for their sake, but for the sake of the country they would

er son of Odin and Frigga, is described as the finest and the best of their race. He was distinguished no less for his ‌eloqu

he various means of death on the unhappy Balder, who fell a victim to their folly; aided by the cunning of Loke, who, through

_heathen-mythology_1842_img281 Each of the three superior deities had their respective priests, who exercised absolute author

ts, who exercised absolute authority over all that was connected with their religion, as well as presided over their sacrific

all that was connected with their religion, as well as presided over their sacrifices. Nor was it unusual to blend the pries

the Greek and Roman mythology, kept a perpetual fire in the temple of their goddess. “The power of inflicting pains and pena

nonyme_heathen-mythology_1842_img282 Teutates, the most celebrated of their minor deities, was the vital and acting principle

for the life to come, that they sometimes congratulated themselves in their destiny. But they did not always sacrifice such m

istinguished by its superior size; in this they received the blood of their victim. “When they offered up animals, they speed

they speedily killed them at the foot of the altar; then they opened their entrails, and drew auguries from them, as among t

public affairs. During certain solemnities, armed warriors performed their evolutions around the idol, and in his sanctuary

he bodies of those who had been sacrificed. Occasionally the blood of their children was not spared even by the monarchs of t

is offspring; examples which could not fail to produce an effect upon their people. But not only did they delight in the sacr

d they delight in the sacrifices of human life, they also gave way in their orgies to unbounded licentiousness. While at Uule

serpent, and to crown all, he was of an azure complexion. Tlaloc was their second, and Tezcallipuca their third deity. This

was of an azure complexion. Tlaloc was their second, and Tezcallipuca their third deity. This last was considered the god of

ung and beautiful slave, whom, after bathing in the lake dedicated to their Gods, they clothed in the richest costume, offeri

a gloomy and frightful character; to enable them to go through which, their priests anointed themselves with a particular oin

prive themselves of timidity. They then would rush forth to celebrate their rites, during which their vestal-virgins, and the

ty. They then would rush forth to celebrate their rites, during which their vestal-virgins, and the priests were wont frantic

ate, which prepared the Mexicans for the coming of the Spaniards into their territory. The ceremonials attached to his faith

d and seventy in height. Of all the offerings which could be given to their god, human sacrifices were considered most accept

a fitting subject for the cruelties of the temple, and the worship of their gods. It has been suggested, that some navigators

n shore of America, from which place they did not return, but gave to their descendants their religion, which in the lapse of

, from which place they did not return, but gave to their descendants their religion, which in the lapse of ages became lost;

rliest specimens of Egyptian and Etruscan pottery, have been found in their sepulchral excavations. “Evidences also exist in

cate the same tri-une divinity?” The following description of one of their gods, we think, also affords additional ground fo

of the Mexicans, we may mention, that on solemnizing the building of their principal temple, sixty thousand prisoners were s

he appears in the shape and form of a Hottentot, and is, according to their ideas, possessed of exquisite beauty; they never

eir ideas, possessed of exquisite beauty; they never worship him, and their reason for this absence of homage is stated by th

the more useless it is to pray to him,” and as a natural consequence, their minds have recourse to, and believe implicitly in

the bottom in three places, is the organ used by the priests to give their oracles to the people; and from the sound which i

augury: this sound is explained by jugglers, who, perfect masters of their trade, never find their address at fault. ‌ The

xplained by jugglers, who, perfect masters of their trade, never find their address at fault. ‌ The priests take but a small

ame circumstances are too eager for blood, they are allowed to ransom their lives, should it be in their power. The negroes o

er for blood, they are allowed to ransom their lives, should it be in their power. The negroes of Senegal adore a river, tree

with a crowd of shapeless idols, the legends of whom neither amuse by their incident, or excite the imagination by the beauty

r amuse by their incident, or excite the imagination by the beauty of their poetry. In parts of Africa, they worship the soul

er family came upon earth, remained by herself in the skies, and from their union sprang the months. The Otaheitians, more ad

creator, and lord of the starry hemisphere; another is the Neptune of their seas, the next watches over the hurricanes which

slands for which the place is remarkable, is not the least curious of their beliefs. One of their divinities, they say, took

lace is remarkable, is not the least curious of their beliefs. One of their divinities, they say, took his wife, and threw he

Along her mouth are spread rows of teeth, which from the sharpness of their appearance, might belong to a wild beast, the nec

our work, not doubting that our readers will perceive and appreciate their beauty. —————— “The days Of visible poetry have

ve a Grecian memory, — Some tale Of olden love, or grief, linked with their bloom, Seem beautiful beyond all other ones. The

nal, tho’ dethroned deities, Where from green altars, flowers send up their incense.” L. E. L. Insérer image anonyme_heath

der. On the conclusion of this solemn compact, the deities, in one of their grand meetings, amused themselves with throwing a

r New Testament, nor multiplied allusions to classic authors, who, by their association with our own literature, have become

t upon the philosophy of instruction, and whose theory is the rule of their practice, I commend this book. Philadelphia, Oct

oly worship. After Moses, prophets, at different times taught mankind their duty to God. The prophets were persons instructed

gy. The good men who knew and loved the true God, endeavoured to make their contemporaries, persons living at the same time w

were originally men who had performed great actions, and whom, after their death, men worshipped. Personifications of certa

des poets have celebrated pagan deities? Whence did the Greeks derive their religion? How are the heathen gods classed? Who a

nquered both him and Cybele, and confined them. They were released by their son Jupiter, who deposed Saturn, and afterwards r

mitted to say and do what they pleased, even, it is said, to ridicule their masters. Who were the parents of Saturn? Who was

Vesta, were chosen between the age of six and ten years. The time of their consecration to the goddess lasted thirty years,

y years, and it was not till after this term that they were free from their priesthood, and at liberty to marry. During the f

rry. During the first ten years they were instructed in the duties of their profession, they practised them during the second

iate with any man. Who was Vesta? Who were the vestals, and what was their discipline? Was the fire of Vesta’s temple sacred

y of the year. On the first day of the year, the Consuls entered upon their office, and the people were entertained with spec

had not the infinite purity of the true God, for his worshippers, in their blindness, admitted many vices in his character,

of Terra or Earth, who attempted to dethrone Jupiter. The giants, in their invasion, that they might scale the heavens, are

ntle sails. While her fair train with beckoning hands deplore, Strain their blue eyes, and shriek along the shore; Onward he

e. And skim on shooting wing the shining tide; Emerging Tritons leave their coral caves, Sound their loud conchs, and smooth

ing the shining tide; Emerging Tritons leave their coral caves, Sound their loud conchs, and smooth the circling waves, Now E

s probably only a pestilential disease which he cured. The Greeks, at their festivals, used to exhibit the destruction of the

urel was sacred to Apollo. It was bestowed upon poets as a reward for their excellence. The most famous oracle of the Greeks

rance, or fear. Men worshipped Mars, to engage his assistance against their enemies, or through fear of his power. They could

vour the people who should preserve it, and that they should overcome their enemies and conquer the world; that is, all the c

e, Huge Cyclops dwelt in Etna’s rocky womb, On thundering anvils rung their loud alarms, And leagued with Vulcan, forged immo

the boiling ore, Heard undismayed the breathing bellows roar, Admired their sinewy arms and shoulders bare, And ponderous ham

d ponderous hammers lifted high in air; With smiles celestial blessed their dazzled sight, And beauty blazed amid infernal ni

, and who fawned upon, or drove them away accordingly. The Romans, in their most solemn treaties, invoked Vulcan; and the ass

prodigious stature, and had each but one eye, placed in the middle of their foreheads; lived on such fruits and herbs as the

action of the fire with which the wrought, they were forced to shield their faces with a piece of stiff leather, that had in

tion through which they looked. Virgil thus describes the Cyclops at their work Amid the Hesperian and Sicilian flood, All

rom side to side the fiery caverns roar. Loud groans the mass beneath their ponderous blows, Fierce burns the flame, and the

s and Brontes gave, And strong Pyracmon shook the gloomy cave. Before their sovereign came, the Cyclops strove With eager spe

ord are hurled. All charged with vengeance on a guilty world. Beneath their hands, tremendous to survey! Half rough, half for

en the inventor of letters; he instructed men to cultivate and refine their manners, and to examine the laws of nature, that

olving light. Iliad, Book I. The heathen deities, like mortals, had their day and night.                             The r

mortal sight, Descending swift, rolled down the rapid light, Then to their starry domes the gods depart, The shining monumen

however, is supposed never to have slept. The immortals slumbered on their thrones above, All but the ever-wakeful eyes of J

o be formed of the gross aliments of earth. For not the bread of man their life sustains, Nor wine’s inflaming juice supplie

bread of man their life sustains, Nor wine’s inflaming juice supplies their veins. Their sustenance was nectar and ambrosia.

es their veins. Their sustenance was nectar and ambrosia. The former their dunk, and the latter their food. These imaginary

enance was nectar and ambrosia. The former their dunk, and the latter their food. These imaginary aliments were more deliciou

valued by the inhabitants of Cecropia, and from that time they called their city Athenæ. Minerva was represented as a beau

s of the wise and just God, they are suddenly stopped in the midst of their wicked purposes, and terrified at their own guilt

denly stopped in the midst of their wicked purposes, and terrified at their own guilt, by a power who is of purer eyes than t

n of Venus, and the great ancestor of the Romans, is said, by some of their writers, to have recovered and brought it with hi

enian people, and served as lessons to others who might wish to serve their country. An olive wreath was bestowed, as a mark

asses of the citizens, and those who appeared in it were selected for their fine appearance. First advanced old men, still vi

l vigorous, who were of a majestic and venerable form — these bore in their hands branches of the olive tree. The old men wer

      Young Dione, nursed beneath the waves, And rocked by Nereids in their coral caves, Charmed the blue 3 sisterhood with

as, In slow meanders wander o’er her charms, See round her snowy neck their lucid track, Pearl her white shoulders, gem her i

the greatest natural ornament of the female sex. The ladies preserved their hair carefully, and arranged it in a very tastefu

had grown old, and no longer could take pleasure in the reflection of their own faces, who would send the mirror they had bee

ith mourning for his death, and concluded with expressions of joy for their renovation. The Syrians called Adonis, Thammuz. T

re usually represented in a group, naked, and adorned with flowers on their heads. The Graces, properly Charities or Virtues,

by the story of Cupid and Psyche? What were the Graces, and what were their attributes? Diana. See plate, page 73. D

he favourite goddesses of the poets. The ancients used often to begin their verses by invoking the muse, that is, by a short

ther with the plectrum, the instrument with which the ancients struck their harp or lyre. Thalia presided over comedy. Her na

e air. Who were the Muses? How were they represented? From what were their names derived? What was the office of Clio; of Th

eptune. Neptune was the brother of Jupiter. In the division of their father’s kingdom the empire of the seas fell to h

the waves. Around him played the sea-nymphs, and the Tritons sounding their trumpet of shells. He was the ruler of the waters

This Triton, being the trumpeter of Neptune, terrified the giants in their war with the gods, by the sound of his instrument

s were sea nymphs of rare beauty, who dwelt upon the coast of Sicily; their names were Parthenope, Ligeia, and Leucosia. In t

able singers, and lured mariners, whom they detained from prosecuting their voyage, to visit them. Circe metamorphosed men to

osed men to brutes. Milton, the British poet describes the effect of their music thus:                     Circe and the si

 Circe and the sirens three, Amid the flowery kirtled Naiades Culling their potent herbs and baleful drugs; Who, as they sung

itable. ——— The Halcyones were sea-birds, who were supposed to build their nests upon the waves, and to calm their violence

s, who were supposed to build their nests upon the waves, and to calm their violence by their presence. Halcyone, wife of Cey

ed to build their nests upon the waves, and to calm their violence by their presence. Halcyone, wife of Ceyx, King of Trachin

s, Oreades. Milk, honey, oil, and sometimes goats, were sacrificed to their honour. Who was Polyphemus? Who were the Tritons

ed over different parts of nature? Who were the Harpies, and what was their character? Who presided over the waters and the w

ised in the skins of beasts with dishevelled hair, bearing torches in their hands, and waving the thyrsus, and sometimes bear

es in their hands, and waving the thyrsus, and sometimes bearing upon their shoulders young kids for the sacrifice. The fe

aises duly sing, And consecrated cakes and chargers bring; Dragg’d by their horns let victim goats expire, And roast on hazel

d nothing offered but the fruits of the earth. The shepherds purified their flocks with the smoke of sulphur, olive wood, box

ls. To this deity the Greeks gave the appellation of Pan, that is, in their language, the whole. The poets relate that Pan su

fully served the state; and families placed among them the spirits of their departed friends and relations. They were esteeme

c animal, the dog, was sacrificed to them When infants quitted one of their first ornaments called the Bulla, it was deposite

enates were represented as young boys, covered with dog-skins, and at their feet was placed the image of a dog. The dog is th

maid.     Her starting damsels sprung from mossy seats. Dropped from their gauzy laps their gathered sweets, Clung round the

arting damsels sprung from mossy seats. Dropped from their gauzy laps their gathered sweets, Clung round the struggling nymph

The wheels descending rolled in smoky rings; Infernal Cupids flapped their demon wings; Earth with deep yawn received the fa

e tribunal of the judges of the dead, and were sentenced according to their past conduct, either to heaven or hell. It was a

joy’s of heaven. On this account they were anxious to pay respect to their departed friends. When they died at home, the sur

ries, terrible women, with snakes for hair, and whips of scorpions in their hands. The palace of Pluto, the sovereign of thes

f punishment after a thousand years, that they drank of Lethe, forgot their sufferings, and were removed by the gods to some

souls. The judges of the dead, Minos, Rhadamanthus, and Eacus, held their tribunal in a place called the Field of Truth, wh

er death. The Furies were women, commonly represented with torches in their hands, and also carrying whips of scorpions. Tisi

he names of these avengers: they were daughters of Acheron and Night; their names signify rage, slaughter, and envy. The Gree

enough; comfort them, give them opportunity to reform. The pain which their guilt has caused is sufficient to induce them to

these deities were objects of great terror. No hymns were composed to their honour, and no temples were dedicated to them. W

ly; and pretend that the dreadful eruptions of Etna are occasioned by their violent struggles. Sisyphus. Sisyphus, for

ads nine acres of Infernal ground; Two ravenous vultures, furious for their food, Scream o’er the fiend and riot in his blood

nd the dark earth appeared at his feet. Around him lofty trees spread their fruits to view; the pear, the pomegranate, and th

y the fifty sons of his brother Egyptus, who married the daughters of their uncle. For some cause, not precisely told by the

sely told by the mythologists, Danaus ordered his daughters to murder their husbands. They all, except one, obeyed this inhum

y all, except one, obeyed this inhuman order, and as a punishment for their crime, were sentenced to the continued toil of fi

se they love still exist after death; and they hope to be reunited to their departed friends in another state of existence. T

he final abode of virtuous men and women. Patriots, who perished for their country’s right, Or nobly triumphed in the field

ther, and by those occupations that had been agreeable to them during their lives. Whence is the notion of immortality deriv