t on page 8 includes all these names, and with a little help here and there from the teacher they need cause the pupil no dif

hey need cause the pupil no difficulty. Following many of the stories there are poems bearing directly on the subjects. These

the Stories The Kingdom Above the Clouds Long, long ago, there lived, in the land which we call Greece, a race o

hese mighty people gods and goddesses. In the central part of Greece, there stood a lofty mountain called Olympus. Its sides

ce had ever climbed to the top of Mount Olympus, and they said it was there that the gods lived, among the clouds and the sta

ove the clouds, it was springtime all the year round. It never rained there and it was never cold; the birds sang from mornin

rble, and in them they set up gold and ivory statues of the gods; and there they came, in time of trouble, to ask for help an

orite, a peacock, which was always with her. Besides Jupiter and Juno there were many other gods and goddesses; and as you ar

ing and embroidering, for she was very fond of this pastime. And then there was Mercury, fleet-footed Mercury. He was called

rands between heaven and earth. Away down in the center of the earth, there was a gloomy kingdom known as Hades or the land o

, and for the growth of everything that sprang from the earth. Lastly there was Pan, the god of the shepherds and of the wood

e boy and all her companions and even the gods were very fond of her, there was one who did not love her, and that was Juno.

iry paws; and where but a moment before a fair young woman had stood, there was now only a shaggy, ugly bear. The poor bear,

son into bright, glowing stars, and put them in the heavens, to shine there forever, — the Great Bear and the Little Bear. Th

bright green vale, And here they stretch to the frolic chase,     And there they roll on the easy gale. There’s a dance of l

shore of Europe, lies the beautiful island of Sicily. Long, long ago, there lived on this island a goddess named Ceres. She h

. Her face was all white and pink, like apple blossoms in spring, and there was just enough blue in her eyes to give you a gl

Her long, golden curls reminded you of the bright sunlight. In fact, there was something so young and fair and tender about

were changed into frogs because they were so unkind to her. Long ago, there lived in Greece a very beautiful woman, whose nam

lace, to escape the queen’s anger. One day, she came to a stream; and there lay a little rowboat without any oars; and the ri

found. Nor was she disappointed. Berries and fruits of all kinds grew there in plenty, and in the very center of the island w

t forth on her wanderings. She came at length to a desert land, where there was not a blade of grass or a flower to rest her

tona became very angry, and raising her eyes to heaven she cried, “If there is any one to hear me, and any justice among the

about, and in and out,     With here a blossom sailing, And here and there a lusty trout,     And here and there a grayling.

a blossom sailing, And here and there a lusty trout,     And here and there a grayling. And here and there a foamy flake    

there a lusty trout,     And here and there a grayling. And here and there a foamy flake     Upon me, as I travel With many

kingly answering back. Poor Echo! Now she is nothing but a voice, but there was a time when she danced and sang in the green

d no longer speak; she could only mimic the last words of others. Now there was a youth named Narcissus, who was as beautiful

til the boy suddenly saw that he had lost his way and called out, “Is there any one here?” Echo, who had stepped behind a tre

ame to a shady spot in the woods, where, hidden among the low bushes, there was a little spring. The water was clear as cryst

o his bier, but the body of the dead youth had vanished. In its stead there stood a beautiful flower, with a bright golden ce

in the water. A Web and a Spider In an ancient city of Greece, there lived a young girl named Arachne, whose parents h

chne famous, — embroidery in wool, or tapestry, as it was called. Now there was no fault that displeased the gods more than c

ched, breathless with wonder and awe. In the center of Minerva’s loom there soon appeared figures telling the story of a famo

oe. Walter Scott . The Story of the Laurel Once upon a time there was a great, great flood over all the earth. Some

y, the water had brought forth many queer new animals; and among them there was a huge monster, so ugly that I will not even

g by thee?” Thomas Moore . The Story of a Sweet Singer Once there lived in Greece a wonderful musician named Orpheu

ed to take the player across the river. But at the entrance to Hades, there was a fierce, horrible dog, with three enormous h

sadly returned to the green earth. He went up on a high mountain, and there he lived with only the birds and the trees and th

Come back, the earth is just as fair, The flowers, the open skies are there ,     Come back to life and love!” Oh, all my hea

dy place where, perhaps, a cool brook sped along over the stones; and there they would bathe their hot limbs, and drink the c

m, and gave Danaë and her little boy a home. The mother and son lived there for many years, until Perseus was no longer a lit

dle of the ocean, on whose shores the fierce waves beat all day long, there lived three terrible sisters known as the Gorgons

of brass; but most horrible of all, in place of hair on their heads, there writhed hundreds and hundreds of poisonous snakes

tered by these words of praise, and replied, “Indeed, O King, I think there is no task from which I would shrink in fear.” Th

an the swift-footed god Mercury, but this Perseus did not know. Still there was something so kind and comforting in the tone

out them was that instead of having two eyes each, as you and I have, there was but one eye for all three of them. They took

tone in all his royal state. When the people heard what had happened, there was great rejoicing, for they had all feared and

right shield. From that time on, wherever Minerva was seen in battle, there glistened her shield with the head of Medusa, tur

en he was hurrying back to his island home. In an island near Greece, there lived a beautiful woman whose name was Cassiopeia

. This was an old custom among the people of long ago. In many cities there were beautiful temples built to the gods and godd

ng, and the whole village was invited to be present at the feast. Now there was an old man of whom Andromeda’s parents were v

us. But in the middle of the room he came to a sudden stop, and stood there motionless, his sword raised to strike; for Perse

interrupted. After that Perseus took his wife to his island home, and there they spent many happy days together in his mother

seus ( Canova ). The Story of Io In a certain part of Greece, there was a beautiful grove, bordered on all sides by d

a beautiful grove, bordered on all sides by denser woods. Through it there flowed a restless river, dashing over rocks and s

n its banks. The god of the river had one child, a girl named Io, and there was nothing she liked better than to wander in th

ds, and ordered him to kill Argus. Mercury flew swiftly to earth, and there put on the dress of a shepherd boy, using his won

from, and then Mercury slowly told him the story: “Once upon a time, there lived in a forest a nymph called Syrinx. She was

pt her busy. Thebes, you must know, was a very great city indeed, and there were many troublesome questions for the king and

one to bow down to her and say “How great is Niobe!” Now every spring there was a festival held in Thebes, in honor of Latona

overlooking the city of Thebes, to see the festival in her honor; for there had been so much sorrow in her life that she took

rble image of grief stood upon the plain for many days; until at last there came a mighty hurricane sweeping across the plain

oft to the top of the high mountain overlooking Thebes, and placed it there among the other rocks. And to this day, you can s

ow . A Mighty Hero of Olden Times Many hundreds of years ago, there was born a little baby who grew up to be the stro

would have wrung its neck, when lo! it had vanished, and in its stead there stood a fierce-looking bull. The river god had sa

high Olympus. The Artisan’s Wonderful Wings In ancient Athens there once lived a man named Daedalus, who was highly h

ethyst! How pleasant the life of a bird must be, Wherever it listeth there to flee: To go, when a joyful fancy calls, Dashin

ay dead in a wood outside of Athens. At last some travelers found him there , and brought his body back to the waiting father.

nd of the town, he ordered his men to seize the ships that were lying there , and to embark without further delay. The princes

and well-guarded. So he pitched his tents outside the walls, to wait there until the gates should be opened. Now Minos had t

n the messenger returned and told what terms King Minos had proposed, there was great sorrow in Athens. At first the people f

ing of Crete. How a Wicked City Was Destroyed Once upon a time there was a town in which the people had grown to be ve

icked people was all the more blamable. On the outskirts of the town, there stood a little, modest-looking cottage, thatched

h massive head and fine features. His companion was much younger, and there was something bright and quick about him. Indeed,

ucis became worried; for she knew the pitcher must soon be empty, and there was no more milk in the house. But what was her s

the doorway. “Come,” said the elder, “follow us to the hilltop.” And there was something so commanding in his look and tone

ere but a few moments since had stood a village with its many houses, there was now a lake, sparkling in the morning sunlight

yed. But most wonderful of all, in place of their own little cottage, there rose a large, magnificent temple, with pillars of

sts, and the water came pouring into the boat from all sides. At last there came a crash, followed by groans and cries, and t

disturbed the perfect quiet of the dark king’s home. Before the doors there grew strange plants, — poppies and other herbs th

her husband had exchanged their last farewell. She had been standing there some time, when she saw, far out at sea, somethin

forever on the sea. The sailors say that, even in the stormiest seas, there are every year seven calm days, during which the

lden Fleece I. The Flight on The Ram’s Back Once upon a time there lived in Greece a king who had a beautiful wife n

king who had a beautiful wife named Nephele. Nephele means cloud, and there was something about the fair young queen that mad

left the sky she had to travel far away with them. However that was, there came a time when the king began to weary of his w

me when the king began to weary of his wife’s long absences. Besides, there lived in the town a beautiful, dark-eyed girl, In

As they neared the spot where they were to be put to death, suddenly there came flying from the heavens a golden-fleeced ram

II. The Sailing of the Ship Argo Long after Phryxus had died, there lived in a certain country a king and queen who h

n went to the centaur’s cave on the mountain top, and spent his youth there learning to hunt and to fish and to use the sword

ce, he came to a stream much swollen by the spring rains. On the bank there stood an old woman looking for some means of cros

Such heroes do not live in our times.” “You are wrong!” cried Jason, “ there are many heroes waiting only for the chance to do

at he wanted, — to send Jason off on a journey so full of danger that there would be very little chance of his ever coming ba

in which they sailed. After a long and dangerous voyage, during which there happened many wonderful things about which you wi

that she would help him now. When he came to the ship, he found that there was help awaiting him. For Medea, the king’s daug

ot where he had so often seen Scylla, but the maiden no longer walked there . Then Glaucus tried another way of winning her. N

d there. Then Glaucus tried another way of winning her. Near his home there lived an enchantress whose name was Circe. He has

d at last she screamed aloud in terror, for where her limbs had been, there were now six horrible, loudmouthed, fierce-lookin

to sail through, and many people who have narrowly escaped shipwreck there have told how they heard the loud, fierce barking

he blue Mediterranean Sea, which washes the southern shore of Europe, there is a green island called Cyprus. Once there lived

southern shore of Europe, there is a green island called Cyprus. Once there lived on this island a great sculptor, named Pygm

nd at last stood before the altar in the temple of Venus. As he stood there , he began to pray. He prayed that Venus, the grea

rything he laid his hands on was turned to shining, yellow metal. But there is another story about him, which, though not so

iful picture it must have been, and I wish all of you could have been there to see it. Pan was the first to play, and, amid a

ighter heart. Time passed, and over the hole which the barber had dug there grew a thicket of hollow reeds; and when the wind

atican, Rome). A Giant Who Loved a Sea Nymph Once upon a time there lived on earth a strange race of giants called Cy

tory which will prove that the Cyclops could love after all, although there was something rough and shaggy about the love, as

ut the lovers. In the cave of a mountain which overhung the blue sea, there lived one of these Cyclops whose name was Polyphe

aking a great deal of noise on his hundred-reeded pipe. And as he sat there , he watched the sea nymphs sporting in the water.

heat of the midday sun is never felt, nor the icy cold of midwinter; there you will find trees laden with rosy apples, and v

ith rosy apples, and vines with clusters of golden and purple grapes; there you may gather the wild red strawberries in the w

there you may gather the wild red strawberries in the woodland shade; there will I bring you chestnuts and the fruit of all t

ang into the sea and joined Galatea in her cave under the waters; and there the gentle youth and the white sea nymph lived as

ok is distinctively a reader. It demands no committing to memory, and there is very little to be carried on from story to sto

fresh and moist, and even the winters are not cold. A long while ago there lived in that land the happiest and brightest nat

under the earth, where the sun never shines, the Greeks thought that there was another world. It, too, had its gods and its

as another world. It, too, had its gods and its spirits. Dreams lived there , and the ghosts of men who had died, or who had n

hat in early times this was not so. Ceres kept the earth fertile, and there was no winter. When one crop was taken in, anothe

l places in the world, Proserpina loved most the valley of Enna. Here there was a clear lake, and about it green meadows and

ith her friends the water-nymphs. It happened that upon a certain day there was strife between Jupiter and some great earth c

which they had come; for the sun never shines in the underworld, and there are no stars there. Far away, across the plain, s

e; for the sun never shines in the underworld, and there are no stars there . Far away, across the plain, she could see great

ross the plain, she could see great masses of towers and palaces; but there was not a plant nor a tree in all that land, and

of gold, and statues of rare beauty, made each of one precious stone; there were flowers made of jewels, and birds which seem

off by some one in a black chariot. The nymphs had all cried out, but there was no help at hand and they had seen their beaut

re busy saving stores for the winter which was to come. In those days there lived in the world a race of great creatures call

ambrosia they eat and the nectar they drink. Music was sounding, and there was a warm radiance filling the hall with happy d

t at the feet of Jupiter. “O King of Gods and. of Men,” he said, “let there be peace between the Titans and you. Help us, and

And whether it was Pandora, or the box, it seemed to Epimetheus that there was the music and fragrance and light of heaven c

ore, and day by day she was more eager to know what was in it! “Maybe there is some god imprisoned there, waiting for some on

ore eager to know what was in it! “Maybe there is some god imprisoned there , waiting for some one who will be brave enough to

ll be brave enough to raise the lid,” she would think. “What evil can there be in so blessed a box? It has made the whole wor

ugh she should raise the lid just a little — just enough to look in — there could be no great harm done. She wanted only a gl

it, but it was too late then. When Epimetheus came hack he found her there , kneeling upon the lid of the box and weeping. It

her. She can flee no further.” As he came out upon the river bank, there stood Daphne, so quiet that he thought she had yi

d arms sprouted out with shining leaves, and instead of her fair face there was a great cluster of beautiful pink and white f

here she is,” and he rose and went to the promontory of Tænarus. Here there was a long cave which led down into the underworl

— such is my woe, and greater, for I had rather be here with her than there alone, and if Eurydice may not go, I, too, will r

ng?” he asked himself, but he dared not turn to see. Yet Eurydice was there , and by her walked Mercury, who alone could lead

room with its glare. They came gliding swiftly toward the cradle, and there might then have been an end of both of its little

what a fright she had! There was Iphicles screaming with terror, and there was Hercules squeezing the serpents, whose eyes w

their hearts in song and joyful music and in graceful dance. One day there came to the palace of Admetus a stranger. He seem

out to attend a festival at the court of Pelias, king of Iolcus, and there he took part in the games. He returned with many

t long to live in any case.” Yet, sweet as was Admetus’ life to them, there was no one in the land to whom his own life was n

htened her. Plainly the fate of Admetus now rested upon Alcestis, and there was no hope for her. Deep grief fell upon all the

e hardly noticed it. Admetus led him to a far part of the palace, and there food and wine were set before him. The strong man

ust in time, for when he reached the place where they had buried her, there was Death carrying away his victim in his arms. I

e showed Alcestis, brave and gracious and beautiful as ever. That day there was joy such as there had never been, even in the

ve and gracious and beautiful as ever. That day there was joy such as there had never been, even in the happy land of Thessal

! And then an altar in thy court    I’ll offer, decked with gold; And there thy servants shall resort,    Thy doves be bought

orses are hardly able to hold back or to keep from falling. Moreover, there are many movements in the sky itself to turn the

many movements in the sky itself to turn the car from its course, and there are the great creatures which men see marked by t

rth of Africa was changed to a sandy desert and the tribes that lived there became black from the glare. The earth grew hot a

ses, tired and trembling, went to their stables in the west. Next day there was no light in the world, for Helios spent the t

rest white, with a child in her arms. She was so beautiful as she sat there with the sunlight on her golden hair that Dictys

air that Dictys thought she must be some goddess of the sea, although there was near her a small boat in which it was plain t

at them. When Perseus came into the main hall, the three Gorgons were there . Two of them were terrible to look at. Their head

frica. Panting and exhausted, he directed his flight toward them, and there he set his tired foot once more upon the earth. H

said, “and take my mother back to her home in Argos. My home also is there .” Next day the wedding of Perseus and Andromeda w

nerva. When the king came with his soldiers to seek her, he found her there , sitting beside the altar. The king, for all his

Danaë if she should come out. All that day the queenly woman remained there , and Dictys, the good fisherman, brought her food

us stepped aside and it struck deep into the temple wall and remained there , quivering. “King Polydectes,” said Perseus, “I h

e; and the king, gazing in horror, grew stiff in every limb and stood there — stone. Thus Danaë was saved. The people of the

at last for Argos and Greece, where his own kingdom awaited him, and there he gave back the winged shoes to the god Mercury,

o Athens, he led Æthra out into the forest to a great stone which lay there . “Under this stone,” said he, “I have put a sword

.” One day she led Theseus out into the woods. They wandered here and there , but at last they turned in the direction of the

   Lies in wait for the life of the wayfaring man:            There, there , and only there,            Would godlike Theseus

for the life of the wayfaring man:            There, there, and only there ,            Would godlike Theseus go.1 As eveni

all we do?” he asked. “Let him dine with us, O King,” said Medea. “If there be two drops of poison in his wine, who can know

a certain day, as Theseus was walking through the streets of Athens, there came up the harbor a ship, all black, even to the

The ripest and the loveliest ones,    Across the Cretan waters. Minos there , who lords the deep,    With fate shall overpower

re spread and the ship was far in the distance. Under the black sails there were songs and rejoicing. The young men and the m

ous strife. Far away on the slopes of Mount Ida, in the land of Troy, there lived at this time a fair shepherd youth. He was

ey came to Pylos, where Nestor, the wisest of mortal men, dwelt. From there they went to Sparta, hidden among its pleasant hi

“Helen, go out to the brook beyond the palace gates. Paris awaits you there . Heed his words.” Then Helen went out and found P

been born, but took him to live in his own royal household. Meanwhile there was great rage among the Greeks. All their chieft

year. The Greeks drew up their ships upon the beach and lived in them there by the sea. Many a battle was fought and many a t

last only Troy remained. In this great city, protected by its walls, there was a strong army, but it dared not venture outsi

nd his men. It happened that among the captives the Greeks had taken, there was a maiden named Chryseis, the daughter of a pr

over the body of Patroclus. Many a Greek and many a Trojan were slain there , and the body was hidden beneath the dead. In the

tore his hair. And all his friends, as they saw the great hero lying there , burst out into cries of lamentation, and they st

sit here useless to my friends and harmless to my enemies. Would that there were no such thing in the world as wrath, for at

ry. When the Trojans heard it, they paused and turned and looked, and there was fear in their hearts as they saw the great fo

Thetis. He hobbled away willingly to his workshop, and all that night there was heard the blowing of his bellows and the clan

where the chiefs were sitting, he went to Agamemnon and said: — “Let there be peace between us, O Agamemnon. Let us forget o

goddess of strife clouded my eyes, that I should not see; but now let there be peace between us forever.” Then Agamemnon comm

! another spear!” cried Hector; but when he turned, Deiphobus was not there . Minerva had deceived him, and now she had taken

h I saw a lady within call,    Stiller than chisel’d marble, standing there , A daughter of the gods, divinely tall,    And mo

er go after all they had endured on her account. In the city of Troy, there was a statue of Minerva which was said to have fa

was known and fear came upon the whole city. Not many days afterwards there was noticed a great stir among the Greeks. The sh

s spear at the wooden horse, impious man that he was!” After that, there was no more talk of burning the horse, or of cast

n the water a flaming torch. It was the signal. The Grecian fleet was there , coming quietly back. Sinon hastened to the great

out to explore the region. Now, the only food of the people who lived there was the sweet fruit of the lotus plant. Whoever e

nd with my ship’s crew,” said Ulysses, “and see what sort of men live there .” So Ulysses and his crew rowed across the strait

in. His men carried a goat-skin of rich wine, to be used as a gift if there should be need. There was no one in the cave when

ens full of lambs and young goats. It was plain that a shepherd lived there who was rich in flocks and herds. The men kindled

arms outstretched to catch the Greeks as they came out. And as he sat there , he roared with pain and rage. But Ulysses was ca

ate. But year after year went by and Ulysses did not return, nor were there any tidings of him. At last it began to be though

d her, they treated her palace as though it were their own. Every day there could be heard from her halls a great tumult of r

rked slowly, and with many delays, the robe was finished at last, and there were no tidings of her husband. The suitors now b

, she said: — “Stranger, your words have touched me deeply. Never has there come to the palace a wanderer who has talked so w

and he sped an arrow at Antinoüs, killing him instantly. In a moment there was a great uproar. The suitors set upon Ulysses

f Greece; birthplace of Apollo and Daphne; Theseus offered sacrifices there , 166. Del΄phi. The place of an oracle of Apollo,

cast forth to die upon Mt. Ida; grew up, however, among the shepherds there , 71; fairest of men; was called upon to judge who

rth, to the palace of a certain king,” whose name she mentioned, “and there you will see a young girl who is the king’s daugh

g human creatures foolish and miserable. Happily this is all a fable, there never was a god that delighted in afflicting the

ormed them that she must be carried to a promontory near the sea, and there left till her destined husband should find her an

misfortune would happen to her. Being conducted to the rock, and left there alone, she said to herself, “Now I will prepare m

ss to go along with me to a high promontory, which overlooks the sea; there we shall find the beautiful princess Psyche. She

nd went into the next room for a lamp, which she had purposely placed there . With the lamp in her hand, she next approached t

he feet of the goddess. She proceeded to a shrine of the goddess, and there invoked her. Venus instantly appeared, and Psyche

d, “Go on, fair Psyche, without fear,” whispered the reeds which grew there . Some power unseen directed her to a safe path, a

f Pluto’s kingdom, and who will be quiet if you offer him a cake. And there is a river called the Styx, which you must cross,

his son had declared that he could not enjoy heaven itself if he were there to be deprived of his beloved Psyche; and it was

r. Only a very small part of it. It is true people once believed that there were such gods as you have been reading about. A

d that there were such gods as you have been reading about. Ann. But there never were such gods. Who believed that there wer

eading about. Ann. But there never were such gods. Who believed that there were? Mother. The Greeks and Romans believed it.

y did not know better. They had not been told, like the Hebrews, that there was one true God. Ann. were these gods whom they

of ghosts, that is, the souls of dead men. Ann. How came Proserpine there ? Mother. She was Pluto’s queen. Ann. Who was th

chestnut trees abound; they produce vast quantities of chestnuts, and there , and over the greater part of Italy, the people m

lways very fond of polenta. “Mother,” said Becubo’s son, “I am afraid there will be no polenta for my supper. Look at that gr

t Athens, were thus forced to remove to the town for safety, and even there they were not protected from the Attic robbers. A

; for they perceived that the Furies, with their lighted torches were there , and that the screech-owl and raven, birds of evi

tary house, which was surrounded by a high wall. Philomela saw nobody there but an old woman, and she felt a strange alarm at

ture, and their conduct is human manners. These are in the world, and there always have been good and bad people. When you re

Tereus, or any women so wicked as Progne and Philomela. Mother. But there were many people as bad when they lived. Ann. Bu

ke your appearance; people must be careful nowadays who they take in, there are so many rogues in the world;” and a third dec

owed him to the little yard of the cottage. There they conferred, and there they prayed that good, and not evil, might follow

in respect. Worshippers who resorted to the temple, brought garlands there , and hung upon the branches of the trees, which s

r a wife, and immediately descended the king’s house that he might be there when she should return from the sacrifice. Aglaur

the garden, which was near the house. She thought she could meditate there without interruption, upon some plan to disappoin

to believe that gods wanted to marry their children? Mother. Because there was little travelling in those days, and when str

n “evil genius” sent her a dream? Mother. The ancients believed that there were spirits who were sent among men, and that “w

in the coral cave where she dwelt; so little Narcissus might be kept there from looking at his pretty face. But Lyriope sent

look at him lying on the bank, as they had seen him, he was no longer there , but in his place the pretty flower which hears h

e god, toward the east, and proceeded to the fountain of Castalia. He there perceived a young heifer without a keeper; she wa

ht have been a spot on which he thought fit to build a city. Ann. Is there such an animal as a dragon? Mother. No; a dragon

he dragons you have read of, guarded wells and gardens. In those days there were many robbers, and the dragons were men that

n did not know he had entered a consecrated grove, and he fell asleep there , through weariness. He had not slumbered long, wh

ry cruel to do that. Mother. They thought, perhaps, that Acteon came there by design, to frighten or insult them, and that p

f the world, that is, who know how men and women act, know that while there are many good and happy persons every where, ther

t, know that while there are many good and happy persons every where, there are also many who are wicked and miserable. The a

e also many who are wicked and miserable. The ancients, thought, that there were three sister-deities, who made man wicked an

                     —“a stratagem Is his, malicious: them, who enter there , With tail and bended ear he fawning soothes: But

, while he was a boy, lived in the isle of Naxos, and was stolen from there by some pirates. He was seen by them, as he lay a

s became shocking to her, and she never went near mount Citheron; for there the recollection of her murdered son, and of her

worthy false religion is, and how beautiful is the true. Ann. I hope there are no such foolish ways of worshipping the true,

e, or any false god, now among any people. Mother. I am sorry to say there is still much false religion in the world. Whole

odem Italians imitated these rites at the present time. You know that there is a feast of the Christian Church, called the Ep

he turbulence. Ann. This is much like the procession of Bacchus, but there is no Silenus in it. Mother. Nor any leopards. T

to a bed of clean rushes, which was the best the poor woman had, but there , after all her fatigue, she found rest and refres

ended to that ocean which is called, from his name, the Atlantic; and there , every evening when the people saw the sun set, t

to entering Argos, the travellers stopped at the city of Larissa; and there they heard that Teatimas, the king, was celebrati

world. Perseus was now king of Argos, but he chose, rather than reign there , to found a new kingdom. He became the founder of

eir wisdom, against the wicked, the cruel, and the foolish. Ann. Was there ever such a man as Perseus? Mother. Yes; he was

oices only are divine. We fear neither your numbers nor your talents: there are nine of us, and no more of you. Let us try ou

t Delphi, and Homer calls it “rocky Pytho.” They instituted an oracle there , and the priestess was called the Pythia. They sa

. He had hidden himself in the inmost recesses of his rocky dwelling, there to weep for the absence of his daughter Io, who h

So counselled, Phæton quickly ascended to the summit of Olympus, and there , upon a throne of burnished gold, surrounded by H

earing incense in their hands, they preceded to the temple of Latona, there to prefer their supplications. In the midst of th

er reception, raised the island of Delos from the Egean Sea, and that there were born Apollo and Diana; but the unrelenting J

e of them thus coarsely accosted her: ‘Why come you hither, woman; is there no other water in the world that you must come to

was by an author who was little known, and on a subject against which there was rather a prejudice, and that it appeared duri

d Latin classics with a view to it ; and I can assert with truth that there are very few of the references in the following p

no), i. e. Wisdom, and the God and Goddess κατ՚ἐξοχὴν ; in the latter there was also adored a Triad, — Ceres, Liber, Libera.

valent. Such were those in us and inus. Libertus and Libertinus were, there is no doubt, originally the same. Valerius was Co

as of man, in different stages of culture, will probably concede that there is a law which impels the human mind to ascribe t

he opinion of one of the ablest mythologists of the present day, that there is a certain stage in the culture of a people in

ng his adversary with balls of ox-fat, which sticking to his body and there taking fire, annoyed him beyond measure. To free

and the Laplander, they say, were brothers in the beginning, but when there came on a storm the former was terrified, and sou

e south of Balkh, the first seat of Persian dominion. To return home, there is a point of land between Hastings and Pevensey,

ord hithe. But as this term has gone out of use, the honest fishermen there will gravely tell you, that when William the Conq

4. It is certainly not improbable that these ancient priests, if such there were, may have had their religion arranged system

l barriers. As they were naturally endowed with a lively imagination, there gradually grew up in each of these little states

mythologists have therefore been naturally led to the supposition of there having been in ancient Greece aœdic schools, in w

he two poems are the productions of different minds, and that in both there are interpolations, some of which are of no small

us to particularise all the other sources of information, for in fact there is hardly a classic writer in either language who

easiest unto men ; no snow, Or wintry storm, or rain, at any time Is there  ; but Ocean evermore sends up Shrill-blowing west

kness, the abode of a people whom he names Kimmerians. He also places there Erebos, the realm of Aïdes and Persephoneia, the

sphere above the earth contained Olympos, the abode of the gods ; but there is great difficulty in ascertaining its exact nat

It is an utterly unfounded supposition of the learned Voss127, that there were doors at the eastern and western extremities

hind where Atlas supports the heavens171. Night and Day, he says, are there by turns ; when one goes in the other goes out. D

y led to inquire how his return to the east was effected. If then, as there is reason to suppose, it was the popular belief t

is poem named Nanno. Helios is doomed to labour every day ; And rest there never is for him Or for his horses, when rose-fin

d permission to guide the solar chariot for one day, to prove himself there by the undoubted progeny of the Sun-god. Helios,

rkable animals. The Eridanos is said to have been a mere poetic name, there being no stream actually so called ; though it wa

ied off Oriôn, and kept him in the isle of Ortygia, till he was slain there by the darts of Artemis274. Cleitos (Bright ?), t

327. The fabled flight of this last from Olympos to Hesperia, and his there establishing the golden age, may have been indebt

, and the Muses, the Graces, and the Seasons. Poseidôn was frequently there  ; but Demeter the goddess of agriculture, and Dio

Athens372, that altars were erected to these twelve gods. At Olympia there were six altars to six pairs of deities, but they

red of Zeus, retired to a cavern near Lyctos or Cnossos in Crete. She there brought forth her babe, whom the Melian nymphs re

and Hagno, reared the infant deity in a cavern of Mount Lycæon, where there was a place named Cretes, as other spots in Arcad

eak of the heroes who sprang from them. The love of Zeus (and in this there lies a moral) was not always a source of happines

onour : he had also a splendid fane in the isle of Ægina. But, though there were few deities less honoured with temples and s

ίχιος)411, answering to the sin-offerings of the Mosaic law. At Argos there was an ancient wooden statue (ξόανον) of Zeus, wh

d as being inexorable and deaf to supplication, — for from his realms there is no return, — and an object of aversion and hat

dead, without distinction of good or evil, age or rank, wander about there , conversing of their former state on earth : they

ed, and where the offerings were made to Hestia497. In that of Athens there was a statue of the goddess498. Chapter VII.

is spouse. Beneath them bounteous earth sent up Fresh-growing grass : there dewy lotus rose, Crocus and hyacinth, both thick

elichrysos, which is of the same genus with the Asteriôn519. At Argos there was a temple of Hera, Antheia (Flowery)520. In al

dition of Stymphalos in Arcadia was521, that Hera had been brought up there by Temenos, who raised three temples to her, unde

atio of the Romans526, or our own usage of bride-cakes. In the temple there was a statue of the goddess in the bridal-dress52

the origin of a national festival of Bœotia named the Dædala. Of this there were two kinds, the Small, celebrated every seven

ed every seven, the Great, every sixty years. According to Pausanias, there was a wood near Alalcomenæ where grew the finest

was called the Little Dædala. When the time of the Great Dædala came, there were fourteen images ready (one for each of the c

of Cithærôn, where an altar of wood stood ready prepared ; a bull was there sacrificed to Zeus, and a cow to Hera ; wine and

e cavern, Cithærôn would not permit her, saying that Zeus was abiding there with Leto. The nurse then went away, and Hera in

at Argos. In Eubœa Hera was called Virgin (Πάρθϵνος)533 ; and a place there sacred to her was named Parthenion. Macris (which

Argos, her name would seem to come very simply from ἔρα, earth ; yet there is great plausibility in the theory of Ἥρα being

ere else, wealth and beauty were occasionally united in wedlock ; and there too, as elsewhere, martial renown and showy exter

ia, we know that warfare was frequent enough among the Grecian cities there to allow of reputation being gained by deeds of v

nother tradition derived the name of the hill from the Amazons having there offered sacrifices to Ares, their sire563. It is

rn to Olympos was effected, but we find him in the Ilias firmly fixed there  ; and all the houses, furniture, ornaments, and a

582, Hiera (one of the Liparæan isles)583, and all other places where there was subterranean fire, were regarded as the forge

nd Phœbe600. In Homer601 she appears as one of the wives of Zeus, and there occur no traces of enmity between her and Hera. P

She saw a pool, and knelt down at it to drink. Some clowns, who were there cutting sedge and rushes, refused to allow her to

and if it should appear that the children of Leto were Sun and Moon, there can hardly remain a doubt of this being her true

ge herself that he would not contemn her humble isle, and would erect there the temple vowed by his mother. Leto assented wit

, pleased him ; and he was about to lay the foundations of his temple there , when the nymph of the place, afraid of having he

nwhile Apollo slays with his arrows the monstrous serpent which abode there and destroyed the people and cattle of the vicini

ity. As she lay expiring, the exulting victor cried, “Now rot (πύθευ) there on the man-feeding earth ;” and hence the place a

o be purified as it were from the guilt of the bloodshed ; and having there plucked a branch of bay, in imitation of the act

apparently connected with the Greek name of the wolf (λύκος) ; but as there was an ancient Greek word signifying light (Λϒ ΚH

hœbos -Apollo’s house Ample repaireth, to the fertile land Of Delphi, there to arrange the lovely dance Of Muses and of Grace

the titles of Alpheiæa, Alpheioa, Alpheionia, and Alpheiusa682 ; and there was a common altar to her and Alpheios within the

piad Archias the Corinthian founded the colony of Syracuse in Sicily, there were among the colonists some members of the sace

colony, whose first seat was the islet of Ortygia. A temple was built there to Artemis Of-the-Stream (Ποταμία), to which perh

mate. She was worshiped in several places as Limnatis and Heleia, and there were frequently fountains in her temples. She was

round it, denoted the fecundity of nature. In Magnesia on the Mæander there was a most stately temple of Artemis-Leucophryne

a bow or a hunting-spear. She is usually attended by a dog. At Trœzên there was a temple of Artemis-Lycæa, the erection of wh

763. In this last city she was also styled Urania764, and her worship there was eminently Asiatic in character. Ἕρος, Ἕρως

rôs, touched the water, and murmured a few words over it. Immediately there rose from the bottom a little boy of a fair compl

magnificence ; when suddenly she hears a voice, telling her that all there is hers, and all her commands will be obeyed. She

er lamp from its place of concealment, and approached the couch ; but there she beheld, instead of a dragon, Love himself. Fi

re pleasing to her husband. She opens the box, when instead of beauty there issues from it a dense black exhalation, and the

, envies her, and sends Cupido, i. e. desire, to destroy her ; but as there is desire of good as well as of evil, Cupid falls

e moon807 ; on the coins of Attica, anterior to the time of Pericles, there was a moon along with the owl and olivebranch808 

of Pericles, there was a moon along with the owl and olivebranch808 ; there was a torch-race (λαμπαδοϕορία) at the Panathenæa

of Athena was All-dew(Pandrosos)811 ; in the ancient legend of Athens there was a Sacred Marriage between Athena and Hephæsto

Bœotia. The ancients in general were in favour of the former ; but as there is no reason to suppose that the Greeks knew anyt

ed with his booty on the banks of the Alpheios in the Peloponnese. He there fed and stalled the kine, made a fire, killed, cu

y observe, that if it should appear to be as old as the age of Homer, there can be no further dispute about the origin of the

h to bring forth, till she shall have seen her daughter. Finding that there was no other remedy, Zeus sends ‘goldrodded Argos

sephone signifies the seed-corn, which when cast into the ground lies there concealed, — that is, she is carried off by the g

e respecting the religious opinions of the ancient Pelasgians. For as there appears reason to suppose their religion to have

abodes, amidst the solemn hymns of the officiating priests922. Hence there naturally arose a persuasion, that the benign reg

credness and importance of all that he beheld, conceived that nothing there could be without some mysterious meaning. What th

originally, as in the case of the Erinnyes and so many other deities, there was no precise number. Pausanias931 gives an old

sages of the Homeric poems in which they are mentioned ; for they are there invoked to avenge the breach of filial duty1025,

os, a duty which is performed by Hermes in the Odyssey, in which poem there is not any mention made of Iris. Homer gives not

, commits it to the twin brothers Sleep and Death to convey to Lycia, there to be interred by his relatives and friends. In t

ve of Sleep near the land of the Kimmerians, and of the cortége which there attended on him, as Morpheus, Icelos or Phobetêr,

bserved by Lobeck1082, that almost all the passages in Homer in which there is any mention of or allusion to this god have be

could not be put into the mouth of Diomedes ; and we may observe that there is a kind of instinct of propriety, as we may ter

s an interpolation. These are the only passages in the Ilias in which there is any allusion to Dionysos. In the Odyssey1086 i

t abound in vines1103, the ivy with its clustering berries which grew there was appropriated to the god1104 ; and it now beca

great king, marched as a conqueror throughout the East ; had planted there the ivy and the vine ; had built the city Nysa ;

examine the involved conceptions of the mind, and to know themselves, there succeeded that more mature and solicitous age, at

e themselves, while the ground and foundation lie concealed. But that there was a great agitation of the human mind, and some

that, when the Grecian colonies settled on the Hellespont, they found there a religion very different from their own ; the on

The historic circumstances of the voyage of Menelaos, his adventures there , etc. are fictions. From this point of view many

ir descendants formed the caste of Interpreters, whom Herodotus found there two centuries afterwards1162. We may thus see at

ipe of seven reeds, on account of the harmony of the heaven, in which there are seven sounds : he has a crook, that is a curv

Theocritus1174 could thus allude to the treatment which he sometimes there experienced from his worshipers : And if thou do

woods, floats along the streams, or drives his sheep into a cave, and there plays on his reeds music not to be excelled by th

. In it large craters lie, And two-eared pitchers, all of stone ; and there Bees build their combs. In it, too, are long loom

here Bees build their combs. In it, too, are long looms Of stone, and there the Nymphs do weave their robes, Sea-purple, wond

e their robes, Sea-purple, wondrous to behold. Aye-flowing Waters are there . Two entrances it hath ; That to the north is per

he north is pervious unto men ; That to the south more sacred is, and there Men enter not, but ‘tis the Immortals’ path. Yet

was fabled, that in the early ages of Southern Italy, when the people there were in the pastoral state, the Epimelian- or Flo

o the sea to purify themselves for the orgies of Bacchos, were, while there , assailed by Tritôn ; but on praying to their god

sea-horses. Homer does not name the parents of this marine deity, and there is no mention of him in the Theogony. Apollodorus

autic cycle the Harpies appear as the tormentors of Phineus. They are there represented as odious offensive monsters with fem

ioned1326 ; and in Italy, in ancient times a most cypriferous region, there was a place named Temesa, or rather Tempsa1327. T

their aœdi ; and further, Tempsa lies on the west side of Italy, and there was also a place named Taminos in the isle, which

clôps on his return in the evening with his flocks, finding strangers there , inquired who they were ; and on Odysseus saying

ption of the Cyclopes in general, nor of Polyphemos in particular, is there any notice taken of their being one-eyed ; yet in

se persecution was thereby avoided : but, as Völcker justly observes, there was nothing so remarkable in this practice as to

ctims. The dead came trooping out of the house of Aïdes, and Odysseus there saw the heroines of former days, and conversed wi

ng by, that they forgot home and everything relating to it, and abode there till their bones lay whitening on the strand. By

ade the straits of Messina the abode of Scylla and Charybdis ; but as there is no whirlpool there at all resembling Charybdis

sina the abode of Scylla and Charybdis ; but as there is no whirlpool there at all resembling Charybdis, the most that can be

mpanions forced him to consent to their landing and passing the night there . They promised to depart in the morning, and took

by whom he was most kindly received and entertained. She detained him there for eight years, designing to make him immortal,

“Do you think he is an enemy ? There is not a living mortal, nor will there be, who will come bearing war to the land of the

ho has strayed from his ship that she has taken under her care, since there are no people near us ?” All this would seem to i

s caused by death ; races migrate ; where population once flourished, there is desolation ; where once the wilderness spread,

r ‘white mantles’ and depart to the gods, leaving misery to man ; and there will be no defence against evil. Aratus1441 is th

ther Titans ; and it is worthy of notice, that in the Theogony (where there is more of order and method than is usually suppo

ed the intellectual vigour and weakness of man. In this mythe however there is great confusion, for its original sense seems

been viewed as a Titan and the creator or instructor of man. In Homer there is no allusion whatever to Prometheus. Hesiod say

racles’ slaying the eagle and freeing the sufferer. In this narrative there is a combination of a local mythe of Sicyôn (anci

ribute to its perfection. Prometheus said that he could not tell what there might be in heaven to his purpose, unless he coul

elf. The goddess then bore him to heaven in her sevenfold shield, and there seeing everything animated by the celestial heat,

great deluge was preserved by the early inhabitants of Greece. Where there are not letters to fix it, tradition is, as abund

evious to the Dorian migration, which is an undoubted historic event, there is supposed to have been some commotion in Thessa

as in modern Italy. Religion will always vary with modes of life, and there is therefore no improbability in the supposition

art in his behalf. He sailed with his companions to the Isthmos, and there dedicated the Argo to Poseidôn ; and Medeia short

o indicate a connexion between the latter and Hera, who was worshiped there under the title of Acræa, and the graves of the c

It is also remarkable that the only place, besides Corinth, in which there were legends of Medeia, was Corcyra, an island wh

, Æacos banished them from the island. Peleus fled to Phthia, and was there purified of the murder by Eurytiôn the son of Act

ied, invited him to join in a hunt on Mount Pelion. A dispute arising there among the hunters about their respective success,

by Hephæstos, and hiding it under the cowdung, went away, leaving him there , in hopes that the Centaurs would find him and ki

of the boar as the prize of whoever should slay him. Of the Ætolians there were Meleagros and Dryas son of Ares ; of the Cur

She went through Bœotia till she came to where Thebes now stands, and there lay down. Wishing to sacrifice her to Athena1624,

probably meant the Eupatrids, or ancient nobility of Thebes, of which there may have been only five Houses (γένεα). As such w

Zeus, where Libya would joyfully receive her in a golden abode ; that there she would bear a son, whom Hermes would take to t

ration to the settlers at Cyrene ; and in the oldest part of the city there was a fount named Cyre, sacred to him, whence per

now settled under their auspices and protection1654. In no place were there more of these traditions than in Cyrene, and henc

d clad in fresh-stript sheep-skins to protect them from the cold, and there sacrificed to the god to avert the evil influence

eived him kindly, and gave him in marriage Chalciope his daughter. He there sacrificed his ram to Zeus Phyxios, and gave the

n this last region stood a temple of Laphystian1664 Zeus, about which there was the following tradition1665. To punish the cr

uld abstain from entering the Prytaneion or senate-house, or if found there should be offered as a sacrifice. Many of those i

ended a tree on Cithærôn to be an ocular witness of the revels. While there he was descried by his mother and aunts, to whom

perished by those of his sister. Nine days they lay in blood, and there was none To bury them, for Kronides had made The

d another form of it among the mythes of Attica. In this history also there are great variations, caused chiefly, it is proba

e given of the ancient political state of Thebes. It is observed that there is no connexion between them and the Cadmic line 

grove of the Erinnyes, at Colonos, a village not far from Athens, and there found the termination of his wretched life1688. S

for thirteen months in a brazen prison (κεράμῳ), and he had perished there if their stepmother Eribœa had not informed Herme

of such an event, sent him away to where his herds were feeding, and there he grew up to great strength and size. His look w

shed, he would be made immortal. The hero obeyed, went to Tiryns, and there served Eurystheus. The cause of Eurystheus’ obtai

40. This Copreus, having slain Iphitos, had fled to Mycenæ, and abode there with Eurystheus who had purified him. The second

brands : he hunted the remainder with his arrows to Malea. They fled there to Cheirôn, who having been expelled from Pelion

le to be found in the plain. The oracle being consulted declared that there would be no end of the evil till Laomedôn had giv

k Heracles, as he was driving the cattle along the river Anthemos. He there attacked him, but was slain by his arrows ; and H

in obedience to the oracle, he was conducted by Hermes to Lydia, and there sold to Omphale the queen of the country1770. The

f sufficient age, had himself carried to the summit of Mount Œta, and there causing a pyre to be constructed, ascended it, an

83. But no one would venture to obey ; till Pœas, happening to arrive there in search of his stray cattle, complied with the

he time of the Dorian invasion, which they were intended to justify ; there may, he allows, have been an Argive hero of perha

nd of the coming of Alcmena to Thebes, and by the fact of his temples there being without the walls, — a fact which is quite

on or near the citadel. Returning to the Peloponnese ; the adventures there , he says, may be divided into two classes, the co

and Elis, and the establishment of the Olympic games, in all of which there is a historic reference. The latter are perhaps o

thus given a sketch of the theory of this most able mythologist, and there is much in it to which it is difficult to refuse

some of the legends, such as that of Geryoneus. In the Homeric poems there is, as we have seen, frequent mention of Heracles

btained her in marriage by pretending that Procne was dead1806. Again there is great discrepancy respecting the transformatio

Thrace, while the name Tegyrios would seem to point to Bœotia, where there was a town named Tegyra. The spouse of the north-

god ; and Hermes, at Apollo's desire, conveyed him to Delphi. He was there reared and dedicated to the service of the temple

he Cyclôps Geræstos the four daughters of Hyacinthos, who had settled there . This bloody deed was of no avail ; and the oracl

e had given him. He moreover, to commemorate his victory, established there a dance, the evolutions of which imitated the win

by a divine intimation prevented from aiding his friend, who remained there everlastingly in punishment of his audacious atte

e voluntarily retired to Lycomedes, king of the island of Scyros, and there he met with his death, either by accident or by t

ena-Polias named the Erechtheion, and sacred to Erechtheus, and in it there were altars of Hephæstos, Butes and Poseidôn, on

origins above related. It is probable that in the more ancient legend there was a Holy Marriage (ἱερὸς γάμος) of Hephæstos an

As the Lyceion at Athens was said to have been named from Lycos, and there was on it a temple of Apollo Lycios1855, it is no

as the Eponymos of the class of Dædalids or statuaries at Athens, and there were various wooden statues preserved till late t

yphos contrived to outwit Death, and even to put fetters on him ; and there was great joy among mortals, for no one died. Had

s him rolling his stone in Erebos1872. Of the antiquity of his legend there can therefore be little doubt. Sisyphos, that is

accord with the Homeric tale, which was however known to Pindar ; for there is not the slightest allusion in it to Prœtos and

ch her. He bound her to an olive-tree in the grove of Mycenæ1899, and there kept guard over her. Zeus, pitying her, directed

er to be made to ramble along its shore ; when Byzantion was founded, there were Argives among the colonists, who carried wit

e tale of an Egyptian colony at Argos as somewhat suspicious. In fact there was no part of Greece more thoroughly Hellenic, n

e see therefore that the physical legend may have existed long before there was any intercourse with the great land of myster

, and the unhappy princess was bound to a rock. Perseus beholding her there , was seized with love, and he forthwith promised

Hades1956, of which Dictys (Netter) may be a kindred term. At Athens there was an altar of Dictys and Clymene at the temenos

med Hippothoe, whom Poseidôn carried off to the Echinadian isles. She there bore him a son named Taphios, who settled at Taph

town of Lycosura, said to have been built by Lycaôn, who established there games called Lycæa1981. At Mount Lycæon there was

Lycaôn, who established there games called Lycæa1981. At Mount Lycæon there was a sacred inclosure or temenos of Zeus, within

similarity of sound gave occasion to the legends of wolves, of which there were many in Arcadia. In this case Lycaôn would b

ellation from the mountain ; but against this is to be observed, that there was an eminence in the territory of Cyrene or Bar

into an attendant. On the way from the town to the Academy at Athens there was an inclosure sacred to Artemis, in which were

ed the top of Taÿgeton, and looking over all the Peloponnese saw them there  ; and he and his brother hastened to attack them.

re their wives2017. Helena, in like manner, had her temples2018 ; and there is some reason to suppose that she was identified

s. Between the former and the part of Thessaly about the Pagasaïc bay there appears to have been a very early connexion, as i

how much of the beam was now gnawed through ; the others replied that there was little remaining. Melampûs immediately desire

ent to the banks of the Axios, far away in the north, and the country there derived from him its name, Pæonia2034. Endymiôn,

married Sthenelos and Mestôr the sons of Perseus. In this mythe also there is much obscurity. We will commence our examinati

nsensibility, she retired to a fountain near the port of Calydôn, and there cut her own throat and died. The spring derived f

Minôs chased them out of Crete. Miletos going to Caria, built a town there , which he named from himself. Sarpedôn went to Ly

sent to inquire of the oracle about him. The answer he got was, that there was a three-coloured cow in his herd, and that he

and the child was named from it2117. As in the cycle of the Tyndarids there appeared to be a reference to light and fire, so

to be a reference to light and fire, so perhaps in that of the Æacids there is one to water. Thus we have in it Asopos, Ægina

. Placing Kedaliôn on his shoulder, Oriôn proceeded to the East ; and there meeting the Sun-god, was restored to vision by hi

rocks, mountains, and such like. The sky too offers its similitudes ; there is, for example, the Crown, with its legend of Ar

udes ; there is, for example, the Crown, with its legend of Ariadne ; there is the ‘Man in the Moon,’ which some said was Cai

g, while the Bear, the object of his pursuit, kept watching him. Thus there would be a chase in the sky similar to those on e

peninsula of Pallene, at length reached the isle of Lemnos, in which there were at that time no men, and Hypsipyle the daugh

The isles were thenceforth named the Strophodes, because the Boreiads there turned back2159. Freed from his tormentors, Phine

. Some of the Colchians who were in pursuit of the Argonauts arriving there , seized on the Argo, and requested Alcinoös to gi

ch drove it to the Syrtes on the coast of Libya. After being detained there for some time they proceeded on their homeward vo

ollodorus and by Diodorus. Ovid also relates a a good part of it, and there is an unfinished poem on it by the Latin poet Val

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

ch city Alexandros takes and plunders, and sailing thence to Ilion he there celebrates his marriage with Helena2207. Menelaos

e advice of the old sea-god2232 he returned to the river Ægyptos, and there offered due sacrifices to the immortal gods. A fa

the part of the army which left Agamemnôn as far as Tenedos ; but he there quitted them and returned to the king2235. On aga

Athena where he was ; and going to the house of his swineherd Eumæos, there met and revealed himself to his son Telemachos. A

achos and the body of his father with him to his mother's isle. Circe there made them immortal, and she herself married Telem

le, that Athens, in a quarrel not her own, sent to the coast of Asia, there to remain for ten years, a force the one half of

people in divination2250. According to the doctrine of the Etruscans there were two orders of gods, the one superior, veiled

uria2257. The Tuscan god of the under-world was named Mantus2258, and there was a goddess of it called Mania. The Lars, which

hierarchy ; but Varro2271 gives the names of twenty Select Gods ; and there stood in the Forum twelve gilded statues of Conse

we are told, from the following circumstance2276. In the time of Numa there occurred great thunder-storms and rain. The peopl

t about with cakes strung round their necks2306. In the Forum at Rome there was a statue of the Stata Mater, placed there tha

6. In the Forum at Rome there was a statue of the Stata Mater, placed there that she might protect the pavement from the effe

myrtle-vervain, and a statue to Venus Cluacina was afterwards erected there . Another account2319 says, that a statue of an un

ed it is said from the myrtles which had grown there2321. At Lavinium there was a temple of Venus common to the Latin nation,

Lavinium there was a temple of Venus common to the Latin nation, and there was another similar temple at Ardea2322. There we

322. There were two festivals at Rome named Vinalia, in each of which there appears to have been a reference to this goddess.

. Müller, Proleg. 232. 52. Völcker, however, asserts positively that there is no mythe without a meaning. Myth. der Jap. 50.

7. Mythol. Briefe, i. 190. Note on Virg. Geor. iii. 261. The passages there quoted (Pind. Fr. incert. 100. Apoll. Rh. iii. 15

xiv. 202-204. 156. Il. xv. 224 et seq. 157. That is, supposing (as there is every reason to do) that Apollodorus followed

th the note of Tzetzes. 166. Argonaut, i. 503. It is remarkable that there is no scholion on the place. 167. Dionys. ii. 57

up and go to the shore, not knowing what the need is ; they see boats there , but not their own, with no one in them ; they ge

here the hero says he saw Minôs judging in Erebos, but he only judged there as Oriôn hunted, i. e. pursued his occupation as

first is confuted by the fact that in the Carnasian grove in Messene there was a statue of Hermes carrying a ram (Paus. iv.

. 33, 4.), and a similar statue at Olympia (Id. v. 27,8.). At Corinth there was a ram beside his statue, ὅτι μάλιστα δοκϵῑ θϵ

ch. Aristoph. Birds, 873. Lys. 388. Wasps, 9. 1096. It was thus that there was a great resemblance observed between the Dion

. 1102. Id. ii. 49. 1103. Herodotus (ii. 77.) says positively that there were no vines in Egypt. Egyptian vines are mentio

1230. ii. 224. seq. 1231. Od. x. 350. 1232. Il. xx. 7. We believe there is no word in the English language which so nearl

this legend should be assigned to that poetess. It is remarkable that there is no mention of Pandora in it. See in Horace (Ca

6. Diod. iv. 34. Hygin. 181-5. 1620. In the ‘Meleagros’ of Euripides there was a long description given of the arms and appe

In compliance with established usage we place this hero here, though there is little reason for regarding him as an original

hena under this name at Corinth, Paus. ii. 4, 1, 5 ; and Poseidôn was there named Damæos. Sch. Pind. 01. xiii. 98. 1889. Acc

αίω), v being inserted, as was often done. See Schwenk, 193. Possibly there may have been a Pelasgian word akin to the German

e. Brave, the Franks the Free, &c. It must not be concealed that there is no traditiov whatever of a people named Pelopi

eview without meeting with instances. In Macaulay's article on Milton there are twenty such. But how is mythology to be taugh

materials, or whether in the earth, so lately separated from heaven, there lurked still some heavenly seeds. Prometheus took

ained; and one day she slipped off the cover and looked in. Forthwith there escaped a multitude of plagues for hapless man, —

n Age. Truth and right prevailed, though not enforced by law, nor was there any magistrate to threaten or punish. The forest

y hid beneath the waves. Now all was sea, sea without shore. Here and there an individual remained on a projecting hilltop, a

ger. Parnassus alone, of all the mountains, overtopped the waves; and there Deucalion, and his wife Pyrrha, of the race of Pr

ntensely for being covered up. In the wall that parted the two houses there was a crack, caused by some fault in the structur

ter; hands and fingers came instead of hoofs to her forefeet; in fine there was nothing left of the heifer, except her beauty

active labors, sent me to Lycia to drive thence some choice oxen, and there I saw the very pond and marsh where the wonder ha

eaven exclaimed, ‘May they never quit that pool, but pass their lives there !’ and it came to pass accordingly. They now live

re deities. Delos was then a floating island; but when Latona arrived there , Jupiter fastened it with adamantine chains to th

urse while the sphere was revolving under you? Perhaps you think that there are forests and cities, the abodes of gods, and p

ok at my face — I would that you could look into my breast, you would there see all a father’s anxiety. Finally,” he continue

the swans resort. Nile fled away and hid his head in the desert, and there it still remains concealed. Where he used to disc

re he used to discharge his waters through seven mouths into the sea, there seven dry channels alone remained. The earth crac

eautiful lines of Walter Savage Landor, descriptive of the Sea-shell, there is an allusion to the Sun’s palace and chariot. T

And it remembers its august abodes, And murmurs as the ocean murmurs there .” Gebir, Book I. Chapter VI. Midas — Baucis

id he, “to the River Pactolus, trace the stream to its fountain-head, there plunge your head and body in, and wash away your

ndurable by moderate desires and kind dispositions. One need not look there for master or for servant; they two were the whol

, Became a steeple with a spire. The kettle to the top was hoist. And there stood fastened to a joist, But with the upside do

ise our power? Minerva the wise, and Diana the huntress, defy us; and there is that daughter of Ceres, who threatens to follo

h its barbed point right into the heart of Pluto. In the vale of Enna there is a lake embowered in woods, which screen it fro

tle died, the plough broke in the furrow, the seed failed to come up; there was too much sun, there was too much rain; the bi

ke in the furrow, the seed failed to come up; there was too much sun, there was too much rain; the birds stole the seeds — th

eat came over me, my hair flowed down in streams; where my foot stood there was a pool. In short, in less time than it takes

oserpine signifies the seed-corn which when cast into the ground lies there concealed — that is, she is carried off by the go

a thousand years in decrepitude and pain. He returns to the sea, and there finds the body of Scylla, whom the goddess has no

nk of the yet warm tree, and showered their kisses on its leaves. Now there was nothing left of Dryope but her face. Her tear

, in Endymion, alludes to Dryope thus: — “She took a lute from which there pulsing came A lively prelude, fashioning the way

bles rose as in a pool on which raindrops fall, and in an hour’s time there sprang up a flower of bloody hue like that of the

light glimmers faintly. The bird of dawning, with crested head, never there calls aloud to Aurora, nor watchful dog, nor more

nor sound of human conversation, breaks the stillness. Silence reigns there ; but from the bottom of the rock the River Lethe

d gave it her tears, saying, “Alas! unhappy one, and unhappy, if such there be, thy wife!” Borne by the waves, it came nearer

n bursting through a cloud. He would have renewed his entreaties, but there was no need; his arguments and the sight of his t

Proceeding onward, she perceived that besides the apartments of state there were others filled with all manner of treasures,

its you in the adjoining alcove when it pleases you to take your seat there .” Psyche gave ear to the admonitions of her vocal

, she sighed and said to herself, “Perhaps my love, my lord, inhabits there ,” and directed her steps thither. She had no soon

beloved husband!” So she carefully opened the box, but found nothing there of any beauty at all, but an infernal and truly S

iter, he sent his servants to seek pure water for a libation. Near by there stood an ancient grove which had never been profa

youths as I see around me, all apparently of about the same age. Yet there are many individuals whom I previously knew, that

le on the height. It is sacred to Jupiter. O how many offered prayers there , husbands for wives, fathers for sons, and died i

iles, men fought with one another for the possession of them. Finally there were none left to mourn; sons and husbands, old m

‘O may it be a sign of a favorable disposition towards me!’ By chance there grew by the place where I stood an oak with wide-

than I? I would encounter fire and sword to gain my object; but here there is no need of fire and sword. I only need my fath

last all her flesh shrank away. Her bones were changed into rocks and there was nothing left of her but her voice. With that

h vain desire, Had not a voice thus warned me: ‘What thou seest, What there thou seest, fair creature, is thyself;’” etc. Pa

ath borne.” The distance in the narrowest part is almost a mile, and there is a constant current setting out from the Sea of

, one hand grasped     The mild bull’s golden horn.” In his Princess there is this allusion to Danaë: — “Now lies the earth

outh of the city pursued their warlike sports. The sons of Niobe were there with the rest, — some mounted on spirited horses

hair, no color was on her cheek, her eyes glared fixed and immovable, there was no sign of life about her. Her very tongue cl

of the fallen condition of modern Rome: —     “The Niobe of nations! there she stands,     Childless and crownless in her vo

The Sphinx. Laius, king of Thebes, was warned by an oracle that there was danger to his throne and life if his new-born

t the king, Iobates, sought for some hero to destroy it. At that time there arrived at his court a gallant young warrior, who

rom a lower sphere,) Dismounted on the Aleian field I fall, Erroneous there to wander and forlorn.” Young, in his Night Tho

condemns himself. Who reads his bosom reads immortal life, Or nature there , imposing on her sons, Has written fables; man wa

Fleece — Medea. The Golden Fleece. In very ancient times there lived in Thessaly a king and queen named Athamas

oes. They immediately turned their arms against one another, and soon there was not one of the dragon’s brood left alive. The

This is one of those mythological tales, says a late writer, in which there is reason to believe that a substratum of truth e

und, And men grew heroes at the sound.” In Dyer’s poem of The Fleece there is an account of the ship Argo and her crew, whic

f Theseus, his admirer and imitator, who had been detained a prisoner there for an unsuccessful attempt to carry off Proserpi

is that she resigned her office on becoming the wife of Hercules. But there is another statement which our countryman Crawfor

n, or boxing. Besides these exercises of bodily strength and agility, there were contests in music, poetry, and eloquence. Th

m which I felt sure was more than mortal. I said to my men, ‘What god there is concealed in that form I know not, but some on

n, ‘What god there is concealed in that form I know not, but some one there certainly is. Pardon us, gentle deity, for the vi

ied, ‘Fear nothing; tell us where you wish to go and we will take you there .’ ‘Naxos is my home,’ said Bacchus; ‘take me ther

d we will take you there.’ ‘Naxos is my home,’ said Bacchus; ‘take me there and you shall be well rewarded.’ They promised so

xos. Naxos lay to the right, and I was trimming the sails to carry us there , when some by signs and others by whispers signif

r not,’ said he; ‘steer towards Naxos.’ I obeyed, and when we arrived there , I kindled the altars and celebrated the sacred r

among them his own mother, Agave, blinded by the god, cried out, “See there the wild boar, the hugest monster that prowls in

the labyrinth, was carried by him to the island of Naxos and was left there asleep, while the ungrateful Theseus pursued his

a sad and sterile region without trees and without crops. Cold dwells there , and Fear and Shuddering, and Famine. Go and tell

s of life, would not have submitted to receive it at such a cost; but there was no remedy. The condition imposed by the Fates

d ever return, Penelope was importuned by numerous suitors, from whom there seemed no refuge but in choosing one of them for

n shepherd by the grave      Of Orpheus hear a sweeter melody, Though there the spirit of the sepulchre      All his own powe

ken possession of one of the carcasses and were pursuing their labors there as in a hive.   In The Task, Cowper alludes to th

was the first mortal endowed with prophetic powers. Before his house there stood an oak tree containing a serpent’s nest. Th

n, accompanying the train of Neptune and Amphitrite: —     “Then was there heard a most celestial sound     Of dainty music

less hand     Wakes the brisk harmony that sailors love;     A circle there of merry listeners stand,     Or to some well-kno

 “Look! look! comrade, yonder are the cranes of Ibycus!” and suddenly there appeared sailing across the sky a dark object whi

y them, finding his favorite hour in the quiet moonlight, and nursing there beneath the beams of the bright and silent witnes

. Placing Kedalion on his shoulders, Orion proceeded to the east, and there meeting the sun-god, was restored to sight by his

rops on the grass.   Unlike most of the marvels of ancient mythology, there still exist some memorials of this. On the banks

the ancients, and the mysterious sounds are still more doubtful. Yet there are not wanting some modern testimonies to their

of a maiden among the daughters of the king. Ulysses, hearing he was there , went disguised as a merchant to the palace and o

f Helen, was his son. Paris had been brought up in obscurity, because there were certain ominous forebodings connected with h

mies should persevere and not voluntarily abandon the enterprise. Yet there was room enough left for chance to excite by turn

anticipating evil she went forth to the wall. When she saw the sight there presented, she would have thrown herself headlong

ged as himself, the herald Idæus, drove forth from the gates, parting there with Hecuba, his queen, and all his friends, who

verge of life. Perhaps even now some neighbor chief oppresses him and there is none at hand to succor him in his distress. Ye

ions. The people all wept with them, and to the going down of the sun there was no pause or abatement of their grief. The nex

ve that his companions carried him to the isle of Lemnos and left him there . Diomed was now sent to induce him to rejoin the

rself and his daughters as a suppliant at the altar of Jupiter. While there , his youngest son Polites, pursued by Pyrrhus, th

of apprehension, but from whom, if he should be suffered to grow up, there might be danger. Electra, the sister of Orestes,

ded of him why at the mention of Troy his sorrows awaked. Had he lost there a father, or brother, or any dear friend? Ulysses

bor, and channel, and ocean. Just at the entrance of the inner harbor there is a picturesque rock with a small convent perche

rotracted her decision in favor of either of her suitors so long that there seemed to be no further pretence for delay. The c

ons should be removed, under pretence that in the heat of competition there was danger, in some rash moment, of putting them

tted to try; for, said he, “beggar as I am, I was once a soldier, and there is still some strength in these old limbs of mine

ors, in amazement, looked round for arms, but found none, neither was there any way of escape, for Eumæus had secured the doo

ad sent with ample treasures to the neighboring land of Thrace, to be there brought up, at a distance from the horrors of war

damantine chains to the bottom of the sea. Apollo and Diana were born there , and the island was sacred to Apollo. Here Æneas

received an answer, ambiguous as usual, — “Seek your ancient mother; there the race of Æneas shall dwell, and reduce all oth

“Where is the spot intended by the oracle?” Anchises remembered that there was a tradition that their forefathers came from

rry a modern navigator several times round the world, did they arrive there . Their first landing was at the island of the Har

astonishment learned that certain Trojan exiles, who had been carried there as prisoners, had become rulers of the country. A

ce. Such was the state of affairs when Æneas with his Trojans arrived there . Dido received the illustrious exiles with friend

and Death, — forms horrible to view. The Furies spread their couches there , and Discord, whose hair was of vipers tied up wi

ws, making them say one thing to-day and another to-morrow. Ixion was there , fastened to the circumference of a wheel ceasele

m Anchises intimates that he is one, are admitted at once to Elysium, there to remain. But the rest, after the impurities of

lives effectually washed away by the waters of Lethe. Some, however, there still are, so thoroughly corrupted, that they are

est of the earth, near Ocean, and describes it as a happy land, where there is neither snow, nor cold, nor rain, and always f

happy realm. Addressing the Past, he says: — “Whatever of true life there was in thee, Leaps in our age’s veins.           

nd, and holding it forth, said, ‘Grant me to see as many birthdays as there are sand grains in my hand.’ Unluckily I forgot t

e Sibyl is fixed at a later date. In the reign of one of the Tarquins there appeared before the king a woman who offered him

ismantled walls, and said, “Here stood Janiculum, built by Janus, and there Saturnia, the town of Saturn.” Such discourse bro

y. The rest he remitted to the friends of the slain. After the battle there was a cessation of arms for some days to allow bo

f nature. Gods, demons, and heroes are emanations of the Supreme, and there is a fourth emanation, the human soul. This is im

being in the temple of Juno, at Argos, I recognized my shield hung up there among the trophies. All things change, nothing pe

ason closing full in Man.” In the centre of the universe (he taught) there was a central fire, the principle of life. The ce

of the country. A temple of surpassing magnificence was also erected there in honor of the god, and at every place where one

language to the inhabitants of the district that they must establish there an oracle of Jupiter. The other dove flew to the

of Jupiter Ammon in the Libyan Oasis, and delivered a similar command there . Another account is, that they were not doves, bu

essel and took possession of an island in the river, and a temple was there erected to his honor. Oracle of Apis. At Me

yed priest from the prophetic cell.” In Cowper’s poem of Yardley Oak there are some beautiful mythological allusions. The fo

ources combined than from any one in particular. We may add also that there are many myths which have arisen from the desire

a part of them. Both the Jupiter and Minerva of Phidias are lost, but there is good ground to believe that we have, in severa

y the countenance, where on the perfection of youthful godlike beauty there dwells the consciousness of triumphant power.

by means of the memory alone. This is answered by the statement that there was a professional body of men, called Rhapsodist

work and much of the structure of the poems belong to Homer, but that there are numerous interpolations and additions by othe

he Phœnix as follows. “Most beings spring from other individuals; but there is a certain kind which reproduces itself. The As

re to be got at, some wealthy glutton would surely devour him, though there were no more in the world.”   Dryden in one of

but by breathing on them, and splits the rocks, such power of evil is there in him.” It was formerly believed that if killed

bles as these, disbelieve generally the existence of the unicorn. Yet there are animals bearing on their heads a bony protube

ning to be in a little room in which they had been washing, and where there was a good fire of oak burning, looked into the f

We accordingly find that a cloth made of the skin of salamanders (for there really is such an animal, a kind of lizard) was i

h-o’er-gazing mountains, and thus take     A fit and unwalled temple, there to seek     The Spirit, in whose honor shrines ar

Christian missionaries who proceeded to Thibet were surprised to find there in the heart of Asia a pontifical court and sever

ntury, a Portuguese traveller, Pedro Covilham, happening to hear that there was a Christian prince in the country of the Abes

r attention thus far relate to the mythology of southern regions. But there is another branch of ancient superstitions which

odern or prose Edda being of the date of 1640. According to the Eddas there was once no heaven above nor earth beneath, but o

and salt from the ice. While she was one day licking the salt stones there appeared at first the hair of a man, on the secon

promise that within nine nights she would come to a certain place and there wed Frey. Skirnir having reported the success of

ep dint in it. Skrymir, awakening, cried out, “What’s the matter? are there any birds perched on this tree? I felt some moss

saying that he had just then awoke, and that as it was only midnight, there was still time for sleep. He, however, resolved t

not a man of small dimensions; but if you come to Utgard you will see there many men much taller than I. Wherefore, I advise

e many men much taller than I. Wherefore, I advise you, when you come there , not to make too much of yourselves, for the foll

ty. He then arose and went with all who were present to a plain where there was good ground for running on, and calling a you

wed Thor and his companions to their seats, and they passed the night there in good cheer. The next morning, at break of day,

r departure. Utgard-Loki ordered a table to be set for them, on which there was no lack of victuals or drink. After the repas

d tail. Thy wrestling with Elli was also a most astonishing feat, for there was never yet a man, nor ever will be, whom Old A

ho, pierced through and through, fell down lifeless. Surely never was there witnessed, either among gods or men, a more atroc

nt. When he saw how angry the gods were, he fled to the mountain, and there built himself a hut with four doors, so that he c

of civilization. They are the depositaries of whatever historic lore there is, and it is their office to mingle something of

empests, yet with a wild, gleaming beauty in summer time, towering up there stern and grim in the North Ocean, with its snow

symbol of the sun. That the Druids offered sacrifices to their deity there can be no doubt. But there is some uncertainty as

e Druids offered sacrifices to their deity there can be no doubt. But there is some uncertainty as to what they offered, and

The Druids who occupied the island endeavored to prevent his settling there , and the savage nations on the adjoining shores i

osition, procured from the king a gift of the island, and established there a monastery of which he was the abbot. He was unw

y had a residence assigned to them in an adjacent locality. Near Iona there is an island which still bears the name of “Eilen

el of the Nunnery. Besides these remains of ecclesiastical antiquity, there are some of an earlier date, and pointing to the

he tendency to mere utilitarianism in the education of the young, and there is need to lay stress upon this because of the in

ty called Chaos, whose personal appearance could not be described, as there was no light by which he could be seen. He shared

their birth, hurled them down into a dark abyss called Tartarus, and there chained them fast. This chasm was situated far un

Some choosing to cast Cronus from his throne That Zeus might king it there , and some in haste With opposite oaths that they

l fear lest this terror-inspiring monster would pursue them, the gods there assumed the forms of different animals; and Jupit

’s subsistence. “Innocence, virtue, and truth prevailed; neither were there any laws to restrict men, nor judges to punish.”

s couple had always been pure and virtuous; and when Jupiter saw them there alone, and remembered their piety, he decided not

ons, and bear him safely off to Olympus, was but a moment’s work; and there the kidnapped youth Ganymede, the son of a king o

ad, that he put an immediate end to its existence. While Cadmus stood there contemplating his lifeless foe, a voice bade him

’s tr.). But although in the beginning this union seemed very happy, there soon arose subjects for contention; for unfortuna

Ægis with its shaggy brim Bordered with Terror. There was Strife, and there Was Fortitude, and there was fierce Pursuit, And

Bordered with Terror. There was Strife, and there Was Fortitude, and there was fierce Pursuit, And there the Gorgon’s head,

as Strife, and there Was Fortitude, and there was fierce Pursuit, And there the Gorgon’s head, a ghastly sight, Deformed and

for Minerva was as deft with her needle as with her sword. In Greece, there lived in those olden times a maiden by the name o

to the goddess, Neptune chained the island fast in the Ægean Sea; and there in that delightful climate, justly praised by poe

cord. Then, his term of exile being ended, he returned to heaven, and there resumed his wonted duties. From his exalted posit

ntion. Under the mistaken impression that some wild beast was lurking there ready to pounce upon him, he cast his unerring ja

ummer made, His eyes, more kind than men’s, enthralled and bound Them there .” H. H. The Muses bestowed much deserved prai

reme. Nothing daunted, Orpheus hastened to the entrance of Hades, and there saw the fierce three-headed dog, named Cerberus,

n despair, the lonely musician retreated to the forest solitudes, and there played his mournful laments, — “Such strains as

to, to have quite set free His half-regained Eurydice.” Milton. But there were none to hear except the trees, winds, and wi

tremulous leaves repeat to me Eurydice! Eurydice!” Lowell. At last there dawned a day when some Bacchantes overtook him in

dolphin, who bore him in safety to the nearest shore.     “Then was there heard a most celestiall sound Of dainty musicke,

nstellation. The Story of Phaeton In the sunny plains of Greece there once dwelt Clymene, a fair nymph. She was not alo

was not alone; however, for her golden-haired little son Phaeton was there to gladden her heart with all his childish graces

day the chest was opened; but, instead of a heap of mouldering bones, there was Comatas, live and well! His lord, knowing tha

e him, and to Hymettus’ top repair! Thy darling Cephalus expects thee there !’ The goddess, with a blush, her love betrays, Bu

e was driving noiselessly along, she suddenly checked her steeds; for there on the hillside she saw a handsome young shepherd

ere changed into a constellation, composed of seven bright stars, and there they shone undimmed for ages; but when Troy fell

rom sight to hide her anguish from the curious eyes of men. “And is there glory from the heavens departed? —     O void unm

xcept the woeful consciousness of his transformation; and as he stood there , motionless and dismayed, the distant baying of h

e Seasons), daughter of Jupiter and Themis, goddess of justice, stood there on the shore to welcome her.                    

eepers, who were caught in its fine meshes, and could not escape; and there he kept them imprisoned, in spite of their entrea

many tears the sorrowing Venus shed: For every drop on earth a flower there grows: Anemones for tears; for blood the rose.”

ound in some neighbouring bushes: and, thinking Pyramus was concealed there , she was about to call to him that he was discove

up, out of breath, and full of loving excuses for Thisbe, who was not there , however, to receive them. Wondering at her absen

ering anxiously about to discover whether the lion were still lurking there . The first glance showed her Pyramus stretched de

into the mountains, far from the haunts of her former companions, and there , brooding continually over her sorrow, pined away

ns, and there, brooding continually over her sorrow, pined away until there remained naught of her but her melodious voice. T

pool Than e’er reflected in its pleasant cool The blue sky here, and there , serenely peeping Through tendril wreaths fantast

Cupid and Psyche In those same remote ages of “sweet mythology” there lived a king whose three daughters were world-ren

e-Jones. By Permission of Mr. Frederick Hollyer. Poor Psyche lingered there the following and many succeeding nights, vainly

upon Psyche, laid her low by the roadside. Cupid, passing by, saw her there , marked the ravages of grief, remembered his love

d, they winged their flight to Olympus, entered the council hall, and there Cupid presented Psyche, his chosen bride, to the

nd declared that the gods had placed Berenice’s Hair among the stars, there to shine for ever in memory of her wifely sacrifi

ves in amity around it. This so pleased him, that he bade them remain there for ever, and used the wand on all occasions.   

aque, immovable cloud near the earth, — a cloud which had no business there , for had she not bidden them all lie still on the

m into a heifer, ere his wife alighted and inquired what he was doing there . Carelessly the god pointed to the heifer, and de

fforts to deliver him. During fifteen weary months poor Mars lingered there in durance vile, until Mercury, the prince of thi

n his eyes, A boar’s obscener shape the god belies: On spiry volumes, there , a dragon rides; Here, from our strict embrace a

ch of some victim to drag down into his dismal abode, or to make sure there was no crevice through which a sunbeam might glid

ns, it could only be entered at Avernus, but the Greeks asserted that there was another entrance near the Promontory of Tasna

s so swift that even the boldest swimmer could not pass over; and, as there was no bridge, all the spirits were obliged to re

time, to bear witness of the foul deed. When his body was discovered, there was great grief throughout Greece, and all men de

xos, which he visited after every journey. During one of his sojourns there , he discovered a fair maiden lying alone on the s

sandy shore. Ariadne, for such was the girl’s name, had been forsaken there by her lover, Theseus, who had sailed away while

tion, she had assumed the appearance of an aged crone; and as she sat there by the wayside, in tears, she attracted the compa

ievous breath from Zephyrus; and Alpheus, who was still hovering near there , suddenly beholding a fountain where none had eve

ght she loved so well into the depths of Pluto’s realm. While gliding there in the gloom, Arethusa had caught a glimpse of Pr

n-browed Pluto. She could not, however, pause to inquire how she came there , but hurried on breathlessly, until another crevi

way by his current, soon reappeared in the Sicilian fountain, carried there as love offerings by the enamoured river. “O my

ion from what it does now, and was I considered the family altar, for there the father of the family was wont to offer up his

ue, and, summoning Mercury, bade him lead her down to Hades to linger there for ever. But on the way to the dismal abode of t

ifrons, because it was perfectly square. On each side of the building there was one door and three windows. These apertures w

ion fly, Perpetual twilight, and a doubtful sky; No crowing cock does there his wings display, Nor with his horny bill provok

epy virtue drains, And passing sheds it on the silent plains: No door there was the unguarded house to keep, On creaking hing

are meaningless And idle, and can never be fulfilled. Two portals are there for their shadowy shapes, Of ivory one, and one o

apples, leaving Atlas alone, in the same plight as he had found him, there to remain until some more compassionate hero shou

as stained it but a little. I did wrong: I know it, and repent me. If there come A time when he grows cold — for all the race

caught the noble soul in his mighty arms, and bore it off to Olympus, there to dwell in happiness for ever with Hebe, the fai

ly declared that none should dare force his mother as long as he were there to defend her. This boast did not at all allay th

aimed she was fairer than any of the sea nymphs, she had been exposed there as prey for a terrible sea monster sent to devast

next day Theseus was conducted to the entrance of the labyrinth, and there left to await the tender mercies of the Minotaur.

r XXII: Jason The Education of Jason At Iolcus, in Thessaly, there once reigned a virtuous king, Æson, with his good

ed, Jason reached the opposite bank, and, after depositing his burden there , scrambled up beside her, casting a rueful glance

uddenly fell upon Jason’s naked foot, and he grew pale with horror as there flashed into his memory the recollection of an an

he bards then went on to relate that the glittering trophy still hung there , awaiting a hand bold enough to slay the dragon a

’s hulk, which was slowly rotting away. One day, while he was sitting there musing over his youthful adventures and Medea’s s

on Mount Parthenium to the fury of wild beasts. Some hunters, passing there shortly after this, found a she-bear suckling the

ld, hung it up by its ankles to a tree in a remote place, and left it there to perish from hunger and exposure if it were spa

me. After some time, he came to three cross-roads; and while he stood there , deliberating which direction to take, a chariot,

her to death. “Let her be carried instant to the cave, And leave her there alone, to live, or die; Her blood rests not on us

o was also his kinsman. Anteia’s Treachery He had not sojourned there very long before Anteia, the queen, fell in love

e palace, where bloomed a profusion of gay-coloured flowers. “A lake there was, with shelving banks around, Whose verdant su

s’d Between her arms.” Ovid ( Pope’s tr.). One day, while wandering there as usual, accompanied by her sister, she saw a lo

ed drops of blood trickling from the broken stem; and while she stood there , speechless with wonder, a voice was heard accusi

with graceful hospitality by Menelaus and Helen. He had not sojourned there many days, however, before the king was called aw

r brave, can shun his destiny. But go thou home, and tend thy labours there , —  The web, the distaff, —  and command thy maid

Ætna, where Vulcan laboured at his forge.            “She found him there Sweating and toiling, and with busy hand Plying t

ull thud of the blows and the metallic clash of the weapons. Suddenly there came a loud cry, then all was still; and when the

les drive off to the spot where Patroclus’ funeral pile was laid, and there abandon the corpse. Achilles then returned to his

,      Deserted and forlorn he lies;      No friend or fellow-mourner there , To soothe his sorrows, and divide his care; Or s

rcules appeared to him in a dream, and bade him go without delay, for there he would find Machaon, Æsculapius’ son, who was t

ersuade the Trojans to drag the horse within their gates and keep him there , a lasting monument of their hard-won triumph. To

astened down to the shore to offer sacrifice to the gods. As he stood there by the improvised altar, with one of his sons on

against me with my guilty wife, And bade me to his house, and slew me there , Even at the banquet.’” Homer ( Bryant’s tr.).

ccompanied by the ever-faithful Pylades, who never left his side; and there , in a temple, he found his long-lost sister Iphig

y, lethargic sensation stole over them, and made them long to recline there and feast for ever. “Whoever tasted once of that

e. The Greeks’ first impulse was to help themselves, since no one was there to say them nay; but they finally decided to awai

second feast, and entertained them all so well, that Ulysses lingered there for one whole year.                         “And

sses lingered there for one whole year.                         “And there from day to day We lingered a full year, and banq

ger would be of no avail, she bade him seek the Cimmerian shores, and there consult the seer Tiresias. This land, which lay o

s inhabited by shadows, the spirits of the dead, condemned to sojourn there a while ere they were admitted into Hades. Ulysse

hetic powers, but whom no one would heed. Æneas, seeing ere long that there was no hope of saving the doomed city, quickly di

for his servants, and thither Æneas turned his steps. When he arrived there , he found many awaiting him, and counted them car

, and counted them carefully to make sure none were missing. All were there except Creusa, his beloved young wife; and he ret

sailing, they landed in Thrace, viewed the country, decided to settle there , and began to trace the foundations of a new city

olydorus, sent to Thrace to conceal some treasures, had been murdered there by an avaricious king, and this grove of trees ha

t the oracle, who bade them seek the cradle of their race, and settle there . “‘Stout Dardan hearts, the realm of earth Where

ng-forgotten prophecy of Cassandra, purporting that they would settle there , and also that Dardanus, their first progenitor,

s moored his ships in the harbours of Sicania and Drepanum, and while there lost his aged father Anchises.                  

he set fire to the pyre, 330 sprang into the midst of the flames, and there stabbed herself. “‘Yet let me die: thus, thus I

ed the usual games to commemorate Anchises’ death, which had occurred there just one year previous. While the men were engage

æ, where he was to consult the Sibyl, visit the Infernal Regions, and there receive further advice from him. “First seek the

when he saw his son’s corpse brought home for burial: and he then and there registered a solemn vow to avenge Pallas’ death b

ll these philologists argues that during the first or Rhematic period there existed a tribe in Central Asia which spoke a mon

ances, the original nucleus is entirely lost to sight. The fact that, there are many different myths to explain the same phen

been traced to the Sanskrit root div or dyu, meaning “to shine”; and there is also a noun dyu in that language which means e

l sullenly and alone to his setting.” In the story of the Trojan war there are several sun myths; for Paris, Menelaus, Agame

olds and cities, for it was supposed “that in the centre of the earth there was a hearth which answered to the hearth placed

, 18-21, 24 E-pi′rus. Country visited by Æneas, who meets Andromache there , 327 Er′a-to. Muse of lyric poetry; daughter of

phalus, 52 Lem′nos. Island in the Grecian Archipelago; Vulcan landed there , 122; Philoctetes on, 294 Ler′na. Marsh where th

cal Subjects and their Sources names are not only accented, but, when there is possibility of error, syllabicated. In the pre

d by lyric, narrative, and descriptive passages of modern literature, there is furnished not only that material of allusion a

y studied. The maps accompanying this volume will be serviceable; but there should be in the class-room one of Kiepert’s maps

in the study of literature, and if more were entrusted to the memory, there would be something to assimilate, and time to ass

y, there would be something to assimilate, and time to assimilate it; there would be less dyspepsia and more muscle. Teachers

hat a few of the facts in their heads be wrong, than that no facts be there at all. With all our study of children and our ga

genealogical arrangement, they should be recited in this order. When there is not time for detailed recitation on the whole

for the discrepancy in mental development, imaginations like our own, there is nothing in the history of reasonable myths to

f the name and on its origin and first home.” ‌ 7 But unfortunately there is very often no agreement among scholars about t

f real history. He insists that mythologists should bear in mind that there may be in every mythological riddle elements whic

arly savages, we are constrained to examine whether anywhere nowadays there may exist “any stage of the human intellect in wh

irst Greek said to be endowed with prophetic powers. Before his house there stood an oak tree containing a serpent’s nest. Th

of the memory alone. This question is answered by the statement that there was a professional body of men whose business it

emporary of Homer, but concerning the relative dates of the two poets there is no certainty. Hesiod was born in Ascra in Bœot

lphin, accompanying the train of Neptune and Amphitrite: — “Then was there heard a most celestial sound Of dainty music whic

ture and the death of Hercules. Of the dramas of Euripides (480 b.c.) there remain to us seventeen, in which are found storie

were the Skalds. They were the depositaries of whatever historic lore there was; and it was their office to mingle something

ty of its heroes within the compass of human limitations.45 Although there are many manuscripts, or fragments of manuscripts

iness. Truth and right prevailed, though not enforced by law, nor was there any in authority to threaten or to punish. The fo

ssel contained, she one day lifted the cover and looked in. Forthwith there escaped a multitude of plagues for hapless man —

s he was supported by the knowledge that in the thirteenth generation there should arrive a hero, — a son of the mighty Jove

the vulture sailing Round the cloudy crags Caucasian! “Though to all there is not given Strength for such sublime endeavor,

yrrha. — Parnassus alone, of the mountains, overtopped the waves; and there Deucalion, son of Prometheus, and his wife Pyrrha

claimed to the inhabitants of the district that they should establish there an oracle of Jupiter. The other dove flew to the

with their wives. Beside the children of Jupiter already enumerated, there should here be mentioned, as of peculiar conseque

hter are the condition of his existence. Where the fight is thickest, there he rushes in without hesitation, without question

land of the Hyperboreans, where for six continuous months of the year there is sunshine and spring, soft climate, profusion o

e blank of space Opens immeasurably, and thy face Wavers and glimmers there and is withdrawn. And many days, when all one’s w

hadow nigh Where a weary man might lay him down and die, Lo! thou art there before me suddenly, With shade as if a summer clo

nd heat That spoil life’s music sweet: And from that lesser Aphrodite there — Even now she stands Close as I turn, and O my s

colony, no new home, was duly consecrated till on its central hearth there glowed coals from her ancestral hearth. In her te

in a land of spring, sunlight, happiness, and song. And by the Fields there flowed the river Lethe, from which the souls of t

te-haired Cronus.100 There was no heavy heat, no cold, The dwellers there wax never old, Nor wither with the waning time, B

e particularly divinities presiding over the household or family; but there were also public Lares, or guardian spirits of th

h, another the violet, a fourth the creeping thyme; and on the ground there fell many petals of the meadows rich with spring.

iles, men fought with one another for the possession of them. Finally there were none left to mourn; sons and husbands, old m

a clap of thunder was heard. ‘I accept the omen,’ I cried. By chance there grew by the place where I stood an oak with wides

ss. Owing to the pride of his wife, Niobe, daughter of King Tantalus, there befell him and his house a crushing calamity, whi

, Became a steeple with a spire. The kettle to the top was hoist, And there stood fastened to a joist, But with the upside do

company was hushed. But when they sought for Cleobis, behold, He lay there still, and by his brother’s side Lay Biton, smili

. Howbeit my swift feet bare me away; else had I long endured anguish there amid the grisly heaps of dead, or else had lived

erva, he sent his servants to seek pure water for a libation. Near by there stood an ancient grove which had never been profa

eaven exclaimed, “May they never quit that pool, but pass their lives there !” And it came to pass accordingly. They still liv

the swans resort. Nile fled away and hid his head in the desert, and there it still remains concealed. Where he used to disc

ght. Then he sate him aloof from the ships, and let an arrow fly; and there was heard a dread clanging of the silver bow. Fir

ad been received at the table of the gods by his father, Jupiter. But there was a strain of ingratitude and conceit in both f

outh of the city pursued their warlike sports. The sons of Niobe were there with the rest, — some mounted on spirited horses

hair, no color was on her cheek, her eyes glared fixed and immovable, there was no sign of life about her. Her very tongue cl

s of life, would not have submitted to receive it at such a cost; but there was no remedy. The condition imposed by the Fates

then, Down go I, to the unsunned dwelling-place Of Kore and the king there , — make demand, Confident I shall bring Alkestis

, once more die into the ground, Taste cold and darkness and oblivion there : And thence rise, tree-like grow through pain to

orst brute to breast was ever strangled yet? Somehow, a victory — for there stood the strength, Happy, as always; something g

sleepy smooth it leaped from late. Under the great guard of one arm, there leant A shrouded something, live and woman-like,

at fault! There is no telling how the hero twitched The veil off; and there stood, with such fixed eyes And such slow smile,

. Placing Cedalion on his shoulders, Orion proceeded to the east, and there meeting the sun-god, was restored to sight by his

, ascended the mountain, where she was left alone. While Psyche stood there , panting with fear and with eyes full of tears, t

d uncovering her lamp — Scarce kept back a cry At what she saw; for there before her lay The very Love brighter than dawn o

before her lay The very Love brighter than dawn of day; And as he lay there smiling, her own name His gentle lips in sleep be

ll fast Upon the bed. — But as she turned at last To quench the lamp, there happed a little thing That quenched her new delig

ame cast on his shoulder fair A burning drop; he woke, and seeing her there The meaning of that sad sight knew full well, Nor

eeing her there The meaning of that sad sight knew full well, Nor was there need the piteous tale to tell.179 Without a wor

ain and ears and the carelessly scattered harvest implements that lay there . The holy Ceres then counselled her to submit to

und given to her husband, and insisted that for so ill-favored a girl there was no way of meriting a lover save by dint of in

hands, undid The clasp, and fearfully raised up the lid; But what was there she saw not, for her head Fell back, and nothing

ss, beneath the whispering roof Of leaves and tumbled blossoms, where there ran A brooklet, scarce espied! “’Mid hushed, coo

-clustered trees Fledge the wild-ridged mountains steep by steep; And there by zephyrs, streams, and birds and bees, The moss

’er could feign, Who breeding flowers, will never breed the same; And there shall be for thee all soft delight That shadowy t

aid his childish head upon her breast, And, with still panting rockt, there took his rest. In Abydos dwelt the manly Leander

rom her slipp’d; And suddenly her former colour chang’d, And here and there her eyes through anger rang’d; And, like a planet

air! And then an altar in thy court I’ll offer, decked with gold; And there thy servants shall resort, Thy doves be bought an

tood, and knew not what to do With yearning, a strange thrill of hope there came, A shaft of new desire now pierced him throu

od within the niche thou knowest well, And from my hand a heavy thing there fell Carved like these flowers, nor could I see t

as this round white moon o’erhead, So that I trembled when I saw her there , For with my life was born some touch of dread, A

ore intensely that it was covered. In the wall between the two houses there was a crack, caused by some fault in the structur

will convey thee thither.” “Naxos is my home,” said Bacchus; “take me there , and ye shall be well rewarded.” They promised so

e god; “steer towards Naxos.” The pilot obeyed, and when they arrived there , kindled the altars and celebrated the sacred rit

even in heaven some despise our power? Minerva and Diana defy us; and there is that daughter of Ceres, who threatens to follo

fate, alas! and soul-subdued) Lookt back. There, Orpheus! Orpheus! there was all Thy labour shed, there burst the Dynast’s

Lookt back. There, Orpheus! Orpheus! there was all Thy labour shed, there burst the Dynast’s bond, And thrice arose that ru

racian shepherd by the grave Of Orpheus hear a sweeter melody, Though there the spirit of the sepulchre All his own power inf

efore her ran the still unwounded game. Then, at last, a hunter’s cry there came, And, lo! a hart that panted with the chase.

the covert, deeming that apart Some fawn lay hidden, loosed an arrow there ; Nor cared to turn and seek the speeded dart, Bou

haled from the ground, and the light glimmers faintly. The cock never there calls aloud to Aurora, nor watch-dog nor goose di

pause, as is most meet for all? “A soft air fans the cloud apart; there comes A glimpse of that dark world where I was

m the poetic. Phœbus’ chariot course shall not be finished so long as there is a sun, or a poet to gaze upon it. And that Pan

arter-chimes, serenely toll’d From Trinity’s undaunted steeple. Even there I heard a strange wild strain Sound high above th

y centuries later. A ragged cap was on his head: But — hidden thus — there was no doubting That, all with crispy locks o’ers

rth she lived in caves and among mountain cliffs, and faded away till there was nothing left of her but her voice. But throug

spirit’s eyes; Only the soul hath power o’er itself.” With that again there murmured, “Nevermore!” And Rhœcus after heard no

usly fashioned of serpents and barking dogs.245 In this shape Scylla, there after, infested the shore of Sicily, and worked e

years in decrepitude and pain. Consequently, returning to the sea, he there discovers the body of Scylla, whom the goddess ha

en possession of one of the carcasses, and were pursuing their labors there as in a hive.251 § 131. Acheloüs and Hercules. 2

merited petrifaction, and conveying Andromeda to Seriphus, the hero, there , turned into stone Polydectes and his court, beca

e liberty of Theseus, his admirer and imitator, who had been detained there for an attempt at abducting Proserpine.284 Fi

oes. Immediately they turned their arms against one another, and soon there was not one of the dragon’s brood alive. It remai

ods.”317 Fig. 87. The Calydonian Hunt. [Relief: Baumeister.] But there was no time then for love: on to the hunt they pu

invading the country of Athens, penetrated into the city itself; and there was fought the final battle in which Theseus over

Lams upon the throne. But ere long Laïus was warned by an oracle that there was danger to his throne and life if his son, new

re he. Flattered with odors the whole house brake into laughter. Came there next Peneus, abandoning verdurous Tempe — Tempe e

that fell, with nethermost border of purple, While on ambrosial brows there rested fillets like snowflakes. They, at a task e

uffer themselves no more to be touched by the ray of the morning. But there were gods in the pure, — in the golden prime of t

gth I saw a lady within call, Stiller than chisell’d marble, standing there ; A daughter of the gods, divinely tall, And most

among the daughters of the king. Hearing that the young Achilles was there , Ulysses went disguised as a merchant to the pala

ems that from early youth Paris had been reared in obscurity, because there were forebodings that he would be the ruin of the

ate had decreed the fall of Troy, if her enemies only persevered. Yet there was room for chance sufficient to excite by turns

eep. By them it was transported to Lycia, Sarpedon’s native land, and there received due funeral rites. Thus far Patroclus ha

anticipating evil she went forth to the wall. When she saw the horror there presented, she would have thrown herself headlong

ed as himself, the herald Idseus, drove forth from the gates, parting there with Hecuba his queen, and all his friends, who l

erge of life. Even now, mayhap, some neighbor chief oppresses him and there is none at hand to succor him in his distress. Ye

ntations. The people wept with them, and to the going down of the sun there was no pause or abatement of their grief. The nex

e that his companions carried him to the isle of Lemnos, and left him there . Diomede and Ulysses, or Ulysses and Neoptolemus

rself and his daughters as a suppliant at the altar of Jupiter. While there , his youngest son, Polites, pursued by Pyrrhus, t

of apprehension, but from whom, if he should be suffered to grow up, there might be danger. Electra, the sister of Orestes,

ve fallen from heaven. Accordingly, the friends went to Tauris. Since there the barbarous people were accustomed to sacrifice

ded of him why at the mention of Troy his sorrows awaked. Had he lost there a father, or brother, or any dear friend? Ulysses

d ever return, Penelope was importuned by numerous suitors, from whom there seemed no refuge but in choosing one of them for

tracted her decision in favor of any one of her suitors so long, that there seemed to be no further pretence for delay. The c

ns should be removed, under pretence that in the heat of competition, there was danger, in some rash moment, of putting them

tted to try; for, said he, “beggar as I am, I was once a soldier, and there is still some strength in these old limbs of mine

ors, in amazement, looked round for arms, but found none, neither was there any way of escape, for Eumæus had secured the doo

ad sent with ample treasures to the neighboring land of Thrace, to be there brought up, at a distance from the horrors of war

d received an answer, ambiguous as usual, — “Seek thy ancient mother; there the race of Æneas shall dwell, and reduce all oth

“Where is the spot intended by the oracle?” Anchises remembered that there was a tradition that their forefathers came from

rry a modern navigator several times round the world, did they arrive there . The Harpies. — Their first landing was at the i

astonishment learned that certain Trojan exiles, who had been carried there as prisoners, had become rulers of the country. A

ce. Such was the state of affairs when Æneas with his Trojans arrived there . Dido received the illustrious exiles with friend

y, and Death, forms horrible to view. The Furies spread their couches there , and Discord, whose hair was of vipers tied up wi

aws, making them say one thing to-day and another tomorrow. Ixion was there , fastened to the circumference of a wheel ceasele

m Anchises intimates that he is one, are admitted at once to Elysium, there to remain. But the rest, after the impurities of

effectually washed away by the waters of Lethe. Some souls, however, there still are, so thoroughly corrupted, that they are

nd, and holding it forth, said, ‘Grant me to see as many birthdays as there are sand-grains in my hand.’ Unluckily I forgot t

ismantled walls, and said, “Here stood Janiculum, built by Janus, and there Saturnia, the town of Saturn.” Such discourse bro

emitted to the friends of the slain. Of Camilla. — After the battle, there was a cessation of arms for some days to allow bo

the Norse Gods.388 § 177. The Creation. — According to the Eddas there was once no heaven above nor earth beneath, but o

and salt from the ice. While she was one day licking the salt stones there appeared at first the hair of some being, on the

ep dint in it. Skrymir, awakening, cried out, “What’s the matter? are there any birds perched on this tree? I felt some moss

saying that he had just then awoke, and that as it was only midnight, there was still time for sleep. He however resolved tha

not a man of small dimensions; but if you come to Utgard you will see there many men much taller than I. Wherefore I advise y

re many men much taller than I. Wherefore I advise you, when you come there , not to make too much of yourselves, for the foll

ty. He then arose and went with all who were present to a plain where there was good ground for running on, and calling a you

wed Thor and his companions to their seats, and they passed the night there in good cheer. The next morning at break of day,

r departure. Utgard-Loki ordered a table to be set for them, on which there was no lack of victuals or drink. After the repas

d tail. Thy wrestling with Elli was also a most astonishing feat, for there was never yet a man, nor ever will be, whom Old A

promise that within nine nights she would come to a certain place and there wed Freyr. Skirnir having reported the success of

lder, who, pierced through and through, fell down lifeless. Never was there witnessed, either among gods or men, a more atroc

ensalir, the house of Frigga, mother of the gods, to ask her what way there might be of restoring Balder to life and heaven.

ld take his place among the shades? “Nay,” replied Frigga, “no way is there but one, that the first god thou meetest on the r

watch, past Midgard fortress, down the dark unknown road to Hel, and there entreat the goddess Hela that she yield Balder ba

e the unhappy Höder’s voice. Howbeit I will see, and do his hest; For there rang note divine in that command.” So speaking, t

Hela with austere control presides. For of the race of gods is no one there Save me alone, and Hela, solemn queen; For all th

Feast in Valhalla, in my father’s hall; Only the inglorious sort are there below — The old, the cowards, and the weak are th

lorious sort are there below — The old, the cowards, and the weak are there , Men spent by sickness, or obscure decay. But eve

the weak are there, Men spent by sickness, or obscure decay. But even there , O Nanna, we might find Some solace in each other

nt. When he saw how wroth the gods were, he fled to the mountain, and there built himself a hut with four doors, so that he c

ay-crownèd Balder answered him: — “Far to the south, beyond the blue, there spreads Another heaven, the boundless — no one ye

e spreads Another heaven, the boundless — no one yet Hath reached it; there hereafter shall arise The second Asgard, with ano

ey heard a man laugh out. Then into the Volsung dwelling a mighty man there strode, One-eyed and seeming ancient, yet bright

and said: “Earls of the Goths, and Volsungs, abiders on the earth, Lo there amid the Branstock a blade of plenteous worth! Th

That the shining house of heaven is wrought exceeding wide, And that there the Early-comers shall have abundant rest While E

peaking sounded, so wise his words did seem That moveless all men sat there , as in a happy dream We stir not lest we waken; b

all men sat there, as in a happy dream We stir not lest we waken; but there his speech had end And slowly down the hall-floor

ath-wound: — For lo, through the hedge of the warshafts a mighty man there came, One-eyed and seeming ancient, but his visag

ave on the unbroken spear-wood ’gainst the Volsung’s empty hands: And there they smote down Sigmund, the wonder of all lands,

iegfried during this ungallant intrigue; and we are led to infer that there had been some previous acquaintance and passage o

end a high festival. … With what joy and gladness welcomed were they there ! It seemed when came dame Brunhild to Burgundy wh

gen saw his chance. … Then, as to drink, Sir Siegfried down kneeling there he found, He pierced him through the croslet, tha

Aphrodite, Hermes, Bellerophon — consult Index and the references as there indicated. § 11. Homer is also called Melesigenes

d of ripening, harvest, maturity. Rhea comes from Asia Minor, and was there worshipped as the Mother Earth, dwelling creative

offending.” But, beside this general effort for the triumph of right, there is little to be said in abatement of the general

Minerva, at Athens. The Minerva of the Parthenon has disappeared; but there is good ground to believe that we have, in severa

was situate, or that again from the Greek root pūth, to rot, because there the serpent was left by Apollo to decay; or from

3: 13; 4: 275; Hymn to Nativity 173. In Cowper’s poem of Yardley Oak there are mythological allusions appropriate to this su

the countenance, where, on the perfection of youthful godlike beauty, there dwells the consciousness of triumphant power. To

” for allusion to Latona. In Art. — In the shrine of Latona in Delos there was, in the days of Athenseus, a shapeless wooden

e, Ode to Hesper; Campbell, Two Songs to the Evening Star. (12) “Iris there with humid bow waters the odorous banks,” etc., C

trative. — Lowell, addressing the Past, says, “Whatever of true life there was in thee, Leaps in our age’s veins. ... . Here

the spring sun (Sci. Relig. 372). According to Homer (Iliad 24: 611), there were six sons and six daughters. After their deat

Unsung); Byron’s noble stanza on fallen Rome, “The Niobe of nations! there she stands, childless and crownless in her voicel

Sagittarius (the Archer). Messenia: in the Peloponnesus. Æsculapius: there were numerous oracles of Æsculapius, but the most

ce. It is hardly necessary to point out that a river Arethusa arising there , could not possibly be approached by an Alpheüs o

yron. The distance in the narrowest part is not more than a mile, but there is a constant dangerous current setting out from

a was closely related to that of Bacchus or Dionysus. The Sileni were there regarded as tutelary genii of the rivers and spri

erpine signifies the seed-corn which, when cast into the ground, lies there concealed, — is carried off by the god of the und

ne, is suggestive: “Of all the beautiful fictions of Greek Mythology, there are few more exquisite than the story of Proserpi

juices are, as it were, drawn down to the central darkness, and held there in bondage. Following up this view of the subject

the ancients, and the mysterious sounds are still more doubtful. Yet there is not wanting modern testimony to their being st

s, and their petrifying gaze the swift and fatal lightning-flash. But there are still others who find in the Gorgon Medusa th

. The word means gate (see Iliad 5: 397), and in the case of Hercules there may be some reference to his journey to the gate

n, or boxing. Besides these exercises of bodily strength and agility, there were contests in music, poetry, and eloquence. Th

bor, and channel, and ocean. Just at the entrance of the inner harbor there is a picturesque rock with a small convent perche

e Sibyl is fixed at a later date. In the reign of one of the Tarquins there appeared before the king a woman who offered him

f nature. Gods, demons, and heroes are emanations of the Supreme, and there is a fourth emanation, the human soul. This is im

g frame began.” In the centre of the universe (as Pythagoras taught) there was a central fire, the principle of life. The ce

s preferred the underworld. So (according to Werner Hahn, and others) there is a deep mythical meaning in the Lay of the Nibe

he Gods, expressed love towards relations and friends. If in all this there was nothing but the worship of a more graceful hu

l this there was nothing but the worship of a more graceful humanity, there may be worships much worse as well as better. “Im

the grand truth, that however rude, and however barbarous the people, there was a principle evidently acknowledged in their a

did not contain many useful instructions, and important truths, would there be any reason to attack and destroy a system, whi

s yon clear lamps, That measure and divide the weary years From which there is no refuge, long have taught And long must teac

the chained Titan. Horrible forms, Whence and what are ye? Never yet there came‌ Phantasms so foul thro’ monster-teeming he

who is able to contend with Jove?” Hesiod. When the box was opened, there issued from it a multitude of evils and distemper

ace of concealment, should she have partaken of any nourishment while there ; and it was discovered that though she had refuse

child with busy speed and care, She gathers lilies here, and violets there ; While first to fill her little lap she strives,

ough many writers consider Phœbus and Apollo to be different deities, there can be no doubt that the worship which is offered

to rise, Her looks their paleness in a flower retained, But here and there , some purple streaks they gained. Still the loved

842_img038     “Flower! with a curious eye we scan     Thy leaf, and there discover How passion triumphed — pain began — Or

, and granted to her the boon of prolonging her life as many years as there were grains in a handful of sand which she held.

“He was a poet, sure a lover too Who stood on Latmos top, what time there blew Soft breezes from the Myrtle vale below And

mself on the sea-shore, and fell fast asleep; some pirates who called there for water, struck with his extreme beauty, seized

and pretending the utmost terror, he implored them to say how he came there , and what they were going to do with him. “You ha

and it shall be complied with.” “I live at Naxos,” said the boy, “and there I would fain find myself.” Perceiving that they c

they praise the god of wine, Whose earthen images adorn the pine; And there are hung on high, in honour of the vine A madness

ly goddess bore,” after the mutilated body of Uranus had been thrown there by Saturn, is the most known, and of her in parti

s reconciled to his parents. He seems, however, to have been retained there more for ridicule than any other purpose; and was

rred, In dove-like murmurs, as if the bird     Of dreams sat brooding there .     “All rude winds were hushed to rest;     On

ty.” Tighe. In the trembling transport which pervaded her, however, there fell a drop of burning wax from the light which s

eneath the whispering roof     Of leaves and trembled blossoms, where there ran         A brooklet, scarce espied: ’Mid hushe

weth here with toil and care,         But the harvest time of Love is there .” Southey. Cupid is usually represented as a wi

erfly,     Vied for each blossom’s love. “I looked upon the altar, —  there     The pictured semblance lay, Of him the temple

g child? “I went then forth into the world,     To see what might be there ; And there I heard a voice of woe,     Of weeping

I went then forth into the world,     To see what might be there; And there I heard a voice of woe,     Of weeping, and despa

meed of victory?     They told me it was Love! “I sought the Forum, there was one,     With dark and haughty brow, His voic

range, and ever shifting mirror     Of all the beauty, and the terror there  — A woman’s countenance, with serpent locks, Gazi

at she received the greatest honour. On the evening of the first day, there was a race with torches, in which men on foot, an

anner waving in the glowing breeze, The trumpet sound, the shout. Oh! there is nought so beautiful as this.     Rivers. Aye,

ld I go floating on my billow-steed, Over the billows, and triumphing there , Call the white syren from her cave to share My j

Cowper. The Danaides, daughters of Danaus, king of Argos, were also there , who, in obedience to the cruel advice of their p

then-mythology_1842_img109 Mercury. Though according to Cicero, there were no less than five gods of this name; yet to

osed her limbs, Now gathered flowers that grew about her streams, And there by chance was gathering as she stood To view the

g his addresses, was changed into a reed. ———————— “A nymph of late there was, Whose heavenly form her fellows did surpass,

night, Pan introduced himself, and went to the bed ‌of the queen; but there seeing the lion’s skin of Hercules, he fancied he

r pool Than ere reflected in its pleasant cool The blue sky, here and there divinely peeping Through tendril wreaths, fantast

love her, and pleased himself by wandering in the woods and deserts, there calling upon her, for the pleasure of hearing her

st river lawns,     And the brink of the dewy caves, And all that did there attendant follow, Were silent with love, as you n

od of Orchards and Gardens, than the patron of licentiousness. He was there crowned with the leaves of the vine, and sometime

Hood. From this time his existence become a torture to him. Though there were none of his former beings to consort with, y

tree by summer crowned, Sheds its own night twilight round; Glancing there from sun to shade,                Bright wings pl

zes,     Or the dark brown Danube roars. Oh, winds of Winter! list ye there     To many a deep and dying groan; Or start, ye

  Wherein our young days flew, Thou hast found sweet voices lingering there ,     The loved, the kind, the true! Thou callest

ed souls     Their fount must surely be; Yes! buried, but unsleeping, there ;     Thought watches, memory lies, From whose dee

oiding Charybdis we fall upon Scylla!” “Upon the beech a winding bay there lies, Sheltered from seas, and shaded from the sk

gion fly, Perpetual twilight and a doubtful sky; No crowing cock does there his wings display Nor with his horny bill provoke

py virtue drains, And passing, sheds it on the silent plains: No door there was th’ unguarded house to keep, On creaking hing

her sojourn be     In the music land of dreams. Each voice of love is there ,     Each gleam of beauty fled, Each lost one sti

e, and rising fair Amid the ruins of the palace pile, The olive grow, there shall the tree of peace Strike its roots deep, an

lt no joy in Eden’s rosy bower! In vain the viewless seraph lingering there , At starry midnight charmed the silent air; In va

dy wood: She finds the fury of her flames assauged, But, seeing Jason there , again they raged. Blushes and paleness did by tu

for the signal of command, No foe, but the Æmonian youth appears, As there they level their steep pointed spears. Wonders en

ved with unusual festivity; but Æson, Jason’s father was unable to be there , owing to the infirmities of age, and Medea at he

the gods, and rewarded with divine honours. It has been asserted that there were many of the same name, some writers extendin

horses was seen awaiting, which carried his immortal part to heaven, there to be seated amongst the gods. Loud claps of thun

un the shield, Full in his face the staring head he held, As here and there he strove to turn aside, The wonder wrought, the

after this memorable adventure, Perseus went to Seriphos, and arrived there at the very moment that his mother Danae sought t

as successful and killed the Minotaur. On his return from his victory there , he was driven by contrary winds on the Isle of N

eloved again. He has just flung her starry crown on high, And bade it there , a long memorial shine, How a god loved a mortal

ood to thine infamy?     Hip. Thy words are most unjust!     The. And there thou standest with a brow as calm As innocence it

Tis well! I thank you gods! ’tis wondrous well! Dagger and poison — O there is no need For my dispatch; and you, ye merciless

s. They will be happy too.                 Cheer! king of men! Cheer! there are voices, songs — Cheer! arms advance. Aga. Co

rightened mother in the isle of Cyros. Clothed in female garments, he there lived with the beautiful Deidomia, and enslaved b

y unto him his respects; and, as he was striving to enter the palace, there arose a great tumult, the officers of the place r

, previous to which it was customary for men of learning to assemble ‌ there , and even to deposit their most valuable writings

ad their union opposed by their friends, between the families of whom there had been a variance for many years. “But to prev

eet outside the walls of the city, under the mulberry tree which grew there , and then to celebrate ‌their union. Thisbe was t

bestowed her affections upon Acis; meeting him in secret in a grotto, there enjoying the sweet society of one another, unsusp

ht around thee vainly shining!                 Did’st thou indeed sit there                 In languid lone despair? Thy harp

might be, a beauty of the earth, Who found a more than common votary there Too much adoring; whatso’er thy birth, Thou wert

orldly sphere,     Its cradle, and its altar, and its throne:     And there the new born river lies,     Outspread beneath it

born river lies,     Outspread beneath its native skies,     As if it there would love to dwell,     Alone and unapproachable

hs of the sea. The sacrifices to these deities were sometimes varied; there was a deep well in the neighbourhood of the templ

day assembled, it was found necessary to maintain as many temples as there are days in the year. ‌ The principal one of the

four limbs of the American lion: we may at once emphatically say that there is no real difference between the above couch, an

r that the young hunter may profane The haunt of some immortal, — but there still — For the heart clings to old idolatry, If

are laid in the dust, The golden shrine and its perfume are gone But there are natural temples still for those Eternal, tho’

without exception, had taken the required oath. Frigga replied, that there was only one small shrub, (the mistletoe,) from w

ng the will of the Supreme Being, and communicating that will to man, there arose a number of inferior deities, each exercisi

ittle regard for moral or religious sentiment. Whatever their origin, there can be no doubt that they had an unfavorable infl

ed to dissuade them from the crime, the more so, as he perceived that there was something more than mortal about the captive

on silken wings. Venus is always crowned with roses. Ques. What was there remarkable in the Cestus of Venus? Ans. It had t

ance and all social enjoyments and elegant arts. Ques. How many were there ? Ans. They were three in number. Their names wer

By some, it was compared to a blow struck on hollow brass. Ques. Was there any foundation for such a belief? Ans. It appear

to be burned to death. The Athenians also kept feasts of Vulcan, and there was in Sicily, upon Mount Etna, a famous temple d

proceeded quietly to the capital. Ques. How many Vestal Virgins were there ? Ans. The number has been variously stated. Some

ten, and ten other years were employed in instructing the novices. If there were seven Vestals always in office, the entire n

X. The Muses. The Muses — Their Number, Names and Attributes — Why there are Nine Muses — Punishment or the Daughters of P

reside over the liberal arts and sciences. Ques. How many Muses were there ? Ans. They were nine in number, and each preside

counted for the number of Muses? Ans. They say that in ancient times there were but three Muses. The citizens of Sicyon empl

his sister by gazing at his own reflection in the waters. Ques. Were there many rural divinities? Ans. Yes, a great number;

d lulled them into a trance, drowned them in the sea. Ques. What was there remarkable in the songs of the Sirens? Ans. They

are received into Pluto’s kingdom, the gates are locked upon them and there is no escape. Ques. What does Pluto’s name signi

inx — Fabulous History — Statue of the Sphinx in Egypt. Ques. Were there any fabulous monsters besides those of Hell? Ans

red. Ques. Why is the story of the Sphinx interesting? Ans. Because there still remains in Egypt an enormous statue of the

testation. Ques. What was the Phœnix? Ans. A fabulous bird of which there never existed more than one at the same time. It

. Jupiter commanded Mercury to chain him to a rock on Mount Caucasus; there an eagle fed on his liver, which was continually

ns. He was king of Thessaly, and son of Prometheus. During his reign, there occurred so great a flood that the whole earth wa

the displeasure of Minos, Dædalus was imprisoned in a lofty tower. As there seemed no other means of escape, he resolved on a

been given of the fable of Dædalus. The most probable opinion is that there really existed an architect of that name, whose f

Æolic, and other forms. With regard to the time in which Homer lived, there is much difference of opinion among the learned,

mself to the utmost in defence of his country. Excepting Hector only, there was no Trojan who so distinguished himself by his

here he celebrated funeral games in honor of his father, who had died there the preceding year. He left with Acestes, a Troja

per cavern. The opening into the lower cave was extremely narrow, and there was apparently nothing to aid the descent. Here,

attributed, as a general thing, to mere human jugglery and imposture, there were occasions in which it was impossible to doub

s. Were any other exercises admitted at the Olympic games? Ans. Yes; there was also an intellectual competition, which was p

n. Ghosts and infernal deities ascended from beneath the stage, where there were appropriate contrivances for their introduct

tain was not dropped, but drawn up from beneath the floor. Ques. Was there anything peculiar in the dress of the actors? An

d on the stage. Whatever may have been the faults of the Greek drama, there is no doubt that it was intended to inculcate pri

d the finest work of art of the great Athenian sculptor, Phidias, and there are still in existence busts taken from it, which

artist has succeeded in producing a figure quite perfect in form; but there is nothing spiritual about the Venus, which is, t

r frantic sons have fram’d Here Ibis gorged with well-grown serpents, there The Crocodile commands religious fear: Where Memn

gold: To godship here blue Triton’s scaly herd, The river progeny is there preferr’d: Through towns Diana’s power neglected

(the Lord)? Ans. In Babylon. The famous tower of Babel or Belus, was there devoted to his worship, although the highest apar

rtain that in her worship, and the festivals celebrated in her honor, there is some foundation for this idea. Where human sac

called, often built their temples over subterranean fires. Ques. Is there any such fire now reverenced by them? Ans. Yes,

em? Ans. Yes, near the town of Bakoo in Georgia, on the Caspian Sea, there is a perpetual flame issuing from a limestone roc

in about twelve million years, Siva will destroy them. Ques. What is there peculiar in the history of Vishnu? Ans. His Avat

cred Books is that which contains the life of Krishna. Ques. What is there remarkable about this life? Ans. So many circums

have been divided from the earliest times. Ques. How many castes are there ? Ans. Four; the Brahmins or priests, who sprung

lastly, the Sudras, or laborers, who sprung from his feet. Ques. Is there much distinction between the castes? Ans. Yes; t

ith the hope of being born in a higher caste the next time. Ques. Is there any caste lower than the Sudras? Ans. No regular

Is there any caste lower than the Sudras? Ans. No regular caste, but there exists a most unhappy race called Pariahs, who ar

ligions are admitted, which are now considered equally good, although there were formerly bitter wars between their followers

e magnificent temples of Buddha are now going gradually to decay, and there seems no prospect that any attempt will be made t

the Eddas give of the creation? Ans. They say that in the beginning, there was neither heaven nor earth, but a world of mist

ed because they live beyond the region of the north wind. The god has there a remarkable temple, circular in form, and a magn

the aspiration of every Celtic warrior, and to the coward or traitor, there was no penalty so terrible as the denunciation of

to be the same with Dis or Pluto; but in the mythology of the Gauls, there were no infernal regions, and consequently, there

ology of the Gauls, there were no infernal regions, and consequently, there was no Pluto. The soul passed into another body,

chief points in the sun’s annual course. Wherever Druidism prevailed, there was in the centre of each great district or canto

ith incredible velocity. When they touch the misty shores of Britain, there is a hollow murmur — the boats ride lightly on th

elds. Where the stones are arranged in a “cromlech” or circular form, there is generally a dolmen in the centre. The dolmen i

regular alleys. The blocks numbered formerly about ten thousand; but there are now many gaps in the stony lines, as every ho

e Peruvians. Ques. Relate this legend. Ans. According to tradition, there was a time when the ancient races of the continen

ople, long before the foundation of the Peruvian monarchy. Ques. Are there any other Peruvian legends? Ans. Among the tradi

ree among themselves, the pagans felt the necessity of believing that there was a deity superior to all others. His name was

x goddesses? Of what was the second class composed? What deities were there which were neither of the first nor of the second

all things were in common; Astrea, the goddess of justice, ruled; and there were neither contentions nor wars among the peopl

a married couple quarrelled, they usually repaired to her temple, and there unsealing the sources of confidence in their brea

te does here our joys defer, Thou shalt ascend to heav’n and bless me there , Her body straight embalm’d with heav’nly art, Di

elve months in the year; and, though they are usually nine in number, there must be added three months in the year during whi

nd lovely boy, awoke, and, apparently terrified, he asked how he came there . One of the crew replied: “Tell us where you wish

they praise the god of wine, Whose earthen images adorn the pine, And there are hung on high, in honour of the vine. A madnes

ered to wisdom. In the Acropolis, that is, the upper city or citadel, there were two magnificent temples of Minerva; one call

ad returned from the infernal regions. Questions. Who was Venus? Were there any goddesses of this name? Were the actions of V

, his fears, and necessities, seem to have forced him to believe that there was a power superior to his own. He therefore sub

honour. His worship was introduced into Rome, but he was more revered there as the god of orchards and gardens, though not wi

expression, panic fear? Was not Pan’s worship well established? Were there any other rural deities that resembled Pan? By wh

fine countries situated in the environs of the Lake Acherusia. It is there that the obsequies are terminated, and the bodies

, and congratulated the dead on having passed into eternity in peace, there to dwell in glory.” Such were the ceremonies whic

rocky rough descent; And here th’ access a gloomy grove defends; And there th’ unnavigable lake extends, O’er whose unhappy

apour, never penetrated by light and wholesome air. No animal is seen there , no voice is heard, no leaf is moved by the wind.

d, and fathers of mankind.” “There, rage no storms; the sun diffuses there His temper’d beams, thro’ skies for ever fair. Th

train.” Ovid. Obs. — Some explain this fable by recollecting that there was a volcano in Lycia, called Chimæra, the top o

ue, which alone can secure happiness, was adored by the ancients; and there are still found in the fourth book of the city of

hipped at Epidaurus. He had also a temple at Rome, and was worshipped there under the form of a serpent. To him were sacrific

d the temples of the gods; and to pay them a still more solemn homage there were established to their honor, mysteries, cerem

ld, called Aleius Campus, because in that place he wandered, here and there , blind till his death. Letters which the bearer i

the Minotaur. Dædalus made the Cretan Labyrinth. Minos confined him there for some offence, upon which Dædalus made wings f

used nature could not be the origin of all things. They believed that there was a supreme intelligence that had created the w

there was a supreme intelligence that had created the world; and that there was also in man an intelligence superior to the b

id the Egyptians suppose the soul of Osiris to transmigrate? Was not there also an ox worshipped at Heliopolis? Had Apis any

s said to have left behind him some writings, in which he taught that there had been a time in which every thing was darkness

the ancients had for their temples. Arian says, that it was forbidden there to spit, or to defile them in any way. Sometimes

ich the people had the greatest veneration. “In it,” says Herodotus, “ there were seen a superb bed, a table of massive gold,

red its immense riches, and demolished it. Among the statues of gold, there was one forty feet in height. It was probably tha

structure. According to Herodotus, in a lower chapel of this temple, there was a large golden statue of Jupiter; but he does

ight hundred talents. Herodotus adds, that near this chapel, without, there was a golden altar, upon which were immolated ani

xterior surrounded with columns. In the construction of this edifice, there were employed stones of singularly fine quality a

others. The Corinthian order was adopted. In the days of Pope Eugene, there was found near this edifice, a part of a head of

nd Pope Urban VIII made use of the beams of the same metal which were there employed, in order to convert them into the canop

odona. Servius confirms the narrative of Herodotus, and relates that there was in the forest of Dodona, a fountain which flo

goes to prove its great antiquity. Apollo was not at first consulted there . Æschylus, in his tragedy of the Eumenides, says

of fifty years of age. There was at first one Pythia, but afterwards there were three. The oracles were not delivered daily.

cave, cut out by the hand of man, in the form of an oven. Through it there is a narrow aperture, into which he descends by d

nd is immediately carried away with great force and swiftness. It was there that futurity was declared; but not to all in the

Christian religion had triumphed over idolatry, the oracles fell; and there were found in the dens and caves, many marks of t

He gave his emissary a sealed billet to be handed in at Malea, where there was the oracle of Mopsus. The envoy lay down in t

st which she should make of him. She desired to live as many years as there were grains of sand held in her hand; but, unfort

seven hundred years; after which, her body being wasted away by time, there was nothing remaining of her but her voice, which

ibylline verses. The new books were deposited in the capitol; but, as there were many Apocryphas, as much faith in them as ha

d to form youth to the various exercises of the body. In these games, there were five distinguished modes of proceding. 1. Mu

happy success of their voyage; and the people promised to re-assemble there every four years for that object. These games, ho

w; but from that time, masters of exercise were not allowed to appear there except naked, like the combatants. The judges of

ges of the Greeks. None ever appealed from their decisions. At first, there were but two judges; but, in order to render more

I. Odin; his conquests; his arrival in the North, and the changes he there made. A celebrated tradition, confirmed by all

rms us that an extraordinary personage, named Odin, anciently reigned there ; that he performed great changes in government, i

flying thither attracted Pompey into the deserts. This king of Pontus there sought an asylum, and, also, means of revenge. Ac

th the creeds of their sages. This religion of the sages taught, that there was a Supreme God, who was Ruler of the Universe,

shudders with such rage, as to cause the earthquakes. He will remain there captive until the end of time, and then be killed

t; and Saga presides over waterfalls. Besides these twelve goddesses, there are other virgins in Valhalla, or the paradise of

o gleam; Nor gentle mercy’s melting tear, Nor love might ever harbour there . . Was never woman’s beauteous face, So stern, an

nce it bears to sacred tradition. In the dawn of time, says the poet, there was neither sea, river, nor refreshing zephyr. Ne

stars did not know their homes; the moon did not know her power. Then there appeared a luminous, burning, and an inflamed wor

on the side of the south (Musspellheim;) and from this burning world, there incessantly slide away into the abyss, (which was

h scoria and ice. Thus the abyss was heaped up, little by little; but there remained within a light and immovable air, and fr

e.) They threw his brain into the air, and it formed the clouds. They there placed flambeaux to enlighten it, and fixed to ot

h they placed giants. One day as the sons of Bor, or the gods, walked there , they found two floating pieces of wood, out of w

den the earth; and three such winters will follow in succession. Then there will appear astonishing prodigies; monsters will

palace in it, covered with gold, and more brilliant than the sun, and there the just will dwell and rejoice for centuries. Th

It will be composed of the carcasses of serpents. Torrents will flow there , in which will be plunged perjurers, assassins, a

ch Odin prepared in the Valhalla. All wounds received in battle, were there healed by the trumpet’s sounding for the feast; a

ipally for those who should die of sickness or old age. Hela or Death there exercised her empire; her palace was Grief (Elidn

ard by the eastern gate of hell In ancient time great Valva fell; And there she lies in massive tomb, Shrouded by night’s ete

than gods, and wiser, she Held the strange keys of destiny, Ere world there was, or gods, or man; No mortal tongue has ever s

none, it is said, was more famous than that at Upsal in Sweden. Gold there glittered on every side. A chain of that metal su

that country, was a particular chapel, or sacred woody place. It was there that idols were placed upon an altar, around whic

ere ranged the victims that were to be immolated; and near the chapel there was a deep well, into which victims were thrown h

be particularly consecrated to the three great divinities. They were there represented by their peculiar symbols. Odin held

of the environs of Toulouse; but assert that, when in those colleges, there was proposed a subject which involved deep discus

ced new gods into Gaul; and the first temples were at that time built there , whilst the British Druids continued the exercise

had spaces consecrated to worship and to religious ceremonies. It was there that they buried treasures taken from their enemi

, and those who kill themselves to accompany their friends, will live there with them. 17. All letters given at the dying hou

n the coasts of Gaul and England. The Druids also inhabited them; and there the Druids and Druidesses exercised themselves mo

like himself, ineffable and unknown. It is necessary, therefore, that there should be certain mighty powers or agencies betwe

flected counsel, because an inflected figure verges to itself. And as there is nothing disordered and novel in intellect, the

r the sea; and if you even proceed to the utmost shores of the ocean, there , too, there are gods rising very near to some, an

nd if you even proceed to the utmost shores of the ocean, there, too, there are gods rising very near to some, and setting ve

d the worship is Idolatry. Men were first taught by God himself, that there is a God. Instruction directly from God is Revela

worshipped him only. Who are heathens? How did men first learn that there is a God? Who are the most remarkable persons to

from the death of one till the lifetime of another of those holy men, there was time for men to forget the instructions of on

fact is not likely to be lost or altered. When Noah and Abraham lived there were no letters or writings, and all knowledge wa

s were Juno, Minerva, Ceres, Venus, Dian, and Vesta. Besides the gods there were demi-gods. These were originally men who had

e so exquisite, as to enable them to discern whether persons who came there were virtuous or vicious, and who fawned upon, or

up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. “When there were no depths I was brought forth; when there we

r the earth was. “When there were no depths I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before th

t part of the dust of the world. “When he prepared the heavens, I was there : when he set a compass upon the face of the depth

of Troy, because an Oracle had declared, that, as long as it remained there , the city would be invincible against all the att

remonies at Eleusis, were strictly forbidden to divulge what they saw there . Persons of both sexes were admitted by the high

with peculiar reverence at Ephesus. When St. Paul preached the gospel there , the word of God grew mightily and prevailed. A m

superstition, appeased them, saying, “ Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not that the city of the Ephesians i

which comprehended parts of modern Russia and Tartary. The Scythians there worshipped Diana with barbarous rites, offering t

n his eyes, A boar’s obscener shape the god belies. On spiry volumes, there , a dragon rides; Here, from our strict embrace a

cyones? Who was Proteus? What is Homer’s description of Proteus? Were there other inferior deities who presided over differen

for the security of property insufficient, persuaded the Romans that there existed a god, the guardian of boundaries, and th

mage in a fountain, was so captivated with it that he remained gazing there , till he languished and died. Echo pined away wit

appear; Daughters of Guilt! here storms destructive War; Mad Discord there , her snakv tresses tore; Here, stretched on iron

in the cold ground,” we naturally ask, is this the last of them — is there no better world to which they are removed — is th

tracts of country; when their houses are only rude cabins, and where there are no considerable towns, nor many cultivated fi

that Theseus went with the Athenian youths to Crete, and when he got there , learned they were to be devoured by a monster wh

him to Athens, but being arrived at the island of Naxos, he left her there alone, and in the utmost grief. Poets and painter

eople to do; and if any man did wrong, he might be complained of; and there should be courts, and the judges should be taught

azardous enterprises; in killing robbers and wild beasts; and as then there were no books to read, he felt the want of someth

rist, took up the remains of Theseus, had them removed to Athens, and there buried. Over the place of his interment a monumen

erwards regard Theseus? Œdipus. Among the fables of antiquity there is not one more sad than the story of Œdipus. Œdi

certain goddesses attended the wedding. Venus, Minerva, and Juno were there , and Discord came also among them: that is, the g

is human figure. Ulysses afterwards visited the infernal regions, and there he consulted the prophet Teresias, how he might r

d suffered many perils, arrived safely at the island of the Phocians; there , though he was alone, and exposed to wild beasts,

daughter of Priam, to be married to her, and that her brother, Paris, there aimed an arrow at his defenceless heel, which cau

roy, in order to report to the Greeks the condition of the enemy. Is there , said he,9 a chief so greatly brave His life to h

hief so greatly brave His life to hazard, and his country save? Lives there a man who singly dares to go. To yonder camp, or

es, of a little tract adjacent to Latium, and had established himself there . This prince gave Eneas an interesting account of

his fellow-citizens. In the history of modern Europe, and of America, there are many instances of eminent persons who have sp

le, established in the earliest times, by their sacred laws. Of these there are four; that of the priests, or Brahmins; that

Hard by the eastern gate of Hell In ancient time great Vala fell; And there she lies in massive tomb, Shrouded by night’s ete

nge keys of destiny. She knew what chanced ere time began; Ere worlds there were, or gods, or man; No mortal tongue has ever

shed; to conduct the souls of heroes slain to Valhalla, his hall; and there to pour out for them the beverage of the gods. O

o gleam; Nor gentle mercy’s melting tear. Nor love might ever harbour there . Was never woman’s beauteous face, So stern, and

The Scriptures say, these elements “shall wax old as a garment,” but there shall be “a new heaven and a new earth.” The Chri

the mild moon, or the refreshing waters, are themselves gods, or that there are gods who live in the sun, moon, and ocean, to

rves to show how much men of all countries resemble one another. Are there any people on earth without some religion? People

earth, air, and water, once lay in a vast mass of confusion, in which there was no light, nor any living thing. This conditio

med with his gracious manners, persuaded him to remain with them; and there , abhorring all cruelty, and the very name of war,

temples numerous in Mexico? What surrounded the Mexican temples? Were there temples in the open country of Mexico? Were many

iest civilized. It is conjectured that a colony of Phœnicians settled there at a period of the same date with the first emigr

e Romans sometimes regard chickens, and who were the Haruspices? Were there three distinct orders of priests at Rome? Who wer

God’s house.” Doubtless, all who came that way knew what had happened there , and stopping, worshipped at the place which Jaco

rance, such concentration of intellectual and physical power; and yet there is something more magnificent in the conception o

that of a hundred horses introduced by him into the Panathenaic pomp, there are not two either in the same attitude, or which

of the head, but the helmet of the military. The Romans usually, when there was occasion, wrapped their heads in their robes

? What thoughts are suggested by the prospect from the Parthenon? Are there any remains of the temple of Diana, at Ephesus?

What is an oath and a vow, and who were permitted to take oaths? Was there any other mode of swearing except in the name of

d thither by King David, and set up on the holy hill, Mount Zion; and there , on Mount Moriah, afterwards stood the Temple of

ound human thought. It is impossible to think of a point beyond which there is absolutely nothing, or to imagine the passing

aps still another, and so on without limitation. And yet we know that there must have been a period when everything was void,

have been a period when everything was void, or, in other words, when there was nothing. In the awful grandeur of that loneli

s in obedience to laws that know no change. To the Greeks and Romans, there was a time more remote than history gives us any

ere was a time more remote than history gives us any account of, when there was neither land nor water, and when the earth an

uthority among the philologists claims that during the “first period” there was a tribe in Central Asia, whose language consi

ft that the boldest swimmer dare not attempt to breast it; and, since there was no bridge, the spirits were obliged to rely u

ughs, round his grounds, and offered milk and new wine. After harvest there was another festival, at which Ceres was presente

each year the shields were carried in procession, and in the evening there was a great feast, called Cœna Saliaris. Androm′

stable cruelty. “Media must not draw her murdering knife, Nor Atreus there his horrid feast prepare.” Lord Roscommon. At′

t′na [Etna]. A volcanic mountain, beneath which, according to Virgil, there is buried the giant Typhon, who breathes forth de

as a handsome youth, holding in his hand a burning torch. “Some few there are of sordid mould Who barter youth and bloom fo

r [Idæan Mother]. Cybele was sometimes so called, in Cyprus, in which there is a grove sacred to Venus. Ida′lia [Idalia]. A

lia [Idalia]. A name of Venus, from Mount Idalus, in Cyprus, in which there is a grove sacred to Venus. Impera′tor [Imperato

rling wheel.” Pope. J Ja′ni [Jani] was a place in Rome where there were three statues of Janus, and it was a meeting

esented as having on a winged cap, and with wings on his heels. “And there , without the power to fly, Stands fix’d a tip-toe

were also under his protection, and whenever he appeared on the ocean there was a dead calm. Nere′ides, The [Nereides], were

the victim was taken out and thrown behind the altar, signifying that there should be no gall (bitterness) or anger between m

Their numbers are variously estimated by different poets; some saying there were as many as 3,000, while others say they were

r husband, Epimetheus, brother of Prometheus. As soon as he opened it there issued from it numberless diseases and evils whic

entrusted with this mission took the child to Mount Ida, and left it there . Some shepherds, however, found the infant and to

er husband was Minos, king of Crete. Pasith′ea [Pasithea]. Sometimes there are four Graces spoken of; when this is so, the n

plundering the temple of Apollo at Delphi, he was sent to Hades, and there was made to sit with a huge stone suspended over

Sterope, Taygete, and Merope. They were made a constellation, but as there are only six stars to be seen, the ancients belie

t, drunken old man, riding on an ass, and crowned with flowers. “And there two Satyrs on the ground, Stretched at his ease,

ough he is sometimes referred to as being the same as the god Apollo, there is no doubt he was worshiped by the Egyptians, Pe

as at Cyprus. Incense alone was usually offered on her altars, but if there was a victim it was a white goat. Her attendants

y. This Prince came from Perhibea, a town of Thessaly, into Italy. He there civilized the manners of the people, who were liv

the peculiar judge and protector of sovereigns and magistrates. Were there not different Jupiters among different nations? Y

obscure. The first of them, is the Jupiter Ammon of the Libyans, who, there is reason to believe, was Ham, one of the sons of

mong his three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japhet. Ham went into Africa: and there is great probability that he was the person after

ck him in Crete, but being driven back into Greece, and defeated even there , he fled into Italy, where he was kindly received

se, Atlas, who was set over the frontiers of Africa, became so famous there , that he gave name to the chain of mountains exte

ims being therein sacrificed to Diana. All strangers, whether landing there , by choice, or driven by storms, were cruelly imm

of Troy, because an Oracle had declared, that, as long as it remained there , the city would be invincible against all the att

nnocent. Chap. XVI. Vulcan. Who was Vulcan? It appears that there were three of the name of Vulcan. The first was T

s eyes, A boar’s obscener shape the God belies. On spiry volumes, there , a dragon rides; Here, from our strict embrace,

dismay, We bend our course, and stem the desperate way: Dire Scylla, there , a scene of horror forms, And, here, Charybdis fi

for the security of property insufficient, persuaded the Romans that there existed a God, the guardian of boundaries, and th

age in a fountain, was so captivated with it, that he remained gazing there , till he languished and died. Echo pined away wit

appear; Daughters of Guilt! here, storms destructive War; Mad Discord there , her snaky tresses tore; Here, stretch’d on iron

sight, with many other heroes, were engaged in this expedition. Were there not other heroes highly respected, if not worship

ivision of Oriental Mythology? The doctrine of Pantheism teaches that there is but one Being existing; a Being eternal, infin

, infinite; of whom all other beings are parts; and that consequently there are no individual separate existences. “All are

sive material coverings are worn out, and are dissolved by death. Are there not found, in most of the Pagan mythologies, trad

n India gives the following account of a temple of the Sun, which he, there , saw: “The walls were of red marble, interspersed

le, established in the earliest times, by their sacred laws. Of these there are four; that of the priests or Brahmins; that o

hat bird to Thoth, the personification of wisdom and intelligence. Is there any other account given of the Egyptian Mercury?

ears, likewise, that, even in certain minerals, the Egyptians fancied there existed relations to the attributes of their gods

ull. For some time after the production of this intelligent creature, there was a season of happiness, and the Man-Bull resid

ard by the eastern gate of Hell In ancient time, great Vala fell; And there she lies in massive tomb, Shrowded by night s ete

range keys of destiny, She knew what chanc’d ere time began Ere world there was, or Gods, or man; No mortal tongue has ever s

hed; to conduct the souls of heroes slain, to Valhalla, his hail; and there , to pour out for them, the beverage of the Gods.

o gleam; Nor gentle mercy’s melting tear, Nor love might ever harbour there . Was never woman’s beauteous face, So stern and y

———A few grey stones Now mark the spot where Odin’s temple stood, And there the traveller seeks with busy eye His altar green

s the stars, which were general objects of worship throughout Arabia, there were some that were peculiarly They worshiped the

as the Swerga? Who was Buddha; and what the figure of his images? Was there any affinity between the ancient Egyptian Mytholo

om the time of Julius Cæsar, three, four, and five days successively, there was an universal cessation of business amongst th

the thirsting earth. “Now, so long as men remained in the same place, there was no fear that the words which they spoke would

was consecrated. “When the Greeks first settled in Italy, they found there a mythology belonging to the Celtic inhabitants,

o any particular person, but be equally propitious to all. At Argos*, there was an ancient wooden statue of Zeus which had a

helmet which rendered the wearer invisible. The Romans supposed that there was in the centre of the earth a vast, gloomy, an

island of Sicily was supposed to be under her special protection, and there she was regarded with particular veneration, the

if any immortal had tasted food in the realms of Pluto he must remain there forever, the hopes of the goddesses were disappoi

ine). Aristotle calls Pallas Athene the moon. On the coins of Attica there was a moon as well as an owl and olive branch. It

of the house. There the images of the household gods were placed, and there the father, who was the priest of the family, off

de a pilgrimage, barefooted, to the temple of the goddess, and placed there offerings of food. The young of animals were sacr

Father Zeus, on Mount Olympus.’ Looked at in connection with nature, there is little doubt but that the Muses were originall

Persian fleet sent to attack the Greeks. On the Acropolis, at Athens, there was a celebrated octagonal temple, built by Peric

les in groves, that all places devoted to sacred purposes, even where there were no trees, were called groves. That this habi

rine they taught was, that man had been created by the gods, and that there had been successive ages which were called Golden

ent him into the country where his flocks and herds were feeding, and there Heracles remained until eighteen years of age. Hi

fore the king, and offered to cleanse in one day the stables in which there were three thousand oxen, provided he should rece

o the temple of Hecate to supplicate that mighty goddess, and was met there by Medea*, daughter of Æetes, and a great enchant

cries and the offensive odor of the wound, was carried to Lemnos, and there left to his fate. The Commencement of Hostilit

heavens where the bright clouds float lazily, as if they would linger there forever.” “In the legend of Polyphemus, Ulysses e

Apollo, and received the ambiguous answer, “Seek your ancient mother; there the race of Æneas shall dwell, and reduce all oth

rence to facts of astronomy than do the myths in Greek mythology; but there is no doubt that, like the Greek myths, those of

d from Nin, and his name was given to Nineveh. Below the “Great Gods” there were innumerable inferior ones, each town and cit

en in Denmark and the Scandinavian peninsula. According to the Eddas, there was once no heaven above or earth beneath, but on

and salt from the ice. While she was one day licking the salt stones, there appeared the hair of a man; on the second day the

tempests, yet with a wild gleaming beauty in summer time, towering up there stern and grim in the North Ocean, with its snow

an be no doubt that the Druids offered sacrifices to their deity, but there is some uncertainty as to what they offered, and

t. Not only are the personages less characteristically portrayed, but there is a continual tendency to extravagance, the sure

of the lakes, and to have built the cataracts in the rivers, so that there should be fish preserves and beaver dams.” Scho