s: When it chirped in his ear, he was smitten with fear,


s: For he said, "I'll sit still, and will roll them down hill,


s: For the fish in the depths of the Dargle."


s: They dressed him in white, and roll'd him up tight,


s: He sate on a log, and sang songs to a frog,


s: But they said, "Don't you wish, you mayn't look like a fish,


s: Chickabee, Chickabaw." And he said nothing more,


s: But they said, "Take some snuff!--You have talk'd quite enough,


s: He sate on a wheel, eating underdone veal,


s: Which relieved that old man of Three Bridges.


s: He lay on his back, with his head in a sack,


s: She wore a long shawl, over bonnet and all,


s: They sang him a ballad, and fed him on salad,


s: So they took off his boots, and fed him with fruits,


s: Who looked out at the depths of the night;


s: But the birds of the air, filled her heart with despair,


s: But they said, "If you sneeze, you might damage the trees,


s: When he opened the door, for one minute or more,


s: With a bonnet of leather, and three lines of feather,


s: Where he studied his books, with the wrens and the rooks,


s: But they said, "O my daughter, there's nothing but water!"


s: When she said, "Tick-a-tack!" they only said, "Quack!"


s: Whose food was roast spiders and chutney,


s: Which he took with his tea, within sight of the sea,


s: When they said, "Go away!" she continued to stay,


s: He sate on a rail, with his head in a pail,


s: For he said, "More than that, would make me too fat,"


s: When they said, "Yes, it is," she replied only, "Whizz!"


s: When they asked him, "What for?" he replied, "You're a bore!


s: And I trust you'll go out of my garden."


s: Whose daughters did nothing to please her;


s: She dressed them in gray, and banged them all day,


s: Which choked that old person of Florence.


s: He sate in the water, and drank bottled porter,


s: When they ask'd, "Does it trot?" he said, "Certainly not!


s: When he fanned off her head, she smiled sweetly, and said,


s: Whose movements were scroobious and queer;


s: Being slender and tall, he looked over a wall,


s: And perceived two fat ducks of Cashmere.


s: But they call'd out, "Oh well! don't it look like a bell!"


s: Which perplexed that old person of Cassel.


s: He sate in a cart, and ate cold apple tart,


s: He danced with the cat, and made tea in his hat,


s: Which vexed all the folks on the Border.


s: For he said, "To eat mice is not proper or nice,"


s: He danced perfectly well, to the sound of a bell,


s: For they said, "If mixed up with some cold claret-cup,


s: But they said, "If you do, we will thump you quite blue,


s: He wreathed them with lilies and daffy-down-dillies,


s: Whose manners were scroobious and strange;


s: He sailed to St. Blubb in a waterproof tub,


s: He tore all the rugs, and broke all the jugs,


s: But they said, "Is it wrong, since your legs are so long,


s: He stood on his head till his waistcoat turned red,


s: Which he picked off the ground, with the other birds round,


s: Who possessed a large nose like a trumpet;


s: When he blew it aloud, it astonished the crowd,


s: And was heard through the whole of West Dumpet.


s: But they said, "Don't you see what a brute you must be,


s: Whereon one fine day he rode wholly away,


s: But they said, "Without doubt, you will soon wear them out,


s: They walked out together in all sorts of weather,


s: Whose garments were border'd with Spinach;


s: But a large spotty Calf bit her shawl quite in half,


s: Which alarmed that young lady of Greenwich.


s: Those she placed on a stool, and to make them feel cool


s: Till a Crab who came near fill'd their bosoms with fear,


s: And they said, "Would we'd never left Hyde!"


s: She purchased two parrots, and fed them with carrots,


s: Which he took up and down all the streets of the town,


s: When they said, "You are wrong!" he merely said "Bong!"


s: When they said, "Well! I never!" he cried, "Scythes for ever!"


s: On the top, in fine weather, she wore a gold feather;


s: Who said, "Gracious! Goodness! O Gimini!"


s: When they said, "Please be still!" she ran down a hill,


s: When it grew out of sight, she exclaimed in a fright,


s: He drove a small gig, with three Owls and a Pig,


s: Which distressed all the people of Ealing.


s: But they brought him a hat, and said, "Sit upon that,


s: You abruptious old man of Thames Ditton!"


s: To his ducks and his pigs, whom he fed upon figs,


s: She sate in a ditch, although no one knew which,


s: And composed a small treatise on history.


s: So they gave him some soap, and said coldly, "We hope


s: But they said, "If you cough, you are safe to fall off!


s: When they screamed in the nest, he screamed out with the rest,


s: Who said, "If you needle or pin shall see


s: On the floor of my room, sweep it up with the broom!"


s: But the birds of the air pluck'd them perfectly bare,


s: Which she fed upon ham, and hot raspberry jam,


s: It curled up a tree, and all over the sea,


s: Some she slew with a kick, some she scrunched with a stick,


s: But they said, "Towr'ds the night he may probably bite,


s: Which might vex you, old man of Boulak!"


s: They buzz'd a sweet tune, to the light of the moon,


s: Of lobsters and spice, pickled onions and mice,


s: But, growing too stout, he could never get out,


s: So he passed all his life in that kettle.


s: When they tumbled down dead, he grew weary, and said,


s: He bought an Umbrella, and sate in the cellar,


s: Which pleased all the people of Shoreham.


s: Which she painted pea-green, to appear more serene,


s: But with blamable haste she devoured some hot paste,


s: Which destroyed that young person of Kew.


s: She purchased a whistle, and sate on a thistle,


s: He wore a large ruff of pale straw-colored stuff,


s: So that only his nose, and the end of his toes,


s: Could be seen when he walked about Brigg.


s: She wore a small wig, and rode out on a pig,


s: who resided in a Barrel, and only lived on


s: who always carried a Green Umbrella when it didn't rain,


s: who sate in her Red Morocco Arm Chair and


s: toasted her own Bread at the parlour Fire.


s: who ferried himself across the water with the


s: Kitchen Poker and a New pair of Ear-rings.


s: who carried the Old Owl, and his Crimson Carpet-bag,


s: across the river, because he could not swim.


s: who went to market in a Blue Bonnet and Shawl,


s: who did up her Back Hair every morning with a Wreath of Roses,


s: who read the Newspaper and ate Parsnip Pie


s: who smoked a Pipe of tobacco on the top of


s: whose Face nobody ever saw, because it was


s: who wrote some Verses to a Veal-cutlet in a


s: who stood on a Table, and played sweetly on a


s: whose Head was ever so much bigger than his


s: who carried five Monkeys on his back all


s: A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc.


s: When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights


s: A light on the Bong-tree stems it throws.


s: And those who watch at that midnight hour


s: The wandering Dong through the forest goes!


s: For the Jumblies came in a sieve, they did,--


s: With the Chorus they daily and nightly sang,--


s: Their heads are green, and their hands are blue,


s: To the plaintive pipe of the lively Dong,


s: With her sky-blue hands and her sea-green hair;


s: Till the morning came of that hateful day


s: When the Jumblies sailed in their sieve away,


s: And the Dong was left on the cruel shore


s: That pea-green sail on the far horizon,--


s: As he sate all day on the grassy hill,--


s: Singing, "O somewhere, in valley or plain,


s: He gathered the bark of the Twangum Tree


s: And tied with cords to the back of his head.


s: To prevent the wind from blowing it out;


s: And with holes all round to send the light


s: And above the wail of the Chimp and Snipe


s: You may hear the squeak of his plaintive pipe,


s: Moving along through the dreary night,--


s: Two old Bachelors were living in one house;


s: One caught a Muffin, the other caught a Mouse.


s: Said he who caught the Muffin to him who caught the Mouse,--


s: "This happens just in time! For we've nothing in the house,


s: Save a tiny slice of lemon and a teaspoonful of honey,


s: And what to do for dinner--since we haven't any money?


s: And what can we expect if we haven't any dinner,


s: But to lose our teeth and eyelashes and keep on growing thinner?"


s: Said he who caught the Mouse to him who caught the Muffin,--


s: "We might cook this little Mouse, if we only had some Stuffin'!


s: If we had but Sage and Onion we could do extremely well;


s: But how to get that Stuffin' it is difficult to tell!"


s: Those two old Bachelors ran quickly to the town


s: And asked for Sage and Onion as they wandered up and down;


s: They borrowed two large Onions, but no Sage was to be found


s: In the Shops, or in the Market, or in all the Gardens round.


s: But some one said, "A hill there is, a little to the north,


s: And to its purpledicular top a narrow way leads forth;


s: And there among the rugged rocks abides an ancient Sage,--


s: An earnest Man, who reads all day a most perplexing page.


s: Climb up, and seize him by the toes,--all studious as he sits,--


s: And pull him down, and chop him into endless little bits!


s: Then mix him with your Onion (cut up likewise into Scraps),--


s: When your Stuffin' will be ready, and very good--perhaps."


s: Those two old Bachelors without loss of time


s: The nearly purpledicular crags at once began to climb;


s: And at the top, among the rocks, all seated in a nook,


s: They saw that Sage a-reading of a most enormous book.


s: But that old Sage looked calmly up, and with his awful book,


s: At those two Bachelors' bald heads a certain aim he took;


s: And over Crag and precipice they rolled promiscuous down,--


s: At once they rolled, and never stopped in lane or field or town;


s: And when they reached their house, they found (besides their want


s: The Mouse had fled--and, previously, had eaten up the Muffin.


s: They left their home in silence by the once convivial door;


s: And from that hour those Bachelors were never heard of more.


s: We think so then, and we thought so still


s: And the great rock walls grow dark and brown,


s: Where the purple river rolls fast and dim


s: And this is the song we nightly snort,--


s: We think so then, and we thought so still!


s: Cranes, and Flamingoes with scarlet back,


s: Plovers and Storks, and Geese in clouds,


s: They ate and drank and danced all night,


s: And echoing back from the rocks you heard


s: The King of the Cranes all grandly dressed.


s: Between the ends of his blue dress-coat;


s: (For though no one speaks of it, every one knows


s: With a wreath of shrimps in her short white hair.


s: For the King of the Cranes had won that heart


s: With a Crocodile's egg and a large fish-tart.


s: She vowed to marry the King of the Cranes,


s: Of endless birds in a lengthening cloud.


s: We heard them singing a lessening cry,--


s: We sit on the sand and watch the moon,--


s: She has gone to the great Gromboolian Plain,


s: We sit on the rocks and watch the moon,--


s: She dwells by the streams of the Chankly Bore.


s: And we probably never shall see her more.


s: We think so then, and we thought so still!


s: When they said, "Some day you may lose them all;"


s: For she said, "The World in general knows


s: There's nothing so good for a Pobble's toes!"


s: But before he set out he wrapped his nose


s: Can come to his toes if his nose is warm;


s: And it's perfectly known that a Pobble's toes


s: When they saw him nearing the further side,--


s: "He has gone to fish, for his Aunt Jobiska's


s: On perceiving that all his toes were gone!


s: How the Pobble was robbed of his twice five toes!


s: And they rowed him back, and carried him up


s: And she made him a feast, at his earnest wish,


s: And she said, "It's a fact the whole world knows,


s: That Pobbles are happier without their toes."


s: There lived an old man in the Kingdom of Tess,


s: And when it was perfectly made and complete,


s: He opened the door and walked into the street.


s: By way of a hat he'd a loaf of Brown Bread,


s: In the middle of which he inserted his head;


s: His Shirt was made up of no end of dead Mice,


s: The warmth of whose skins was quite fluffy and nice;


s: His Drawers were of Rabbit-skins, so were his Shoes;


s: His Stockings were skins, but it is not known whose;


s: His Waistcoat and Trowsers were made of Pork Chops;


s: His Buttons were Jujubes and Chocolate Drops;


s: His Coat was all Pancakes, with Jam for a border,


s: And a girdle of Biscuits to keep it in order;


s: And he wore over all, as a screen from bad weather,


s: A Cloak of green Cabbage-leaves stitched all together.


s: He had walked a short way, when he heard a great noise,


s: Of all sorts of Beasticles, Birdlings, and Boys;


s: And from every long street and dark lane in the town


s: Beasts, Birdies, and Boys in a tumult rushed down.


s: Two Cows and a Calf ate his Cabbage-leaf Cloak;


s: Four Apes seized his Girdle, which vanished like smoke;


s: Three Kids ate up half of his Pancaky Coat,


s: And the tails were devour'd by an ancient He Goat;


s: An army of Dogs in a twinkling tore _up_ his


s: Pork Waistcoat and Trowsers to give to their Puppies;


s: And while they were growling, and mumbling the Chops,


s: Ten Boys prigged the Jujubes and Chocolate Drops.


s: He tried to run back to his house, but in vain,


s: For scores of fat Pigs came again and again:


s: They rushed out of stables and hovels and doors;


s: They tore off his stockings, his shoes, and his drawers;


s: And now from the housetops with screechings descend


s: Striped, spotted, white, black, and gray Cats without end:


s: They jumped on his shoulders and knocked off his hat,


s: When Crows, Ducks, and Hens made a mincemeat of that;


s: They speedily flew at his sleeves in a trice,


s: And utterly tore up his Shirt of dead Mice;


s: They swallowed the last of his Shirt with a squall,--


s: Whereon he ran home with no clothes on at all.


s: And he said to himself, as he bolted the door,


s: "I will not wear a similar dress any more,


s: Any more, any more, any more, never more!"


s: They took up a roll and some Camomile tea,


s: And both were as happy as happy could be,


s: What would become of your new green coat?


s: That perhaps we shall never go down any more!"


s: No tables nor carpets nor household cares;


s: For his Hat was a hundred and two feet wide,


s: And bells, and buttons, and loops, and lace,


s: But the longer I live on this Crumpetty Tree


s: And that life on the whole is far from gay!"


s: (The Fimble Fowl, with a Corkscrew leg);


s: We may build our homes on your lovely Hat,--


s: And the Blue Baboon who played the flute,


s: And the Orient Calf from the Land of Tute,


s: And at night by the light of the Mulberry moon


s: They danced to the Flute of the Blue Baboon,


s: On the broad green leaves of the Crumpetty Tree,


s: And all were as happy as happy could be,


s: Around her bower, with quivering leaves,


s: NOTE.--First published in _Times of India_, Bombay, July, 1874.


s: Who, or why, or which, or _what_, Is the Akond of SWAT?


s: Does he sit on a stool or a sofa or chair,             or SQUAT,


s: Does he drink his soup and his coffee cold,             or HOT,


s: Does he sing or whistle, jabber or talk,


s: And when riding abroad does he gallop or walk,          or TROT,


s: Does he sleep on a mattress, a bed, or a mat,          or a COT,


s: When he writes a copy in round-hand size,


s: Does he cross his T's and finish his I's              with a DOT,


s: Without a speck or a smudge or smear                    or BLOT,


s: Or do they, whenever they can, rebel,                   or PLOT,


s: If he catches them then, either old or young,


s: Do his people prig in the lanes or park?


s: Or even at times, when days are dark,                   GAROTTE?


s: Does he study the wants of his own dominion?


s: Or doesn't he care for public opinion                    a JOT,


s: To amuse his mind do his people show him


s: Pictures, or any one's last new poem,                    or WHAT,


s: At night if he suddenly screams and wakes,


s: Do they bring him only a few small cakes,               or a LOT,


s: Does he like his shawl to be marked with a stripe,      or a DOT,


s: Does he like to lie on his back in a boat


s: Like the lady who lived in that isle remote,            SHALLOTT,


s: Is his steward a Swiss or a Swede or a Russ,           or a SCOT,


s: Does he like to sit by the calm blue wave?


s: Does he drink small beer from a silver jug?


s: Or a bowl? or a glass? or a cup? or a mug?              or a POT,


s: Does he beat his wife with a gold-topped pipe,


s: When she lets the gooseberries grow too ripe,            or ROT,


s: Does he wear a white tie when he dines with friends,


s: And tie it neat in a bow with ends,                    or a KNOT,


s: Does he like new cream, and hate mince-pies?


s: When he looks at the sun does he wink his eyes,          or NOT,


s: Does he teach his subjects to roast and bake?


s: A tumbled down, and hurt his Arm, against a bit of wood,


s: B said. "My Boy, oh, do not cry; it cannot do you good!"


s: C said, "A Cup of Coffee hot can't do you any harm."


s: D said, "A Doctor should be fetched, and he would cure the arm."


s: E said, "An Egg beat up with milk would quickly make him well."


s: F said, "A Fish, if broiled, might cure, if only by the smell."


s: G said, "Green Gooseberry fool, the best of cures I hold."


s: H said, "His Hat should be kept on, to keep him from the cold."


s: I said, "Some Ice upon his head will make him better soon."


s: J said, "Some Jam, if spread on bread, or given in a spoon!"


s: K said, "A Kangaroo is here,--this picture let him see."


s: L said, "A Lamp pray keep alight, to make some barley tea."


s: M said, "A Mulberry or two might give him satisfaction."


s: O said, "An Owl might make him laugh, if only it would wink."


s: P said, "Some Poetry might be read aloud, to make him think."


s: Q said, "A Quince I recommend,--a Quince, or else a Quail."


s: S said, "A Song should now be sung, in hopes to make him laugh!"


s: T said, "A Turnip might avail, if sliced or cut in half!"


s: U said, "An Urn, with water hot, place underneath his chin!"


s: V said, "I'll stand upon a chair, and play a Violin!"


s: W said, "Some Whisky-Whizzgigs fetch, some marbles and a ball!"


s: X said, "Some double XX ale would be the best of all!"


s: Z said, "Here is a box of Zinc! Get in, my little master!


s: We'll shut you up! We'll nail you down! We will, my little


s: We think we've all heard quite enough of this your sad


s: With Sixteen Illustrations from the Masters of Painting


s: So it is to such sources as these race-narratives that all


s: To find the original story-expression of a nation's myths, its


s: legends, and its heroic creations is a high joy--a face-to-face


s: direct comparison with any other, with a resultant light, both


s: Odin Bids Farewell to Brunhild before He Surrounds Her by a


s: Circe and Ulysses' Companions Turned into Swine


s: The Body of Elaine on its Way to King Arthur's Palace


s: From the painting by George Frederick Watts


s: The Heralds Summon Lucifer's Host to a Council at Pandemonium


s: The Monk Breaks into the Robbers' House to Rescue White Aster


s: "It is in this vast, dim region of myth and legend the


s: sources of the literature of modern times are hidden; and it


s: is only by returning to them, by constant remembrance that


s: they drain a vast region of vital human experience, that the


s: origin and early direction of that literature can be


s: There are almost as many definitions of an epic and rules for its


s: Many of the ancient epics are so voluminous that even one of them


s: precluded all save the scantiest quotations.


s: The main object of this volume consists in outlining clearly and


s: sculptors, and musicians ever since art began.


s: The Little Iliad, whose authorship is ascribed to sundry poets,


s: Next in sequence of events comes the Odyssey of Homer (of which a


s: Another sequel, or addition to the Odyssey, is found in the


s: Another great series of Greek poems is the Theban Cycle, which


s: The principal burlesque epic in Greek, the Bactrachomyomachia, or


s: Shortly after his arrival at Sparta and during a brief absence of


s: _Book I._ After invoking the Muse to aid him sing the wrath of


s: But plagues shall spread, and funeral fires increase,


s: Till the great king, without a ransom paid,


s: To her own Chrysa send the black-eyed maid.


s: inextinguishable laughter of the gods by his awkward limp.


s: As on some mountain, through the lofty grove


s: The crackling flames ascend and blaze above;


s: The fires expanding, as the winds arise,


s: Shoot their long beams and kindle half the skies:


s: So from the polish'd arms and brazen shields


s: A gleamy splendor flash'd along the fields.


s: warriors, most conspicuous among whom are his brother Paris, and


s: seducer, Menelaus rushes forward to attack Paris, who, terrified,


s: attendants, Helen seeks the place whence Priam and his ancient


s: These, when the Spartan queen approach'd the tower,


s: In secret own'd resistless beauty's power:


s: They cried, "No wonder such celestial charms


s: For nine long years have set the world in arms;


s: She moves a goddess and she looks a queen!"


s: _Book IV._ The gods on Mount Olympus, who have witnessed all, now


s: gaining the advantage, Apollo spurs the Trojans to new efforts by


s: The sire of gods and men superior smiled,


s: And, calling Venus, thus address'd his child:


s: "Not these, O daughter, are thy proper cares,


s: Thee milder arts befit, and softer wars;


s: Sweet smiles are thine, and kind endearing charms;


s: To Mars and Pallas leave the deeds of arms."


s: (whose brazen tones have become proverbial), directs the Greek


s: although Jupiter sternly rebukes his son, he takes such prompt


s: _Book VI._ Meanwhile the battle rages, and in the midst of broken


s: Then Hector himself rushes to the palace, where, refusing all


s: Thus having spoke, the illustrious chief of Troy


s: Stretch'd his fond arms to clasp the lovely boy.


s: The babe clung crying to his nurse's breast,


s: Seared at the dazzling helm and nodding crest.


s: With secret pleasure each fond parent smiled


s: The glittering terrors from his brows unbound,


s: And placed the beaming helmet on the ground;


s: Then kiss'd the child, and, lifting high in air,


s: Thus to the gods preferr'd a father's prayer:


s: "O thou! whose glory fills the ethereal throne,


s: And all ye deathless powers! protect my son!


s: Grant him, like me, to purchase just renown,


s: To guard the Trojans, to defend the crown,


s: Against his country's foes the war to wage,


s: So when triumphant from successful toils


s: Of heroes slain he bears the reeking spoils,


s: Whole hosts may hail him with deserved acclaim,


s: And say, 'This chief transcends his father's fame:'


s: While pleased amidst the general shouts of Troy,


s: His mother's conscious heart o'erflows with joy."


s: In his elation Ajax offers thanks to Jupiter before attending a


s: Trojans debate whether it would not be wise to apologize for the


s: _Book X._ Exhausted by the day's efforts, most of the Greeks have


s: Menelaus, arouses Nestor, Ulysses, and Diomedes to inspect their


s: Old Nestor first perceived the approaching sound,


s: Bespeaking thus the Grecian peers around:


s: "Methinks the noise of trampling steeds I hear,


s: Thickening this way, and gathering on my ear;


s: (So may, ye gods! my pious hopes succeed)


s: Return'd triumphant with this prize of war."


s: Then with his sceptre, that the deep controls,


s: He touched the chiefs and steel'd their manly souls:


s: Strength, not their own, the touch divine imparts,


s: Prompts their light limbs, and swells their daring hearts.


s: Then, as a falcon from the rocky height,


s: Her quarry seen, impetuous at the sight,


s: Forth-springing instant, darts herself from high,


s: Shoots on the wing, and skims along the sky:


s: Such, and so swift, the power of ocean flew;


s: The wide horizon shut him from their view.


s: helmet off the Greek hero's head, leaving him thus exposed to his


s: _Book XVII._ On seeing Patroclus fall, Menelaus rushes forward to


s: Having unharnessed their steeds, the Trojans assemble to consider


s: Pleased to think the Greeks will have the help of this champion,


s: Agamemnon humbly apologizes for the past, proffering gifts and a


s: My much-loved parents and my native shore--


s: Enough--when heaven ordains, I sink in night:


s: Now perish Troy!" He said, and rush'd to fight.


s: There are vivid descriptions of sundry encounters, including one


s: assuring him Hector will soon lie lifeless at his feet.


s: He ceased; wide conflagration blazing round;


s: The bubbled waters yield a hissing sound.


s: As when the flames beneath a cauldron rise,


s: Amid the fierce embrace of circling fires


s: The waters foam, the heavy smoke aspires:


s: So boils the imprison'd flood, forbid to flow,


s: And choked with vapors feels his bottom glow.


s: innumerable victims are to be sacrificed to satisfy his friend's


s: These words soft pity in the chief inspire,


s: Touch'd with the dear remembrance of his sire.


s: Then with his hand (as prostrate still he lay)


s: The old man's cheek he gently turn'd away.


s: Now each by turns indulged the gush of woe;


s: And now the mingled tides together flow:


s: This low on earth, that gently bending o'er;


s: But great Achilles different passions rend,


s: And now his sire he mourns, and now his friend.


s: The infectious softness through the heroes ran


s: They bore as heroes, but they felt as man.


s: All Troy then moves to Priam's court again,


s: Assembled there, from pious toil they rest,


s: And sadly shared the last sepulchral feast.


s: And peaceful slept the mighty Hector's shade.


s: obedience with this decree, Pallas (Minerva) dons golden


s: sandals--which permit her to flit with equal ease over land and


s: _Book II._ With dawn, Telemachus rises and betakes himself to the


s: "The work she plied; but, studious of delay,


s: By night reversed the labors of the day.


s: While thrice the sun his annual journey made,


s: The conscious lamp the midnight fraud survey'd;


s: Unheard, unseen, three years her arts prevail:


s: The fourth, her maid unfolds the amazing tale.


s: We saw as unperceived we took our stand,


s: The backward labors of her faithless hand"


s: possible conceal his departure from Penelope for twelve days.


s: Meantime, in the guise of Telemachus, Minerva scours the town to


s: secure skilful oarsmen, and at sunset has a vessel ready to sail.


s: errand. In return, Nestor mentions the deaths of Patroclus and


s: Achilles, the taking of Troy, and the Greeks' departure from its


s: Agamemnon, slain on his arrival at Mycenae by his faithless wife


s: While Nestor recounts these tales, day declines, so he invites


s: Soothed by "nepenthe," all retire to rest, and when morning dawns


s: further promised that Menelaus should never die, stating that, as


s: Meantime the suitors in Ulysses' palace entertain themselves with


s: vision, in which her sister assures her Telemachus will soon be


s: leaves and sinks into an exhausted sleep.


s: Close to the cliff with both his hands he clung,


s: Till the huge surge roll'd off; then backward sweep


s: The refluent tides, and plunge him in the deep.


s: And when the polypus, from forth his cave


s: Torn with full force, reluctant beats the wave,


s: His ragged claws are stuck with stones and sands;


s: So the rough rock had shagg'd Ulysses' hands.


s: And now had perish'd, whelm'd beneath the main,


s: The unhappy man; e'en fate had been in vain;


s: And prudence saved him in the needful hour.


s: _Book VI._ While Ulysses is thus sleeping, Minerva, in a dream


s: admonishes Nausicaa, daughter of the Phaeacian king, to wash her


s: washing place, departs with her maids for the shore.


s: The clothes washed and hung out to dry, the princess and her


s: maidens, and addresses them from afar. Convinced he is, as he


s: The projected festive meal is well under way when the bard begins


s: All the Phaeacians now present gifts to the stranger, who finds


s: comrades, and the sack of Troy begins! Because the stranger guest


s: Touch'd at the song, Ulysses straight resign'd


s: Before his eyes the purple vest he drew,


s: But when the music paused, he ceased to shed


s: The flowing tear, and raised his drooping head:


s: And, lifting to the gods a goblet crown'd,


s: He pour'd a pure libation to the ground.


s: With animating breath the seeds of fire;


s: Each drooping spirit with bold words repair,


s: And urge my train the dreadful deed to dare.


s: The stake now glow'd beneath the burning bed


s: (Green as it was) and sparkled fiery red.


s: Then forth the vengeful instrument I bring;


s: With beating hearts my fellows form a ring.


s: Urged by some present god, they swift let fall


s: Guide the sharp stake, and twirl it round and round.


s: As when a shipwright stands his workmen o'er,


s: Who ply the wimble, some huge beam to bore;


s: Urged on all hands it nimbly spins about,


s: The grain deep-piercing till it scoops it out;


s: In his broad eye so whirls the fiery wood;


s: From the pierced pupil spouts the boiling blood;


s: Singed are his brows; the scorching lids grow black;


s: The jelly bubbles, and the fibres crack."


s: punished by the gods and left him to his plight!


s: When morning came, the groaning Cyclops rolled aside the rock,


s: standing beside it with arms outstretched to catch his prisoners


s: The master ram at last approach'd the gate,


s: Charged with his wool and with Ulysses' fate.


s: Him, while he pass'd, the monster blind bespoke:


s: "What makes my ram the lag of all the flock?


s: First thou wert wont to crop the flowery mead,


s: First to the field and river's bank to lead,


s: And first with stately step at evening hour


s: Thy fleecy fellows usher to their bower.


s: Now far the last, with pensive pace and slow


s: Thou movest, as conscious of thy master's woe!


s: Seest thou these lids that now unfold in vain,


s: (The deed of Noman and his wicked train?)


s: Oh! didst thou feel for thy afflicted lord,


s: And would but fate the power of speech afford;


s: Soon might'st thou tell me where in secret here


s: Swung round and round and dash'd from rock to rock,


s: His batter'd brains should on the pavement smoke.


s: No ease, no pleasure my sad heart receives,


s: While such a monster as vile Noman lives."


s: seized by his crew to open the bottle, whence the captive winds


s: "They said: and (oh cursed fate!) the thongs unbound!


s: The gushing tempest sweeps the ocean round;


s: Snatch'd in the whirl, the hurried navy flew,


s: The ocean widen'd and the shores withdrew.


s: Roused from my fatal sleep, I long debate


s: If still to live, or desperate plunge to fate;


s: Thus doubting, prostrate on the deck I lay,


s: Till all the coward thoughts of death gave way."


s: Milk newly press'd, the sacred flour of wheat,


s: And honey fresh, and Pramnian wines the treat:


s: But venom'd was the bread, and mix'd the bowl,


s: With drugs of force to darken all the soul:


s: Soon in the luscious feast themselves they lost,


s: And drank oblivion of their native coast.


s: Instant her circling wand the goddess waves,


s: To hogs transforms them, and the sty receives.


s: Head, face, and members, bristle into swine:


s: Still cursed with sense, their minds remain alone,


s: And their own voice affrights them when they groan.


s: wonted forms! The terrified Circe not only complied, but detained


s: peacefully among his own people. His conversation with Tiresias


s: "Talk not of ruling in this dolorous gloom,


s: Nor think vain words (he cried) can ease my doom.


s: A weight of woes and breathe the vital air,


s: A slave to some poor hind that toils for bread,


s: Than reign the sceptered monarch of the dead."


s: _Book XII._ There Ulysses buried his dead companion and, after


s: describing his visit to Hades, begged his hostess' permission to


s: "Thus the sweet charmers warbled o'er the main;


s: My soul takes wing to meet the heavenly strain;


s: I give the sign, and struggle to be free:


s: Swift row my mates, and shoot along the sea;


s: New chains they add, and rapid urge the way,


s: Till, dying off, the distant sounds decay:


s: Then scudding swiftly from the dangerous ground,


s: The deafen'd ears unlock'd, the chains unbound."


s: Not daring describe to his companions the threatened horrors of


s: supply their larder by hunting and fishing, began to suffer from


s: _Book XIII._ Having finished this account of his ten years'


s: Neptune, discovering they had taken his enemy home, struck their


s: complaining that the greedy suitors deplete his herds. This old


s: instructions, lands near the swineherd's hut.


s: Telemachus is overjoyed to learn who he really is. The first


s: _Book XVII._ At daybreak Telemachus hastens back to the palace,


s: He knew his lord;--he knew, and strove to meet;


s: In vain he strove to crawl and kiss his feet;


s: Yet (all he could) his tail, his ears, his eyes,


s: Soft pity touch'd the mighty master's soul:


s: Stole unperceived: he turn'd his head, and dried


s: Humbly making the rounds of the tables like the beggar he seems,


s: Ulysses, whose strength arouses the suitors' admiration. Then, in


s: Deep o'er his knee inseam'd, remain'd the scar:


s: When Euryclea found, the ablution ceased;


s: Down dropp'd the leg, from her slack hand released:


s: The mingled fluids from the base redound;


s: The vase reclining floats the floor around!


s: Smiles dew'd with tears the pleasing strife express'd


s: Of grief, and joy, alternate in her breast.


s: Her fluttering words in melting murmurs died;


s: At length abrupt--"My son!--my king!" she cried.


s: Her nap ended, Penelope resumes her conversation with the beggar,


s: strength and courage in his veins. At dawn Ulysses is awakened by


s: efforts to bend the bow, and, when the last has tried and failed,


s: Then fierce the hero o'er the threshold strode;


s: Stript of his rags, he blazed out like a god.


s: Full in their face the lifted bow he bore,


s: And quiver'd deaths, a formidable store;


s: Before his feet the rattling shower he threw,


s: "One venturous game this hand hath won to-day;


s: Phoebus, assist! nor be the labor vain."


s: Swift as the word the parting arrow sings;


s: And bears thy fate, Antinous, on its wings.


s: Wretch that he was, of unprophetic soul!


s: High in his hands he rear'd the golden bowl:


s: E'en then to drain it lengthen'd out his breath;


s: Changed to the deep, the bitter draught of death!


s: For fate who fear'd amidst a feastful band?


s: Full through his throat Ulysses' weapon pass'd,


s: And pierced his neck. He falls, and breathes his last.


s: Grimly announcing his second arrow will reach a different goal by


s: _Book XXIII._ The old nurse has meantime had the privilege of


s: The golden wand, that causes sleep to fly,


s: Or in soft slumber seals the wakeful eye,


s: That drives the ghosts to realms of night or day,


s: Trembling the spectres glide, and plaintive vent


s: Thin hollow screams, along the deep descent.


s: Where flock nocturnal bats and birds obscene,


s: Cluster'd they hang, till at some sudden shock,


s: They move, and murmurs run through all the rock:


s: So cowering fled the sable heaps of ghosts;


s: And such a scream fill'd all the dismal coasts.


s: There they overhear Ajax giving Achilles a minute account of his


s: funeral,--the grandest ever seen,--and when questioned describe


s: Penelope's stratagem in regard to the Web and to Ulysses' bow.


s: Smit with the signs which all his doubts explain,


s: His heart within him melts; his knees sustain


s: Their feeble weight no more; his arms alone


s: Support him, round the loved Ulysses thrown:


s: He faints, he sinks, with mighty joys oppress'd:


s: To celebrate their reunion, a banquet is held, which permits the


s: translations or imitations of the best Greek writings. There have


s: composing an epic of some thirty-five books, which are lost.


s: "From Troy's fair stock shall Caesar rise,


s: Carthage. In return Aeneas gave the strange huntress his name,


s: nestled in Dido's arms and stealthily effaced from her heart all


s: traces of her former husband's face, filling it instead with a


s: Greeks' hands, the slave (Sinon) replied that if they removed the


s: He strains his strength their knots to tear,


s: On seeing this, the horror-struck Trojans immediately concluded


s: released the captive Greeks from the wooden steed, and, joined by


s: Her wild eyes raised to Heaven in vain--


s: "Then, while I dewed with tears my cheek


s: Thrice the vain semblance mocked my grasp,


s: Shall make you eat your boards for bread."


s: overtaken by the terrible tempest which had driven his vessels to


s: Thus divinely ordered to leave, Aeneas dares not disobey, but,


s: chariot races, and the boxing and archery matches.


s: Drepanum, taking with him only those who are willing to share his


s: Before he leaves, his father's ghost appears to him, bidding him,


s: When Aeneas leaves Drepanum on the next day, his mother pleads so


s: besought her not to baffle him by writing on oak leaves, and was


s: departed souls, where he saw innumerable shades. Although he


s: inquire for Anchises. The visitors were immediately directed to a


s: This account of the glories and vicissitudes of his race takes


s: command of Pallas, son of the king. He then assists at a great


s: _Book IX._ Meantime, obedient to Turnus' orders, the Rutules have


s: foreigners' camp so furiously that the Trojans gladly accept the


s: To preserve Turnus from the deadly blows of the real Aeneas, Juno


s: ambassadors for a twelve-days truce, during which both parties


s: She spoke, and speaking, dropped her rein,


s: "What! in my friend's dear spoils arrayed


s: From your cursed blood his injured shade


s: Through the broad breast before him spread:


s: In their earliest form these Chansons de Geste were invariably in


s: There are three great groups or cycles of French epics: first the


s: synopsis follows. Other remarkable examples of this cycle are


s: treatment is furnished by Les Quatre Fils d'Aymon.


s: The second group, or cycle of Brittany, animated by a chivalrous


s: One of the best samples of the domestic epic in this cycle is the


s: Enfances de Godefroi, Antioche, and Tudela's Song of the Crusade


s: Next comes la Henriade, also by Voltaire, a half bombastic, half


s: _Introduction._ The earliest and greatest of the French epics, or


s: Hath been for seven full years in Spain.


s: From highland to sea hath he won the land;


s: Ganelon converses with the Saracens, who express surprise that


s: From Karl his good right arm will wring,


s: Arriving in the presence of the Saracen king, Ganelon reports


s: _The Rear-guard and Roland Condemned to Death._ On the eve of his


s: "God be my judge," was the count's reply,


s: While I breathe in life you have nought to dread."


s: High were the peaks, and the valleys deep,


s: Sadly the Franks through the passes wound,


s: Fully fifteen leagues did their tread resound.


s: To their own great land they are drawing nigh,


s: They think of their homes and their manors there,


s: Is none but for pity the tear lets fall;


s: But the anguish of Karl is beyond them all.


s: Smites on his heart, and he weeps amain.


s: _The Pride of Roland._ Because the enemies' force so greatly


s: outnumbers theirs, Oliver suggests that Roland sound his horn to


s: And the Franks return on their path full fast."


s: It shall never be spoken of me in scorn,


s: That for heathen felons one blast I blew;


s: But I will strike, ere this fight be o'er,


s: A thousand strokes and seven hundred more,


s: Our Franks will bear them like vassals brave.


s: The Saracens flock but to find a grave."


s: _The Medley._ In the first ranks of the Saracens is a nephew of


s: At the last it brake; then he grasped in hand


s: Down through his coif and his fell of hair,


s: Betwixt his eyes came the falchion bare,


s: Down through the Saracen's chest and chine,


s: Down through the saddle with gold inlaid,


s: Till sank in the living horse the blade,


s: Severed the spine where no joint was found,


s: Now a wondrous storm o'er France hath passed,


s: With thunder-stroke and whirlwind's blast;


s: From Saint Michael's Mount to thy shrine, Cologne,


s: And a darkness spread in the noontide high--


s: No light, save gleams from the cloven sky.


s: They said, "The end of the world is near."


s: Alas, they spake but with idle breath,--


s: 'Tis the great lament for Roland's death.


s: _The Horn._ During the brief respite allowed them, Roland informs


s: With deadly travail, in stress and pain,


s: Forth from his mouth the bright blood sprang,


s: And his temples burst for the very pang.


s: Till Karl hath heard as the gorge he passed,


s: "It is Roland's horn," said the Emperor,


s: "And, save in battle, he had not blown."


s: See Roland there on his charger swooned,


s: His eyes from bleeding are dimmed and dark,


s: And when his comrade beside him pressed,


s: But passed no further, nor pierced his head.


s: "Hast thou done it, my comrade, wittingly?


s: Have I struck thee, brother? Forgive it me."


s: And in sight of God, I forgive thee here."


s: And in love like this was their parting made.


s: _Charlemagne Approaches._ The last Frenchmen are fighting madly


s: beneath him sword and horn, so as to defend them dead as well as


s: alive! Then, having confessed his sins and recited a last prayer,


s: On a knoll he lies towards the Spanish land.


s: "In thy sight, O God, be my sins confessed.


s: From my hour of birth, both the great and small,


s: PART III. REPRISALS. Roland has barely breathed his last when


s: Charlemagne arrives on the battle-field and, gazing around him,


s: But lies in his broidered hauberk white.


s: On discovering that Marsile has meantime died of his wound,


s: At Bordeaux, Charlemagne deposits upon the altar of St. Severin,


s: The Franks bewail her in grief and dole.


s: assertion, one of them even volunteering to meet the emperor's


s: They bade be brought four stallions fleet;


s: And a mare was standing within the mead;


s: And the limbs of his body apart were borne;


s: The bright blood, springing from every vein,


s: When the emperor's justice was satisfied,


s: The day passed on into night's dark shade;


s: "Karl, thou shalt summon thine empire's host,


s: The heathens in siege have the town essayed,


s: And the shattered Christians invoke thine aid."


s: O'Hagen's translation of the "Song of Roland."]


s: So say they, speak they, tell they the tale.


s: thought of her belonging to any one else is unendurable. This


s: tracking game, he is bent on seeking traces of his beloved.


s: Ere long Aucassin encounters an old charcoal-burner, to whom he


s: confides his loss, and who assures him such a sorrow is nothing


s: Biaucaire will soon find and separate them. To prevent such a


s: before him, clasping her tight and kissing her repeatedly as they


s: absence, he is now master of all he surveys.


s: prediction should be verified, Nicolette has little difficulty in


s: obtains some of her own clothes, and, thus restored to her wonted


s: Lang's version of "Aucassin and Nicolette."]


s: Literature was born in Spain only when the Christians began to


s: The Spaniards also boast of a thirteenth century poem of some


s: popularity had already begun to wane when Cervantes scotched all


s: Shortly after this Donna Ximena, daughter of Don Gomez, appeared


s: Delighted with this new accession of territory, Ferrando knighted


s: On learning that his master has been slain, the Cid hastened to


s: satisfy the Cid, therefore, Alfonso and twelve of his men took a


s: alliance with them of his own free will.


s: "O thou that in a happy hour didst gird thee with the sword,


s: It is the order of the king; we dare not, O my lord!


s: Sealed with his royal seal hath come his letter to forbid


s: The Burgos folk to open door, or shelter thee, my Cid.


s: Our goods, our homes, our very eyes, in this are all at stake;


s: And small the gain to thee, though we meet ruin for thy sake.


s: Go, and God prosper thee in all that thou dost undertake."


s: The prayer was said, the mass was sung, they mounted to depart;


s: My Cid a moment stayed to press Ximena to his heart:


s: Ximena kissed his hand, as one distraught with grief was she:


s: He looked upon his daughters: "These to God I leave," said he;


s: "Unto our lady and to God, Father of all below;


s: He knows if we shall meet again:--and now, sirs, let us go."


s: As when the finger-nail from out the flesh is torn away,


s: Even so sharp to him and them the parting pang that day.


s: Then to his saddle sprang my Cid, and forth his vassals led;


s: But ever as he rode, to those behind he turned his head.


s: No sooner did the Moors learn that the Cid had conquered this


s: winning so much booty that he was able to send thirty caparisoned


s: Alfonso that Rodrigo would shortly be pardoned and recalled.


s: constantly turning their heads to make sure that they were not


s: He spurred his steed, but, as he rode, a backward glance he bent,


s: A thing, the world itself to win, my Cid would not have done:


s: No perfidy was ever found in him, the Perfect One.


s: Perceiving he was no longer in favor at court, the Cid haughtily


s: Meantime the Moors who had fled rejoined the Cid, and, when they


s: possession of it, the Cid termed him a traitor and swore he would


s: Meantime the people in the besieged city suffered so sorely from


s: unharmed. The Cid having consented to this proposal, the invading


s: As the Cid had vowed on leaving home never to cut his beard until


s: But lo! all armed from head to heel the Bishop Jerome shows;


s: He ever brings good fortune to my Cid where'er he goes.


s: "Mass have I said, and now I come to join you in the fray;


s: To strike a blow against the Moor in battle if I may,


s: And in the field win honor for my order and my hand.


s: It is for this that I am here, far from my native land.


s: Unto Valencia did I come to cast my lot with you,


s: All for the longing that I had to slay a Moor or two.


s: And so, in warlike guise I come, with blazoned shield, and lance,


s: Then send me to the front to do the bidding of my heart:


s: Grant me this favor that I ask, or else, my Cid, we part!"


s: murmur they could have done as well! The monarch also granted


s: But, three months after the ladies' arrival, fifty thousand Moors


s: although he had only four thousand men to oppose to their fifty


s: Alfonso, but awed and silenced the courtiers, among whom were the


s: promised they should marry as they wished.


s: When the bearers of the Cid's present, therefore, returned to


s: distinguished himself, the Cid complimented him after the battle,


s: Meantime the Infantes had met Alvar Fanez conveying to the king


s: another present, and, on being asked where were their wives,


s: ladies, but found nothing save traces of blood, which made them


s: suspect foul play. On discovering what had really happened to the


s: Alfonso summoned the Cortes, sending word to the Cid and to the


s: Infantes to appear before it at Toledo three months hence.


s: belittle. The day for the solemn session having dawned, the Cid


s: "So please your Grace! once more upon your clemency I call;


s: A grievance yet remains untold, the greatest grief of all.


s: Redress my combat they must yield; none other will I take.


s: How now, Infantes! what excuse, what answer do ye make?


s: Why have ye laid my heartstrings bare? In jest or earnest say,


s: Have I offended you? and I will make amends to-day.


s: "My daughters in your hands I placed the day that forth ye went,


s: And rich in wealth and honors from Valencia were ye sent.


s: Why did ye carry with you brides ye loved not, treacherous curs?


s: Why tear their flesh in Corpes wood with saddle-girths and spurs,


s: Had not the Cid forbidden his followers to speak until he granted


s: The marshals leave them face to face and from the lists are gone;


s: Each with his gaze intent and fixed upon his chosen foe,


s: Then with one impulse every spur is in the charger's side,


s: And earth itself is felt to shake beneath their furious stride;


s: The cowardly Infantes, having been defeated, publicly confessed


s: He who a noble lady wrongs and casts aside--may he


s: Meet like requital for his deeds, or worse, if worse there be.


s: Valencia the Great was glad, rejoiced at heart to see


s: The honoured champions of her lord return in victory.


s: descendants in due time sat upon the thrones of these realms.


s: And he that in a good hour was born, behold how he hath sped!


s: His daughters now to higher rank and greater honor wed:


s: Sought by Navarre and Aragon for queens his daughters twain;


s: And monarchs of his blood to-day upon the thrones of Spain.


s: triumph over the Moors even after life had departed.


s: Seeing Valencia abandoned, the Moors whom the Cid had established


s: And so his honor in the land grows greater day by day.


s: Upon the feast of Pentecost from life he passed away.


s: For him and all of us the Grace of Christ let us implore.


s: And here ye have the story of my Cid Campeador.


s: Portuguese literature, owing to its late birth, shows little


s: Burgundian extraction, it borrowed its main ideas and literary


s: During the sixteenth century, many versions of the prose epics or


s: Palmerina d'Inglaterra, being the most popular of all.


s: Later on Meneses composed, according to strict classic rules, a


s: Portuguese history. Owing to its theme, this epic, which a great


s: engagement in the Strait of Gibraltar. Although he distinguished


s: possessed, except his poem, with which he swam ashore.


s: Camoëns' poem Os Lusiades, or the Lusitanians (i.e., Portuguese),


s: discoveries, are about to achieve the conquest of India.


s: _Book II._ The traitor pilot now steers toward Mombaça, where


s: meanwhile Bacchus has been plotting to secure the death of the


s: Now Gama's bands the quiv'ring trumpet blow,


s: Thick o'er the wave the crowding barges row,


s: The Moorish flags the curling waters sweep,


s: The Lusian mortars thunder o'er the deep;


s: Again the fiery roar heaven's concave tears,


s: The Moors astonished stop their wounded ears;


s: Again loud thunders rattle o'er the bay,


s: And clouds of smoke wide-rolling blot the day;


s: The captain's barge the gen'rous king ascends,


s: His arms the chief enfold, the captain bends


s: (A rev'rence to the scepter'd grandeur due):


s: In silent awe the monarch's wond'ring view


s: Is fix'd on Vasco's noble mien; the while


s: His thoughts with wonder weigh the hero's toil.


s: Esteem and friendship with his wonder rise,


s: "And now, O king," the kneeling Egas cries,


s: If such mean victims can atone thine ire,


s: Here let my wife, my babes, myself expire.


s: If gen'rous bosoms such revenge can take,


s: Here let them perish for the father's sake:


s: The guilty tongue, the guilty hands are these,


s: Nor let a common death thy wrath appease;


s: For us let all the rage of torture burn,


s: But to my prince, thy son, in friendship turn."


s: Touched by the patriotism and devotion of Moniz, the foe not only


s: The king, thus saved from vassalage by the devotion of Moniz, is


s: In tears she utter'd--as the frozen snow


s: Touch'd by the spring's mild ray, begins to flow,


s: So just began to melt his stubborn soul,


s: As mild-ray'd Pity o'er the tyrant stole;


s: Her fierce accusers urg'd her speedy doom;


s: Again dark rage diffus'd its horrid gloom


s: O'er stern Alonzo's brow: swift at the sign,


s: Their swords, unsheath'd, around her brandish'd shine.


s: O foul disgrace, of knighthood lasting stain,


s: intervention of the queen. But, on ascending the throne when his


s: Cruel, Don Pedro waged war fierce against this monarch until he


s: surrendered the culprits, who, after being tortured, were put to


s: Vasco da Gama also related how another king, Fernando, stole fair


s: _Book IV._ Rather than accept as queen a lady who had married a


s: Spanish prince,--who would probably unite their country with


s: Here as the monarch fix'd his wond'ring eyes,


s: Two hoary fathers from the streams arise;


s: Their aspect rustic, yet, a reverend grace


s: Appear'd majestic on their wrinkled face:


s: Their tawny beards uncomb'd, and sweepy long,


s: Adown their knees in shaggy ringlets hung;


s: From every lock the crystal drops distil,


s: And bathe their limbs, as in a trickling rill;


s: Gay wreaths of flowers, of fruitage and of boughs,


s: (Nameless in Europe), crown'd their furrow'd brows.


s: _Book V._ Such was the enthusiasm caused by this vision that many


s: had--as was customary--taken ten prisoners with him, whose death


s: "O'er the wild waves, as southward thus we stray,


s: Our port unknown, unknown the wat'ry way,


s: Each night we see, impress'd with solemn awe,


s: Our guiding stars and native skies withdraw,


s: In the wide void we lose their cheering beams,


s: Lower and lower still the pole-star gleams.


s: Full to the south a shining cross appears,


s: Our heaving breasts the blissful omen cheers:


s: Seven radiant stars compose the hallow'd sign


s: That rose still higher o'er the wavy brine."


s: A journey of five months, diversified by tempests, electrical


s: High and enormous o'er the flood he tower'd,


s: And 'thwart our way with sullen aspect lower'd:


s: An earthy paleness o'er his cheeks was spread,


s: Writhing to speak, his sable lips disclose,


s: Sharp and disjoin'd, his gnashing teeth's blue rows;


s: His haggard beard flow'd quiv'ring on the wind,


s: Revenge and horror in his mien combin'd;


s: His clouded front, by with'ring lightnings scar'd,


s: The inward anguish of his soul declar'd.


s: His red eyes, glowing from their dusky caves,


s: Shot livid fires: far echoing o'er the waves


s: His voice resounded, as the cavern'd shore


s: With hollow groan repeats the tempest's roar."


s: _Book VI._ In return for the hospitality enjoyed on board of the


s: minister. The interpreter, at Da Gama's request, then procures an


s: approach the Portuguese fleet, they are riddled with shot.


s: The Lusiad is so smoothly written, so harmonious, and so full of


s: similes that ever since Camoëns' day it has served as a model for


s: considered the first true Italian poet of any note. The earliest


s: By the fifteenth century, and almost simultaneously with the


s: The next epic of note in Italian literature is Torquato Tasso's


s: Some of Ariosto's contemporaries also attempted the epic style,


s: Although no epics of great note were written thereafter, Alamanni


s: _Introduction._ In the Middle Ages it was popularly believed that


s: stairways or bridges. In each of these nine circles are punished


s: "Through me you pass into the city of woe:


s: Through me among the people lost for aye.


s: To rear me was the task of power divine,


s: Before me things create were none, save things


s: Unable to grasp its meaning, Dante begs Virgil to interpret, and


s: Passing through these spirits with downcast eyes, Dante reaches


s: earthquake shakes the whole region, and Dante swoons in terror.


s: For when before him comes the ill-fated soul,


s: Suits the transgression, with his tail so oft


s: tonsured polls, proving that monks themselves are not exempt from


s: neighbor, as soon as possible, that his son is still alive. Then,


s: _Canto XI._ The poets now approach a depression, whence arises a


s: On drawing near them, Chiron is amazed to perceive one of the


s: centaur explains that the victims more or less deeply immersed in


s: secretary to Frederick II, and that, having fallen into unmerited


s: creditors whose pursuit he tried to escape by killing himself.


s: _Canto XV._ The high banks of the stream of tears protect our


s: _Canto XVI._ Reaching a spot where the stream they are following


s: His nails already are turn'd blue, and he


s: Quivers all o'er, if he but eye the shade;


s: Such was my cheer at hearing of his words.


s: But shame soon interposed her threat, who makes


s: The servant bold in presence of his lord.


s: And would have said, but that the words to aid


s: My purpose came not, 'Look thou clasp me firm.'"


s: Then, bidding Dante hold fast so as not to fall, Virgil gives the


s: "Never ran water with such hurrying pace


s: Adown the tube to turn a land-mill's wheel,


s: When nearest it approaches to the spokes,


s: Look'd on, exclaiming, 'Ah! How dost thou change,


s: One, and two figures blended in one form


s: Appear'd, where both were lost. Of the four lengths


s: Two arms were made: the belly and the chest,


s: The thighs and legs, into such members changed


s: advice to their fellow-creatures. Here Dante recognizes Diomedes,


s: _Canto XXVII._ In the midst of another bed of flames, Dante next


s: discovers another culprit, to whom he gives the history of the


s: _Canto XXIX._ Gazing in a dazed way at the awful sights of this


s: awarded to magicians, alchemists, and other pretenders.


s: _Canto XXX._ Virgil now points out to Dante sundry impostors,


s: Of turrets, Montereggion crowns his walls;


s: E'en thus the shore, encompassing the abyss,


s: Was turreted with giants, half their length


s: Uprearing, horrible, whom Jove from heaven


s: Yet threatens, when his muttering thunder rolls.


s: Lightly he placed us; nor, there leaning, stay'd;


s: But rose, as in a barque the stately mast."


s: _Canto XXXII._ Confessing that it is no easy task to describe the


s: Then mark'd, I, which the keen and eager cold


s: Had shaped into a doggish grin; whence creeps


s: A shivering horror o'er me, at the thought


s: Famine-tower at Pisa, with two sons and two grandsons. Ugolino


s: Once more upon the wretched skull his teeth


s: He fasten'd like a mastiff's 'gainst the bone,


s: Then Dante describes Satan's three heads, one red, one yellow and


s: demon's shaggy sides painfully descends toward the centre of the


s: amazed to discover they are climbing up his leg. Then, through a


s: Explaining they are about to emerge at the antipodes of the spot


s: To the fair world: and heedless of repose


s: We climb'd, he first, I following his steps,


s: Till on our view the beautiful lights of heaven


s: Dawn'd through a circular opening in the cave:


s: Thence issuing we again beheld the stars."


s: _Canto II._ Against the whitening east they now behold a ghostly


s: Making a sign of the cross upon each passenger's brow, the angel


s: allows his charges to land, and vanishes at sunrise, just as the


s: "As a wild flock of pigeons, to their food


s: Collected, blade or tares, without their pride


s: Accustom'd, and in still and quiet sort,


s: Their meal, assail'd by more important care;


s: So I that new-come troop beheld, the song


s: Deserting, hasten to the mountain's side,


s: As one who goes, yet, where he tends, knows not."


s: "As sheep, that step from forth their fold, by one,


s: Or pairs, or three at once; meanwhile the rest


s: Stand fearfully, bending the eye and nose


s: To ground, and what the foremost does, that do


s: The others, gathering round her if she stops,


s: Simple and quiet, nor the cause discern;


s: Who of the fortunate crew were at the head,


s: Of modest mien, and graceful in their gait.


s: When they before me had beheld the light


s: From my right side fall broken on the ground,


s: So that the shadow reach'd the cave; they stopp'd,


s: And somewhat back retired: the same did all


s: Who follow'd, though unwitting of the cause."


s: grace." Such slothfulness irritates Virgil, who hurries Dante on,


s: _Canto VI._ Because Virgil moves on, Dante feels constrained to


s: follow, although the spirits continue to pluck at his mantle,


s: inquiring whence he comes. Virgil explains how, led by heavenly


s: Now was the hour that wakens fond desire


s: In men at sea, and melts their thoughtful heart


s: Who in the morn have bid sweet friends farewell,


s: Thrills, if he hear the vesper bell from far


s: That seems to mourn for the expiring day.


s: expectantly upward, and soon behold two green-clad angels, with


s: languishing there simply because of the prayers of his daughter


s: Giovanna, who has not forgotten him although his wife has married


s: How those celestial falcons from their seat


s: Moved, but in motion each one well descried.


s: Hearing the air cut by their verdant plumes,


s: The serpent fled; and, to their stations, back


s: The angels up return'd with equal flight."


s: Virgil now assures him that, thanks to Santa Lucia (type of God's


s: Purgatory. Gazing at the high cliffs which encircle the mountain,


s: another gasps from time to time, "I can endure no more."


s: _Canto XI._ The oppressed spirits fervently pray for aid and


s: delivered, Virgil inquires of them where he can find means to


s: realizes he is talking to a miniature painter who claimed to be


s: without equal, and therefore has to do penance.


s: That blows from diverse points, and shifts its name,


s: _Canto XIII._ The second ledge of purgatory, which they have now


s: reached, is faced with plain gray stone, and Virgil leads his


s: obliged to do penance for heartlessness. Marvelling that any one


s: should wander among them with eyes unclosed, she inquires by what


s: conquer'st," while he brushes aside the second _P ._, and thus


s: _Canto XVII._ Out of the vapors of anger--as dense as any Alpine


s: another sin scar from our poet's forehead.


s: whole mountain tremble beneath them and by hearing the spirits


s: _Canto XXII._ The three bards are next led by an angel up another


s: Reverently listening to the conversation of his companions, Dante


s: skeleton spirits. Forese replies that he and his companions are


s: _Canto XXIV._ Escorting the three travellers on their way, Forese


s: _Canto XXV._ In single file the three poets continue their tramp,


s: "Behoved us, one by one, along the side,


s: That border'd on the void, to pass; and I


s: Fear'd on one hand the fire, on the other fear'd


s: Headlong to fall: when thus the instructor warn'd:


s: 'Strict rein must in this place direct the eyes.


s: A little swerving and the way is lost.'"


s: examples of dissoluteness as Pasiphae, and the men who caused the


s: recognize many of his fellow-sufferers were he to point them out.


s: element which is to make him fit for Paradise.


s: With gladness come, which, weeping, made me haste


s: To succor thee, thou mayst or seat thee down


s: Or wander where thou wilt. Expect no more


s: Sanction of warning voice or sign from me,


s: Free of thine own arbitrament to choose.


s: Discreet, judicious. To distrust thy sense


s: Were henceforth error. I invest thee then


s: With crown and mitre, sovereign o'er thyself."


s: _Canto XXVIII._ Through the Garden of Eden Dante now strolls with


s: Beatrice comforts him, however, by promising to be his guide


s: hereafter, and gently reproaches him for the past until he casts


s: Whose spirit should not fail him in the essay


s: To represent thee such as thou didst seem,


s: When under cope of the still-chiming heaven


s: Thou gavest to open air thy charms reveal'd?"


s: _Canto XXXII._ Dante is still quenching a "ten-years thirst" by


s: _Canto XXXIII._ The seven Virtues having chanted a hymn, Beatrice


s: "She with those other spirits gently smiled;


s: Then answer'd with such gladness, that she seem'd


s: With love's first flame to glow: 'Brother! our will


s: What we possess, and nought beyond desire.'"


s: "Not seldom, brother, it hath, chanced for men


s: To do what they had gladly left undone;"


s: enabled to brave fire. Then she makes him see how truth alone can


s: kidnapping of the Sabines to his own day, laying stress on the


s: Dante's time. Next he explains that Mercury is inhabited by "good


s: planet of love--where Beatrice glows with increased beauty--are


s: innumerable souls "imperfect through excess of love," which are


s: grouped in constantly revolving circles. All at once one of these


s: _Canto XI._ St. Thomas Aquinas, in his conversation with Dante,


s: "Let not the people be too swift to judge;


s: As one who reckons on the blades in field,


s: Or e'er the crop be ripe. For I have seen


s: The thorn frown rudely all the winter long,


s: And bark, that all her way across the sea


s: Ran straight and speedy, perish at the last


s: _Canto XIV._ Proceeding from circle to circle, Dante and Beatrice


s: resurrection of the body. In words almost as eloquent as those


s: wherewith St. Gabriel transmitted his message to Mary, Solomon


s: "Long as the joy of Paradise shall last,


s: Our love shall shine around that raiment, bright


s: As fervent; fervent as, in vision, blest;


s: And that as far, in blessedness, exceeding,


s: As it hath grace, beyond its virtue, great.


s: Our shape, regarmented with glorious weeds


s: Of saintly flesh, must, being thus entire,


s: Show yet more gracious. Therefore shall increase


s: The Supreme Good; light, ministering aid,


s: The better to disclose his glory: whence,


s: The vision needs increasing, must increase


s: The fervor, which it kindles; and that too


s: Cacciaguida, who assures him Florence proved happy as long as its


s: Beloved most dearly: this is the first shaft


s: Shot from the bow of exile. Thou shalt prove


s: How hard the passage, to descend and climb


s: "For this, there only have been shown to thee,


s: Throughout these orbs, the mountain, and the deep,


s: Spirit, whom fame hath note of. For the mind


s: Of him, who hears, is loath to acquiesce


s: And fix its faith, unless the instance brought


s: (revolved by Dominations). Here the spirits of rulers famous for


s: fervently praying justice may indeed reign on earth as in heaven.


s: Whom at the right wheel thou beheld'st advancing,


s: Were sponsors for him, more than thousand years


s: As see not the First Cause entire: and ye,


s: Such scantiness of knowledge our delight:


s: For all our good is, in that primal good,


s: Concentrate; and God's will and ours are one."


s: Thrones). This sphere is the abiding place of contemplative and


s: _Canto XXII._ Startled by a loud cry, Dante is reassured by St.


s: Damian's statement that no harm can befall him in heaven. Next


s: Benedict describes his life on earth and inveighs against the


s: corruption of the monks of Dante's time.


s: Christ, escorted by his Mother and by the Church triumphant. Too


s: Beatrice, St. James reveals he has been sent hither by Christ to


s: "I turn'd, but ah! how trembled in my thought,


s: Not distant, on the happy coast she stood."


s: _Canto XXVI._ Dante now ascertains he has merely been temporarily


s: perceives a fourth spirit, in whom he recognizes Adam, father of


s: _Canto XXVII._ After listening enraptured to the melody of the


s: Here is the goal, whence motion on his race


s: Starts: motionless the centre, and the rest


s: multitudinous angels constantly revolving around a dazzling point


s: And she, so distant, as appear'd, look'd down,


s: And smiled; then towards the eternal fountain turn'd."


s: love,--which so transcends all human expression that he declares


s: "what he saw was not for words to speak."


s: That moves the sun in heaven and all the stars."


s: Assuming that his auditors are familiar with the characters of


s: Boiardo's unfinished epic, Ariosto, picking up the thread of the


s: Orlando, coming up by chance, is gazing in admiration upon this


s: Angelica, unable to forget Rinaldo since she has partaken of the


s: Meanwhile the many knights enamoured with Angelica have gone to


s: In the course of this campaign these two knights meet with many


s: encounters, Rogero discovers that his antagonist is Bradamant--a


s: woman--and falls desperately in love with her.


s: Orlando's madness, and the third to the love of Rogero and


s: Bradamant,--Rogero, an ancestor of the Ferrara family (Ariosto's


s: patrons), being the real hero of his poem.


s: But, on their way to Vallombroso where this sacrament is to take


s: Meantime Astolfo has ridden off on the hippogriff to the earthly


s: whence only a few shreds are rescued by poets!


s: Rogero. The courage shown by the bridegroom while at Belgrade has


s: Torquato Tasso, one of the three great Italian poets, was born at


s: Although Tasso contrived several times to escape from Ferrara, he


s: To the same warbling of fresh waters drew,


s: Arm'd, but unmhelm'd and unforeseen, a maid;


s: To quench her thirst beneath the pleasant shade;


s: Her beautiful fair aspect, thus display'd,


s: He sees; admires; and, touch'd to transport, glows


s: With passion rushing to its fountain head,


s: The heart; 'tis strange how quick the feeling grows;


s: Scarce born, its power in him no cool calm medium knows.


s: Doom'd in tormenting fire to die, they lay


s: Hands on the maid; her arms with rough cords twining,


s: Rudely her mantle chaste they tear away,


s: And the white veil that o'er her droop'd declining:


s: Yet her firm breast some virgin tremors shook;


s: And her warm cheek, Aurora's late outshining,


s: Like that of the pale rose or lily of the brook.


s: image, Aladine questions the maiden, who denies it, insisting she


s: services in the coming war. Touched by each other's devotion, the


s: Restored to life and liberty, how blest,


s: How truly blest was young Olindo's fate!


s: For sweet Sophronia's blushes might attest,


s: That Love at length has touch'd her delicate


s: And generous bosom; from the stake in state


s: She now objects not to become his bride,


s: And grateful live with him who would for her have died.


s: "Know, then, that we have borne all this distress


s: By land and sea,--war, want, reverses--all!


s: To the sole end that we might gain access


s: That we might free the Faithful from their thrall,


s: And win from God His blessing and reward:


s: From this no threats our spirit can appal,


s: For this no terms will be esteem'd too hard--


s: Life, honors, kingdoms lost, or dignity debarr'd."


s: Seeing them advance, the pagans make hasty preparations to oppose


s: From the topmost tier of Jerusalem's ramparts, the Sultan Aladine


s: Many people having died in the course of this action, a truce is


s: agreed upon so that both sides may bury their dead, and so, many


s: funerals are celebrated with all due pomp and ceremony. Next the


s: crusading force decides that siege-engines and towers will be


s: The fun'ral rites, and shed his duteous tears,


s: Sent all his skill'd mechanics to invade


s: The forest, guarded by a thousand spears;


s: Veil'd by low hills it stood, the growth of years,--


s: To fabricate the engines doom'd to scale


s: The City's sacred towers and turn her people pale.


s: Christian camp, where, falling at Godfrey's feet, she proceeds to


s: But, although Godfrey himself is proof against all Armida's


s: All arts th' enchantress practised to beguile


s: Some new admirer in her well-spread snare;


s: Nor used with all, nor always the same wile,


s: But shaped to every taste her grace and air:


s: Here cloister'd is her eye's dark pupil, there


s: In full voluptuous languishment is roll'd;


s: Now these her kindness, those her anger bear,


s: Spurr'd on or check'd by bearing frank or cold,


s: As she perceived her slave was scrupulous or bold.


s: Argantes, who sallies forth to challenge the Christians, bidding


s: He noted not where the Circassian rear'd


s: His frightful face to the affronted skies,


s: But to the hill-top where his Love appear'd,


s: Turn'd, slack'ning his quick pace, his am'rous eyes,


s: Till he stood steadfast as a rock, all ice


s: Without, all glowing heat within;--the sight


s: And from his mind the mem'ry of the fight


s: Pass'd like a summer cloud, or dream at morning light.


s: One of the knights in his train, seeing he is not going to fight,


s: however, is nearly as brave as Tancred, so the battle rages until


s: _Canto VII._ To escape from her pursuers, Erminia flees into a


s: trackless forest, where, after wandering some time, she meets a


s: shepherd, who gives her an asylum in his hut. There she turns


s: _Canto VIII._ During this battle a great storm arises, and the


s: "Let Godfrey view once more, and smile to view


s: His haunted peace and never stable reign:


s: Shall be as are my wrongs; though fires consume


s: And aye my naked ghost fresh wrath assume,


s: Through life a foe most fierce, but fiercer from the tomb!"


s: They climb'd a staircase, long untrod, to which


s: A feeble, glimm'ring, and malignant light


s: Stream'd from the ceiling through a window'd niche;


s: To an illumined hall, large, round, and rich;


s: Where, sceptred, crown'd, and in dark purple clad,


s: Sad sat the pensive king amid his nobles sad.


s: Solyman, overhearing as he enters some of the nobles propose a


s: _Canto XI._ Meantime Godfrey of Bouillon, having buried his dead,


s: sumptuous banquet, where they were given a magic draught, which


s: "Friend! thou hast won; I pardon thee, and O


s: Forgive thou me! I fear not for this clay,


s: But my dark soul--pray for it, and bestow


s: The sacred rite that laves all stains away:"


s: Like dying hymns heard far at close of day,


s: Sounding I know not what in the sooth'd ear


s: Of sweetest sadness, the faint words make way


s: To his fierce heart, and, touch'd with grief sincere,


s: Streams from his pitying eye th' involuntary tear.


s: Clorinda's voice informs him he has wounded her again, he flees


s: _Canto XIV._ In a dream Godfrey is now admonished to proceed, and


s: Isles. The hermit then bestows upon them a golden wand which will


s: _Canto XV._ Hastening off to the sea-shore armed with this golden


s: These windings pass'd, the garden-gates unfold,


s: And the fair Eden meets their glad survey,--


s: Still waters, moving crystals, sands of gold,


s: Herbs, thousand flowers, rare shrubs, and mosses gray;


s: Sunshiny hillocks, shady vales; woods gay,


s: And grottoes gloomy, in one view combined,


s: Presented were; and what increased their play


s: Of pleasure at the prospect, was, to find


s: Nowhere the happy Art that had the whole design'd.


s: So natural seem'd each ornament and site,


s: So well was neatness mingled with neglect,


s: As though boon Nature for her own delight


s: Her mocker mock'd, till fancy's self was check'd;


s: The air, if nothing else there, is th' effect


s: Of magic, to the sound of whose soft flute


s: The blooms are born with which the trees are deck'd;


s: By flowers eternal lives th' eternal fruit,


s: This running richly ripe, while those but greenly shoot.


s: Then, peeping cautiously through the trees, they behold Rinaldo


s: idleness, that he springs to his feet and proposes to leave


s: immediately with his companions. They are about to depart without


s: _Canto XVIII._ Newly armed, Rinaldo now returns to the crusaders'


s: penetrate within its precincts, but, undeterred by all Armida's


s: enchantments, cuts down a tree, although, in hopes of staying his


s: Then raised the Christians all their long loud shout


s: Their words the towers and temples lengthen out;


s: To the glad sound the mountains make reply:


s: Then the whole host pours in, not o'er the walls


s: Alone, but through the gates, which soon unclose,


s: Batter'd or burnt; and in wide ruin falls


s: Each strong defence that might their march oppose.


s: Rages the sword; and Death, the slaught'rer, goes


s: 'Twixt Wo and Horror with gigantic tread,


s: From street to street; the blood in torrents flows,


s: And settles in lagoons, on all sides fed,


s: And swell'd with heaps on heaps of dying and of dead.


s: Meantime Armida, wavering between love and hate, tries to shoot


s: The Crusaders having completely defeated their foes and secured


s: Thus conquer'd Godfrey; and as yet there glow'd


s: Of Christ, the pious chief and armies press'd:


s: Arm'd as he was, and in his sanguine vest,


s: With all his knights in solemn cavalcade,


s: He reach'd the Temple; there, supremely bless'd,


s: Hung up his arms, his banner'd spoils display'd,


s: And at the sacred Tomb his vow'd devotions paid.


s: Switzerland, Germany west of the Rhine, Belgium, and the British


s: considered of much higher rank than those who merely recited


s: committed any works to writing previous to the introduction of


s: The Fennian or Oisianic poems and tales form another famous Irish


s: fragments so as to produce a real masterpiece, Macpherson--who


s: erroneously termed his work a translation--not only incurred the


s: sharpest criticism, but was branded as a plagiarist.


s: possessing epic qualities, wherein mention is made of some of the


s: Southern Wales, where many places are identified with him or his


s: certainly had an incalculable formative influence on European


s: After thus tracing the Celtic germs and influence in English


s: literature, it becomes necessary to hark back to the time of the


s: Teutonic invasions, since English thought and speech, manners and


s: There are also the Legends of Havelock the Dane, of King Horn, of


s: Next come the epic poems of Cynewulf, Crist, Juliana, Elene, and


s: dividing his poem into fourteen cantos or fitts.


s: There is, besides, a very curious yet important legend cycle, in


s: With the Norman Conquest, French became the literary language of


s: To name all the poets who had a share in developing the Arthurian


s: The poet Keats, whose life was so short, left us a complete


s: Shelley, Keats' contemporary, wrote poems abounding in epic


s: passages,--"Alastor, or the Spirit of Solitude," "The Revolt of


s: Islam," "Adonais," and "Prometheus Unbound"; while Byron's epical


s: As the translator of the epical romances of "Amadis de Gaule" and


s: Among Macaulay's writings the "Lays of Ancient Rome" have epic


s: Soothly to tell us, they in halls who reside,


s: Heroes under heaven, to what haven he hied.


s: Hrothgar, his descendant, constructed a magnificent hall, called


s: To urge his folk to found a great building,


s: The Lord had allowed him, save life and retainers.


s: The foamy-necked floater fanned by the breeze,


s: The twist-stemmed vessel had travelled such distance


s: That the sailing-men saw the sloping embankments,


s: The sea-cliffs gleaming, precipitous mountains,


s: Nesses enormous: they were nearing the limits


s: Then the brave-mooded hero bent to his slumber,


s: The pillow received the cheek of the noble;


s: men--crunches his bones and greedily drinks his blood. Beowulf,


s: On learning of this loss on the morrow, Hrothgar is overcome with


s: Then he saw amid the war-gems a weapon of victory,


s: An ancient giant-sword, of edges a-doughty,


s: Glory of warriors: of weapons 'twas choicest,


s: The good and splendid work of the giants.


s: He grasped then the sword-hilt, knight of Seyldings,


s: Bold and battle-grim, brandished his ring-sword,


s: That the fiend-woman's neck firmly it grappled,


s: Broke through her bone-joints, the bill fully pierced her


s: Fate-cursèd body, she fell to the ground then:


s: The hand sword was bloody, the hero exulted.


s: The brand was brilliant, brightly it glimmered,


s: The blood having touched it, contracting and shrivelling


s: With battle-icicles; 'twas a wonderful marvel


s: That it melted entirely, likest to ice when


s: The Father unbindeth the bond of the frost and


s: Unwindeth the wave-bands, He who wieldeth dominion


s: Of times and of tides: a truth-firm Creator.


s: His task accomplished, Beowulf returns home, where he bestows the


s: Although Beowulf realizes he no longer enjoys youthful vigor, he,


s: Seeing his master about to be crushed to death, Wiglaf--one of


s: Beowulf's followers--now springs forward to aid him, thus causing


s: To behold the hoard 'neath the hoar-grayish stone,


s: Well-lovèd Wiglaf, now the worm is a-lying,


s: Sore-wounded sleepeth, disseized of his treasure


s: Go thou in haste that treasures of old I


s: Gold-wealth may gaze on, together see lying


s: Having the heap of hoard-gems, to yield my


s: Life and the land-folk whom long I have governed."


s: Sure that the monster can no longer molest them, the rest of the


s: So lamented mourning the men of the Geats,


s: Fond-loving vassals the fall of their lord,


s: Said he was kindest of kings under heaven,


s: Gentlest of men, most winning of manner,


s: Friendliest to folk-troops and fondest of honor.


s: Sarras. The second circle included the stories of Arthur and


s: episode,--would require far more space than any one volume would


s: Robert de Borron is said to be mainly responsible for the tale of


s: Vortigern, with the aid of the Saxon leaders Hengist and Horsa,


s: usurped his throne. Some time after, wishing to construct an


s: On consulting an astrologer, Vortigern was directed to anoint the


s: During his reign Arthur fought twelve memorable battles, and, not


s: Pendragon. This was a magic board around which none but virtuous


s: It was as supreme honor and mark of confidence that Arthur sent


s: Astolat,"--some of the later writers fancied there was only the


s: The other Elaine,--as Tennyson so beautifully relates, a dying of


s: couple, Tristram and Iseult,  also claims our attention.


s: Cornwall. Then, while mourning for her beloved, this lady dies in


s: champion's slayer and enable her to avenge his death.


s: extreme--selects Tristram as his ambassador.


s: One day, while guarding their patient's slumbers, the ladies idly


s: untrue to her lover Tristram. The romances now give us stolen


s: husband to appear before the judges and clear herself from all


s: He too, when restored to his senses, visits Arthur's court, is


s: admitted to the Round Table, and joins in the Quest for the Holy


s: beyond the power of his wife's skill to cure, Tristram sends for


s: respective graves twined lovingly around each other.


s: Were any one patient enough to count the characters, duels, and


s: Broceliande, in Brittany, where she left him, spellbound in a


s: In this encounter all are slain on both sides, and Arthur, having


s: grievous wound, finds no one near to help or sustain him save Sir


s: received a farewell visit from Arthur and an assurance of his


s: forgiveness, before he rode into his last fight.


s: sternest knight to thy mortal foe that ever put spear in rest.'"


s: quarter-staff, Robin now proposed a shooting-match, and, his good


s: enticed the tinker to drink, and made him so drunk that he had no


s: The baffled sheriff now rode off to London to complain, but, when


s: feeling sure Robin would be among the competitors for the prize,


s: posted a number of men to watch for and arrest him. These sleuths


s: Determined to save Will from the gallows at any risk, Robin


s: immediately set out with four of his best men and let them mingle


s: More determined than ever to obtain revenge, the sheriff again


s: proclaimed an archery contest, which Robin shunned. Little John,


s: innocently followed him to the outlaws' camp. When brought thus


s: Weary of the same company, Robin once despatched his men into the


s: dejection, Sir Richard of the Lee explained that his son, having


s: Robin, ever ready to help the poor and sorrowful, bade the knight


s: Such was the value of the third set aside for the poor that Robin


s: neighboring fair, and, meeting three pretty girls with baskets of


s: Queen Eleanor, having heard endless merry tales about Robin Hood,


s: office. While ostensibly fastening nooses around the three lads'


s: The angry sheriff, on perceiving Robin, who just then appeared,


s: knights, pages, and soldiers was viewed with delight by all the


s: forest in a monk's garb, a suggestion which so charmed the


s: Lion-hearted monarch that he started out on the morrow with seven


s: stranger's benefit, and, when he too shot at random, all loudly


s: Just then Sir Richard's son rushed into the outlaw's camp,


s: turret-chamber, where he found poor Robin nearly gone.


s: Gloriana grants his request, on condition that he will serve her


s: Vaulting on his war-steed, Georgos now rides off with Una and the


s: On seeing the exhaustion of her companion, Una realizes he will


s: require rest before undertaking further adventures, and therefore


s: They are riding along together amicably, when the knight plucks a


s: recognize her, nor does he mark her relief when she perceives her


s: provided they are pure, so the lion--the personification of


s: Courage--not only spares Una, but humbly licks her feet, and


s: They two have not proceeded far before they encounter


s: volunteers to go with her in search of the Red Cross Knight.


s: Those two have not ridden far together before they encounter a


s: journey. As they proceed, however, Una becoming aware that her


s: champion is not yet strong enough to do battle, conducts him to a


s: distinction, the Red Cross Knight objects that a ploughman's son


s: The next adventure in the Faerie Queene is that of Sir


s: Guyon,--personifying Temperance,--who is escorted everywhere by a


s: increasing his hoard. But, although sorely tempted, Sir Guyon


s: Mammon--who bitterly terms him a fool--abandons him.


s: vanishes, and, while the palmer is bending over the fainting Sir


s: suddenly draws near and attacks them. One giant, being without a


s: On landing, the travellers are surprised to encounter strange


s: One day, while wandering in the palace, she discovered in the


s: treasure-room a magic mirror, fashioned by Merlin for her father,


s: Early the next day, therefore, the two visited the magician, who,


s: Meantime, Prince Arthur and Sir Guyon, with their respective


s: fugitive had chosen, our heroes decided to part and ride along


s: befallen her. To comfort this faithful henchman, Prince Arthur


s: promised to go with him and rescue the unhappy damsel.


s: Barely were they out of reach when the beast rushed down to the


s: hadn't gone far, leading this reluctant captive, when he spied a


s: captive, and restore him to his senses proved short work for Sir


s: Scudamore donned his discarded armor and volunteered to guide


s: Undaunted by this information, Britomart pressed onward, and on


s: reaching the castle declared her intention to charge through the


s: Having thus disposed of her prize, Britomart rode off with her


s: deeply in love with Belphebe; but, deeming himself of too lowly


s: castle and tenderly nursed her back to health. It was only after


s: witnessing the joyful celebration of the long-postponed wedding


s: Sir Artegall, the noble champion of justice, or lord deputy of


s: Provided with a description of the armor and accoutrements of the


s: intangible things as truth and falsehood, right and wrong,


s: demonstrates that the charlatan's scales are false, and, after


s: convicting him of trickery, drowns him in the sea.


s: Radigonde, who in the midst of the encounter turns to flee. But


s: Britomart pursues her into her stronghold, whence she manages to


s: Sir Artegall and his faithful squire soon after see a maiden flee


s: proposes to assume the armor of one of the dead knights, and thus


s: personification of Philip the Second of Spain, the ruler of three


s: stronghold by a faithless steward (Alba). But, thanks to Arthur's


s: On the way thither Sir Artegall is beset by the hags Envy and


s: horseback was ill treating her when the youth came to her rescue.


s: Accompanied by this squire, who now wears the armor of the slain


s: knight, Sir Calidore journeys on, until he sees a knight sorely


s: wounded by the very man his new squire slew. They two convey this


s: The castle-owner, father of the distinguished wounded man, is so


s: On reaching his beloved Serena, Sir Calespine finds her so sorely


s: Sir Turpine now succeeds in persuading two knights to pursue and


s: spared his opponent, and decides that having overcome him once by


s: penalty Cupid has imposed upon the couple, he decides they are


s: Still pursuing the elusive Blatant Beast, Sir Calidore comes to a


s: To reward the bravery of Calidore, who has saved her from death,


s: In that hopeless and dark abode the captain of the brigands is


s: beginning to cast lustful glances upon Pastorella, when merchants


s: Being still in quest of the ever fleeing Blatant Beast, Calidore


s: conducts Pastorella to the castle of Belgard, whose master and


s: mistress are passing sad because they lost their only child in


s: It is during Pastorella's sojourn in this castle that the lady


s: discovers on her breast the birth-mark, which proves she is her


s: lasting pain, he casts his eyes about him, and, flames making the


s: companions will not fail him, and enriched by past experiences,


s: determines to continue disputing the mastery of heaven from the


s: "Seest thou yon dreary plain, forlorn and wild,


s: Save what the glimmering of these livid flames


s: Casts pale and dreadful? Thither let us tend


s: From off the tossing of these fiery waves,


s: There rest, if any rest can harbor there,


s: Consult how we may henceforth most offend


s: What reinforcement we may gain from hope;


s: around the cope of hell before alighting at their master's feet.


s: To make their new quarters habitable, the fallen angels, under


s: preeminence. When he bids them suggest what they shall do, Moloch


s: All having been heard, the fallen angels decide, since it is


s: impossible again to face Michael's dreaded sword, they will adopt


s: applauded that ever since an overwhelming tumult has been termed


s: incestuous union they two produced Death, whom even they cannot


s: mischievous revenge accursed in an accursed hour he hies."


s: fulness dwells of love divine," seeing man will be lost unless he


s: Thus said, he turned; and Satan, bowing low,


s: As to superior spirits is wont in heaven,


s: Where honor due and reverence none neglects,


s: Took leave, and toward the coast of earth beneath,


s: Down from the ecliptic, sped with hoped success,


s: Throws his steep flight in many an airy wheel,


s: Nor stayed, till on Niphates' top he lights.


s: _Book IV._ Wishing his voice were loud enough to warn our first


s: parents of coming woe and thus forestall the misfortunes ready to


s: After describing the wonders of Eden--which far surpass all fairy


s: disposal save the fruit of one tree. Thus Satan discovers the


s: nightfall are to patrol the boundaries of Paradise. While thus


s: engaged, Uriel comes glancing down through the evening air on a


s: _Book V._ Morning having dawned, Adam awakens refreshed, only to


s: transgressing, man should claim he had not been forewarned.


s: intelligible to finite mind, things which, even angels fail to


s: followers, Abdiel, refuses to believe his specious words. In his


s: Long way through hostile scorn, which he sustained


s: And with retorted scorn his back he turned


s: On those proud towers to swift destruction doomed.


s: The Almighty, however, does not require Abdiel's warning, for the


s: _Book VI._ In spite of the speed with which he travels, Abdiel


s: After exchanging Homeric taunts, these two begin fighting, and


s: opponent, Michael attacks Moloch, while Uriel, Raphael and Abdiel


s: silence of that night, he also consults with his adherents how to


s: bottomless pit, sending after them peal after peal of thunder,


s: together with dazzling flashes of lightning, but mercifully


s: envying his happy state, is now plotting to seduce him from his


s: "But listen not to his temptations; warn


s: Thy weaker; let it profit thee to have heard


s: Of disobedience; firm they might have stood,


s: Yet fell; remember, and fear to transgress."


s: In his turn, Adam entertains Raphael with a description of his


s: Book IX. The poet warns us there will be no more question of talk


s: Adam shall share with me in bliss or woe:


s: So dear I love him, that with him all deaths


s: I could endure, without him live no life."


s: shudders, for Adam, although not deceived, yields to temptation


s: departs, promising to temper justice with mercy, so that God's


s: Escorted to the gates of heaven by the angelic host, the Redeemer


s: harsher air to which they are soon to be exposed.


s: hard," they fashion of stone and asphalt a broad highway from the


s: They have barely finished this causeway when Satan--still in the


s: Almighty, which are ever just, and laud his Son as the destined


s: restorer of mankind. While they are thus employed, the Almighty


s: gathering up their prayers, presents them to the Father as the


s: first-fruits which have sprung from his mercy.


s: "See, Father, what first-fruits on earth are sprung


s: From thy implanted grace in man; these sighs


s: And prayers, which in this golden censer, mixed


s: With incense, I thy priest before thee bring,


s: Fruits of more pleasing savor, from thy seed


s: Sown with contrition in his heart, than those


s: Which his own hand, manuring all the trees


s: Of Paradise, could have produced, ere fallen


s: Night has brought some comfort, and Adam exclaims that, since the


s: entertainment Adam steps forward to receive him.


s: explaining he has enveloped Eve in slumbers, which will hold her


s: entranced while he reveals to Adam the earth's kingdoms and their


s: To show thee what shall come in future days


s: To thee and to thy offspring; good with bad


s: Expect to hear, supernal grace contending


s: With sinfulness of men; thereby to learn


s: True patience, and to temper joy with fear,


s: Prosperous or adverse: so shalt thou lead


s: Safest thy life, and best prepared endure


s: Thy mortal passage when it comes. Ascend


s: This hill; let Eve (for I have drenched her eyes)


s: Here sleep below, while thou to foresight wakest.


s: As once thou slept'st, while she to life was formed."


s: Not only does the angel name Abraham, but depicts his life, the


s: serpent's head, he will conquer Sin and Death. This promise fills


s: prophecy, but, when he inquires how the serpent can wound such a


s: The woman's Seed, obscurely then foretold,


s: Now amplier known thy Saviour and thy Lord,


s: Last in the clouds from heaven to be revealed


s: Satan with his perverted world, then raise


s: From the conflagrant mass, purged and refined,


s: New heavens, new earth, ages of endless date


s: Founded in righteousness and peace and love,


s: To bring forth fruits, joy, and eternal bliss."


s: learned through angelic revelations. When they rejoin Eve, she


s: explains how God sent her a dream which has soothed her heart and


s: before,--when he winged his way through chaos to discover the new


s: So spake the eternal Father, and all Heaven


s: Burst forth, and in celestial measures moved,


s: Circling the throne and singing, while the hand


s: Sung with the voice; and this the argument:


s: Now entering his great duel, not of arms,


s: But to vanquish by wisdom hellish wiles.


s: The Father knows the Son; therefore secure


s: Ventures his filial virtue, though untried,


s: Against whate'er may tempt, whate'er seduce,


s: Be frustrate, all ye stratagems of Hell,


s: And devilish machinations come to nought."


s: Although Christ realizes he has been sent into the wilderness by


s: "But, if thou be the Son of God, command


s: That out of these hard stones be made thee bread;


s: So shalt thou save thyself and us relieve


s: With food, whereof we wretched seldom taste."


s: And sends his Spirit of truth henceforth to dwell


s: To all truth requisite for men to know."


s: Thus baffled, Satan vanishes into "thin air diffused," and night


s: Thus Mary pondering oft, and oft to mind


s: Since first her salutation heard, with thoughts


s: averring that the female sex possesses so many wiles that even


s: Transferring us again to the solitude, the poet describes how our


s: intervention. Then Satan exhibits the wonderful banquet he has


s: prepared, inviting Christ to partake of it; but the Son of God


s: Joseph the carpenter. But, although Satan offers to bestow vast


s: Undeterred by these checks, Satan changes his theme, and reminds


s: Can suffer, best can do; best reign, who first


s: Well hath obeyed; just trial ere I merit


s: Then, turning upon his interlocutor, Christ inquires why he is so


s: Babylonia, and Persia,--of whose histories he gives a brief


s: _Book IV._ With all the persistency of his kind, Satan refuses to


s: "Know, therefore, when my season comes to sit


s: On David's throne, it shall be like a tree


s: Spreading and overshadowing all the earth,


s: All monarchies besides throughout the world,


s: And of my kingdom there shall be no end:


s: Means there shall be to this, but what the means


s: Is not for thee to know nor me to tell."


s: Wise men have said, are wearisome: who reads


s: Incessantly, and to his reading brings not


s: (And what he brings, what needs he elsewhere seek?),


s: Beep versed in books and shallow in himself,


s: And trifles for choice matters, worth a sponge;


s: As children gathering pebbles on the shore."


s: foreshadowings of what he will have to undergo. In spite of this,


s: Thus they the Son of God, our Saviour meek,


s: Sung victor, and from heavenly feast refreshed


s: Brought on his way with joy; he unobserved


s: Home to his mother's private house returned.


s: The Hildebrandslied relates how Hildebrand, after spending thirty


s: avoiding the tragic note struck in Sorab and Rustem (p. 410).


s: Still not all the Teutonic epics are of pagan origin, for in the


s: In the third period "the crusades revived the epic memories of


s: In the Langobardian cycle also is the tale of "Rother," supposed


s: The greatest of all the German epics is undoubtedly the


s: Among the Minnesingers of greatest note are Walther von der


s: Vogelweide, Wolfram von Eschenbach, and later, when their


s: fifteenth century by Kaspar von der Rhön, while the Abenteuerbuch