A

BOOK
BY

OF
JEAN
(MRS.
JOHN

MYTHS
LANG
LANG)

WITH DRAWINGS BY

TWENTY IN

ORIGINAL COLOUR

HELEN

STRATTON

NEW

YORK

G.

P.
LONDON:

PUTNAM'S
T. C. " E. C.

SONS
JACK

EVv"

YORK

::

LIBRARY

ASTOa,
TILDfeiN

LENOX

A^MD

POUNDATION8,

PRINTED

IN

GREAT

BRITAIN

TO

STR

LAUDER

BRUNTON,

Rt.

M.U.,

F.R.S.,

Etc.

PREFACE

Just

as

little
to

child and

holds
to

out

its

hands
so

to

catch eyes
men

the tell have

sunbeams,
is

feel

grasp

what,
the

its ages,

it,

actually

there,
out

so,

down hands

through
in
eager

stretched
their the

their And

endeavour the of the

to

know
was

God. divine
of

because the and many

only
old
not

through peoples

human earth

knowable,
their heroes

made

gods
these virtues the

unfrequently
of As the
we

endowed
as

gods
of East

with
their

as

vices read the

race

of

the of

worshippers.
the of the West
we

the
same

myths

and

find

ever

story.

That from
of

portion
the

ancient
of
"

Aryan through

which the
to must

poured
defiles

central
we

plain
call

Asia,
The

rocky populate
once

what

now

Frontier,"

the
have
more

fertile
been

lowlands

of

India,
but
most

had
who

gods
came

who in of

wholly
than

heroic,
the

time

to

be

degraded
And who those the
came

vicious

lustful
and

criminals.

Greeks,
of with the whom

Latins,
same

Teutons,

Celts,

Slavonians,
did
even as

mighty they
owned their all

Aryan
a

stock,
common

ancestry.
their best.

Originally
that
most
was

they
noblest all

gave in the

to

gods
that

of
was

All
and

them,

strongest
of their their

selfless,
their time

higher
And and

instincts

natures

were

endowment.

although
lost
its

worship
there

in

became

corrupt

beauty,

yet

viii

BOOK

OF

IMYTHS

remains

for

us,

in

the

old
a

tales

of

the

gods,
in

ful wonderhearts

humanity
of For
never

that
are

strikes the and We

as

vibrant

chord of their

the

those

who

descendants forms
are

worshippers.
human
our
^

though
is all.
"

creeds

may

change,
than Powell but

nature

changes.
And,
is not It his

less

simple
York

fathers
most

that says
not

Professor
a

truly
deeds there last in
;

in

man's but is in

creed,
his and

in

his
that will

in

knowledge,
of what

sympathy,
of what

lies the human The the

essence

good

life."
most

usual and
"

habits

of

mind

in

our

own

day

are

theoretical

analytical
those
are

habits. the

Dissection,
to

section, viviwhich

analysis
all

processes and
we

things
are

not

conclusively
bound into IMoon
one

historical Thus and

all find

things
the old

spiritual myths
Earth

to

pass.

classified

Sun

jMyths
Fire

Da^vn and

]Myths,
Wind

JMyths
until,
of the
sun

and
as

Myths,
of the

Myths
sane

Myths,
thinkers
you take the

most
^

and observed

vigorous
"

the

present
of the

day

has

justly
her
moon,

If

rhyme
and

Mary
lamb

and the in

little you and

lamb,
will

and

call

Mary

achieve

astonishing results,
when
one

both the

religion
followed

astronomy,
to

you

find

that

lamb

^Mary

school

day."
In this little collection
to

of of

jMyths,
as

the
a

stories fresh book

are

not

presented
to

the

student

folklore is

tion contribu-

his

knowledge.
in the
course

Rather of

the

intended

for

those

who,
^

their

reading, frequently

Teutonic
John

Heathendom.

Kelman,

D.D., Among

Famous

Books.

PREFACE

ix

come

across

names

which
to

possess
some

for

them

no

meaning,
which know. it is

and
runs

who the

care

read

old that

stories, through
their has
a own

same

humanity
the old for
us

hearts away,

For almost

although

worship
to

passed
book of

impossible
some

open

that ago.

does In

not
our

contain childhood
of

mention
we are

of

the

gods
of

long

given copies Tanglewood

Kingsley's
Later
on,

Heroes
we

and find in

Hawthorne's

Tales.

Shakespeare,

Spenser,
Mrs.

Milton,
Bro

Keats,
and
a

Shelley, I^onghost of of the other

fellow, Tennyson,

waning,
to

writers,

constant
a

allusion has
or ever

the

stories but

gods.

Scarcely
of
as

poet
one

written of his

makes It

mention

them

in

other
no

poems. from them. that of

our

would
We old

seem

if there in and the

were

get-away

might gods
of

expect
Greece

this of

twentieth

century
the

the

Rome,
of

gods
the

Northern British in
a

fathers, forerace,
paper news-

gods

Egypt,
But
someone

gods
when

of the
we

might

be of

forgotten. aeroplanes,
of

even

read

is and
our

more

than

likelyto quote
steed,
the
names or

the

story

Bellerophon
in

his

winged

of of

Icarus, the

flyer,and

daily speech
crop in
"

gods
at

and

goddesses continually
we

up.

We

drive Not The

"

or,

least, till lately

swear

drove Jove
or

Phaetons.

only silvery
is

schoolboys
substance named referred
to
names

by
our

by

Jupiter.
and

in

thermometers Blacksmiths
sons
"

barometers
to

Mercury.
to
"

are

accustomed and beautiful We

being
youths
the

as

of young

Vulcan,"
Adonises."

being
of

called

accept
as

newspapers without

and

debating

societies

being
was

the

"Argus,"

perhaps

quite realisingwho

BOOK

OF

IMYTHS

Argiis, forget
Even

the

many-eyed.
the

We

talk Pan
we

of

"

panic,"
of
to

and

tliat in Not
our

great

god

is father go
on our

the

word.

rehgious only
pews
are

services
crockets of

back

ism. heathen-

the

cathedral

spires
one

and
our

church
own

remnants

fire-worship, but blessings

bless face thee
to

of

most

beautiful
"

Christian
The Lord His the did

is

probably keep
upon
nance counte-

of
thee

Assyrian origin.
The
.
. .

and shine His

Lord

make lift up
."

thee
....

The upon thee

Lord
. .

light
the who

of

So

priests of

the

sun-

gods
We

invoke make

blessings upon
many and the of of the

those
as

worshipped. study
the the of her

discoveries
South.

we

myths
Baldur
name

of the
we

North
that

In

story
gave the

find the

goddess

Hel

ultimately precious
to

to

place
And the

punishment
the cold

Calvinistic
much his of

mind.

because

Norseman of the

very

liked disheaven

bitter, cruel

long winter,
his

was

warm,
one

well-fired
of terrible Tweed of

abode,

and

place
on

ment punishother

frigidity.
and

Somewhere
was

the

side

of the

the Celt

Cheviots Britain, knew

was

the On the of had

spot selected
other
a

by
the

southern which that

hand,

eastern

mind,
of of
a

the

terrors

sun-smitten for
a

land

and

heat

torture,
flames.
not

hell

fieryplace
In deal the

constantly burning permitted,

than
a

space
more

it has number of

been of

possible
and of

to

with

small

myths,
and These that

the the

well-known

stories have

of

Herakles,

Theseus,

Argonauts
been them
so

been told

purposely by
groat
The

omitted. writers
same

have
retell
to

perfectly
seem

to

would

absurd.

applies

the

PREFACE

xi

Odyssey
take

and
rank

the

Iliad, amongst

the

translations
the finest

of

which in

ably probany

translations

language.
The writer will feel that her

object
feel

has

been

gained
a

should
while

any

readers

of

these

stories toilful

that

for

little

they day

have

left

the

utilitarianism
with

of

the

present
restrictions
to

behind

them,

and,

it,

its

hampering
murderous

of

sordid

actualities
to

that

are

so

imagination

and

all

romance.

"

Great A

God

I'd

rather
in

be
creed this
outworn

Pagan might

suckled

So
Have Have

I, standing
that of Proteus

on

pleasant
make from wreathed
me

lea,
less the forlorn
;

glimpses sight
hear old

would

rising
blow his

sea

Or

Triton

horn."

JEAN

LANG.

Edinburgh,

Julij

1914.

POSTSCRIPT
We have have
in

come,
never

those
now

last been that

a

long
dated

months,

to

date of the
our

our

happenings
generation.
; and

as

they
We tliat

imtil of
this

by
"

those

own

s})eak
and

things
stands
its

took barrier

place

Before

War"

between

time

immeasurable.
was

This War." Since Promethean cruelties

tortures

book,

with

Preface,
finest
even

completed
of

in

1914

"

"Before

the

August
of

1914

the But heat

an

humanity
as

our

race

has

been

enduring
bore and tlie the the
men

agonies. pain,
and
remote

Prometheus of

unflinchingly
and have
are

of

and obscene

of

cold,
bird with

hunger
prey,
so we

of

thirst,

inflicted
nation
more

by
of

of

endured

of

our

those than

nations

whom
one

proud
ago, the
now

to

be
seem

allied. the
mogrification trans-

Much old

they

seemed But if
we

little have
can

year

stories

of

sunny of the

Greece.
ancient

studied look God

in

strange
interest,
we

gods,
of God
as

we

with whom

if

with
as

horror,
a

at

the

Teuton

representation purity,
honour,
of the from the
most

of and

the of

believe
to
as

God

of

perfect
of of
turn to

love. would

According
seem

their much

interpretation
a

Him,
the with

the
vicious

Huns

to ancient

be

confederate if
we

degraded Divinity
look with and
not
on a

god
so

of often

worship.
so

And referred

shame

the and

and that understand

glibly
our

by blasphemous
yet
makes
our

lips,
hearts who

picture
we can

tears

hearts,
it
was

and that

big

pride,
died
as

how of the

those
came

heroes
in time in
to

fought
regarded
world's future

in

the but than tell

as

Valley
gods.
the

Scamander There
is in ? we,

be

men,

no

tale

all

the How

mythology
generations
be the the

finer will

tale

that who

began
can

August
for
"

1914.

the

tale,
Avith

say But

whom It of
is

Life tlie

can

never

same

again,
leaves
sun
"

can

say

all like
is

earnestness

memory follows

that the

soldier sunken the

behind that
is

him,
all which
or

the worth

long

train

light
which

that

caring
And,

for,

distinguishes
those God who of God

death

of

the

brave

the

ignoble."
surely,
cause, to

all the

are

fighting,
the God has of

and

suffering,
who
ever

and
is also
near

dying
the and

for GoD

noble

gods,
of

battles,
an

of

peace,

and

the

Love,

become

eternally living entity.

"

Our

little have
are

systems
tlieir but oh broken

have

their
ceass

day
to of

They
They
And

day

and

be,

lights
art
more

Thee,
than

Thou,

Lord,

they."
JEAN LANG.

Edinburgh,

July

1915.

CONTENTS

XIV

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

PAGE

ECHO

AND

NARCISSUS
.

174

ICARUS
...... .

181

CLYTIE
......
.

189

THE

CRANES

OF

IBYCUS
.

192

SYRINX
...... .

197

THE

DEATH

OF

ADONIS
.

202

PAN
.

209

LORELEI
...... .

220

FREYA,

QUEEN

OF

THE

NORTHERN

GODS
.

227

THE

DEATH

OF

BALDUR
.

234.

BEOWULF
...... .

244

ROLAND

THE

PALADIN
.

266

THE

CHILDREN

OF

lIr
.

289

DEIRDRE
......

306
.

LIST

OF

ILLUSTRATIONS

"

What Down

was

he in the

doing,
reeds

the

great
the

god
river ?

Pan,
"

by

Frontispiece
PAGE

Pandora
Then

opened

the

lid
.......

Pygmalion
checked
he her

covered

his

eyes stood

.12
.
.

She

hounds,
and

and

beside

Endymion
.

28

Swiftly
Thus did doors

turned,

found

his

wife and

behind
enter

him
. .

38

Psyche
..........

lose

her

fear,

the

golden
52

She

stopped,
sat

and

picked by
and the
the

up

the

treasure
....

80

Marpessa They
Darkness A

alone

fountain
.....

92

whimpered
fell
on

begged
eyes found of

of

him
. . .

.112

Hyacinthus
. . .

.1.32

grey

cold and

morning
men

her

on

the

seashore
.

.152

Gods

rejoiced
..........

at

the

bringing

back

of

pine Proser166

She

haunted
her

him

like

his

shadow
. . . .

.176

Combing Freya
"

long

golden
the

hair

with

comb

of

red

gold

224

sat

spinning
the

clouds
......

228

Baldur stroke

Beautiful the

is

dead

"

240

shivered seized

sword
his

262

Roland One She

once

more

horn
.....

282

touch held it

for

each

with her

magical

wand

of

the

Druids

294

against

breast

332

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

PROMETHEUS

AND

PANDORA

Those

who of

are

interested
a

in

watching
noted
a

the that

mental when
to
"

velopment dethe show What

to

child
to

must

have
even

baby
its is

has

learned

speak

little, it begins

growing
this ?
"

intelligence
it would that
more

by
at

asking
first
to

questions.
ask with

seem

regard
Soon
"
"

simple
arrives this child's
so

things
at

to

it

are

still

mysteries. inquiries
?
"

it is
the

the
" "

far-reaching
did
this

Why
as

How

happen
tlie is
or

And

mental

growth
parent
or

continues,

painstaking
times faced

and

conscientious

guardian knowledge,

many
a

by

questions
prevents
with As
race.

which him

lack from

of

sensitive \vith
assurance

honesty,
or

answering

either

ingenuity.
with Man the has
"

child,

so

it

has
come

ever

been into the and

with

the

human

always
?
" "

world
so

asking
Hebrew,
the formed
to

"

How

"

Why
the

Wliat the

"

the

the

Greek,
"

Maori,
a

Australian
race

blackfellow,
has
"

Norseman for itself

an

in

word,

each of

of

mankind
an answer

explanation
the "Wliat

existence,
"

the the

questions
world?" think of

of

groping
is air and

child-mind "What ?
" "

"

Wlio made
am

made
a

God?"
water

God
"

fire

and

Why

I, I ?

BOOK
of

OF

MYTHS
and

Into

the

explanation
come

creation of

existence

given
and
was

by

the

Greeks
The world
"
"

the
as

stories

Prometheus
to

of

Pandora.
such
a

world,
as

first it was, of which

we

the

Greeks in the
a

the

one

read It
were

Book sunless
up
gether, to-

of Genesis world in

without

form, and air, and

void."
sea
a

was

which and
over

land,
which the

mixed
called their

reigned
of

deity
and
two

Chaos.
son was

With

him

ruled

goddess

Night
the had the

Erebus,
of space

god

of

Darkness.

When and

beautiful flooded

dren chil-

Erebus,
their

Light

Day,
Eros,
and and

formless

with and

radiance,
and

god

of

Love,

was

born,
turned and
of of and

Light

Day

Love,
made A

working
the

together,
sea,
race

discord

into into
one

harmony

earth, the
race,
a

the

sky

perfect whole.
this
was

giant

Titans, in time
these
to
one

populated mightiest Epimethus, gifts of

in the
the

newly-made
Prometheus.
entrusted

earth, and
To

of brother

the

him,
the
to

his

was

by

Eros

distribution the
a

of the

faculties

and

of

instincts
task less of

all

living creatures
lower than

world, and

the

making

creature

gods, something
and and in

gi-eat than

the

Titans, yet

in

knowledge
the beasts

understanding
and

finitely inAt

higher
the had

than

birds

fishes.

hands
fared

of

the

Titan

brothers,

birds, beasts, and

were

fishes their

handsomely.
so

They
had

Titanic
been
out

in

generosity, and
that of when

prodigal
fain that
to

they
carried
was

in their
the for

gifts

they they

would

have

commands
the

Eros of

found

nothing
be called
some

left

ment equipnothing
ground
it into

this

being,

Man.

Yet,
the

daunted,
at

Prometheus

took it with

clay
and

from

his

feet, moistened

water,

fashioned

PROMETHEUS

AND

PANDORA
Into its nostrils endowed

an

image,

in

form

like

the

gods.

Eros

breathed
a

the

spiritof life,Pallas
the first
was man

Athene

it with

soul, and
earth of

looked
be

wonderingly
his

round

on

the

that the

to

his
of

heritage. Prometheus,
own

proud
fain

beautiful
^lan
a

thing worthy

creation, would
no

have

given
He
was

gift,but

gift remained

for him.
any of the

naked, unprotected,
of the he the
on

more

helplessthan pitiedthan
Olympus,
any

beasts

field, more
a

to

be

of them

in that

had All

soul

to

suffer.
mler of would
to

Surely Zeus,
have

Powerful,
? he But

compassion
in vain
;

Man

Prometheus
none.

looked

Zeus

compassion

had

Then,
of
a

in

finite in-

pity, belonging
creature
"

Prometheus the the

bethought
alone
and

himself

power

to

gods
earth.

unshared

by

any

living

on

We

shall
to

give

Fire

to

the To

Man

whom

we

have

made,"
an

he

said

Epimethus.
to

Epimethus nothing by
a

this
was

seemed

but impossibility, He way from with could that

cower

Prometheus
imseen

impossible.
he made
a

bided into the this have has in

his

time

and,

the

gods,
torch

his

Olympus,
chariot of

lighted
the
to

hollow and

with back
no

spark
earth

Sun Man.

hastened

to

royal gift brought

been darkness the hunted

Assuredly

other the tremble

gift

him his. of

more

completely longer
when
more

empire
and his the

since the
across

No
caves

did

he Zeus

hurled
dread

lightnings
animals
them. Armed fire he

sky.
him and

No

did him

he

that

drove

in terror

before

with

fire,the
weapons,

beasts defied

became the frost

his vassals. and

With

forged

cold, coined

BOOK

OF

MYTHS introduced tillage,

as

money, and
was

made able his and

implements
to

for
as

the

arts,

destroy
on

well

to

create.

From the earth smoke

throne
saw,

Olympus,
wonder,
to

Zeus

looked columns He

down of

on

witli

airy
the

blue-

grey
more

that

curled

upwards
with

sky.
wrath
saw

watched
that the land had he

closely,and
flowers Titans been
a

realised red and with

OAvn

terrible that
came

moving
that the

of

gold
men,

he

in that

shared the

from power.
out to

fire,that

hitherto

gods'
of the

sacred
to mete

Speedily
Prometheus of his
a

assembled
a

council

gods

punishment
council
for

fit for the decided

at

blasphemous

daring
create

crime. that
men,

This should and

length
the man's

to

thing
of

evermore

charm be of

souls

and

hearts

yet, for
To

evermore,

undoing. province
of Prometheus
out

Vulcan,
was

god

fire,whose
the work

had of

insulted,
and
was

given
creature

fashioning
the honour

clay gods

water to

the

by
"

which lame
"

of the says the

be

avenged.

The

Vulcan,"
out

Hesiod,
earth
an

poet

of

Greek

mythology,
a

formed

of

image resembling
blue white eyes, hastened She

chaste
to

virgin.
her the and

Pallas
and
cro^\Tl

Athene,
to

of the her head in

a

ornament
on

robe her
to

tunic.

dressed

of

long veil, skilfullyfashioned

crowned her flowers forehead and
a

admirable

see

she

"with

gi-acefulgarlands
diadem made with this that his
crown

of lame

newlycan, Vulto

opened
the

golden
had

the
own

illustrious the

god,

hands Vulcan

please
chiselled and the

puissant
the

Jove.

On

had

innumerable
nourish in their and

animals

that

the

continents
with he had
a

sea

bosoms,

all endowed

marvellous

grace

apparently

alive.

When

PROMETHEUS instead
he

AND

PANDORA

finallycompleted,

of

some

useful into with the which

work,

this

trious illusthis

masterpiece, virgin,proud
decked
sire."
to

brought

assembly
she of
a

of the

ornaments

had

been

by
To man's

the this

blue-eyed goddess, daughter

beautiful

powerful
the

creature,
of them

destined
gave
a

by

gods
From

be

destroyer, each
she
a

gift.
from

Aphrodite
the

got beauty, from

Apollo music,
And when their

Hermes
that

gift

of in

mnning

tongue.
had
"
"

all

great
named
Thus
to

company the
woman

Olympus
Pandora

bestowed

gifts, they
Gods."

Gifted

by
was

all the led

equipped
world

for

victory. Pandora
was

by
her

Hermes
home.

the
a

that the

thenceforward she
was

to

be
to

As

giftfrom
But eyes

gods

presented
in wonder that

Prometheus.
at

Prometheus,

gazing

the

violet

blue

bestowed his
o^vn

by Aphrodite,
as

looked
as

wonderingly
innocent his
"

back
two

into

if

they

were

indeed

as

violets

wet

with would of

the have Titans

morning
none

dew,

hardened As
a

great

heart, and
descendant

of her. said
"
"

hero years,

a
"

worthy
Timeo,
even

"

in I

later fear

Danaos,
when

et

dona

ferentes,"

the

Greeks,
the of

they

bring gifts."
that
a

And merited

Prometheus,
the
so

greatlythe Not his

daring, knowing
saw

he

anger

gods, only
own,

treachery
he he But
not

in

gift outwardly
this

perfect.
for
to

would but

accept
to

exquisite

creature

hastened well
were

caution

his brother Prometheus

also

refuse

her.

they

named

(Forethought) Epimethus
woman,

and
was

Epimethus enough
the
to

(Afterthought).
look for She him
was

For

it
sent

at to

this love

peerless
her and

from her

gods,

to

believe
on

in

utterly.

the

fairest

thing

earth.

BOOK

OF

MYTHS
had she
as

worthy

indeed

of the
was

deathless

gods

who

created

her. with knew

came

Perfect, too,
her
now,

the

happiness
her

that

brought
he Since for found well she

to

Epimethus.
fair world flowers
more

Before had had been

coming,

the

incomplete.
more

the song in have peace

fragrant
of the Pandora fancied and

grown

sweet

him,
new

the life
ever

birds and that

full of

melody.
how his
to

He brother the

marvelled she could

could

bring

world

aught

but

joyousncss.
when the the endowment had been

Now brothers

gods

had of

entrusted all

to

the upon

Titan
the

living things
to

earth,
that

they

careful the world

or

withhold

everything

might bring
of

into

pain, sickness, anxiety,

soul-

bitterness these

heart,

remorse,

crushing
in
a

sorrow.

All
was

hurtful into the

things were
care

imprisoned

coffer

which

given
To

of the world full

trusty Epimethus.
into of world which she
came was

Pandora
new,

the

all

fresh, all

quite
It
was

unexpected
of

joys
but the
was

and

lightful de-

surprises.
of which her

mystery,
held

mystery

great, adoring, simple Titan

she
saw

golden opened, thus Epimeknown

answer.

key.
what

When
then what
more

the

coffer than

which she

never

natural

that the
was

should

ask
were

it contained the

But

contents

only Day
the there

to

gods.
the

Epimethus

unable

to

by day, gods
must

curiosity of

Pandora

increased.
but

To

her

had be had had this

never

given anything giftsmore

her
to

good.
\Vliat
to

Surely
if the the

here

precious
to

still.
one

Olympians
casket, and
bestow
on

destined
sent

be

the

open she

her

earth
on

in order
men

that who

might
on

dear

world,

the

lived

it,

PROMETHEUS
and

AND

PANDORA

on

her

own

magnificent Titan, happiness

the
come

and

ings bless?

which Thus did

only
there in with the

minds
a

of

gods
when
a

could

have

conceived

day
of

Pandora,

unconscious
in all of
as

instrument

the the

hands
courage

vengeful Olympian,
is born of of faith

faith, and

that

and And

love, opened
from
can

lid of old and

the

prison-house
tombs,

evil. live

coffers

in the
forth upon it
"

Egyptian slay,
the

the

plague
evils

still rush
forth lived cruel
"

long-imprisoned
on

rushed who and

the

fair earth

and

the

human

beings
and and
one

on

malignant, ruthless, fierce, treacherous, Plague

revenge
was

poisoning, slaying, devouring.

murder,
"

pestilenceand
all let viciousness

envy

and

malice

and

an

ugly wolf-pack
Terror,
attack dreamed
her

indeed

that had

loose

by

Pandora.
to

doubt,

misery,
the

all

rushed which

straightway
she and had
never

heart, while
mind

evils of
soul into lid

stung

and

dismay
the

horror,
tried

when,
to

by hastily shutting
the evil she had had

the

of

coffer, she
And

undo the of

done.
one

lo, she found

in this

that

gods

imprisoned
and need all of of
was

good
In

gift only
the work where heart held ? the world
was

Inferno had for

never

horrors any where the

ugliness. Hope.
What

there there

been
to

Hope

do

perfect,and body
and of that
on a

each

creature

possessed Hope
was

desire into

of

Therefore

thrust

the

chest

evils,a
And the

star
as

in

black

night, a lilygrowing white-lipped

and

dung-heap.
looked
to

Pandora,

trembling,
came

into

otherwise

empty

box, courage
his

back
the
arm

her

heart, and
have

Epimethus
slain the
a woman

let fall to

side

that
came

would
to

of his love of

because

there in

him, like

draught

wine

to

warrior

spent

BOOK vision
of

OF
the

MYTHS
of

battle,
the
aeons

an

imperial
to
on

sons

men

through body
Thus,
and

all of

come,

combatting
and
woman

all evils
to

of

soul, going

conquering
Titan vengeance and the

conquer. faced
was

saved

by Hope,
for them

the the

the

future, and

of the
"

gods
Yet

stayed.
not

I argue
nor

Against
Of heart

Heav'n's
or

hand
; but

or

will,

bate up and

jot

hope

still bear

steer

Right
So

onward."

spoke Milton,
;

the

blind
says

Titan
:

of

the

seventeenth

century
"

and

Shakespeare
is

True

hope

swift, and

flies with
meaner

swallow's
creatures

wings

Kings

it makes

gods,

and

kings."
of
men

Upon
as

the in

earth, and

on

the and

children

who the

were

gods

their

knowledge
had his

mastery
For the of

of

force

of he

fire, Jupiter had

reserved
once

rc;venge.

Prometheus

another dear
to
a

punishment.
and
on

He,

greatly-daring,
himself,
the
was

the

friend rock
on a

companion
Caucasus

Zeus

chained

IMount

by

vindictive

deity. There,
the sun-baked of
as

dizzy height, his body

Prometheus had \ailture
to

thrust endure
out

against
the his
ment tor-

rock,
a

having
he
were

foul-beaked
a

tear

liver,

though
All

piece of
the
sun

carrion

lying on

the

mountain
and the

side. blue eyes, bird dark the But

day,
turned

while from

mercilesslysmote
to

him

sky
the of

red
on.

black Each

before

his when

pain-racked
the

tortiu'c

went

night,
of the

filthy
its

prey

tliat and

worked

the
to

will its

gods spread
Titan
once

wings
cruel

flew of

back

the eyi'ie, grow

endured
more.

mercy

having
there

his
came

body

whole

^vitll

daybreak

again

the

silent shadow.

PANDORA

OPENED

THE

LID

PROMETHEUS smell
talons

AND

PANDORA

the and

of the the

unclean
vulture

thing, and

again

with

fierce

beak

greedily began
was

its work. of his sentence, he

secret

Thirty
yet

thousand knew
torment

years that
to

the any end.

time
moment

and
have

Prometheus his

at
an

could
was

brought

his

"

mighty secret,
him favour endure
to

the of

revelation
Zeus and

of which have

would

have him he

brought
in the
to

the

mercy of the

reinstated
Yet free caused did himself Man him the

all-powerful god.
rather than who
to

prefer

his

agonies
of
a

by bowing
to

the

desires to

tyrant
those

had

be

made,
than of the

yet denied
the beasts

Man

giftsthat
him almost the
no

made
to

nobler

and

raised

heights

Olympians.
"

Thus

for him

weary
"

centuries in

dragged by
that

in
the

sufferingthat
gods might

knew

respite

endurance had

have the

ended.
men

Prometheus

brought
and
perially im-

an

imperial gift to
he
"

that

he

had

made,

paid

the

penalty.
years aye of

Three And Till Scorn More From

thousand
moments

sleep-unsheltered hours. by
torture
are

divided years,
"

keen and
mine

pangs

they
and

seemed

solitude,

despair,
unenvied had I

these that

empire.
thou

glorious far
thine

than

which

surveyest
God ! shame

throne, O, Mighty
to

Almighty,
Of thine
to

deigned
and of

share
not

the here

ill

tyranny,
wall

hung

Nailed

this

mountain. eagle-baffling
unmeasured
or

Black, Insect,
Ah
me

wintry, dead,
or

without of life.

herb.

beast,

or

shape

sound for

! alas,

pain, pain

ever,

ever

!"

Shelley.

Titan The

! to

whose

immortal

eyes

sufferingsof mortality
in

Seen

their

sad

reality,

10

BOOK

OF

IMYTHS

Were What A The All The The Which And Should Until silent

not

as

things

that

gods

despise
?

was

thy

pity's
and

recompense
intense
;

suffering,
the the

rock,
that

vulture,

and

the

chain,

2:)roud tliey
do

can

feel

of

pain,

agony

not

show.
of
woe.

suffocating speaks
then have
its voice is

sense

but

in

its

loneliness.
the

jealous
a

lest

sky
will

listener,
is

nor

sigh
Byron.

echoless."

"

Yet,

am

still of and
into

Prometheus,
that
"

wiser

grown

By
The To With In

years

solitude,

holds the

apart
soul
room

jjast
search this

future, itself,
"

giving
and

long
;
"

commune

eternal

silence

^more

god.
to meet

my

long-suffering equal
thou front
in

an4
the direst

strength
shafts

With
Than

of

fate.
.

thy

faint-hearted

despotism
. .

Therefore,
Of Would Each what all
win

great

heart,

bear endure

up

thou

art

but

type

lofty
men

spirits
back
to

that and

fain

strength
and
tears
on

peace heart

through

love

hath

his

lonely
or

peak,

each

Envy,
With

or

scorn

hatred

lifelong

vulture

beak which which

is

yet
but
at

the

high
grown shall

soul

is

left and

And
And

faith,

hope
last

wise,
overcome."

love

patience,

Lowell,

PYGMALION

In

days
on

when the

the

world

was

young

and
over

when the

the

gods
of

walked

earth,

there and

reigned king
of
our

island
named should

Cyprus

sculptor
In
"

king,

of
own

sculptors, day,
he
we

Pygmalion.
call the the
man
*'

the

language
to

him bane

wedded
man.

his

art." he

In

woman

only
men

saw

of
to

Women,
which
their he

believed,
called he
"

lured
them. had

from While

paths
walked

destiny
free
man

alone,
to

walked

given
live

no

hostages
could

fortune." every from that No him. free

Alone,

could beset in

for

his

art,
escape,
woman

combat

danger
every

that

him,
life.

could
But

unhampered,
was

pitfall
the

the

ivy
end.

clings
woman,

to

oak,
vowed

and

throttles

the should hate

oak
ever

in

the

Pygmalion,
he his very his of
men came

hamper
and,
such He

And of heart that

so

at

length
mind,
a

to

women,

and he
a

genius perfect
art, and
he of

wrought

great
had him. the of
most most

things
one

became

sculptor.
that would
women,

passion,
of

passion

for

sufficed hew and the

we

Out

great

rough
semblance seemed

blocks of
to

marble
and

perfect
that

everything
worth
now

him

most

ful beauti-

and When

preserving.
at

look
at

the

Venus

of

Milo,
in

at

the

Diana

of
we

Versailles,
can

and what freed

the
were

Apollo
the the

Belvidere

the that of

Vatican,
the

imagine Cyprus

greater
dead
11

things
blocks

sculptor
One

of

from

marble.

12

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

day
the
woman.

as

he

chipped
sketch How it
mass

and of
a

chiselled

there

came

to

him,

like of
a

rough

great picture, the

he knew white
not. stone

semblance he knew

came

Only
there
a

that
to
woman

in tliat

great

of pure

seemed
a

be

imprisoned
that
came.

the

exquisite image
set

of

woman,

he

must

free.

Slowly, gradually,
that
ever

the

woman

Soon that his

he

knew
art
a

she

was

the

most

beautiful he had
was.

thing
ever

had
woman

wrought.
should all most
sure

All

that
woman

thought
form
were

that

be, this

Her

and

fcatm'es that
most

were

perfect, and
that, had
have had when

so

fect perbeen soul

they,

he

felt very

she the

woman

indeed,
For Tliere touch her

perfect
worked
at

would
as

been
never

^vithin. before. another had gaze him. Her

he

he

worked

came,

last,
insult

day
to

he

felt that
he
to
at

would He laid

be

the aside seemed

to

exquisite thing
and
to

created.
at

his

chisel She

sat

down back
to

the Her

Perfect

Woman.
were

gaze
"

parted lips
were

ready
to

speak

smile.

hands

held his
woman

out

hold the

his

hands.

Then

malion Pygloved he

covered
a woman
"

eyes. of

He,

hater

of women, The
women

chilly marble.

had

scorned

were

avenged.
his

Day
creation the

by
grew

day
and

passion
grew.

for

the hands

woman
no

of

his

own

His

longer
stand

melded the

chisel.

They
and

grew
gaze

idle.
across

He the

would

under
sea,

great
dream
across

phies

sapphire-blue
woman

and

strange
the who
waves

dreams with became

a

of
arms

marble

who with and

walked

outstretched,
of the
warm

smiling
blood

and lips, when

woman

flesh

her

bare

feet

touched

yellow

sand,

and

THEN

PYGMALION

COVERED

HIS

EYES

PYGMALION

13

the

bright
it back

sun

of

Cyprus
of

touched

her

marble Tlien miracle the

hair he

and

turned hasten

into
to

hair his

Hving
to

gold.
the

would
still
accomplished, un-

studio
would the

find

and

passionately kiss
little cold
"

little cold he

hands,
knew

and that

lay
young

beside

feet

the

presents

girlsloved

bright
birds

shells

and

exquisite

precious stones, gorgeous-hued shining amber,

all the of artist
sums on

and

fragrant flowers,
and flashed that the with mind
vast

and

beads

that

sparkled
of he

most

lovely

combinations Yet and

;
more

colour

could

devise.

did, for he spent

them in her
ears

pricelesspearls
cold be white the his
one

hung
and the

and

upon who money To

her could

breast upon

merchants

wondered

whom

Pygmalion
"

lavished

the

from his
on

treasury.
he gave
a name
"

divinity
still
to

Galatea
would

"

and
seem

always
to

nights
him
"

the

myriad
"... the white the

silver and

stars
on

breathe the

Galatea
across

those

days

when and

tempests
up very crash !
.

blew the

sandy
sm-f
storm

wastes
on

of Arabia rocks
to
moan

churned the the

fierce

the

of

Cyprus, through
"
"

spirit of
of
.

seemed

waves

in

longing,hopeless and
!
. .

able unutter-

Galatea

Galatea
.

."
on

For

her

he of

decked

couch

with

Tyrian purple, and

head
wore

the

softest
woman

pillows he
he

laid the So drew odour

beautiful the time Smoke incense and led

to

of the
on

marble the altars the

that of
out

loved.

until many -wdth

festival curled

Aphrodite
to
sea,

near.

from

the

of

mingled garlanded
the

fragrance
lowed the and

of

the

great
as

pine trees,
they
were

victims
As

bleated

sacrifice.

leader

of his

people,
part

Pygmalion

and faitlifully

perfectly performed

all his

14

BOOK

OF

IMYTHS

in the
to

solemnities
alone.

and Never

at

last

he had

was

left beside his words

on

the

altar
as

pray

before the

faltered

he

laid his
not
as

petitionsbefore
a

gods, but
as a

this
was

day

he

spoke
afraid

but sciilptor-king, he asked. !

"

child

who

half

of what
"

Aphrodite
you,
me one

he like

said,
my

"

who

can

do my

all

thuigs, give
"

me,
"

I pray Gi^'e knew

Galatea he dared

for
not

"\'ife !
; but

my

Galatea,"
he

say have
was

dite Aphro-

well tliink that

tlie words how his

on

would
at

fain last

uttered, and
on

smiled Li made and

to

Pygmalion
prayer the
was

his

knees.
she

token the

answercd,
shoot up
m

three
a

times

flames

altar

fiery point,
to

Pygmalion

went

home,
to

scarcely daring
his fear.

hope,

not

his gladness allo^^'ing The the

room

conquer
were

shado'^'s that he

of

evening
made she his
at

fallingas
to

he

went

into
the

had

sacred
as

Galatea.
entered
o^\ii

On

purple-covered
as

couch
met

lay, and
eyes him

he her

it seemed
;

though
that up
to

she she her those it

"snth in

almost

it

seemed
went

smiled

welcome. her

He

quicklj^ pressed
times

and,

kneeling by
alwavs live it

side, he
So it
was

his he the

lips on
had done

lips of chilly marble.

before,
coidd but cold
no more

many
as

and
never

though

icy lips that

his heart,

sent

their seemed felt

chill
to
one

right
him the

through
that little and and marble the

now

surely
He

lips were
and his

no

longer.
did

of and

hands,
stiff in

it remain

hea\'y
o^^Tl

cold
soft the

touch,
warm.

but He
was

lay

in

his

hand,

Yiving and
hair, and
hair of

softly laid
the soft and

his

fingers on

lo, it
his

wavy

bm-nished
as

golden

desire.

Again,

reverently

he

PYGMALION

15

had

laid

his

offerings
kissed her

that

day
And

on

the

altar

of

Venus,
with

Pygmalion
warm

lips. widely
on

then

did

Galatea,
like

and

rosy

cheeks,
stream

open which

her

eyes,

pools
and

in

dark

mountain

the

sim

is

shining,

gaze

with

timid

gladness
no

into

his

o^^^l.

There

are

after

tales

of

Pygmalion
were

and

Galatea.
that

We

only
was

know

that

their

lives

happy
whom the

and

to

them

born

son,

Paphos,
its
name.

from

city

sacred

to

Aphrodite
smiled
of

received

Perhaps
watch

Aphrodite
once

may the

have

sometimes

to

Pygmalion,
of the
woman

scorner

women,

the

adoring

servant

that

his

own

hands

had

first

designed.

PHAETON

''The

road,

to

drive

on

which

unskilled

were

Phaeton's
Dante
"

hands."

Purgatorio.
ocean-

To

Apollo,

the
was

sun-god,
born

and
in the rays the

Clymene, pleasant
of the and of and heat

beautiful land of

nymph,
child and the
to

there whom

Greece

was

given
The

name

Phaeton,
sun

the
to
noon

Bright
live other groves. up

Shining
curls of

One. the

of

seemed when the gaze beat

at

in

fearless

little
cool head whence

lad,
shade aloft

children Phaeton
at

would

seek
hold

the his

cypress

would
brazen

fearlessly
do"\vn

the

sky
head. my

from

fierce

upon

his

golden
"

Behold ! will
"

father

drives

his
"

chariot In
a

across

the while

heavens

he

proudly
the heard four the

proclaimed.
snow-white childish
to

little

I,

also,

drive
elders

steeds." boast with had

a

His
when many

smile,

but
to

Epaphos,
times lad the and who

half-brother beheld held the himself anger and

art
art
son

Apollo,

listened into

it
an

child.
as

Phaeton,

grow he
were

arrogant
one

though
in in
a

indeed

of turned
"

Immortals,
upon say Phaeton thou liar
us

grew

his

heart.
scorn

One
:

day

he

spoke
of ! Hast of thou in

fierce ?

Dost and sire of the ?

god
ever

shameless
to

boaster divine child

thou

spoken
! the
at

thy
more

Give

some

proof
art

thy

sonship
are

No

glorious
that the

Apollo
sun

than the dust

vermin feet."

his

children,

breeds
16

my

PHAETON
lad

17

For

moment,
into

before

the

cruel

taunt,

the

was

stricken voice aloud

my
across

silence, and
with rage

then, his pride aflame, his young

and
art
see

shaking
"

"with the
me

bitter

shame,
I have his but

he
to

cried ask

Thou,

Epaphos,
thou shalt

liar. drive

father, and
the To his

golden
for

chariot

sky."
mother many
a

he time

hastened,
he and had with

to

get

balm the heart

his hurt

pride, as
wounds forth
"

got

it for

little he

bodily poured

of his Tine
to
so,

childhood,

bm'sting
that I

story.
it

is," he
to
me.

said,

"

my

father because
now

has thou my

never

deigned
told
me

speak
that

Yet my let

know,
And drive and

hast is

he
must

is

sire.
me

word

pledged.
am

Apollo
men."

his

steeds, else I
shamed

for

evermore

branded

braggart

liar,and

amongst

Clymene
was
"

listened
so

with

grief
of

to

his

complaint.
she

He

so

young, thou my
son

gallant, so
art

foolish.

Truly
son

the

son

Apollo,"

said,

"

and

oh,

of of
a

heart, thy beauty is his, and

of the

thy pride the

a

pride
it
can

gods.
think

Yet

only partly
would what dare
a

god

art

thou, and
were

though thy proud

mad

courage
of

all

things,
alone

folly to
last she said

doing
"

god
I

do."

But
is of thou any

at

to

him,

Naught
and he
ere

that ask

can

say what the of

out

avail. Then
east

Go, seek
she where and with A told

thy father,
him how rested

him find

wilt."

might
the Phaeton

place
the upon

in the

Apollo
eager way

labours
set

day began,
his

gladness
he

journey.

long

travelled, with
B

never

18

BOOK

OF

MYTHS
dome Sun up

stop, yet when

minarets

the

ghttering
Palace and

and
came

jewelledturrets
into

and

of the

of the

view, he
ascent
to

forgot his
the home

weariness
of

hastened

the

steep

his father.

Phoebus radiance
of

Apollo, clad
a

in
the

purple
sunset

that

glowed
sat

like

the his

cloud
The and

in

sky,

upon the

golden
stood
was

throne.

Day,
beside

the them

Month,
were

and Hours.

Year

by him,
there, her
with

the

Spring
Summer,
his

head

wreathed

with

flowers;
with
;

crowned

ripened grain;
the

Autumn,
grapes

feet

empurpled
with hair

by

juice
and up the

of

the

and And
led

Winter,
when
to

all white walked

stiff with

hoar-frost.

Phaeton father's
come

golden
as

steps

that

his
had that

throne, it seemed

though
the

incarnate
of the

Youth

to
was

join
so

the

court

of
a

god

Sun, and

Youth forever. and

beautiful did looked

thing

that know eyes

it must him with

surely live
for
the him and

Proudly
the of him

Apollo
in
the his

his

son,

when

boy

arrogant

fearlessness and
was

boyhood,
to

god why

greeted
he
came,

kindly
what

asked his As
to

tell

him

petition.
Clymene,
his father
so

also

to

Apollo,
in

Phaeton and

told

his

tale, and
half then ended in

listened, half
When

pride
the

amusement,

puzzled

vexation.

boy
and

stopped,

and

breathlessly,with
up
if I

shining eyes
"

flushed
the

cheeks,

his story with

am

And,

light of
as

boundless
for !"

world,
one

indeed let
me

thy
drive

son,

let it be
chariot

I have the

said,and
heavens

day only
shook
"

thy

across

Apollo
In

his head

and
art

answered
dear

very

gravely :
said,
"

truth

thou

my

son,"

he

and

by

PHAETON

19

the

dreadful
thee that
nor

Styx,

the

river thou is the

of the dost

dead,
name

swear

that that will But

I will

give

any

gift that
father

and

give

proof
to

thy
to

immortal
he

Apollo.
or

never

thee

any
of

other, be

mortal chariot."

immortal,

shall

grant
But
"

the the
am

boon

driving my
on
:

boy pled
shamed
not

for ever, have

my
son

father,"
of

he

said.

"

Sm'ely
and

thou

wouldst ?
"

thine

proved

liar

braggart
"Not answered
None but

even

the
"

gods Nay,

themselves
not
even

can

do

this

thing,"
Zeus.

Apollo.
I, Phoebus
for I." tell
me

the the

almighty
and

Apollo,
way

may

drive ^vith

flaming chariot
none

of the know
"

sun,

the

is beset

dangers
!" cried

it but

Only
soon

the

way,

my

father

Phaeton.

"

So

I could

leani."

Half
"

in sadness,
first that

Apollo
of the

smiled.
way

The

part

is

uphill," he
my
so

said. climb
even

"

So it.
I
sea.

steep it is

only

very

slowly

can

horses

High
grow And
so

in the

heavens when

is the
do^vn the that

middle,
upon

high
earth

that

dizzy
the

I look

the
a

and

the

last

piece of
of my

way my

is

precipice that
can scarce

rushes check

steeply do\vnward
mad heaven rush is

hands

the the the

gallopinghorses.
and the I have to
arms

And
stars

all the with

while,
it.

spimiing romid,
Bull
to

By

horns

of the

drive, past the Archer

to

whose

bow

is taut
stretches

and

ready
out

slay, close
and the

where

the

pion Scorclaws

its ..."
of

great Crab's

grope
"

for

prey.
none

I fear

these

things,

oh

my

father

"

cried

20
"

A
Grant steeds

BOOK
for

OF

IMYTHS

Phaeton.

that !
"

one

day

only

drive

thy

white-maned

Very
space
"

pitifullyApollo
was

looked

at

him,

and

for

little

he The

silent.

little human
frame of !
"

hands,"
and with Dost
me

he them
not

said
the know ?
"

at

length,
soul that of the
a

"

the

little human
The that
"

god.
boon

pity
thou Rather he

it, my
crave

son.

dost

from than
"

is Death

Death

Dishonour,"
once

said I drive

Phaeton,
like the

and

proudly
my

added,
I have

For
no

would

god,

father.

fear."

So heart's From
horses

was

Apollo vanquished,
the

and

Phaeton

gained
four

his

desire.

courtyard
of their

of

the

Palace
the air and

the

white
aloud

were

led, and

they pawed strength.

and wheels
were

neighed
the

in

the

glory
axle

They
were

drew

chariot

whose

and

pole

of of

gold, with
diamonds
of the with
sun.
a

spokes
and of

of

silver, while

inside
gave the

rows

chrysolitesthat

dazzling
face of him he away,

reflection Phaeton from

Then

Apollo
essence

anointed
that

powerful by
the
smi.

might
upon

keep

being
the to

smitten rays

flames, and
And went then

liis head
went

placed
even

of the

the

stars

the

Daystar
the

that

last of all, and, at

open
a

Aurora, Apollo'ssignal,

rosy-

fingered, threw
Phaeton With chariot hear spare
saw

the of

purple gates
rose-coloiu
the

of

the

east, and
before into did

path
of hold

pale

open

him. the
he

cry laid

exultation,
of the

boy
reins. fast

leapt

and

golden
"

Barely
the wanted

Apollo's parting
the

words

Hold

reins, and
to

whip.

All

thy strength ^vill be

hold

PHAETON

21

the
course

horses

in.

Go and my

not

too

high

nor

too

low.

The

middle in the of

is safest tracks for and soft of the watched in hue

at

best. chariot boon

Follow,
wheels rang !
"

if thou His
to

canst,

old

glad
where dawn of
a

voice

thanks
stood
was

godlike
him
as

back into the

Apollo
that dove. way, still

vanishing
feathers white
on

the breast

the

Uphill
the dark

first the their that

steeds

made with and

was

their

and
the With

fire from

nostrils
over

tinged
the

flame-colour the the his

son sea.

clouds

hung

land he

rapture,
and that for
come

Phaeton
at

felt that he
was

truly

of

god,
The

length
last.
now was

enjoying
short

heritage.
had

day
had

which,
at
even

through
He

all his
was

life,he
the

longed,
whose The

driving
the the and

chariot

progress radiance his in

awaking
and
the far in
as

sleeping earth.
rays he the he
wore

from
was

its wheels

from

round aloud
the the

head

painting
as

clouds,
down
a

laughed
sea

rapture
he

he

saw,

below,
humxan

and

rivers
green

had
rose

bathed and

boy, mirroring
and

and

purple,

and
was

gold

silver, and
in the

fierce The Tlie

crimson,
grey
white awoke

that

he. Phaeton,
the from

placing
tops

sky.

mist

rolled from rolled

up

mountain
the

at

his desire. All

fog
; ;

valleys.

living things grain

see

the the

flowers fmit he

opened ripe.
see

their Could

petals ;
but and

the

grew him
not

golden
now

grew
must
was

Epaphos
realise

Surely
but

him,

that

Apollo

Phaeton

guiding
Sun.

the

horses

of his

father,

driving the
Quicker
white-maned

chariot
and

of the

yet

more

quick they

grew

the

pace

of

the

steeds. very
soon

Soon

left the
that

morning
these

breezes
were

behind, and

they

knew

not

22

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

the

hands Like

of

the
an

god,

their

master,

that

held

the

golden
ballast,

reins. the

air-ship without unsteadily, and

on

its accustomed not

chariot but

rolled his
a

only

the

boy's light
them flew
waves

weight
mad

lighthold
for the their the
arm

their The

bridles
white the swift

made foam

grow from of
a a

with mouths
sea,

lust like and

speed.
spume pace

their
furious that

from
was

giant
as

that

of

bolt

is cast Yet

by

of Zeus.
no
"

Phaeton in
"

had

fear, and Quicker

them rush
on

when

they
ones

heard !
more

him

shout

rapture,
it

brave still,

swiftly

still !

made

speed
of
a

onwards,

madly,
was soon

blindly, "with
no

the them his had

not

headlong
to

storm.

There

hope

for had

keep

the

beaten

track, and
terrible
course

Phaeton
that

rapture

checked far
out

by

the

tion realisaand that

they
were

strayed
strong
and the

of the
to

his hands
to

enough
Little The round

guide

them.

Close
and

the

Great
were

Bear

Bear

they passed,

these

scorched

"svith heat. lies coiled it grow

Serpent Avhich, torpid,

the and North

chillyand
a

harmless,
that
ever

Pole, felt

warmth

made downward
saw

fierce

harmful
maddened of molten it
were

again.
horses, brass,
visible. missed
the
was

Downward,
and and When
soon

galloped the
the that
sea as a

Phaeton earth
so

shield
on

the

near

all

things
and

they passed
from His
a

the

Scorpion

only just
entered truth. very
to

destiTiction

its

menacing
had he
at

fangs, fear spoken

very, reins

mto

boy's

heart.

mother and

He

only partly impotent

horses'
smote

god,
he

was

young.
to

In the he

horror

tugged

the

try

check

descent,
them

then,

forgetful of Apollo's warning,

But
anger
met

angrily.

anger,

and

the

fuiy

PHAETON
immortal With the
a

23

of the

steeds

had
toss

scorn

for the

wi'ath heads and

as

of

mortal had

boy.
torn

great

of from

their his

mighty
grasp,

they
he

guiding

reins

stood,
the be

giddily swaying
boon death he had

from

side to
from

side, Phaeton
his

knew

that truth

craved

father

must

in

for him.

And,
were

lo, it
flames

was

hideous
burned his Sun and

death,
his

for

with
the

eyes

that

like

that

brain,
had

boy

beheld
That

the

terrible

havoc of the

that the

pride
made

wrought.
clouds

blazing
dried from The
meadows
waste.

chariot
all

the

smoke,
Fire

and
bui'st

up the

rivers

water-springs.
great
was

mountain of all the

tops,
earth and

cities

were

destroyed.
woods
were

beauty
and The

ravished,

and laid
who

green

pleasant places
the

harvests them

perished,
dead.

flocks

and the

they
horses

had

herded
the

lay
of

Over
remains

Libya
a

took

him, and
to
are

desert while
now

Libya

barren
who

wilderness survived
cruel and

this

day,
even

those
as a

sturdy Ethiopians
consequence of
to

black Nile

that

heat.

The

changed

its

course

in order
for

escape,

nymphs
of
some

and

nereids

in terror
that had

sought

the

sanctuary
The the
to

watery
the

place

escaped

destiTiction.
where

face

of of

burned

and of human

blackened

earth,

bodies

thousands

beings lay
Pluto

charred

ashes, cracked

and
even

sent to

dismay

to

by

the

lurid

lightthat penetrated

his throne. this Phaeton

saw,
saw

All

in
had

impotent
been

agony

of the of

soul.
cruciating ex-

His

boyish folly and anguish

pride
made
even

great, but
shed
tears

that

him
too

blood,

was

indeed

punishment

heavy

for

an

erringgod.

24

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

From up, voice

to

the with
was

havoc

around face and from

her, the
and

Earth

at

last and she

looked
in
a

and

blackened harsh down

blinded very

eyes,

that
to

very,

weary, and behold

called

Zeus had

look

Olympus
the

the

ruin
And And grew had and

that

been

wTought

by

chariot
down

of the and

Sun.

Zeus, the
at the

cloud-gatherer, looked
of that
was

beheld.
his him brow who

sight
and

piteous

devastation

dark,
held

terrrible reins of

his Wrath chariot. witness the

against Calling
upon

the

the
to

Apollo
a

all the

other for

gods
a

him,

he

seized Zeus

lightning'
all the

bolt,

and

moment

deathless
on

and

dwellers stood blinded his the

in

Olympus

looked

the

fiery chariot
of
a

in which

swaying, slight, lithe

hoiTor,
cast

figure

young

lad,
from

with Zeus

shaken

with the

agony. chariot hair

Then,
was

hand,

the

bolt, and
his from

dashed

into
like

fragments,
a

and

Phaeton,
star,
The

golden
the

ablaze, fell, above,

to

bright shooting
river Eridanus. and

heavens returned

into

the

steeds

their
them. of the

master,

Apollo,
too,

in rage very
to

and

griefApollo
he

lashed

Angrily,

and meted

rebelliouslydid
his
son

speak
of the

punishment
Yet Phaeton
to
was

by

the

ruler
was a

tals. Immorone.

in

ti-uth

the
a

punishment god,
and
no

merciful
life been her
were

only
the

half

human that had

over

fit

live after Bitter

was

day

of dire

anguish
of

his.

the
so

mourning

Clymene
his that the

beautiful

only

son,

and

ceaselessly did
their that

three the bank

sisters, the

Ileliades, weep
them into

for

brother,
grew their another

gods
of the into for

turned

poplar
still

trees

by
tears

river,

and, when
amber
as

they wept,
fell. Yet

turned

precious
"

they

mourned

Phaeton

PHAETON

25

Phaeton had

"

dead loved

ere

his

prime." boy,
and

Cyncus,
and

King
and

of

Liguria,
yet

dearly
dived

the in the

gallant
river

again
forth

again

he

deep
of

brought
been the burial. all

the

charred of

fragments god,
not

what

had them that he

once

beautiful Yet remained

son

and

gave satisfied

to

honourable

he

could
of haunt his

rest

had

won

that

friend
the

from

the

river's

bed,
ever

and

so

he

continued until

to

stream,
weary

ever

diving,
his restless

searching,
and

the

gods
into
a

grew
swan.

of

sorrow

changed

him

And like

still white-sailed its

we

see

the

swan

sailing
is

mournfully
the

along,
body deep
of
a

barque
and
ever

that and search

bearing

king
the

to

rest,

anon

phmging
for the

into would

water

as

though
a

the

boy
to
an

who end.

fain

have To

been

god
the

were

never

to

come

Phaeton
the

Italian

Naiades
words

reared

tomb,

and

inscribed

on

stone

these

"

Driver Struck He Yet could

of

Phcebus' Jove's rule

chariot. thunder,
his father's

Phaeton,
rests

by

beneath of

this

stone,

not

car

fire.
Ovid.
"

was

it

much,

so

nobly

to

aspire."

ENDY^IION

To

the

modern of Greece

popular
not
"

mind
even

perhaps
Venus

none

of

the has

desses godmore

herself
"

appeal
who
to

than but

has

the of

huntress ancient of the

goddess,
statuary
huntress
meet
can

Diana.

Those

know

little

still
with them her in

brighten
quiver picture
man sports-

intelligent recognition
her
or

and

little
in

stag

when

they

with That

gallery
in

suburban

garden. pink, slowly

unlettered the

weather-worn

riding
on

over

fragrant
grey
he
to

dead

leaves
may

by

the
never

muddy
have

roadside heard
of reference whom Diana that sponsor the
to

this

chill,
but

morning, quite
handsome
covert

Artemis,
to

is
the the

ready

to

make

intelligent
sportswoman
Sir
to

Diana
finds has

young

he

by

side;
little-read

and

Walter's
realise

Vernon

helped
was

the
a

public
of

original
one

Diana
the

goddess
of
not

worthy
fiction.
to

being

of

finest

heroines
But
or

the

sportsman
the
moon

alone,
"

but know

also

to not

the

youth
^to
"

maid
whom

who

loves
the

^they
trees

why

those
at

shadows
a

of of clouds

the

on

woodland
"

path
Dian
"

night
over

mean

grip

the

heart,
that chaste
are

while

pale
far

scuds the

the and the

dark is firs

soaring
and

beyond
the

tree-tops
of

peeping,
and in

pale, through
there

branches

giant
the
26

pines, thought

is
the

something
goddess

arresting,

enthralling,

of

ENDYMION
the blue

27

Diana

who

now

has where

for the

hunting-ground pale
Pleiades

ment firma-

of heaven

"

Glitter

like

swarm

of fire-flies

tangled

in

silver

braid."

Tennyson.
"

She She Mixed But And More The And She And

gleans
hears with her

her the

silvan

trophies ;
of the of the

down

the

wold

sobbing
music

stags that

flee

the

hunting roll'd,
wotteth
on

delight
her

is all in

archery,
pity
she the follow bow

naught
than

of ruth hounds draws

rains
a

and

that

flight ; slay.
her

goddess
thick
tosses

golden
the locks wood

of shafts the

might
that

she loose

gentle
upon Dian

her dim

night. way."
Andrew

through

the

threads

Lang.

Agani
stories
name

and the

again

in

mythological history
sometimes under under her
as

we

come

on

of of

goddess,
sometimes
now

her older

best Greek the

known
name
moon-

Diana,
and Luna of

of

Artemis,

and

again

Selene,
Her twin she of

goddess, the Apollo, god

power of

of the the
sun,

Romans. and
a

brother shared

was

with bow

him and
were

the grave

imerringly wielding
while pestilences,

sending
of

plagues
and of

and

both

patrons

music

poetry.
the

Wlien into the be her

smi-god's golden
would
across

chariot

had

driven

down silver shot

west, then
driven bow
a

his sister's noiseless-footed the

steeds from

sky,

while that

the would

huntress

at

will silent young

arrows

slay without
-born

warning
or

joyous

mother

with
a

her

newly

babe,
heart

would
some

wantonly
luckless
one

pierce,with

lifelongpain, the

of

mortal.
as

Now

night

she

passed

^Mount

Latmos,

there

28

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

chanced

to

be

shepherd
times

lad had

lying asleep Endymion

of
one so

beside

his the and the when the

to

sleeping flock. goddess

yet
so

Many

watched beautiful realised hounds

from

afar, half
never

afraid
before She
on

ruthless, but
wonderful have stood
as

had checked their

Diana her chase She

youth's they

beauty.
swept
beside her for

would and

in

through judged
"

night,
be
as

Endymion.
o^vn

him
more

perfect

brother,
his her
come

Apollo

yet

perfect, perhaps,
was

on

upturned
O'svti

sleeping
moon.

face

the

silver

glamour

of

dear the

Fierce

and
rays,

burning passion
but love that with

could
came

with the moon's She

sun's

burning
was

in

pale light
for

passion
when,
him

mixed
his

gramarye.

gazed
she

long,

and

in

sleep, Endymion

smiled,
his
no

knelt touch

beside of
was a

and, stooping, gently kissed

on a

lips.
more

The

moonbeam Diana's

sleepingrose
yet
it
was

was

gentle than
wake

touch,
while

sufficient

to

Endymion. waking mind,

an

And
now

as,

one's

body sleepson,
a

one's
to

half-

and

again
so

in

lifetime

seems

realise
not

ecstasy

of

happiness
the

perfect that
of one's

one

dares

wake

lest, by

waking,
between

wings

realised
so

ideal

should
so

slip
did

gi^asping fingers and

realise eyes the

escape

forever,
But

Endymion
his

kiss
be

of

the

goddess.

before
had
saw

sleepy

could

his senses'

witnesses, Diana
to

hastened

away.

Endymion,

springing
did
to

his

feet,
when

only
heard

his

sleeping flock, nor

seemed
a

his the

dogs

awake

he

what in did that

to

him up

be

baying

of homids
to

in
own

full cry heart

forest dare

far
to

the

mountain.
what
was

Only
this and

his

he he

whisper
had

wonderful he

thing

believed

befallen

him,

although

SHE

CHECKED

HER

HOUNDS,

AND

STOOD

BESIDE

ENDYMION

ENDYMION laid
himself be

29

down,

hoping
to
was

that
no

once

again
came

this
;
nor

miracle could

might
he

granted
great

him,
his

miracle

sleep, so
All the his
next

longing.
the

day, through
of

sultry hours

while
the

Apollo
land,
his the
to

drove

chariot
as

burnished his

gold through
flocks, tried
for the
to to

Endymion,
dream
once

he

watched and

dream
and tried

more,

longed

day
came

end he

cool, dark
lie awake

night
and
see

to

return.

When

night

what eyes,
a

might befall, but

when

kind

sleep

had

closed

his tired
"

There Who Out

came

lovely
to

vision
as

of
a

maid,

seemed of the

step

from
"

golden
Lewis

car

low-hung

moon."

Morris.

Always
he
never

she could

kissed
see

him,

yet when
more

her

kiss

awoke
a

him
shaft

anything
on

tangible
bushes real

than

of silver

moonlight
hear

the

moving
more

of the the

mountain

side,
echo

never

anything
of

than and

far-away
eager,

of the

baying
eyes,

pursuing hounds,
he

if,with
a

greatlydaring
so

looked

skywards,
hasten
to

dark the

cloud,
moon

it seemed

to

him, would
gaze. time

always

hide

from

his In

longing
manner

this
were

passed

on.

The

days
His

of

mion Endy-

filled

by

longing day-dreams.
him

sleeping
the
to

hours

ever

brought
human

ecstasy.
that she her

Ever,
loved

too, to
seemed

dess, godto

the grow
more

being

her and

precious.
concentrated

For

all the
moments

joy
she flocks

of

day

of the

night
side

was

in the

spent
of the No
nor

by

of

the

sleeping Endymion.
like
come

The
no

herd shepwild

flourished beast

those
near

of them

other
no

herd.

dared

storm

disease

no

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

assailed

them. held any he still ?

a

Yet value. been

for

Endymion
He lived
to

the

things
for his

of dear

earth

no

longer
sake.

only
gi'ow

dream's
worn

Had
and ended his

permitted
who

old how

and his

and

tired,
have age she

dreamer,
to

knows there
came

story
that

might
with

But

Diana
wane,
one

the her

fear

beauty
for of
came

might
the

and loved

from the

father,
of

Zeus,

obtained
and

she

gifts

imending

youth

eternal
a

sleep. night
was

There had for

no

when
a

the

dreams when the the

waves

of

Endymion
moon

end.

That

night

made from far and

herself
to

broad
the
a

silver
shore where

paths
the

across

sea,

horizon curled
also
were

little

lapped

in

radiant,
leaves the of

ever-moving
the forest cypresses her make but

silver

fringe.
between
of the No flocks
stars

Silver
the

the of

trees,
and
arrows.

and

branches dark of

solemn
shot then
to

stately baying
move

pines,
hounds
in in
came

Diana

silver

Endymion's
the silver still up

uneasily
to

their unison

sleep,

seemed

sing
touched

together.
hands him for
as

Wliilc

those the

gentle

lips

his,
and

gentle
to
a

lifted
cave

sleeping
Latkiss the

Endymion
mos.

bore

secret

in

Mount
to

And of her

there,

evermore,

she

came

mouth

sleeping
in of the
an

lover.

There,
bliss that of

forever,
dreams knows
no

slept Endymion,
that have
no

happy ugly awaking,

perfect
ideal

love

ending.

ORPHEUS

"

Orpheus
And Bow To Ever There the

with
mountain

his

lute

made that he did flowers

trees,

tops
when

freeze.

themselves his
music

sing

plants
as sun

and and

sprung, had

showers

made that billows

lasting
him the and such
sea.

spring.

Everything
Even the their

heard of

play,

Hung
In
sweet

heads,
is

then art. of heart

lay by.

music

Killing
Fall

care

and
or

grief hearing

asleep,
lovers
it
to

die."
"

Shakespeare.

"

Are

we

not

all

as

Orpheus
in
to

was,

loving
solitudes

what and
?

is

gone

from of
we

us

forever, mind,
foolish of

and and
as

seeking crying

vainly

the
come

wilderness
are

the all

Eurydice
was,

again
the do the
we

And of all world

not

Orpheus
to

hoping
;

by
and of

agony
not

love
as

and

the

ecstasy

will

win

back forsake

Eurydice
the Macleod. way

fail,

Orpheus
the way

failed,
of this

because world
?
"

we

other

for

Fiona
"

It

is

the

custom

nowadays
to

for of

scientists
the old

and

for
to

other take in will winds their its

"

scholarly
them each tell
to

people pieces,
of that the

take
to

hold

myths,

and

find So
is the

some

deep,
will

hidden find that of

meaning
some

part
you
"

story.

you

Orpheus
up
trees
as

personification
course

the

which wild

tear

they Eurydice

along,
is the that

chanting
"

music,"

and

that

morning Orpheus
Miich

with
is

short-lived

beauty." expression

Others
of the
31

say

the

mythological

delight

music

gives

32

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

to

the

primitive races,"
the idea that the

while

yet others
is the
sun

accept

without

hesitation is

Orpheus
black

that, when

day
vain
dawn. that

done, plunges into

of

abyss

of

night, in

the

hope
And,
the and

overtaking they
that of the and

his lost be

bride, Eurydiee, the rosy

wrong, sometimes vanish
to

whether

right or
to
us

it would
as

seem

sadness
the last

comes

the the
we

day

dies

sun's

rays

leave

hills and
cannot

valleys dark
understand from
are

cold, the
in

sorrowful

feelingthat
hear

when,
away, that
or

country
to

places, we
the

music

coming
bird,

far

listen very

plaintive song
to

of the the

things

specially belong

story of

Orpheus.
In the of

country

of

Thrace,

surrounded
was

by
His his
a

all

the

best
was

gifts

the the

gods, Oi-pheus god

of music gave

born. of song,
son
was

father mother

Apollo,
muse

and his

the self himbefore from

Calliope. Apollo taught

him how
to

little It

lyre,and long
out

play
woods

it.

not

all the
the and

wild

things
and the

in the thick

of Thrace and the

crept
from music
to

green
caves

trees

undergrowth,
to

the that his

holes
the

in

rocks,

listen
coo

to

child's the the

fingers made.

The

of

the the

dove song

mate,

flute-clear

trill of the of the The him

blackbird,
"

of the when their the

lark,
the

liquid
made
trees

carol

nightingale
winds for that their

all ceased

boy
to

music.
owTied forest

whispered
lord,
and

secrets

the

proudest
not the that

trees

of the
one

bowed

their that
nor

heads his

that

they might
from

miss

exquisite sigh
Nor
man

fingers drew
lived in his

magical strings.
he
a

beast of his He

day

could

not

sway all

by

the

power

melody.
a

He

played

lullaby,and

things slept.

played

and love-lilt,

ORPHEUS
the and flowers the in full bloom rosebud seemed from the wide cold her

38

sprang

up red land He

earth,
velvet of

dreaming
all the

opened
full of the
a

petals,and
the the and Thrace while lilt he

loving
wide

echoes

played.
their
to

played

war-march,
sprang the up,

and, afar off, awake,

of

sleeping tyi-ants
bared
ran

of the

forest

angry their

teeth, and
fathers
felt
on

untried

youths
taste

beg

to

let them thumbs

battle,

the of

scarred theu'

warriors

their

the well very heart

ness sharp-

sword

blades,
seem

and
as

smiled,

content. stones

Wliile
and

he

played

it would hearts.
one

though
the whole

the

rocks

gained
became

Nay,

of

the

universe
an

great, palpitating,beautiful
whose

thing,
drawn

instrument
the He music
rose

from of
to

trembling strings was

and

out

Orpheus.
became
he
a

great power,
his lute

mighty prince
played captive.
and
on

of Thrace. the heart

as

Not of the

alone, but
and

himself it

fair when

Eurydice they
But bless

held
man

It

seemed

though,
must

became

wife, all
the

happiness

be

theirs.
came

although Hymen,
them
on

god

of

marriage, himself
the
omens
on

to
were

the

day they wed,

The torch that

that had that

day
no

against them.
but their

Hymen
black

carried smoke

golden flame,
eyes
soon

sent

out

pungent
feared

made
; but

water.

They
as

they
the

knew
wandered

not

what with

when,

afterwards,

dice Eurycovered. disfor

a

the woods

nymphs,
of

her

companions, through
the
not
saw
reason was

blue-shadowed
A bold

Thrace,
who
no

shepherd,
and her

did
sooner

know
her her

her than his

princess,saw
loved her. He

Emydice,
ran

he

after

to

proclaim

to

love,
She

and

she, afraid of his wild imcouthness,

fled before

him.
c

34

BOOK

OF

IMYTHS

ran,

in her
a

terror, too
snake that

swiftly to
that lurked

watch

whither the

she fern

went,
bit the it.
to

and fair

poisonous
foot

amongst
a

w^hite

flitted,like

butterfly,across
Her
was

In
the

agonised sufferingEurydice
land
of the The

died.

spiritWTnt

Shades,
winds

and that

Orpheus
blow
at

left broken-hearted.
across

sad

night
and

the

sea,

the that

sobbing gales that

wail
in the aspen darkness

tell of wreck for and

now

death, the
the

birds

their
the
were

mates,

sad, soft whisper

of the

leaves
all

leaves

of the for
arose

heavy

clad

blue-

black
more

cypresses,

hushed,
than any,
a

greater than
the heart music in

all,
of the

full of
a

bitter

sorrow

Orpheus, Valley

long-drawn
Shadow alike
came

sob

from

broken

of the
came

of Death.
to

Grief but
sorrow\ no

gods
to

and

to

men

as

they listened,
of his
w^as

comfort At

him
to

from bear wandered him the

the his

expression

length,
for

w^hen

longer gi'ief
to

impossible
there

him,
Zeus

Orpheus
to

Olympus,
to

and his

besought
in his
the

give
of the

permission
Shades. he

seek moved

wife

gloomy

land

Zeus,

by

anguish, granted
warned him

permission
terrible

sought,
his

but

solemnly

of the

perils of

taking. under-

But

the

love

of he

Orpheus
hastened
of

was

too to

perfect to
dark and
soon was
cave

know
on

any
the
at

fear;

thankfully

the

side of the
the
entrance

promontory
of Hades.

Taeuarus,
Stark
and

arrived the

grim guarded

three-

headed
with the

watchdog, Cerberus, growls

for and the it the

which

the
a

door, and
wild beast

furious

roaring

of

athirst touched

its prey

greeted Orpheus.
brute, amazed,
sank

But

Orpheus
silence.

his lute, and

into

ORPHEUS

85

And
the eyes

still he

played,

and

the

dog
up
see

would

gently
with

have

licked

player's feet, and

full of the earth
as

looked
we

in his face in the

at

its savage

lightthat
gaze

eyes their the the

of the
masters.

dogs

of

this

they

with

love

On,
he

then, strode
from his lute

and Orpheus, playing still,

melody
realms

drew
Pluto.

passed
were

before heard

him such

into

of

Surely

never

strains.

They
of

told

of
too

perfect, tender
great
to

love, of
death.
sorrow

unending
Of all the

longing,
beauties
"

pain

end
"

with of the

of the

earth

they
desire

sang
"

of the
"

world
to

of all the
come.

world's
ever,

of the of

things past
song that that

of the

things
lute

And
came,

through
thread

sang, in
a a

there black

like

silver

is
was

woven

velvet sang and

pall, a
mirk
that

limpid melody. night, and

knows
Into
no

It

as

though
and

bird

in the of

it

spoke

of peace

of

hope,

joy

ending.
the blackest and of the

depths
hands
to

of

Hades Time

the stood

sounds still. that

ever

sped
From

on

their
bitter from
moment.

way,

of

his

task
the

trying
and

quaff

the

stream

receded
for
a

parched
The

burning lips,Tantalus
course

ceased
was

ceaseless
relentless gave
to water
were

of Ixion's
no

wheel
tore at

stayed,
Titan's
stone

the

vulture's

beak
up his

longer
task Danaides

the

liver ; and
sat

Sisyphus
on

weary

of

rollingthe
rested

the

rock

listen,the
in
a

from

their

labour cheeks shades

autumn

of of

drawing
the

sieve. with in winter the

For

the

first

time, the
restless
dead gaze

Furies
came

wet went

tears, and

the

that

and driven the

darkness,

like still to

leaves
listen.

by

gale, stood
Pluto
and

and

Before
were

throne

where and

his queen

Proserpine

seated, sable-clad

stern, the

relentless

36

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

Fates

at

their then

feet, Orpheus
came

still

played

on.

And of

to

Proserpine joys
island
of her of

the

living remembrance
blue knew Even and
on

all the

girlhood by

the she

^gean
the

Sea

in the

fair
the
scent
was

Sicily. Again
flowers of
to

fragi'anccand
into Hades the heart which mother
sat

beauty
of the the

of the violets

spring.
come,

seemed had

fresh the from

in her

sorrow

that

been

hers
tore

day
her

on

the and

ruthless from her

King

of she

Darkness held
most

her

all that

dear.

Silent
her eyes the

she grew music

beside

fro"wning,stern-faced
When,
"wdth
a

lord, but

dim.

quivering
his
cause.

sigh,
To than

stopped,
have

Orpheus
dice,
to

pled fearlessly give

him back
with

let him

Euryhe
"
"

his
him

more

life,to grant that

might
that
was

lead

her

up

to

"

the

light of

Heaven

his eyes
one

prayer.
of Pluto accord back and
was

The

Proserpine
their
answer

did

not

dare

to

meet,

yet

^\^th be

given.
on one

Emydice
condition.
was

should Not
to

given
he had and

to

him,
the upon

but

only

until
tm-n

reached look wdth heart

light of
the face

earth for
a

again

he

round
were

sight of

which
plied, com-

his eyes
and heard with the the

tired with
a

longing.
almost and the Too She
was
were

Eagerly Orpheus
with

breaking
turned
to

gladness

he

call for

Emydice
of him.

retrace

his way, he

light footfall
music behind
a

little feet

that

adored
"

making
too

good

thing
"

it seemed close His

imbelievable
Their
won

joy.

there
not

quite

to

him. had that earth

days

of

happiness
even

ended. of

love All

her had

back,
not

from of that
now.

the

land

darkness.

he he

told

her

love

while that he

yet she
had

was

on

would

tell her

All

failed

in

ORPHEUS

37

before, he
foot
"

would
it made
near

make his
was,

perfect
soul he
.

now.

The with

little

limping
ness. tenderwere

how So

overflow

adoring
her

she his there

might
. .

even

touch

he

to

stretch And

back then had

hand.
came

to

him ?

hideous What shade

doubt. if there

What

if Pluto

played
but

him
a

false

followed climbed
fear grew that her

him
the
more

not

Emydice,
ascent

mocking upwards
he when
more

As

he

steep

that real.

led

to

the

his light,

cruelly

Almost
that
once

could he
to

imagine
reached his the

footsteps had
would Too find

stopped,
left

light he

himself

cruel
So

loneliness.

overwhelming
were

for him darkness

was

the
was

doubt.
no

nearly there
of

they
but the

that that of

the

longer

that

night,

as

evening
there

when
no

the
reason

long

shadows

fall upon
to

land, and

seemed

for

Orpheus
behind
were

wait.

Swiftly only
open
own,
was
"

he

turned, and
she would

found

his wife
Her have

him, but
thrown her in

for and but borne

moment

stayed.
fain

arms

Orpheus
before from !
"

grasped
each other

his

they

could
into
"
"

touch the

Eurydice

him, back
she said

darkness. !
"

Farewell
a

Farewell In mad

and

her

voice

was

sigh of hopeless grief.

to

desperation Orpheus
was

sought
brink

follow

her, but

his

attempt
Acheron
to

vain. the boat

across

At with
to

the

of the

dark, fierce-flooded

its
the

boatman,
further To evil him. him he

old shore
ran

Cliaron, lay ready

those whose future

ferry
in the

lay

land
to

of Shades. undo the

Orpheus, wrought.
was no

in clamorous
But Charon for such

anxiety

had There

angrily repulsed
as

place
who

Orpheus
to

in

his

ferry-boat.

Those

only

went,

never

return,

could

38

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

find

passage

there.

For waited

seven

long days
beside
at

and

seven

longer nights Orpheus

that Charon the

the

river, hoping
and he
trees

would

relent, but
of the

last of

hope died,
where

sought
and

depths
and his
"

forests

Thrace,

rocks
He

beasts

and

birds
then

were

all his friends.

took

lyre again
strains
as

and
have
set
won

played
the
ear

Such
Of His

would

Phito,

to

have

quite

free
"

half-regained Eurydice."
he

Milton.

Day

and all

night
the
sorrow

stayed
of The his

in

the

shadow

of

the

lands, woodin

heart fiercest up

expressing
beasts
at

itself the

the

song
to

of

his his

lute.
feet and of

of with and

forest full the cry,

crawled
of

looked
the the

him

eyes
when his

pity.

The

song

birds
trees

ceased,

wind
"

moaned
!

through Eurydice
!"

they

echoed

Eurydice
In
the

dawning

hours

it would
of

seem

to

him

that

he
sun,

saw across
came

her

a thing again, flitting,

mist And the he

and when

rising

the and

dimness all

of

the

woods. and

evening
called
see

things rested,
of the

night
would she

out

the In
"

mystery
the ^up

forest, again
of she
as

her. stand little face

long
the

blue

shadows

the

trees

would
her Her she

woodland
the
a

paths dry

walked,
she

where

feet
was

fluttered
white her
arms as

leaves
the
:

passed.
and
ever

lilyin

moonlight,

held

out

to
"At

Orpheus
that

elm-vista's

end

I trace,

Dimly
The

thy
!

sad

leave-taking face,
! leaves !
"
"

Eurydice Eurydice

Eurydice Eurydice

tremulous !

repeat

to

me

Lowell.

SWIFTLY

HE

TURNED,

AND

FOUND

HIS

AVIFE

BEHIND

HIM

ORPHEUS
For the other
"

39

Orpheus

it

was

good day
out
to

when him

Jason, chief of
come

Argonauts, sought
heroes and I not aid

him

bid

with

the

in the

quest

of the

Golden
of weary "In mother

Fleece. ing wanderis the

me

Have
far

had

enough

of toil and

and
the have

wide,"
voice I sung
and

sighed Orpheus.
my

vain
gave I went

skill of
in vain
to

which and

goddess
;

laboured
all the

in vain of

down
to

the

dead,

charmed my

kings
I
won

Hades,

win

back
and in and my

Eurydice,
lost
her

bride.
the
to
same

For

her, my
and the wandered

beloved,
away

again
even

day,
and
. .

madness the the the and

Egypt
seas.

Libyan
I charmed

sands,
in

isles of
hearts

all the

While
.

vain and

of and

men,

and

the

savage

forest with
my
^

beasts,

trees,
song, in the others

the

lifeless
but

stones,

magic
place
the

harp
with songs
of

giving rest, good

and

finding

none." took ways, and the

But
the

ship Argo, Orpheus

sailed sang
to

his and that

the

watery

that their
or

Orpheus
great
the

his

shipmates
are

tell
of

all

adventures
to

called

Songs
his

Orpheus, Many
warded

Orphics,
the

this
and

day.
disasters
monsters

were

mishaps
it he

that
to

music
more

off.
to

With work
were

lulled
on

sleep ;
men

powerful
melodies
to

magic
the

the

hearts

of

were

his tried their

then

songs

of the

sirens when

they
in

capture

the

Argonauts
rush

by
his

their

wiles, and
checked
was

downward,
When returned

destroying
the
to

music

mountains.

quest
his
own

of the

Argonauts
of Thrace. but

ended,
As
a

Orpheus
he had

land

hero

fought

and

endured

hardship,
^

liis wounded

soid

Kingsley.

40

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

remained songs of

unhealed.

Again Again

the

trees

listened
"

to

the !

longing.
!
"

they

echoed,

Eurydice

Eurydice
As he

sat

one

day
from the cries the of and around

near

river
an

in the

stillness
of and that
was

of

the

forest, there
It
struck
as

came

afar

ugly

clamour
lute

sound. slew

against
coarse

music
of the of
a

of

Orpheus'

it,
for

the

screaming soaring
and

gulls

fight
the

carrion of the

slay
feast

song

lark.

It the

day

Bacchus,
his

through
a

woods

poured
satyrs

Bacchus

Bacchantes, them,
hated
centaurs

shameless

rout,
aloud.
of

capering
had the
woman
were

neighing

Long
one

Bacchantes whose
ever

the
was

loyal poet-lover
with the

fair
ears

dwelling
to

Shades. his

His
eyes

deaf

their

passionate voices,
as

blind the

to

their

passionate
trees,
a

loveliness of

they

danced

through
of this

green and in
a

riot song.

colour,
Mad the

of fierce
were

beauty,
indeed
of

laughter day,

of

mad

they
very

and
was

their

madness
not
to

existence At first

Orpheus
stoned
at

thing
his Then

be

borne.
the of
to

they

him,
feet.

but

music in
a

made

stones

fall harmless with the of

his

frenzy
to

cruelty,
know

maniac

lust

to

cause

blood

flow,

the

joy

taking
did him

life, they
to at

threw From head

themselves
limb and the
to

upon limb

Orpheus they
tore

and

death. last And his

him,
into
the of

casting
the

his

blood-stained
bore the
at

lyre
on,

river.
murmured

still, as
its last of

water

them white he

lyre

music
her
"

and whom

lips
had

Orpheus
to

still breathed the

last

gone !
"

join in
"

shadowy
d'autres

land,
sont

Eurydice
de

!
meme

Eurydice
!

Combicn

morts

C'est

la

ORPHEUS

41

lutte

eternelle

de

la

force

brutale

coiitre

I'intelligence
royaume

douce

et

sublime

inspiree

du

ciel,

dont

le

n'est

pas

de

ce

monde."

In

the

heavens,

as

bright placed
the

constellation
his

called
and the

Lyra, place
care

or

Orpheus,
his

the

gods
came

lute,
and

to

of

martyrdom
the

Muses,
the

with

loving body
to

carried

fragments
foot of Mount

of

massacred

Libetlera,
them. And

at

the

Olympus,
day,
land,
knows
more

and

there

buried
than

there, spot
in
of

unto

this

sweetly

at

any
For

other

any love

other

the

nightingale
no

sings.
of

it

sings
of

that

ending,
can

life

after

death,
the

love

so

strong

that

it

conquer

even

Death,

all-powerful.

APOLLO

AND

DAPHNE

Conqueror
over

of the

all

conquerable
heart of
a

earth,
maid
was

yet
the

not

always

torious vic-

golden-locked

Apollo.
As

mischievous
arrows,

Eros

played
him

one

day spoke

with
to

his him

bow ingly. mock-

and

Apollo

beheld

and

"

What lad
that with but will ?

hast
"

thou

to
"

do Leave how

with
them
to

the

weapons for hands them. if

of such

war,

saucy

he

said.
full

as

mine,

know

well and
as

wield

Content indeed
arms

thyself
canst,
drive

thy
such

torch,
bolts
not

kindle

flames,
white
to

thou
can

thy
scathe

young

surely
did the he

bring
son

god

nor

to

man." and
as
"

Then

of

Aphrodite
aloud strike

answer,

he

made thine

answer

laughed
mayst
mine did shall Eros

in
all

his

glee.
else,
heart

With

arrows

thou shaft of

things thy
arrows

great
!
"

Apollo,

surely
choose and the that of

strike
two

Carefully, quiver.
to

then,

from fitted it

his
fully care-

One,
his

sharp-pointed
drew the
to

gold,
until
not

he

bow,

back
arrow,

string
did of the with

was

taut,

and but
the the

then flew other

let

fly

miss

its

mark,
With

straight
arrow,

the

heart and

sun-god.
lead,
the he river

bkmt,

tipped
of the
42

smote

beautiful

Daphne,
full

daughter
did

Peneus,

god.
for his

And

then,

joyously

boy-god

laugh,

APOLLO

AND

DAPHNE

43

roguish
the

heart

knew shaft
a

well
must

that
come

to

him

who

was

struck that

by
have

golden
many

the many
to
a

last

pangs

proved
that
a

man's
arrow

and

god's undoing,
whomsoever from all
were

while

leaden-tipped
of Love

meant
an can

it the

struck,
heart

hatred

and Love

immunity bring.
Never
storm

weakness when But

that

Those

the he

days
loved.
the

Apollo
as

was

young.

before
that

had

the

first fierce
tree
so

assails

it bends

young,

supple

with

its the

green first
as

budding
love
of

leaves bend

before low

its furious

blast,
heart.

did
All

Apollo
the

his
of

adoring
his

day

he

held

golden

reins
were

chariot, until
in the
waters

evening
of he the

when
western

its

fiery wheels
he But

cooled

seas,

thought
never

of

Daphne.
there
come

All
to

night

dreamed
a

of when

her. she with

as

did for
on

Daphne
Never

time she

loved

Love eye
of

Love's
the the

sake.

did whose that Her

look
face
was

gentle
the face

golden-haired god exquisite things

in
a

all

the

sunlight shows,
was was
a

bered remem-

dream. One white

came

only passion nymphs

passion

for and

the pure

chase. and There

of

Diana's
as

she, cold
herself.

in soul
a

the

virgin goddess Apollo

could The
no

day
his

when fierce in

longer put
flames
sea

curbing
his hill

hands still

on

longing.
reflected of And lithe

from and of dim

a

chariot and
were

lingered
Tlie very in

glories on
the

sky.

leaves

budding through
and

trees

spring
wood

outlined

gold.
and

the

walked in the

Daphne,

erect

living as
her.

sapling
With

early spring.
hands,
him had

beseeching
he, yet
to

Apollo
come

followed
vast

A of

god

was

the

humility

44

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

passionate nymph.
round,
when
"

intercession heard and

not

for his angry

the

gift
behind
one

of

love her

to

little

She

steps
that it.

and

turned her

proud
she had

should

follow

willed

Stay

"

he
own

said,

"

daughter
lover.
on

of To

Peneus.
thee
am

No do

foe

am

I, but
my

thine

humble all
others

alone I

I bow

head.

To

earth

conqueror

and

king."
But
on.

Daphne,
when

hating
his

his words
lent
as

of

passionate love, sped

to

And

passion
on

wings

his
as

feet
a

and lover

she did foe.

heard

him

gaining
on

her

she

fled, not
but
as a

Daphne
More

look

deathless
she

Apollo,
ever mn

hateful
her
as

swiftly than leaving

now.

had

beside
her

mistress
she upon

Diana,
ran

the

flying winds
But
ever

behind did her

sped,
her,
the
was

Daphne
almost banks

Apollo gain
when her she

and green

had of the

he

grasped
river
of

reached

which

father, Peneus,

god.
"

Help

me,

Peneus
whose the met

"

she

cried.
I fear of !
"

"

Save

me,

oh

my

father, from
As
even as
a

him

love
arms

she

spoke
arms

Apollo
her

seized

her, yet,
and

his

around

waist,

lissome
was

slightas
the
arms,

young
no

willow. Daphne

the

nymph

Daphne
soft
sun-

nymph
her

longer.

Her

fragrant hair,
all took
arms

her the

white

tender
Her river. green
tree

body
feet Her

changed
root

as

god

touched
earth branches

them.

in

the

soft, damp
into

by

the and

sprouted
face

woody
and the

leaves.
enclosed away

Her her

vanished,

bark

of

big
not

snow-white

body.
her who

Yet
had

Apollo

did

take

his embrace

from

APOLLO

AND

DAPHNE

45

been

his

dear

first

love.

He

knew

that

her

cry
"

to

Peneus
thou

her

father

had

been

answered,
at

yet
least
shall thou

he

said,
shalt

Since

canst

not

be

my

bride,

be

my

tree

my

hair,
tree

my of

lyre,
the

my

quiver
!
"

have

thee

always,

oh

laurel
So

Immortals

do

we

still

speak
and

of

laurels
does

won,

and
first

worn

by
of

those

of

deathless
the

fame,
heads of

still

the

love

Apollo
them

crown

those

whose

gifts Olympus.

have

fitted

to

dwell

with

the

dwellers

on

''

I espouse

thee

for ray

tree

Be The

thou

the

prize poet,
the Roman

of

honour the

and

renown

deathless

and

poem,

crown

Thou

shalt after

festivals

adoni,
worn." Ovid

And,

poets,

be

by

victors

{^Drydens

irayislatioii).

PSYCHE

Those
must

who
at
once

read be

for

the

first

time its have the

the

story
to

of the

Psyche fairy
the

struck
Here and
we

by

kinship
the three

tales
two

of elder

childhood.

sisters,

jealous
and wicked who of is

spiteful,
unable
to

youngest
herself is
who the is it

beautiful

and
her

gentle
sisters'

quite
arts.

defend

against

Here,
seen

too,
and

mysterious
lost is
an

bridegroom
bride old
that
to
"

never

to

his

because

her than

lack all

of

faith.
tales
"

Truly
the and
to

old,
love
so

tale
"

older
not

fairy
to

story wait,
seeds

of and of

is

strong
"

enough
in
the full the
so

believe the
"

win
sown

through by bring
upon
a

end
of malice

story
in
an

of

picion sus-

one

innocent
cruel
a

heart,

and

which Once

to

hapless
goes

reaper the

harvest.
and the queen second
was

time,

tale,
The of

king
and

had
were

three fair that

sent

beautiful

daughters.
but the of

first the

indeed,
all the

beauty
the

youngest
it

such

people
from

land

worshipped They
awaited
came,

as

thing
outside
threw tread
no

straight royal
of

Olympus.
and
when

her

the

palace,
roses

she for
as

they
feet she
were

chaplets
upon, mortal There and maiden
were

and

violets
of

her

little

to

sang but many

was

hymns
a

praise
of

though
deathless the the
men

daughter
who less said

the

gods.
of of for-

that than that

beauty beauty
were

Aphrodite Psyche,
and

herself when

perfect
found

the

goddess

PSYCHE

47

saking
great
was

her

altars
her all

in

order

to

worship
them and

mortal

maiden,
the

wrath

against
had

against
her

cess prin-

who,
harm. In her

unwittingly,

wrought

this shameful

garden, sitting amongst

his
mother's feathers fair in

the doves

flowers
as

and

idly

watching
their
son

white
sun,

they preened
found the her

snowy

the

Aphrodite
to

Eros,
shame. Thine

and

angrily poured

forth

him

story

of her
"

must

be

the
"

task Thou stab

of who

avenging thy
hast
one

mother's
power
arrows

honour,"

she the of

said.
of

the

of

making
the heart

loves this

men,

with

of thine and love shame

a

presumptuous
mortals
others Eros

maiden,
her which

her

before from

all which wicked

other all

by making
shrink heard and his face
was,

monster

all

despise."
boy,
after

With
His lit up

glee

mother's
a

commands.

beautiful
with

face, still the

This the of from

of in

mischievous
a

merriment. In

truth,

game
a

his
of

own

heart. another
one

garden
bitter each

of

Aphrodite
and

is

fountain filled two

sweet,

water,

Eros

amber his

vases,

fountain,

hung

them

from

quiver,
"

and
he
rose

Straight
Went

from 'twixt

earth the

and bkie

down

the and

wind sea."

glittering

sky
fast

the

In almost the his child

her

chamber
a

Psyche glance
upon
at

lay

asleep, and sprinkled

then,
with

swiftly,
some

without

her, Eros

of of
a

bitter

drops
arrows,

her

lips, and
her snowy

one

sharpest
who

pricked
in

breast. up with
moan,

Like

half

awakes

fear, and
with
a

looks little

puzzled, opened

wondering

eyes.

Psyche,

48

A
were

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

eyes that
at

bluer than knew that

the violets in he
was

springand gazed
yet her
*'

Eros. made

He him

and invisible,

gaze
"

tremble.
! " said the lad to himself. fair
as

They spoke truth

my
mother is
as

Not

even

Her the

princess." and then dropped. her eyelids For a moment quivered, pink as long dark lashes fell on her cheeks that were shells that the waves toss up on hearts of the fragile
beaches, her red mouth, curved
like the bow of

this

western

Eros, smiled
heart that

happily,and
beat
as

Psyche sleptagain.
never

With

it had

beaten

before, Eros

loveliness. With gentle, gazed upon her perfect pitying his arrow the red drop where he wiped away had finger with wounded her,and then stoopedand touched her lips his own, that Psyche in her dreams so lightly thought that they had been brushed by a butterfly's wings. Yet she moved, and Eros, starting in her sleep back, pricked of his arrows. And with that prick, himself with one all the careless ease for Eros there passed away of the that he loved Psyche with heart of a boy, and he knew the unquenchable love of a deathless god. Now, with bitter had her all regret,
to the
one

his desire

was

to

undo

the

wrong

he

done with

that he loved.
water

the

sweet

that she

he sprinkled Speedily brings joy, and when

was

Psyche rose beauty that

"

from
comes

her from

couch
a

radiant

with

the

new,

undreamed-of

happiness.
day

From
And
So

placeto placeLove

followed her that

fairer to his eyes she grew. ever that at last when from her bower he underneath his feet the moonlit
waves sea

flew.

And Went

his shepherding

disorderly,

PSYCHE

49
and

He

swore

that hold her

of all
in

gods
arms

men,

no

one

Should That Like

his

but him

he
in

alone

she
to
a

should

dwell
in
some

with

glorious wise
this
SAveet

goddess
would should

paradise ;
Father Jove her grace face but

Yea,
That And Till Were Did

he she

get from
never

die,

wonderful the

fair

body
of the
sea

should

endure
sure

foundations
in

mountains
so

molten he

the

utterly cruelty."
"

forget his
it
came

mother's

William

Morris.

Meantime and had

in other

to

be

known the fame

all of

over

that fair

land,

lands that

to

which

the

Psyche
had

spread,
dared

the the her

mighty
of

goddess Aphrodite
the

declared
none

herself seek

enemy

princess.
and

Therefore many
a

in
away

marriage,
his heart

although
love
of

noble

youth
in
thorns

sighed
her

for
an

her, she
rose

remained
whose for Her

father's

palace
who

like

exquisite
would have

make
fear
to

those

fain

it

their

own,

pluck
her
come

it from father about

the

parent

stem.
so

sisters
a

married,

and

marvelled and

why
the

strange
beautiful miwed.
At
sent

thing by
far

should of

why
should

most

his

three

daughters

remain

length, laden
the the

with the the In

royal gifts,an
of

embassy
to

was

by

king

to

oracle

Apollo
on

inquire
the

what

might
his

be

will of

dwellers
a

Olympus
of

concerning king
of
ever

fairest his

daughter.
and And

horror awaited

anxiety
the
return

and

queen

Psyche
when knew

the
a

ambassadors. word
was

they

returned,
the

before had

spoken, they
doom. moiiial

that

oiacle

spoken
said
D

Psyche's
"

No

lover

shall

fair

Psyche

know,"

the

50

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

oracle.
that

"

For
man

bridegroom
nor

she
can

shall

have

monster

neither
he awaits

god

resist. Woe

On

the

mountain shall if he
come

top
to to

her and
to

coming.
all the

unutterable
in his

the

king
the
Of
. "

dwellers dictum

land

dares

resist
".

unalterable
dead corpses

of the
be land

deathless

gods

"

shalt the
to

thou dark end

the

king.
thou
"

And

stumbling through
for second death

shalt

go. Morris.

Howling

thy

woe."

William

Only
to

for the

little while
of time

did

the And the

wretched

king
own

strive

resist
so

decrees
a

fate. before

in her little

chamber,
had

where known
most

short

princess
"

the

joy
"

of

something
"

inexpressible
unknown
"

something
sat,
like
a

exquisite
broken with hideous

intangible
the sobs fate her

she

flower

by

ruthless
that that

storm,

sobbing pitifully,
her had

dry-eyed,
shameful,
All

strained
the

soul,
dealt could

for

the

gods

her.
no

night,

until

worn-out

body
and the that her her kind

longer
came

feel, her

worn-out

mind

think,
faced

sleep
for

to

bring
of
not

her

oblivion. Psyche
and of his

horror she

the she

sake
could whitebridal

her

father

people,
came,

knew

avoid.
and

When

morning
came

handmaids,
in
all the

faced

red-eyed,
that when

to

deck
most

magnificence
of
as
a

befitted she there

was

the

beautiful

daughter

king,

and
a

dressed started the heads up

right royally, and

the

became

bride,

mountain
must

procession
have walked in
on

at

sight
With
the

of

which

gods
the

themselves

wept.
before

bowed litter

king lay

and

queen

upon saffron

which

their
rose

daughter
wreath of the

her

marriage golden

veil of

colour,
were

with the

her

hair.

White,

white

faces

PSYCHE
maidens who the bore side of

51

the

torches,

and

yet

rose

red

were

they by
hymns
the
as

Psyche.

Minstrels and

played wedding
as

they
of

marched

onwards,
shades the

it seemed

though
reeds

souls moaned At

unliappy through

sobbed

through

the

and

strings as
the

they played.
where her

length they they

not must meet

reached

rocky place
bride, and
turned his

they
father
to

knew dared Yet

leave
her eyes

the
as

victim he

head

go. way

Psyche
No

watched
more

the
tears

procession wending
had
was

its

downhill.
to
an

she
not

to
a

shed, and

it seemed

her

that

what of

she

saw

wedding
who

throng,
went
one was

but

assembly
their
homes

broken-hearted

people
feet after

back

to

with
She
saw

heavy
no

burying
who

that
to

they
be grew

loved.

sign
at

of the

monster

her

bridegroom,
sick
with

yet

every

little sound
the
moans

her wind

heart

horror,

and

when
and its

night
were

swept
in
on

through

the

craggy
fell
on

peaks
her

echoed

loneliness, she
the

face

in

deadly

fear

and

lay

cold

rock

in

swoon.

Yet, had
For
and him
"

Psyche
used
to

known

it,the
as

wind his
to

was

her

friend.

Eros
sent
"

had

Zephyrus
mountain
man nor

trusty
find

messenger bride of

him

the

top

the

whom

neither
"

god

could
must

resist." he

Tenderly
in his

very

tenderly
and bear

he her

was

told,
the

lift her in that

arms,

to

golden palace
had
nurse

green

and

pleasant

land

where of
a

Eros

his
to
a

home. tired her

So, with
little child

all the

gentleness
lifted the

loving
and

Zephyrus
arms

Psyche,

sped

with

in his
towered
a

strong
the

to

flowery
of

meadows

behind
sun

which

golden palace

Eros, like the

behind

sky

of green

52

BOOK

OF

IMYTHS
in the awoke weariness it
was

and of
to

amber her
start

and

blue

and

rose.

Deeply,
when of But

gi'ief. Psyche
up with the
on

slept, and
chill her hands heart.

she the

realisation
when
utter

of

ten'ible

actualities round
to

her

eyes

looked

find of

the
an

barren

rocks, the

ness, forsakenbefore with her fruit

the she and made

saw

coming only
fair

unnameable
with
trees

horror,
bedecked

groves

blossom,
her with eyes song

fragrant meadows,
grow
more

flowers from any

whose the
trees

beauty
sang had

glad.
sweet

And than

birds
ever

that

Psyche
which
their

known,

and

with

brilliant

plumage dipped

they

preened
in

caressingly when

they

had

wings
a

crystal-sparkling fountains.
palace, golden fronted,
marble
that like but shone like
a

There,
with in from
to

too,
arcades

stood
of At

noble

and
snow

less stainfirst

the which the

sun.

all seemed
to

part
soon

of there

dream
came

she of

dreaded

awake,

her

joy

knowing
to

that
senses

all the
were

exquisite things
indeed forward

that Almost

made

appeal
her
"

her

realities.
to
"

holding
doors. does

breath,
It is
a

she

walked she
mean

the

open this into seemed

golden
means

trap," subtly
even as

thought.
to

By
me

the

monster

lure

his

golden cage."
to

Yet,
round

she

thought,
words,
ears

there like

be

hovering
with

her And Recall

winged
in her the
to to

little

golden
"

birds
not.

souls.
not.

they whispered,
dreams such the

Fear
so

Doubt
a

half-formed

that

short

time No of

ago evil

brought
shall
come

thy
thee

heart
"

unutterable

joy.

only

bliss of

loving and
the

being
golden

loved." Tlius
did

Psyche

lose

her

fear, and

enter

THUS

DID

PSYCHE

LOSE

HER

FEAR,

AND

ENTER

THE

GOLDEN

DOORS

PSYCHE

53

doors.
beautiful

And

inside of

the which

palace
she she had had

slie
ever ever

found

that

all

the

things

dreamed,

all the there

a

perfect things for

to

which
one

longed,
she from

were

greet

her.

From that gorgeous

to

another

flitted, like
one

humming-bird
from tired
she another with
so

sucks

honey
And
out

and she

then
was

flower.

then, when
her for

much

wearing

of

thankful

mind,
all the

found

banquet
her
so

ready spread dainty

soul

her, with best;

ears

dainties
she

that

liked her

and,
all

as

ate, music
was

perfect rejoiced
and

that When

her she

soul had

soothed

joyous
a

and soft
"

at

peace.

refreshed

herself,
her
come

couch and

stood
when knew who

before
that

her,

ready day
or

for had

there
to
was

to
an

repose,

strange
monster

end.
beloved
and

Psyche by
who
one

that,
had

not,
her

she every

thought
her

for

thought,

desired

only
still,
fears

desire.

Night
and

came

at

last, and
was

when full of

all

was

dark

and
and

Psyche,
her

wide

awake,
dreams

forebodings
be
to

lest
and

happy

might only might

the the
come

misleading fancies,
crown

Horror Eros
as

incarnate

her
was

peaceful
his he eyes
own.

day,
Even
now,

softly
he had found the

entered
to

palace

that

gone

palace lying

of her

father

went

and into she

Psyche velvety

with

violet

that

stared that

darkness,

seeking

something
that

hoped
her

for, trembling

before

something

brought
His
on

dread.
was
as

voice

the

voice he the

of knew

spring
each

when
note

it breathes in is Love's

the

sleeping earth;
every
word

music,

in

great

thing

that

Love's

54

A
Love her

BOOK

OF

^TVTHS

vocabulary.
she knew that for

loved, and
lover
did
was

Psyche
Love

listened, and

soon

himself. of roamed the

Thus,

Psyche,

time
she side

perfect happiness
in her
of his he

begin.
and
of

All

through
and
saw
on

the

day

Love's

dominion,

every All
all the Eros made

signs
the of

passion stayed
Yet

his tenderness.
and
ere

through

night
her when

by her, always,
him
to

satisfied

longing

heart. she

daybreak,
he

left
answer

her, and
:

begged

stay
"

only
thee

am

Avith

only

while

keep
once

My My
Link From

visage hidden face,

Love
the I must with

; and

if thou thee he
;

shouldst

see

forsake

the

high gods
himself Morris. Lewis

Faith, and
of

withdraws
"

full gaze

knowledge."
for

So
more

did

time

glide past
with

Psyche,
did

and her and

ever

she

grew
come be-

in love
more

Love

always
Yet,
ever

happiness again,
sorrowful
their

complete.
to

there

returned when
over

her father

the

remembrance and mother and whose her

of those had

days
hearts

her her her

come

broken

martyrdom,
as

sisters had

looked
must at
a

askance

at

at

one

punishment misdoing.
Thus

assuredly length
boon
for
"

have asked

from
to to

her

own

she to

Eros her the

grant
have

her,
her that

for

love's
come

sake,
to
see

permit

sisters
was

selves them-

happiness

hers. the heart

Most of Eros

unwillingly
told
he

was

her from

request granted,
their visit
no

for

him
was

that unable

good
to

could

come.

Yet
on

to

deny

anything
was

Psyche,
to

and
the had

the

ing followto

day
the

Zephyrus

sent

bring Psyche

two

sisters her

pleasant

valley

where

home.

PSYCHE

55

Eagerly, might
fairer her
came,

as

she the it
was.

awaited

them,

Psyche
wherein
ere

thought
she dwelt could
two

she

make than

princely palace
And

yet think,
sisters

almost

she the

thoughts they

became
were

realities.
with

When
the

bewildered it all.
Beside

beauty
own

and

the

magnificence
were

of

this, their

sions posses-

paltry
envy

trifles indeed. grew.

Quickly,
had

in

their

little

hearts, black
their younger all the world
more

They
now

always they

been

jealous of
her, whom
a

sister,and
believed
to

that

found

have than

been
ever,

slain

by

horrible
rare

monster,

beautiful in her
their best who

decked
queen
to

with
of
a

jewels, radiant
fit for the

happiness,
envy
to
soon

and
turned their

palace

gods,
how

hatred, and
upon the

they sought joyous They

her he ?
creature

wreak them

malice

loaded

with

priceless gifts.
He
who where
came was was

began
to

to

ply Psyche
she he

with

questions.

lord,

whom

owed
away

all her
when
manner

happiness,
her

Why

did
to

stay
? dark

sisters
of
man

to

be ?

presented
Was
he

him
or

What
?

was

he

fair

Young
grew

or

old
a

And

as

they
child
one

questioned
and
answered

her.
in
And

Psyche

like

bewildered

frightened
the wicked that

words

that

contradicted brooded
whom

another. in had their

never

well

sisters, who
husband
one

evil

hearts, knew
seen

this be her

Psyche gods.

must

indeed
to

of the

deathless

Wily
"

words
Alas the !

they spoke unhappy

evil fate

then.

one,"
the

they
meted the

said,
out monster canst

"

dost thee

think ?

to

escape

gods
than

for

Thy
the

husband
oracle

is

none

other

of
not

which understand

spake

Oh, foolish Psyche !

56

BOOK
fears the the and

OF

MYTHS

that it
mean

the

monster

hght

Too

great horror

would
in

for

thee of

to

see

loathsome

thing
to

that

comes

the

blackness

night
and

speaks

thee

words listened. her

"

of love."

White-lipped by drop
had rule the

trembling. Psyche
words of
men.

Drop
She
to

poisonous
him
as

passed
all

into

soul.

thought
over
was

king
well
as

living things
She
was so

worthy
that knew
as

gods

sure

his
so

body
well.
.

worthy
She had
"

sheath

for

the

heart

she

pictured
young and in
"

him

beautiful

Eros,

son

of
"

Aphrodite
a

fair, with
a

crisp, golden
to

locks
now won

husband

to

glory
shame the

lover

adore. he who

And had
was
a

she her
to

knew,
love
shame

with between

and

dread,
and

that the

twilight
to

dawn
of she
men.

thing
"

her, then,
And
:

monster

be

shunned

Wliat,
sisters. answered

shall the

do

"

piteously

asked

of
tent, con-

her

women,

and pitilessly,

well

"

Provide
to to

thyself

with
man or

lamp
monster.

and

knife
when thou and

sharj^
this
bethe all

enough
creature

slay

the

And

whom,

to

thy slip

undying
from
to

shame,
couch upon for

longest, sleeps sound,

rays his
what Thus meted of the

thy

in

lamp
Then,

have when

courage thou with

look
seen

him

in

horror.
we

hast

thyself

that him.

say

is truth,
thou free

thy

knife

s'sviftly slay
the

shalt
out

thyself

from

pitiless doom

by
with him

the

gods."
made him her
answer :

Shaking
"

sobs, Psyche
so

I love her

!
...

I love upon

so

"

And
and

sisters

turned wrath.

with

furious

scorn

well-simulated

PSYCHE
"

57

Shameless

one

"

they
to
a

cried

"

;
so

and

does

our

father's

daughter

confess the
monster

thing
thou of

unutterable

Only by slaying
thy place amongst They
their her left her

canst

hope

to

regain

the when And

daughters

men."
with them of

evening fell, carrying

while she awaited and the

royal gifts.
in her Eros

coming
crouched
storm.

lord, Psyche, provided with

her head
was

knife

lamp, by
to
a

with So

hands,
come

broken lily
to

cruel her

glad
"

to

back he he

her,
the
note

find

safely
that

there

for

greatly pair
"

had

feared
not

coming
her

of

treacherous did face the dark

that show

did him

silence. in He there upon she her

Nor
sad

night
like her

that
snow

her

eyes

looked
to

violets

in in

wreath. and
to

wanted she

only

hold and

safely

his

arms,
came

lay,
an

passive

still,until
hand. his
was

sleep

lay

him withdrew

omnipotent
herself
her she
arm

Then, embrace,

very and

gently,
stole
to

from

the

place
under

where her
as

lamp

hidden.
it to
as

Her couch held

to

limbs where

shook he

brought
trembled As
a

the she

lay asleep ;
walk. who

her

it aloft.

martyr

walks

death,
upon

so

did
form

she

And

when

the

yellow light fell

the

of him

lay

there, still she And,

ever

gazed steadily.
her of in she her
saw

lo, before
the

the dreams.

form

of him Love in all

who

had
carnate inhe

been

ideal

himself,
else
"

Love,
whom whom

perfect
had had For

beauty
her that

and
was

was

her
the

sisters oracle

told

monster

he, of
men

said
a

neither of Then

gods

nor

could
she

resist him.

moment

perfect happiness
he turned

gazed

upon

his

beauty.

in

his

58

BOOK
and

OF

IMYTHS

sleep, and
the
one

smiled,
his

stretched

out

his

arms

to

find

of the

love.
;

And
from of

Psyche
it fell
At

started, and,
a

starting,
oil and

shook
on

lamp

and

drop
once

of he

burning
awoke,
of

the

white

shoulder

Eros.

with And

piteous, pitying
when he

eyes his

looked
were

in

those like

Psyche.
that

spoke,
into
her

words He

daggers
all that
she

pierced deep
been,
faith been

soul.
have

told Had

her

had had
have

all
and hers.
"

that

might
to

been.
an

only

patience

wait,

immortal

life should

Farewell How Over thou

though
canst

I,

god;,can
thou

never

know
time will go

lose and

th}^ pain, yet

thine bitter

head,
and the

The
Nor The

sweet,

mayst mingle yet nor quite forget.

quite remember, wavering

memory

till these of
a

things

shall
"

seem

lovely dream."
her
as

William

Monnis.

He slow

left her
hours

alone

then,

with

despair,
she
ever

and

as

the the

dragged
in her
at

by.
heart

Psyche,
no sun

awaited rise
no

dawn,
When
endure her of

felt that

could
she

again. longer
to

day
to

came

last,

she

felt where of
a

could

stay

in the

palace

everything spoke
lost
even

the
a

infinite
storm
no

tenderness had

love.
with

Through
the and

the
there

night
came

raged,
And the

and

day
chill,
ward on-

calm. from
on,

Psyche, place
of

weary her
on

wandered and

away
ever

happiness,
the bank her the

until For sound

she
a

stood she

of

swift-flowing
and and
came

river.
to
as

little of

stayed against

steps
rocks waited

listened
tree roots

the

its wash
to

it hurried that
woe.

past, and
had she

her

as

she
a

the
to

thought
end her

here

found

means

by

which

PSYCHE
"

59
"

have
to
me

lost any

my

Love,"

she

moaned.
to
me

What O

is

Life !
"

longer!
into
bear the her bore

Come

then,

Death

So very
the
to
on

then

she it But

sprang

wan

water,

hoping
soul down

that to her
sat

swiftly
shades.

might
the
a

grief-worn
her up and Pan feet and
to

river
fair

carried himself

its shallows the bank And with her to for sad her
to

in and when

meadow dabbled shamed

where his

merrily

in the

flowing
at

water.

Psyche,
the

wet,
her and

looked

him chid fair

eyes,

god
was
so

spoke
too

gently
much The
so

and
too

folly.
her be

She life

young
he

try

end

rudely,
as

said.
drive

river

gods
a
"

would in

never

so

unkind down
to

to

beautiful

maiden Thou fair

rough

haste

the

Cocytus valley. daughters

fain of

must

dree he

thy

weird
"

like all other He

or

men,

Psyche,"
lives, are
will

said.
held

she

who

would
when

lose their
the

ever

longest
on

in life. be

Only
gods
in
on.

gods
And

it shall

thy days
that

earth in truth

done."
the

Psyche, knowing
her very she her tell
"

had face
she the

spared
with
a

to

endure

more

sorrow,

looked

his
As
near

piteous
found
two

gaze, that sisters of

and her

wandered feet had

wandered,

led

her

place
"

where I

dwelt.
the evil
must

shall

them

they

have

wrought,"
when

she

thought.
that and

Surely
cruel of my
women

they
words Love
saw

sorrow

they
from

know
me

by

their
me

they
and

stole

my

faith

robbed the

of my the

happiness."
form
of

Gladly Psyche
Well,
and

two

stricken marred
;

looked had

at

her

face, all
succeeded

by
their

grief.
malice

indeed,

their

plot

60

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

had

drunk

deep, yet deeper

drove
had she

still her

they drank,
their the

for

with doors. the

scornful

laughter they
where
to

from

palace
bore

Veiy

quickly, when
she that had

gone, w^hen

elder

sought
her

place
safety
\^dth

stood of that whom

successor

Zephyrus
w^here
was no

in

palace
Now

pleasure Psyche
she

Psyche

dwelt

her the

Love.

longer there,
beloved
w^oman

surely gladly
was now

god by
as

had
the

been

would who

have much

her
more

beautiful

fair

than And heart

the

white-faced
such

girl ^vith
did
out

eyes

all red

with

weeping.
in her
:

certainty
she

the her

vengeful gods put

arms,
"

that

held

and Bear my
she
on

callingaloud
me

to

him !
"

in she

thine sprang

arms,

Zephyrus
the
ravens

! Behold cliff
on

come,

lord

from the So

high

which

stood, into space.

her shattered

And

that

night
the
o\vn

feasted younger

body. by
sin
the

also

did

it befall
to

sister, deluded
that
a

Olympians
be

her

destiiiction,so
For
ever

her

might
and

avenged.
wandered,
do
thing some-

many

weary
find
to

day
her

night Psyche
ever

seeking
by

to

Love,
for
to

longing
that she
at

to

wiiich From she

to

atone

the

deed

had

been but

her
where no-

undoing.
did
she
came

temple
come
near

temple
until

went,

him,
where
as

length
herself made

in

Cyprus
had her

the

place
inasmuch
she
more

Aphrodite
her

dwelling.
bold, and
think
of

And because pangs

love

had

her
nor

very
could

no

longer
than presence

feared
those of

death,
that the her

cruel
the

she

already
who her take

knew.
was

Psyche
her enemy,

sought
and

goddess
to

humbly

begged

life away.

PSYCHE

61

With

flaming
"

scorn

and

anger
I will harvest

Aphrodite
not

received

her.

O But And

thou thou

fool,"
shalt
a

she reap

said,
the

"

let thee hast

die
sown,

thou

many
art

day

that

wretched
not
a

lot bemoan

Thou But

my

slave, and
some

day

shall

be

I will

find

fittingtask
for

for

thee."

There

began
of which

then

Psyche
could

time who

of

torturing
ledge know-

misery

only
merciless

those

speak
with

have the

of
can

the

stripes
of her

which

goddess
cruel

scourge

the

hearts

slaves.
for

With
her.

genuity. in-

Aphrodite
In uncountable
and the

invented

labours and

quantity,

mingled lay
of in

in inextricable the granary peas

out

bewildering confusion, goddess grains

and them be
to

there

of and each

of

barley

and
seed.

wheat,
To
sort

millet, poppy
kind and

coriander in

lay
woe

heaps
did

was

the fail.

task In

allotted

for

one

day,

and

her

she

despair, Psyche
the
sun

began through
separate
made

her
a

hopeless day
that
was

labour.
for when her

While
too

shone,
strove to

short, she
shadows
sort

the

grains,
for her veiy
soon

but

the

of from of

evening
another,

it hard
a

to

distinguish one
the would be darkness in
some

only
toil.
dared
out

few

tiny piles were

the what

result

her

weary

Very
not to

goddess
would the

return,

and

Psyche
meted the

think

the

punishment
fell, but

her.

Rapidly
still

while

dying light
it seemed
water

lingered
as

parts
little

of
dark

the

granary, trickles doors of and

to

Psyche
to

though

began
the

pour

from

underneath wall.

the

through
the

cracks

in the of

Trembling

she

watched

ceaseless

motion

those

long, dark

lines, and

then,

62

BOOK

OF

]\IYTHS

in amazement,

realised
ants.

that And the what

went
as

what

she

saw one

were

unending
loved
her

processions of
directed their
did
at

though

who

labours,

millions
she

of

busy
had those

little toilers failed

to

swiftly
When lines the heart
a

for

Psyche

herself
in
a

do. dark

length they
looked
were

away, flow of

long

that

like

the up

thread-like and

stream,
the sad

grains
of

all

piled
not

in

high heaps,
thankful

Psyche

knew

only

relief,but

had

thrill
"

of

gladness.
sent

Eros his love

them
me

to

"

me

she

thought.

"

Even

yet

for

is not

dead."
was

And

what

she and

thought
angry.

true.

Amazed she
That had

Aphrodite
well such and

looked

at

the

task

deemed

impossible,
should
possess next

swiftly performed. magic

skill to

Psyche
her

only
her

censed innew

more,

and

day

she

said

slave
"

Behold,

on

the

other

side
crop thou

of that the
cross

glitteringstream,
flowers river
and of the

my

golden-fleecedsheep
To-day
must
a

sweet

meadow.
me
one

the

bring
each

back

by evening shining Psyche

her white of

sample

of

wool

pulled

from

of their Then did

as

fleeces."
go doAvn feet
to

the

brink into

of the

the

river,
she

and

even
a

splashed
from the

water,
that

heard their
"

whisper by
!
rest

warning
stream.

reeds

bowed

heads Beware and shade

the

Psyche,"
the in them

they

said.

"

Stay

on

the

shore the

until
trees

golden-fleeced sheep
the
to

lie under
murmur

of

the

evening sleep."

and

the

of the

river

has

lulled

PSYCHE

63

But

Psyche said,
It that will she the take

"

Alas, I
me

must
a

do

the

bidding
hour
to

of

the

goddess.
the wool And

many

weary

pluck

requires."
reeds with

again
-fleeced that
as

murmured,
their

"

Beware

! for
are

the evil

gold en
creatures

sheep,

great

horns,
and

lust for the

lives of
the their
canst

mortals,
bank.

will

slay
when

thee the

even

thy

feet

reach does thou

other vice

Only
from their

sun

goes

down

depart
of

them,
wool

and
from

while
the

they
bushes

sleep
and

gather
of the felt
a

from of

the

trunks

trees." of

And

again

the she she

heart

Psyche
she the and and had
was

thrill and the

sun

ness, happifor and

set

because still. dreamt she All

knew

that in

loved

cared

day

rested

wood when

by
the

river
had

pleasant day-dreams,
to

waded in
the

the

further that
came

shore reeds the

gathered
told her.

the

golden
in

wool
the

way
she of
art

the
to

Wlien her

evening
brow thou
to

goddess, bearing
grew in task dark.

shining
is is her

load, the
"

Aphrodite
so

If

skilled

magic
shall

that I

no

danger
thee that

danger worthy
fresh

thee, yet another

give

of

thy skill,"she

said, and

laid upon

Psyche

commands.
with

Sick the her black

to

dread,
out

Psyche
of which Part

set

out

next

morning
had

to

seek

stream

Aphrodite
its and the be
waters

commanded into the

fill

ewer.

of

flowed did

Styx, part
that
a

into

the

Cocytus,
from
must

well

Psyche
creatures

know
that who knew

hideous
the

death fountain
an

loathly
the Yet
as

protected
risked that
so

fate because Pan

of

those she

proud
must
"

attempt.
her

she

dree

weird,"

had

said, she

64

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

plodded
whose And

onward,
side

towards the

that black

dark
water

mountain that she

a

from

gushed
once

sought.
of

then,
A

again,
of

there she

came

to

her and

message

love.

whirring
O'er The her head

wings
there flew

heard,
bird of

"

the

Jove,

bearer,
when asked who
to

of his he her
saw

servant,

friend

of Love, towards her

Who,
And And For And When

her, straightway
she he
waves

flew.

why
was,

wept,
'

and

when all

he

knew,

she

said,
I

Cease
ewer

thy fear.
bear.

the

black thee

thy

will
me.

fill it for thou

art

but,
unto

remember

come

thy majesty.'
stricken

"

And,

yet

once

again,
when
water

the
at

heart she

of
came

Psyche
with and
a

was

gladdened,
ewer

and of

nightfall
the she dread knew

her
gave
more

full
to

from

stream

it

Aphrodite,
task
was

although
sure

that fear had

yet
all

arduous away.

to

follow, her

passed

With
when she she

beautiful,

sullen the

eyes,

Aphrodite
And,
with in

received black

her

brought
:

water. art
so

brow,
that
a no

said

"If

thou
to

skilled
now

magic give
thee

danger
all

is kno^vn of

thee, I shall

task

worthy
Tliereon

thy
she
no

skill."
told silver of her
nor

that

she

must

seek

that strikes
;

dark
on

valley
the Pluto From

where

golden light ever

and of the
over

black

waters

Cocytus

Styx

and

where

reigns

in

gloomy
she

majesty
was

the for the

restless

shades.
the

Prosperine
a

to

crave

Aphrodite
secret

gift of
was

box
to to

of the

magical ointment,
Queen
to

of

which which
more

kno^vn able

of

Darkness who used

alone, and it, beauty

was

bring

those

PSYCHE

65

exquisite than
as

any upon.

that

the

eyes

of

gods

or

of

men

had

yet looked
"

I grow

weary like
a rose

and

careworn,"
has budded

said

Aphrodite,
as

and she in

she

looked
"

that
was

in Paradise
a

spoke.
whom,
to

^ly

son

wounded he

by
his faded."

faithless and in

slave

most

weakly,
my these her. his

put
has

trust,

tending

his And

wound,
at

beauty
scornful

words,

the

heart

of

Psyche
!
"

leaped
"

within

In

helping
And

mother,
she

shall
"

help

him

she And the

thought.
so,

again
was

thought,
she
to

I shall her

atone."

when road

day

come,

took dark
to
as

way

along
from

weary
no

that
can

leads
ever

that

place

whence still
"

traveller

hope
But,
fears
me
"

return,
she
went to

and

with

gladness thoughts
"

in her and

heart. dreadful

onward,
her.

cold

came

Better she when old

were

it for

to

hasten

my

journey

to

the

shades,"
And like throw
at
an

thought.
she
came

to

an

old has

grey

tower,

that

seemed
to

man

that down

Death from end.

forgotten, she
thus
as

resolved
find the

herself
her

it, and
But

swiftly to
stood
a on

self herof

journey's
her
arms

she

top

the that
"

tower,

outstretched,
for
a flight,

like voice

white

butterfly
ear.

poises its wings

Oh,
foolish

spoke
dost And the

in her thou she

one,"
that

it

said,
dead

"

why
?
"

strive

to

stay the

hope

is not
eyes

while

held
on,

her and Hades

breath, her
told and her

great

wide

open, she
to

voice

spoke

by
there

what find

means

might
face with

speedily
courage

reach the

means

King

of Darkness

himself

and

his fair

wife, Proserpine.
E

66

BOOK

OF

IVIYTHS

All
at and last

that did

she she

was

bidden before

to

do, Psyche
throne she of

did, and

so

come

the

Proserpine,
saw,

all that
which

Psyche
she

endured,
came

all that

all that

through
with
To that

with
here the and
was

bleeding
be

heart

and

yet

unscathed her

soul,

cannot

^vritten. of

Proserpine

gave

box

precious
hastened when she

ointment
ward. homeshe
won

Aphrodite described,
Good,
indeed,
fair
came

gladly she
to

it

her

again
had

reached

the there

light of day.
to stern

Yet,
a

when

there,
beat moth
"

Psyche
barriers

winged
her mind

thought,
like
a

that

against against
This

the
a

of

little

window.
that

ointment
an

I carry
that

with
will

me,"

said
back

Psyche
to

to

herself," is

ointment
or worn

bring
the

those

all faded
than any then
"

by time, beauty
she

by suffering,a beauty greater

has

that

joyed

Immortals

!"

And

thought: beauty,
Eros and
box
"

For

my is
open

Love
wasted

"

loved
and
use

me

and

now

my

beauty
I to

worn

well-nigh
of fair the

gone.

Were
of the
me
"

this
then

and

make

ointment
to

Proserpine,
bride of

indeed

I should
now,

be

enough
that he

be

him
whose
to

who,
love pass
came

even

believes
"

loves

of Eros So

is my that she
not

life !

it
out

came

opened Beauty,
and
on

the but her

fateful

box.
that

And

of

it there
upon

Sleep, eyelids
the

put

his

g3^es

her

limbs,

laid

heavy
the

fingers.
of

And

Psyche

sank

do"svn

by

wayside,

prisoner
But

Sleep.
who had flow

Eros,
the

loved
of
no

her

ever,
rose

with
from

love
bed

that and

knew

ebb

and

tides,

his

PSYCHE

67

went

in

search for

of his

her dear

who

had

braved

even

the

horrors he

of

Hades

sake. Her

And
httle
were

by

the

wayside
was

found
as
a

her, fettered

by sleep.
Like her

oval
her

face

white

snowdrop.
underneath had her

violets

heavy
shadow

eyelids, lay. painted

turned
rose-

and Once in

sleeping
been either
as

eyes the of

violet of bow

mouth Now

bow the

Eros,
was a

carmine.

end
was

downwards,
leaf. And his grey reeds.
"

and

its

colour

that

of

faded

as

Eros
as

looked
the

at

her

that

he

loved, pity stirred

the the

heart,
leaves

wind

sweeps
or

through

sighing, bowing

of the

willow,

sings through

My

Beloved
his

"

he

said, and
It
to
or as
was

he her

knew
fair whether

that

Psyche
that he

was

indeed
nor
a

beloved.
it
matter

soul

loved,
was

did
rose

him
a

her

body
tree

like

in
as

June his

wind-scourged
hers, Psyche

in

December. and heard

And his soft

lips
:

met

awoke,

whisper
"

Dear,
look
own on

unclose
me now.

thine I
"

eyes. go
no

Thou But
am

mayst
thine

more.

forever."

Lewis

Morris.

Then
of

did

there

spring
of

from and her

the of way

fair

white

shoulders hand
in

Psyche, wings
with

silver

gold, and,
to

hand

Eros, she
there

winged
the

Olympus.
were

And and
once

all
no

deathless

gods
upon

assembled,
her who but flower. had

Aphrodite
been her
as

longer
with smiles of

looked darkened

her the the

slave
sun

brows,

smiled
And
a

upon when

upon

new-born there
was

into

hand

Psyche

placed

cup

68

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

of

gold,

the

voice

of

the

great
clear

Father

and

King

of

Olympus

rang

out

loud

and

"

Drink

now,

beautiful,

and shalt

have

no

fear

for

with

this for

draught
ever

thou

be

born

again.

And

live

free

from

care

and

pain."
William
Morris.

In

this

wise

did

Psyche,

human

soul,
of

attain

by
love.

bitter

suffering
And

to

the

perfect
do
we

happiness
watch the

purified

still

butterfly,
tomb in

which

is

her

emblem,
and
in the

bursting

from

its white

ugly
and

the

dark

soil,

spreading
caressing
of the

joyous
sunshine,

gold-powdered
the

wings
and the

amidst

radiance

fragrance
watch her

summer

flowers.
the white

Still, moth,

too,

do

we

sadly rushing

sister,
unutterable,
her

heedlessly

into

pangs

thoughtlessly
death.

seeking

the

anguish

that

brings

cruel

THE

CALYDONIAN

HUNT

CEneus to them her his

and
was

Althaea born
a

were

king
son

and
was

queen his
was

of

Calydon, joy
name,

and
and and

who

mother's his that But

a

yet
ere

bitterest

sorrow.

IMeleager
dreamed
a

birth
bore

his
was

mother
a

dream

the when

child
the

that

she
came

burning royal
child

firebrand.

baby

he the

was

indeed,
his

little like the three

fearless

king

from

first

moment at

that his

eyes,
To the

unseeing
chamber

violets,
where

gazed
he

steadily
his

up

mother.

lay by

mother's

side

came

Fates,

spinning,
"

ceaselessly
shall
"

spinning.
strong,"
be third her

He

be

said

one,

as

she

span

her the the fatal

new-

thread. second.

He

shall
the while

fortunate

and
a

brave,"
of wood

said
on

But and she

laid
withered

billet

flames, threads,
bom
"

fingers
old,
sad

held
at

the the

looked

with

old,

eyes

child.
To

thee,

O do

New-Bom,"
we

she the

said,
same

"

and span

to

this

wood
to

that

burns,

give

of

days

live." From
her she bed sprang the and

Althaea,
wood,
on

and,
trod
water

heedless
on

of with

the
her

flames,
fair

seized

burning poured

it that

white

feet,
its
she red

it

swiftly
O the

quenched
Beloved,"
brand
that

glow.
"

"

Thou

shalt

live shall

forever,
fire

said,
have

for

never

again
the

char

plucked

from

burning."

70

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

And

the

baby laughed.
grey
women

"

Those Who

with

bound

hair
not

fright the
and

gods frighted pushed

out

him
to

; he

laughed
haul

Seeing them,
Distaff

and

hands

feel and

thread."

The

years

sped

on,

and grew

from into

fearless

and

beautiful
and

babyhood,
then heroes into

Meleager magnificent
away
was

gallant boyhood,
When land
noble for his
west to

youth.
a

Jason win
the

and

his

sailed

into
one

distant of the

Golden
all

Fleece, Meleager
men

band. brave made

From

living
the he

he

won

great praise
of the north their

deeds, and
war

when

tribes

and army

upon it
as

^tolia,
a

fought against
drives

and leaves him.

scattered before Wlien

wind But

in autumn his
at

the

fallen

it. his father

victory brought
the he end omitted and of
a

evil upon year,

CEneus,
the

fruitful
to

offered

sacrifices Diana
had

to

gods,

honour

the his

goddess

by
sent

to her, sacrificing

to

punish
When gi-ew the

neglect, she
was

this wrath sent

destroying against
a

army.
his father

Meleager
yet
bulls
more

victor,
hot,
and

her she

wild

boar, large
to

as

of that

Epirus,
it The

and

fierce ravage of
corn

and and
were

savage

kill and the under land

to

devour,

might
fields

lay

waste

of

Calydon.

trampled
olive
and and

foot, the
as

vineyards by
a

laid

waste,

and

the

groves herds
thither
went

wi'ecked
were

winter

hurricane.
or

Flocks hither fled.

a

slaughtered

by

it,
havoc

driven
as

in wild
out to

panic, working slay it, but

did
went

they
find he

Many

only

to

hideous

death.

Then of

Meleager
and

resolve called
on

that

would

rid the

land

this

monster,

all his

THE

CALYDONIAN

HUNT

71

friends, the
and his

heroes

of

Greece,
came

to

come

to

his aid.
;

Theseus
wards after-

friend of but

Pirithous Achilles
a

Jason the

Peleus,
of

father

; ;

Telamon,
Castor
of
none

father

Ajax
Toxeus
queenmore

Nestor, then
and

youth

and

Pollux, and
the fair
nor

Plexippus,
But
to

the

brothers
came

Althaea,
more

mother.

there the

fearless

ready
lanta,
Atalanta anger.
who

fight

monster

boar the father

of

Calydon
of

than

Ata-

the
was

daughter
born,
desired

of her
no

king
heard

Arcadia.
of her

When birth with

sons

He

daughter,
and the she in the

but

only sturdy
rage left

might fight for him,

he had

furious

of bitter
on

disappointment
Parthenian bear
to

baby might

princess perish

the she-

Hill
the

that

there.

heard

baby's
she

piteous cries, and

suckled
it

carried
her and and

it off young,

its

lair, where
the

along

with

and with
as

there her

little Atalanta
and

tumbled grew

about

played

furry companions
wild

strong

vigorous
and kill

any Some

other

young
came
one

creature

of the
to

forest.
the
a

hunters

day

raid

den

the

foster-mother,

and

found,

amazed,
and
as

fearless, whiteeyes, who

skinned

thing
for her

with

rosy bit

cheeks
them

brave
her

fought

life and then the dead. cried bear

did

fierce fosterand
sorrow

brothers, and
when she
saw

human who had the

tears

of rage her of all the courage when he

been
care

mother the

lying
hunters of
man.
a

bloody
Atalanta maid and
ran

and

Under
a

grew
all
as

into
the

maiden,
and

with the
runs

beauty
of
a

strength
drives fawns

She
from like

swiftly as
west

Zephyrus
the

rushes before

up him

the
a

and of timid

white
a

clouds
hound

flock

that

is

pursuing.

72

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

The

shafts
to

that the swift her

her heart
as

strong
of her

arm

sped
beast
was

from

her she

bow

smote

straight
almost spear the

the
arrow

that she
at

chased,
to

and her

as

there

drive

into

quarry.
that of than child.
one

When
the

length
huntress,

her
of

father whom

king
men none

learned

beautiful
a

all
was

spoke
other
as

as

only
his
So

little lower
he
was

than
not

Diana,
slow
to

daughter, proud
was

own

her grace,

his and

he

of

her

beauty
and
to

and

of her he of

marvellous
would

swiftness
have

of foot

skill
one

in the of the
an

chase, that

fain
but said

married

her

great

ones
"

Greece, not,"
woe."

Atalanta the

had
"

consulted To thee

oracle.
must

Marry bring
untouched

oracle.

marriage
the

So, with
courage
to

heart, and

with
came

the

daring
with

and
the

of the

young

lad, Atalanta
Hunt.
so

along
was
so

heroes

Calydonian
so

She

radiantly way straightat

lovely, so

young,

strong,
her, and
her the

courageous,
all the heroes And

that

Meleager
with eyes
at

loved

gazed
Diana,
from

her

that

adored

beauty.
maiden
"

looking
virgin

down
she dear had

her, also loved

held her in her

whom
a

childhood

protection

gallant,fearless

to

heart. mist the when

rose

The

grey
and

from
of
came

the the upon

marshes

as

the

hunt but hated

a

began,
little boar. in
a

hunters

boar
traces

had of

gone the

way

they

Disembowelled

beasts
had

marked

its

track.

Here,
in

flowery meadow,
land, had
were on

it wallowed.
and grey of
a

There,
of the

rich

wheat tusks had

it the

routed,

the

marks of

its bestial
trees

gashed
peace

ti-unks
fruitful

that

once

lived

in the

olive

grove.

THE

CALYDONIAN

HUNT
and hove all the aside with it the

73

In

marsh
as

they

found its vast

their bulk and

enemy, and

reeds weed

quivered
in
which

it heaved it had wounded and

to

wallowed,

rooted before who had

its

tusks
with
a

amongst
snort to

the
meet

water-lilies

leapt
come
rose

slay the
as

men

against
above

it. the

filthything
ooze

it was,

its
and

pink

snout

green

of the

marshes,
of the blue it
a

it looked
of

up

lustingly,
to

defying
to

the who

purity
came

skies

heaven,

bring
the

those

against

cruel, shameful
cast

death. But the

Upon

it, first of all, Jason

touched

his

spear.

sharp point only

rushed if it
on,

it, and

unwounded,

boar

its gross,

bristly head

down,

to

disembowel,
of
to
a

could, the gallant Nestor.

found

In the

branches
on

tree

Nestor the

safety, and
that would

Telamon
have made

rushed

destroy
sons

filthything gods.
laid His A

carrion

of the his the

of the foot

straggling cypress
him prone,
a

root

caught
for

fleeting rooting
reach

and

helpless prey
it, but
rage draw shaft
arrow.
"

brute.

hounds full

fell before of

ere

it could
pure

him,

Atalanta,
the
to

vengeful
cruel
"

the her

angered
with
a

against
prayer

filthyand
Diana
to

let her

bow,

guide sped
The

aright.

Into

the

boar's

smoking

flank

the

"

sudden
and

string
the of waterish the
moves

Rang,
Moved But His

and and
as a

sprang the
wave

inward,
moist

air

Hissed,

plumes
the
out

songless
no

reeds

which half

wind of

more.

the
tense

boar

heaved

ooze

and barbed

slime. wound.

flank
;

trembling fiery with

the hounds

round

the eyes hair and

Hateful And

and

invasive

bristlingwith
and and broke

intolerable

Plunged,
Reddened

clung,

green where

flowers

and
came.

white

all round

them

they

74

BOOK
tusk

OF

MYTHS

And

charging
and violent

with

sheer death

he

drove,
his

and

smote

Hyleiis ;
And

sharp sleep
ever

caught
upon

sudden
"

soul,
Swinburne.

shed

night
terrible

his

eyes."
the

More it fell
was

than wounded.

was

monster

now

that hunters

One
rage,

after

the
were

other sent to

the the

before
a

its mad
and

and death.

shades

by

bloody

merciless

Before

its

furious

charge

even

the

heart

of
a

hero

might
oak the of

have the of

been

stricken. that will stood

Yet
not

Meleager,
sway
even

like
a

mighty

forest
a

little before

rush

storm,

full in

its way

and

met

its

onslaught.
"

Aimed

on

the where
no

left the missile

side his well-handled

ash
was

spear

Grasped
And with
in

knottiest the

hcAvn, and
boar

smote.

wound,
hollow

monstrous

Right
Under

the

hairiest

of his

hide bulk
to

the
in

last rib, sheer

through
and his

and

bone.

Deep
The

; and

deeply smitten,
with and fui-iously, latest wrath

death.

heavy
and
out

horror fell the

hanging shafts.
from

Leapt,
Foamed

raging lips
life."

of all his

Great lived
when

was

the that

shout

that

rose came

from
to

those
an

who
end.

still And

grim

hunt

thus

when,
even

with
as

his keen

blade, Meleager struck

throat the drew
men

off the

head,

the

quivering
still did

its of the

last

agonised
But

breath,
not

louder himself
the

shouted

Greece.
of

for laid
"

Meleager despoil
at

body

his foe.

He

ugly thing
is

the
not

feet

of Atalanta. he thee said.

"

This

thy
was

spoil,

mine,"
thee. To

The the

wounding

shaft

sped by

belongs

praise."
And Atalanta blushed

rosily, and

laughed

low

and

THE

CALYDONIAN

HUNT

75

gladly,
and

not

only
her
so

because

Diana

had

heard for

her

prayer that

helped
was

slay
noble brows
:

the

beast,

but

happiness

Meleager
At

in his
of

giving.
the

that

the cried

heroes

grew

dark,

and

angrily one

''

Lo,
out

nowj

Shall

not

the
we

Arcadian
were

shoot

lips at
this
one

us.

Saying

all

despoiled by

girl."

Like

spark

that

kindles

the

dry

grass,

their

kindling
seized

anger
the she

spread,
she but of
a

and had
a

they
been shameless

rushed

against Atalanta,
and
smote

trophy
were

given,

her
not

as

though
noble

wanton

and

the

daughter
And

king.
the

because
to

heart

of

Meleager
because dishonoured
a

was

given
whom

very
he had

wholly
deemed done

the

fair huntress,
had
not

and

those

his friends
him
a

only
wrong, and

her, but
rage had
two

very
left

grievous
he

great
who the

seized been

him.
most

Right
bitter

and

smote,
of

they

in their

jealousy
were

Atalanta,

brothers

of

his

own

mother,
of the

laid low
of

in death.
the boar and the

Tidings
to to

slaying

had
she
was

been
on

brought
her

Althaea
the her those
saw

by

swift

messengers,

way

temples bearing gifts to

son,

gods

for

the

victory

of of she
was

when bore

she the

beheld
bodies of her

the of
two

slow-footed
the

procession
And when

who the

dead.

still faces
turned when her the

dear

brothers,
Terrible
whose

quickly
was

her

joy

into
she mother's

mourning.
learned
love of

her

grief and
were

anger

by
and
a

hand dried

they
up in the

slain, and
heart like

pride

her

clear

water

fountain

before

76

BOOK

OF fire. dead

MYTHS
No

scorching
would she

of

devouring
her

sacrifices

to

the have
atone

gods
the for and she hero for

offer, but
that
son.

brothers

should
make
to

greatest sacrifice
the

mother Back
to

could
the
out

guilt of
its safe

her

palace
the

she

went,
that the

from had
was

hiding-place
from the that

drew

brand

rescued but
She
as
a

flames
made
a

when

Meleager
heart

babe

his
fire
to

mother's
be

sing
and the and

joy.
times,
upon
at

commanded its flames blazed

four the

prepared,
tried drew
to

four

aloft, she
times reddest
she she
as

lay

brand
then

the

pile.
threw for
as

Yet into
a

she

back,
ashes
to

last she
that

of the
so

the her

charred breast

brand

little

held

close
her

that
A

it seemed wreath
on

though
leaves

fondled

child.
was

of

sign

of

victory by

being adoring
doom.

placed
hands

Atalanta's

beautiful
his mother
a

head
gave pang hand

the his

of

Meleager
his

when there
to
a

him
of

Through
His
smote

body

rushed

mortal of In

agony.
that

blood him

turned
was as

fire, and
of

the

Death
torture

hand away,

molten

lead.

his

gallant spiritpassed
his
woe

uncomplaining, loving through

dear sake white he ashes had

pain
upon

the

maid

for As away

whose the

brought
in the fire
of

himself. and fell

last

crumbled

into

nothingness,
the dark

the

soul

Meleager departed.
mother's
and
so

Swiftly through
him, Diana,
for she

valley
a

his

shade

followed And

fell upon down

on

sword

perished.
sisters
of

looking
on

the
sorrow

griefof
them

stricken
his

Meleager

and
on

the

bitter

father, had
birds.
So

compassion

them

and

turned

into

ended

the

Calydonian

Hunt,

and

Atalanta

re-

THE

CAI.YDONIAN

HUNT

77

turned

to

Arcadia,

heavy
And

at

heart

for

the

evil

she

had

wrought
on,

unwittingly.
the winds

still

the

Three

Fates

span and

and

caught
the

up

the

cold

wood

ashes

blew

them

across

ravaged
grew

land

that

Meleager

had

saved

and

that

quickly

fertile

again.

ATALANTA

Atalanta,
sad
those
at

daughter
heart
to

of
own

the

king

of

Arcadia,
as

returned

her

land. in
the chase

Only
she

comrades,
was

as

against
own

whose

skill
she her

wont

to

pit

her
the

skill, had
who and

looked and had

upon her made

men.

But honour

Meleager,
more

hero

loved
whose

fair

than
in

life

itself,

love

him
to

haste the

all
of

his
the she

gallant
Shades,
been

strength
was one

and
to

youthful
touch her

beauty
as never

land
had

before
of

touched.

Her

father,
her

proud
to

her
one

triumph
of her
many

in

Calydon,
noble
"

again

besought

marry

suitors. If
indeed
to

they
her

love
"

me

as

thou

sayest,"
be

said
to

Atalanta face
be he for the

father,
even

then

must

they
life
in
a

ready
I

my

sake of and for

the who

loss
outruns

of

dear

itself.

shall

prize
tries

him

me

foot-race. his

But

who

fails,
many
For

must

pay

to

Death

penalty."
was

Thereafter,
seen

days,
one

strange
another

sight
the

to

be

in
race

Arcadia.
with the the be

after
whose

suitors

came

to

maiden
race

face

had

bewitched
fair
to

them,
him
who

though
ran

truly
would
fleet
as

was

no

more

than

race

with who

Death. had
and first the

No
raced

mortal with and leave

man

was

as

Atalanta,
the

the who

wild had

things
dared

of
at

mountains
to
race

forests,
and

last

with

the

winds

even

ATALANTA it
all

79

them

behind.
was

To

her

was

glorious game.
youths
who

Her entered

conquest
in the blame and who
her that
race

always
cared So each

sure,

and

if the

contest

to

risk

their

lives, why

should

they

her fierce
ran
"

day they started, throbbing hope

to

determination

win

her

in

the anger

heart
as

of he

him
saw

fading hope
ahead of

and him

despairing
like
a

skimming
a

gay-hued
each

butterfly
as

tired

child
another

pursues
man

in vain.

And

day,

the

ended,

paid

the

price of
looked
have

his defeat.
on,

Daily, amongst
cousin
for her

those He would and

who

stood

her

Milanion. ruthlessness die for her

fain

hated
as

Atalanta
he
saw

her

joyousness

his

friends and his

her

sake, yet daily her

took vowed

beauty,
a

her
hold

purity,
upon

gallant unconsciousness
To

firmer he

heart.

himself
not

he

that
from the

would
was

win this and

Atalanta,

but

without he

help sought

gods

possible.
asked
her

Therefore aid.
was a

Aphrodite
and

herself

Milanion loved

beautiful

youth,
cause as

to

Aphrodite,
her how he died

who lanta Atahad for

beauty,
had

he

pled
to

his

he told

become

him

more

than

life,so

that had with

ceased love
of

to

pity

the

youths, goddess

his

friends, who
upon

her.

The

smiled

him

gentle

sympathy.
In the and

garden
of

of her

temple
leaves the
as

grew

tree
as

with the

branches

twigs

gold, and
birch this of
to

yellow

little leaves them

as

of the

silver On
three

when
tree

autumn

sun

kisses

it sets.

grew and her

golden apples, and

gave
to

Aphrodite youth
the who he

plucked
had
not

them

them

to to

the

feared

ask

aid

him

^vin

maid

80

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

loved.

How

he

was

to

use

the

apples
returned

she home.

then

told

him, and, well

Next
"

content,
he

^lilanion
to

day
far

spoke

Atalanta. been

So

has
so

victory
far have

thine, Fairest
little
to

on

earth,"
feet have thee had
me

he

said, "but
the
race

thy
for

winged

white Wilt

only
run a

heavy-footed laggards
with thee

outiTin.

assuredly

I shall

win

for

my

own."
And Milanion
as

looked and

into
as

the that

eyes

of

Atalanta
a

with
hero is

smile
to

gay

fearless
eyes the

with

which

wont

look
for her dawn

in the look did

of his fellow.

Look Then

virgin huntress
red, them,
as

give though

him.
the rosyof

cheeks had her

grew

fingered
love
came

touched
heart.
was

and

the

dawnmg

into

Even

Meleager
Not
even

not

quite
been the

so

goodly
so

youth
fearless.

as

this.
"

Meleager tempted long

lashes

had

wholly

Thou but
"

art

by

deathless
on

gods,"
cheek thou of
as

she she
race

said,

her I the

drooped
for the

her

spoke.
with
near

pity

you, is

Milanion,

when meadows
on

dost

me,

goal

assuredly
and

asphodel gloomy

where

sit Pluto

Persephone

their

thrones." But
race

Milanion
me now

said,
?
"

"I
And

am

ready, steadily

Atalanta.
looked in

Wilt
her had

with until
a

he
at

eyes

again they

fell

as

though

last

they

found
Like filled

conqueror.
two

swallows the

that

skim of the

across

sunny of

sea,

with

joyousness

coming
did

spring,
feet

Atalanta

and

Milanion

started.

Scarcely

their

SHE

STOPPED,

AND

PICKED

UP

THE

TREASIRE

ATALANTA

81

seem

to

touch that for

as

the
now,

solid
at to

earth,

and
was a

all
race

those

who
a

stood
race

by

vowed

length,
behold.

indeed,

worthy
But

the

gods
ran,

they
was

almost

abreast,
Milanion
of the of

so

that

none

could

tell
of

which

the and let

gainer,
fall
one

obeyed golden
such
a

the

bidding
Never

Aphrodite
had

apples. thing
on one
"

before of

Atalanta ! for But

was

dreamed She
a

an

apple
as
a

glistening gold
bird

stopped,
moment
on

poised
the had of

foot
and

flying
up the

poises

wing,
sped

picked
paces
as

treasure.
ere

Milanion abreast
the

several
even

ahead

she

again
he

him,
second

and

she

gained
Atalanta
Milanion

on

him,
was

dropped

apple.
and
came

Again again
short that in she her

tempted.
ahead
more

Again
of her. she

she Her

stopped,
breath the

shot
as once

and had
way

fast,
lost.
one

gained
time,

ground
threw

But,
of the

yet

third

Milanion
of up the the

golden stooped
shout

illusions
to

gods. apple
who of

And,

yet

again,
Then the

Atalanta
a

pick
from

gold.
rent

mighty

those

watched

air, and

Atalanta,
found him who

half herself
was

fearful,

half

ashamed,

yet
into
For

wholly
the
not
arms

happy,
of had of
as

running,
indeed the her
race,
a

vanquished,
conqueror. but heart he
once

only
heart
remote

Milanion the the

won

had
as

won

the and

virgin
winter

huntress,
snow
on

cold

the

peak

of

Mount

Olympus.

ARACHNE

The with

hay

that

so

short

time

ago and

was

long,

lush

grass,

fragrant
amongst
is
now

meadow-sweet
it

gold-eyed
meadow-land

marguerites by
dead,
the
cat

growing
river,
hidden wooden

in

the

green

the and

dry
the of

hay
sun's
the

"

fragrant
warm

still, though
underneath
a

from rafters

rays

dark
on a

barn. into the

Occasionally
barn
to

hunting
to

foray

comes

look

for

mice,
Now the
to

or

nestle
a

cosily
hen
comes

down

into

purring

slumber.

and
open

then

furtively
for it

tip-toeing
a

through
in which

door the clucks

and

makes which

itself

secret

nest

lay
loud

eggs of

subsequently
as

heralds
to

\\dth

such

proud

rejoicing

completely
children

undo
come

all

its

previous
cat

precautions.
or

Sometimes

in,
other

suing purover

hen,
soft when

or

merely
which have

to

tumble
leave

each in

amongst
and the

the

hay they

they
gone the of

chaotic little
in lower
more

fusion, con-

away, little the window window

of

sky

can

be
the

seen

through
wooden
bars

the

roof,
down.

and

through
whatever windows there

Yet,
those

other

living
the

creatures

may

come

or

go,

by

of
is

barn,
a

and

high
creature

up

on

its

dark

rafters,

always
Wlien,

living through
and window
82

working, skylight,
shaft of the

lessly cease-

working. god
drives
a

the

sun-

golden
passes

sunbeam,
from the

long
to

dancing
once
a

dust-atoms

what

was

ARACHNE
of the

83

part

early

summer's
to

glory,
seen,

the the

work

of

the

resting un-

toiler with

is also

be

for

window

is

hung
the
pended sus-

shimmering
and
with from

grey
rafter

tapestries made
to

by Arachne,
threads
are

spider,

rafter

her

inimitable
a

skill.
once,

She Idmon

was

nymph
of
none

they
a

say

"

^the of

daughter
In

of

the there

dyer,
was

Colophon,
who To until watch in her the

city

Lydia.
as
wove

all the

Lydia

could
her

weave

beautiful

Arachne.

card

the

wool

of like

the the

white-fleeced
soft

sheep
that draw the

fingers it
hill

grew
was

clouds
to

hang nymphs

round

tops,

pleasure
Pactolus
when still it
was

enough
and

from
of

the

golden

river
And

from her
to

vineyards
shuttle
her

Tymolus.
and

she
was

drove

swift

hither

thither,

joy

watch of the

wondrous of

skill.

Magical
her

the

growth
span, she

web, fine
more

woof,
the

that

darting fingers
devices flowers
that and
on

and
then

yet

magical
upon

exquisite
birds
and

wrought
and limned her

it. of

For
all

butterflies
earth
were

pictures
creative

the

beautiful old tales

things
grew

by Arachne,
needle. of

and

alive

again
To that

under

Pallas
at

Athene,
in

goddess Lydia

craftsmen,
a

came

tidings
skill

Colophon
that
own

lived

nymph
she,
form

whose
ever

rivalled
for her bent crowd

of the

goddess herself, and

took
on

jealous
a

honour,
age,

herself
on

the

of

woman

with that

and, leaning
round
arms

her

staff, joined the

as

little

hung

Arachne twined the

she

plied
each up

her other

busy
the her

needle.
eager

With

white watched
as

round

nymphs

flowers

spring
the

under
on

fingers,even

flowers

spring from

ground

the

84

BOOK
and

OF

MYTHS
fain

coming
she

of

Demeter,
at

Athene

was

to

admire,

while

marvelled

the

magic
to

skill of the

fair Araehnc. with the her sive persuathat she than

Gently
words
must not

she of let

spoke
a

Araclme,
woman,
soar

and,

wise

old

warned
too

her

ambition
was

high.

Greater

all

skilled
were

craftswomen

the

great goddess
to

Athene,
that
one

and

Arachne,

in

impious vanity,
that
were

dream
a

day
any

she

might
to

equal her,

indeed

crime

for

god

punish.
up for grew
a

Glancing perfect
fixed

moment

from her
woman

the

picture

whose

colours

fast
on

under

slim

fingers,Arachne
gave
a

scornful

eyes

the

old

and

merry

laugh.
"

Didst

say
sooth

equal

Athene

old
must
art

mother,"
be
not to

she the

said.

"

In

good
in the

thy dwelling
hills and thou
not

with
a

herds goatin
our

far-off hadst

thou

dweller of the

city.

Else
the

spoken
;

Arachne

ling equalbetter

work

of

Athene

excelling were

word." In
"

anger

Pallas
one

Athene !" she

made

answer.
"

Impious
themselves

said,
than the

to

those
must

who
ever

would
come

make
woe

higher
Take

gods

unutterable. will

heed
be

what

thou

sayest.

for

punishment
Laughing
"I
at

assuredly

thine."

Arachne still,

made
nor

reply
does

fear

not,

Athene,
of

my

heart

shake And
to

the

gloomy
to

warning nymphs
she

foolish
half

old

crone."

turning
her
me

the

who,
said:

afraid, listened

daring words, day by day,

"Fair know

nymphs
that

who
no

watch idle

well

do

ye

I make

/
boast.

ARACHNE

85

My
1
Well

skill is
be. do

as

great
Athene who off and

as

that

of

Athene,

and
me

greater
if she

still it shall

Let I know
cast

try

contest

with

dare

will be her

the

victor."
before stood anger

Then

Athene

disguise, and
bold Arachne with

the
the

frightened nymphs
radiant insulted
"

the

goddess pride.

with

eyes

that

blazed

and

Lo, Athene
fell
on

is
their
was

come

"

she

said, and

nymphs
showed red
to

and

women

knees

before

her, humbly
Her checks rosy

adoring.
how white she

Arachne fast
went

alone
heart

unabashed.

her the

was

beating.
in

From

colour

them,

yet, in firm, low

voice

spoke.
"

have

spoken
can

truth,"
work such

she
as

said. mine.
if I

"

Not

woman,
am

nor

goddess, by
skill
what I stand.

do I

Ready
did

I to

abide
boast

have

said, and
wilt

boast, by
to

my

If thou the

deign, great goddess, dyer's daughter

and

try
dost the

thy
prove

against

skill of the
me

the

victor, behold

gladly willing to
grey-eyed goddess,
cloud

pay

penalty."
The
as

eyes
sea

of when

Athene,
a

the

grew

dark
a

the

thunder-

hangs
one

over

it and did

mighty
delay,
the and loom made
The

storm

is

coming.
her

Not

for the

moment

she

but

took

place by
out

side
webs

of with

Arachne.
a

On
warp,

they
them

stretched fast
on

two

fine

the

beam.

"

with within hasten their

sley separates the sharp shuttles, which

the
on,

warp, the

the

woof

is

inserted

in

the

middle drawn Both

move

fingers hurry along, and,

in

being
it.

warp, and
arms,

the

teeth up

notched their

the

moving
to

sley strike fatigue.

girding
their

garments

their

breasts, they
There

skilful

eagerness

beguiling

their

both

86

BOOK
which
minute
to

OF

]\IYTHS

the

purple mighty

is fine

being
shades
is

woven,

is

subjected
;

to
as

the
the

Tyrian

brazen with the

vessel, and
its

of

difference
a

just
of

rainbow,
means

arch,

wont

tint
;

long
which,
transition

tract

sky by
a

of

rays

reflected
are

by

the

shower the the

in

though
eludes
is

thousand the with eyes the

different that look

colours
upon
"

shining, yet
.

very

it
.

There,

too,

pliant gold

mixed

threads."

Ovid.

Their
hasten
to

canvases
cover

wrought,
them has with
ever

then

did

Athene such

and
as
no

Arachne skilled
plishing. accom-

pictures
since
Athene

worker

of

tapestry
Under the

dreamed grew knew

of up
not

fingers of
the

pictures
whether

so

real

and

so

perfect that
was

watchers life.

the
was

goddess
one

indeed
of the upon

creating

And
of the who

each

picture
and of

that that

told
came

omnipotence
those

gods
had
as

the

doom

mortals
to

dared

in their with
up the the

blasphemous
immortal
her of web

presumption
in

stmggle
Arachne that

equals

dwellers and

Olympus.
with
at

glanced
mth of Athene.

from love

looked

eyes

glowed
the

beautiful
her that

things

the

creations
on,

Yet, undaunted,
saw,

fingersstill sped
grew
the the

and

goddess
how the

with

brow of that

yet

more

clouded,
chosen for

daughter
the

Idmon showed
the

dyer

had

subjects
One

tales

weaknesses

of the
beneath

gods.
her

after and

another the

living pictures grew

held

hand,
and

nymphs
at

their

breath

in
and

mingled
most
none

fear

ecstasy

Arachne's

godlike
goddess
and
form and

skill

arrogant
could have of

daring.
chosen,
the

Between
for the of

mortal and of of

colour
the

exquisite fancy
were

pictures
not

daughter
those

Zeus the

equalled,
of the

though dyer
of

excelled, by

daughter

Colophon.

ARACHNE

87

Darker
as

and looked of

yet
on

more

dark

grew

the

eyes of the

of Athene

they
one

the
was

magical
an

beauty
to

pictm'es,
What with

each

which

insult drawn

the
to

gods.
compare

picture
that of

had

skilful

hand

ever

Europa
on

who,
of with the divine the be other

"riding
beast's

the

back and

bull, with

one

hand

clasped
infinite sail of
a

the

great horn,
it

caught
in

up hoar

her

garment's

purple
spray.

fold, lest
And and her

might
robe

trail and
was

drenched
out

the

sea's the

deep

blown the

in

the

wind,
"

like

ship,

lightly ever
Then
at

it wafted

maiden

onward."

Moschus.

last

did

the

storm smote rent

break,
the into her her and web

and of

with

her

shuttle
and the

the

enraged

goddess
were

Arachne,
rags
and

fair

pictures

motley
of the

ribbons.
she fled
smote

Furiously, too,
Arachne.
to

with

shuttle
rage,
to

boxwood

Before

nymphs
of

back

their the And her in

a

golden
women

river of

the

vineyards
blind

Tymolus,
rushed that had

and

Colophon
shamed
worth
to

in
the

terror

away.
life for

Arachne,
no

dust, knew
She
to
a

was

longer
of her

possessing.

aspired,
with
ever

the

pride
and
A she

splendid genius,
that from such the
a

contest must

god,
vain.

knew cord

now

contest

be

hung

weaver's
her
ere

beam,
white the

and

swiftly
and

seized
have of

it, knotted

it round But the

neck,
life had

would
out

hanged

herself.

passed
"

her, Athene
doom

grasped
:

cord,

loosened
"

it, and
!

spoke
she

Arachne's
"

Live
evermore

said,
thou
men

O
live

guilty
and

and
as

shameless
now,

one

For

shalt

hang
never

thou the

and

thy descendants,
of the

that

may
one

forget
to

ment punisha

blasphemous

who

dared

rival

god."

88

BOOK

OF

MYTHS dried
and

Even

as

she Her

spoke,

Arachne's
limbs
arms

fair grew
were no

form grey
more.

up

and

withered.
and the

straight
her white

crooked And had from been the who

wiry,
beam

and where

the

beautiful

weaver

of fine there

Lydia

suspended,
creature

there

hung
to

from this

grey
are

thread

from
turn

which,
with
a

day,
Yet

but

few

do

not

loathing.
compeer. damzell,
which of soft

still Arachne

spins, and

still is without

"

Not In Nor In Nor Nor

anie

her

vaunteth

most

skilfull
anie

knitting
weaver,

silken worke

twyne.
doth boast

which
or

his
in

dieper,
anie anie in

in

damaske,
in in

lyne.
embost.

skil'd skil'd their

so

workmanship loupes
of

fingring fine.
ever

Might
With

divers

cunning
networke

dare

this

curious

to

compare."
her the

"

Spenser.

Thus,
and in

perhaps,
that
not

does

Arachne

have after honour she for saved

men

compensations, twilight
in
a

days
did Scot she

followed

long
eternal

of

the of ?

gods,
every

gain

the

heart hero

by

the
ai'c

tale of how
her the

national
she

Kindly, too,
mortal

labours

as

slays
when

their the and

to

enemies,
"

household
not

flies, and

peasant

practical^ if
runs

favoured loom blood dear of

by ^sculapius
Arachne the heart in
cut

Hygeia
staunch her the

"

to

raid

the

order hand

the

quick-flowing
more

from
to

of

little

child, much
than the

her

is Arachne

spider
"

unknown

Athene.

Also

in

spinners
fall
or
"

be oft

tokens

of

divination,
that of

and shall

of

knowing
of

what

weather
weave

shall

for

by

weathers

fall, some
is token

spin
much

or

higher
"

lower.

Also

multitude

spinners

rain."

Bartholomew.

ARACHNE

89

The

sun

has

not

long

enough
and

shown

his

face

to

dry

up

the

dew

in

the

garden,
a

behold marvel
!

on

the

little

clipped
out,
and

tree

of

boxwood,
its

great
and

For

in
has

and

all

over

twigs
the

leaves,
the dew

Arachne

woven

her

web,
diamond

and

on

web

has

dropped
the

million
in the

drops.
are

And,

suddenly,
on

all
the

colours

sky

mirrored
Arachne

dazzlingly
has
come

grey

tapestry

of

her

making.

to

her

own

again.

IDAS

AND

IVIARPESSA

By

day,

while
and of

the turned

sun-god
the

drove

his

chariot

in Sea and

the

high
the

heavens semblance
sat

blue-green
shield
of soft

JEgesin
Idas

into

blazing
in
the where

brass,

Marpessa
walked

together

trees'

shades,
and
to

or

in
grew,

shadowy
and where in

valleys Apollo royal

violets

wdld
come.

parsley
At

rarely splendour
his

deigned
of

eventide,
and and

when,

purple
the

and

crimson

gold,

Apollo

sought

rest

in

w^estern

sky,

Idas the

Marpessa
wavelets climbed the
to

wandered

by kissing
mountain
of the

the the

seashore

watching
on

little
or

softly
the

pebbles
from silver

the

beach,

side Diana's
Pleiades

whence
crescent

they
and

could
the the

see

first

glimpse
of

twinkling
blue and
canopy
on

lights
of the wiiom
to

breaking Apollo gratify

come

through
in
heaven

the best all be

sky.
means

While
to

sought
his
to

earth

imperial
mean

whims,
but
one,

Idas,

for
ever

joys by
sea,

had

sought valley,
where

the

side

of

Marpessa.
side,
where
roses

Shado-\vy
or

murmuring
gi'ew the

lonely
amaranth

mountain
and

garden
of

purple
and
the

pink
their
the

and radiant
same

amber-yellow petals
to
on

deepest
sno^vy for marble

crimson

dropped
all
were

paths,
were

Idas
"

Paradise

him,

^larpessa

by

his

side

without

her,

dreary
than

desert.
any
90

More

beautiful

flower

that

grew

in

the

IDAS

AND

MARPESSA
No music
ears

91

garden
could voice. make
her

was

Marpessa.
was
as

that of him Idas

"

Apollo's
as

lute dear
to
was

make

sweet
was
ever

in the
new

her

Its
his

music
more

to

melody
ever

heart

quickly
him the
to

throb.

New,
the

too,

beauty.

For

it
same

was

always
fresh
came

first time
to

that in

they met,
her eyes.
gave
so
"

always
And when

ravishment
the

look

Idas

knowledge
indeed envy
did father
run
won

that

pessa Mar-

him
as

love
to

for

love,
upon

he

had the

ness happigods.

great
course

draw
true

him
never

of the

The like

of and of

love

smooth,"
his

and,

many
the

many

another
was

since

day,
to

Evenos,
a

father the

Marpessa,

bitterly opposed
rich

match

where

bridegroom
His of

was

only

in

youth,

in health, and
seemed Thus
sat to

in love.

beautiful

daughter naturally
much
more

him
an

worthy unhappy
fountain
and

something
for

high.
as

it
alone

was

day
which

Marpessa

when,

she
on

by

the

dripped slowly
of her

down

the

marble

basin,

dreamed

lover, Idas, Apollo

himself, led
rose

by caprice, noiselessly walked

whose and
warm

through
at

the
as

bushes,

petals dropped
a

his

feet

he

passed,
flower the

beheld that grew.

maiden The
hum

more

fair

than

the

fairest

of her

bees, the
mind
and

drip,
heart

drip
and curved

of

fountain,
her the

these

lulled
and

soothed like the queen

man man

day-dreams,
bow of

Marpessa's
as

red

lips,
of her. of

Eros, smiled

she

thought

Idas,
This mortal To
was

she of
"

loved.
roses

Silently Apollo
was

watched the

all the

not

fit to

be

bride

Marpessa

must

be

his. his desire. He

nor

Evenos

Apollo quickly imparted

to

not

used

having

his

imperial mshes

denied,

92

BOOK

OF
do No

MYTHS

was

Evcnos for radiant what

anxious

to

so.

Here,

indeed,

was

match the told

at

his

daughter.

insignificant mortal,
! And
to

but he

sun-god

himself
and

Marpessa shyly

Apollo wished,
in the

Marpessa

looked

her

reflection
were

pool

of the

fountain, and
to

wondered the love of

if she
a

indeed

beautiful

enough

win

god.
"

Am

I in truth

so

wondrous

fair ?

"

she

asked

her

father.
"

Fair

enough

to

mate

with

Apollo

himself

!"

proudly
And

answered

Evenos.

joyously
indeed angry

Marpessa
be her with the

replied,

"

Ah,
my

then

am

happy
An
more or

! I would
man was

beautiful father.

for

Idas'
was

sake be

!"
no

There in the

to

pleasant dallying by
the and her seashore. charmed In

Idas
rose

shado^^^

wood his

garden Apollo
ears

took

place
while

Marpessa's
not

with

his

music,

eyes
had
no

could

but
or

be fears.

charmed

by
a

his

beauty.
he

The would
then heart

god

doubts for
a

Only
would

little time
he

give her,

very

little

only

wait, and
be

undoubtedly conquered
the
as

this

mortal
as

maiden the rays

would from

his, her

assuredly
whose Yet often
as

his chariot

conquered
strewed her
was

roses,

warm

crimson

petals they
and

at

his feet.
were

Marpessa
away

looked

listened,
her heart

thoughts
with her

far

and

always
most

Idas.

When
that
to

Apollo played
he

exquisitely
into
"

to

it seemed he

put lier love

of his and

for she

Idas

music.

Wlien and

spoke
did

her

love
a

thought,
memory

Thus,
of the
a

thus

Idas

speak,"
words

sudden
to

human

lad's

halting

brought

her

heart

little

MARPE3SA

SAT

ALONE

BY

THE

FOUNTAIN

IDAS

AND

MARPESSA

93

gush

of

tenderness,

and
"

made Soon

her she

eyes will be

sparkle
mine."

so

that

Apollo gladly thought,

And all
a

this

while

Idas
he

schemed

and
save

plotted
his

and
one

planned
from He her
went

way

in

which

could
from

dear
of
a

obdurate
to
a

father, and
told
his in

the

passion begged
could

god.
to

Neptune, winged

talc, and
which he

him

lend with when

him

chariot

fly away
and
a

Marpessa.
Idas bird
flew that

Neptune
up the sprang
a

good-naturedly consented,
the seashore have her
one

from

day,

like

great

tempests
up

blown

pessa inland, Mar-

joyously they
live
that

beside
where
sooner

lover, and
peace

swiftly

took and his

flight for
love

land
No

in

they might
realise anger has of the

together.
was

did in

Evenos

daughter
her
a

gone,

than,
he gave
a

furious One bird

against
watched
moors

and hawk
seen

her in

lover,

chase.
or a

pursuit

of

pigeon
speck
until
at at

and

it, a
and

little dark
more

first,gi'adually

growing

larger

large
its
a

length
down with

it dominated from

and

conquered
an arrow

prey,

swooping
to

above,
death. So
and But

like

from

bow,

bring

it sudden

at

first it seemed in the Idas before into

as

that

Evenos

must

conquer

Idas

Marpessa
onwards

winged
drove the eyes

chariot
the

of

Neptune's lending.
ever

chariot,

faster
trees

and of the

faster, until
forest and Not grew rivers until

of

Marpessa
brown,
were

the and

blurs

of blue

and

the

streams

they
had
o\vn

flew

past them
the his stream

streaks

of

silver.
the vain.

he

reached that

river

Lycormas
had the been

did in

angry
Over

father

pursuit
flew

the

swift-flowing

chariot

driven

94

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

by Idas,
white

but

Evenos

knew each

that breath
no

his

horses, flecked
hearts that go
on

with
were

foam,
to

pumping

from

strained
the

breaking-point,
The The passage fierce

longer
that

could

with would

chase. them.

of
water

deep

stream

destroy
beasts
A

would

sweep

the

wearied them.

down
man

in its

impelling current,
he be

and
Not sword

he
for

with
a

shamed he

would

forever.

moment

did and
the

hesitate, but
it into
had

drew
the been

his
breast
so

sharp
of
one

from and who

his then

belt
of had

plunged
other who

steed

^villingand
then,
as

yet

failed

him

in the

end.

And

they,
fell

still in their and

into

traces, neighed shrillyaloud, and

where river.
water.

then

over

died
the

they lay, Evenos,

Over Once
for

with

great ciy, leaped

eddies
up of the
arms

his head

closed he did hastened the but

the throw his

peat-brown
to

only
;

did

his

ask with

the
the

gods

mercy
and his that that

then

body

drift

do^vn
to
no

stream,
And

soul

downwards

the
more

Shades.
was

from

day
name,

river
was

Lycormas
called the

known forever.

by

river

Evenos

Onwards,
knew
that and
a

triumphantly,
greater
the than

drove Evenos

Idas,
had

but
entered

soon

he the

in
was

chase,

that the
soon

jealous sun-god's
car

chariot it

in

pursuit of
on

winged
it this

of

Neptune.
swept

Quickly
down
on

gained
"

him

"

would

have

him

hawk
but knew

indeed,
even

time, striking surely its helpless prey

saw

"

as

Apollo
he
was

the

white
a

face

of

^larpessa

and that

that the

the

victor,

mighty
rolled

thunderbolt its echoes

made
the

mountains fastnesses

shake, and
of
a

through
sent to

lonely

thousand

hills,was

IDAS

AND

MARPESSA
echoes of Zeus still

95

earth
carae
"

by Jupiter.
from Let

While the /
"

the voice he

re-echoed, there

Olympus
her decide like
a

himself.

said. flame that his blown

Apollo,
wind,
Idas

white

backward
have desire.

by

the

withheld
the
woman

his who he

hands
was

would

seized

from

heart's while

And
fixed

then

spoke,
his

and

his

burning

gaze

was
more

upon than
as

her, and
any
the

face, in beautiful
of

fury, was
her

perfect
voice in the
of
"

exquisite picture
voice
as

dreams,
the

his shore

was

of

the the its

sea

as

it calls to

moonlit
a

hours,

bird

that

sings

in the

ness dark-

tropic night
!
"

to

longing
"

mate.

Marpessa
to
me.

he
woe

cried,
nor

Marpessa
never

wilt
any

thou

not
can

come

me

? Yet

No
woe

trouble,
was

pain
saw

touch fairest
to

indeed
even

mine
thou

when

first I
to

thy

face.

For
to

now

dost

hasten Thou

sorrow,

darkness,
!

the

dark-shadowed
is short-lived.

tomb.

art

but

mortal
man

thy beauty quickly

on

Thy
Come
make
to

love
me,

for

mortal

shall my

fade

and

die.

Marpessa,
immortal
!

and

kisses
we

your

lips shall
the
coax

thee
to
a

Together
land

shall

bring
we

sunbeams
the
we

cold, dark
from
men

Together
earth

shall
!

spring
shall

flowers
to
our

the the

still,dead

Together
deck the

bring
not

golden harvest,
of red and do

and

trees

of autumn
"

in
as

liveries
mortal

gold.
I love !
"

I love thee.

thee, Marpessa
Come
to
me,

mere

loves
"

Marpessa

"

my

Love

my

Desire

Wlien earth words

his

voice

was

silent, it

seemed

as

if the

very

itself with
"

all its thousand

"

echoes
"

still breathed

his

Marpessa

my

Love

my

Desire."

96

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

Abashed the

before of the
saw

the

god's
was

entreaties
as

stood
heard

Idas.
the

And

heart of and

Marpessa
beautiful
her the

torn

she

burning
her

words

Apollo
mortal
and

still

ringing through

head,

lover, silent, white-lipped,

then

gazing
At

first at he

god
:

into

her

own

pale

face.

length
"

spoke
such

After Or In A Not Of

argument

what make

can

plead

? it is

what
woman

pale promise
to

Yet
to

since

pity

rather

than I love

aspire,
then
sweet

little

I will for

speak.
that
wine sweet

thee

only
all this

thy body j)acked with

cup
set in

world,

of

brimming
air.

June,

That That
Nor

jar

of violet

in the the

palest rose
for that

night
all

of life ;

stirring bosom
or

besieged
;

By drowsing lovers,
Nor for that face Invasion of old
cities

thy perilous hair might

;

that

indeed all like

provoke
strange sleep.

no,

nor

Thy
Nor

freshness
for this

stealing on only
do I love thee

me

thee,
broods
and

but
;

Because And Thou thou

Infinityupon
art

fidl of what

whispers
the up
sea

of shadows.
to

meanest

has

striven

say

So
Thou What

long,
art

and what

yearned
all the

the

cliffs to have
to
ere

tell ;

winds

uttered the

not.

the
voice

still

night suggesteth
to

heart.

Thy
Some

is like

music
on

heard
a

birth.
;

lute spirit

touched

spirit sea
other I know

Thy

face

remembered
died sung

is from

worlds,
not not

It has It has It has And I Of O In

am

been been the of sad

aware

for, though of, though

of the
;

when.
where.

I know

strangeness
sea-horizons of other

luring West,
thee

beside and
in

times

lands.
many
stars.

birth

far-back, of lives
lone and like
a

beauty
this
woe,

candle world music

clear ! Thou
"

dark my

country

of the

art

My

early light,my

dying."

Stephen

Phillips.

IDAS
Then

AND

MARPESSA
that
was
a

97 from In
man,

Idas, in the
low stood from his

humihty
head,
the
on

comes

perfect
silence
and
a

love, drooped
for
woman.
a

and
"

silent.

minute
And and

three

god,

high
and
car

the

watching stayed
as

stars
a

looked
moment

down
the

marvelled,
of her of
man

Diana
to

for

course

silver

watch,

she

thought,

the

triumph
From back and
the

her

own

invincible

brother.
the the eyes stars of

to
to

god passed
man.

Marpessa,

and

from Diana's

god

And

forgot to twinkle,
the blue floor
on

sifver-maned
at

horses firm eager hand

pawed

of the

sky, impatient
checked

the

of the

mistress

reins that

their
at

course.

Marpessa
"

spoke

last, in low
other

words

that

seemed

to

come

remembered all the

from

worlds."
her
woman

For What

joys
fate

he
for

offered mortal
the

she

thanked
than and
to
crave

Apollo.
rule
sons

grander
"

to

the of the

sunbeams
men

to

bring
more

bliss to could shared

who

earth
woman one

the

What

mortal with

than power
to

gift of immortality
the
vast
roses

whose

ruled

universe,
of his
"

and

still had
at

stooped

lay

the ?

red
And he

passionate love
yet
"

her

human little, existence

feet that awant-

yet

and

in

that
not

sorrow-free
still be
tears

promised, might
one

there
once

something
?

ing to

who

had

known

"Yet

I, being human,

human

sorrow

miss."

Then

were

he

indeed
were

to

give
to

her
one

the

gift of

immortal
had

life, what
withered
and
as

value
the

life

whose whose

beauty
heart
to
was

leaves

in autumn,

tired
an

dead

Wliat

uglier

fate

than

this,

endure
G

98

BOOK

OF
Hfe

IVIYTHS

endless

existence
was

in which whose
to

no

was,

yoked
was

to

one

whose

youth
Then awaits

immortal,
did
she
turn

beauty
Idas, who

everlasting ?
stood
as
one

who

the of
"

judgment meting
out

of the life
or

judge
death.
then prosper
we

in whose
Thus
two

hands
she

lies the
:

power

spoke

But On In In

if I live the odours low

with earth

Idas,
shall open

hand live and the

in

hand

of the
noises

field, and farm,

peaceful
he

of the burned
me

watch

The
And

pastoral fields
shall

by

setting

sun.

give

passionate children,
will and

not

Some
But
...

radiant

god

that

despise

me

quite.
that
err.

clambering
So
shall
we

limbs

little hearts

live.
first sweet almost
venom

And The

though
sweet

the

sting
is ;

of love

be

past.

that and

though youth.

With The
The Pass

tender first and

insane

extravagant
kiss

delight.
o'er
a

secret

by twilight hedge.
and

farewell shall

repeated
succeed
tried

o'er.
peace
;

off; there

faithful
and

Beautiful Durable

friendship
from the

by

sun

wind,

daily
as

dust

of life."

The Even

sun-god
now,
as

frowned looked

her
at

words
he

fell from held

out

her his

lips.
arms.

she

him,
this

Surely
To

she she the

only played
must
come,

with

poor

mortal
own no

youth.
lesser

him
than

this

rose

who

could

god

sun-god

himself.
on :

But
"

Marpessa
And When On his thou
in

spoke
beautiful

god,
sweet

in

that thou

far time.

thy setting
head,
I

gazest

down

grey

wilt

thou

remember that I
once

then
was

That

once

pleased thee,
cease,

young

"

So

did

her For

voice
to

and had

on

the

earth the

fell sudden of love

darkness.

Apollo

come

shame

IDAS and rejected,

that that there
came

AND
those
no

MARPESSA
who said that
to the

99 earth

were

night there
told of the

sunset, only the sullen darkness

an

of flight of Diana

angry

god.
to

Yet, later, the

dark earth

silver moonbeams
with
a

seemed
car

greet the

smile, and, in the winged

on,

of

Neptune, gods,
nor

Idas and
a nor

Marpessa sped
harmony
nor

greater

than

the

in

perfect pain,

of human

love that

feared

time,

Death

himself.

n
c^^

ARETHUSA

"

We

have in

victualled

and and

watered,"

wrote at

Nelson the

from

Syracuse
of
the

1798,
we

"

surely,
have be

watering
We
I with

fountain
sail with

Arethusa,
first

must
;

victory.
assured

shall
return

breeze with

and

will

either Three of the

cro"vvned

laurel
he
won

or

covered

cypress."
Nile,
one

days

later,

the of
own

Battle

of

the

greatest
Here
seem

sea-fights
in
our

history.
land Like
of gi-ow that the the the

tales
colours

of in

the
an

Greek

gods
old trait, por-

very
the

remote.

old,
to

humanity Sicily they

stories

seems

have

faded.
as
we

But

in

vivid

at

once.

Almost,
town

stand
a

above

Syracuse,
sea,

long yellow
purple
little way

by

the

sea

"

blue-green
above
white
can

with

deep
and

shadows white-sailed
across

where

the

clouds
like

it

grow

dark,

boats,
to

butterflies,
we

wing

their

the

far

horizon
"

"

Have Or hear

glimpse
old

of Triton

Proteus blow

rising
his

from

the

sea.

wreathed

horn."

Here,
of and

to

this
to

day,
the

one

of

the

myths
modern
"

most

impossible
lives
on,

acceptance
Arethusa
"

scientific

mind

is not
is
a

yet
of

forgotten.
sweet

In
the full the

Ortygia,"
name

says which which its

Cicero,
is

fountain of

water,
very

of

Arethusa,
be

incredible

flow,

of
sea,

fish,
were

would

entirely

overwhelmed
100

by

ARETHUSA

101

waters
a

not

protected
stone."

from

the

waves

by
walls the

rampart
taken

and the up

wall

of

White

marble
but

have

place
to

of the

protecting barrier,
and

spring
is the

bubbles
name

this

day,
to

Ortygia (Quail Island)

part
of

still

given
green

that

Syracuse.
grow in the its clear the

Fluffy-headed, long,
fountain,
water.

stalks fish

of papyrus dart of the

and

red

and

golden
the the low

through

Beyond
of

lie

shores above and

Plemmgrium, Anapus,
and

fens

Lysimeleia,
Etna,

hills

above

all towers
and
to

in
to
men.

snowy
the

magnificent by

serenity
centuries

indifference

changes wrought
Yet here and the
even

the

gods

and

to

present is completely overshadowed

the

by
at

the the

past,

story of Arethusa
doors
of

knocks

loudly

well-barricaded

twentieth-century

credulit in-

The
and

beautiful
a

Arethusa in the

was

nymph
did she

in Diana's thread her

train,
way

many

time

chase
as

through through
to

the the
at

dim
forest

woodland,
from
came

stream to

flows
the
was sea. no

down
But

the
a

mountains

her,

last, there
but the

day

when

she

longer
made

the

huntress The

hunted.
of the

flaming
land kind

wheels

chariot
with

of

Apollo
and she

had

the

whole the

scintillate
shelter of of
a

heat,
where

the

nymph
bathe chilled of
a

sought
in the

wood the

might
was

exquisite coolness
snows

river

that the her

still

by
that

the

of
over

the the

mountain.
stream

On

branch

tree

bent

she

hung

garments,
A

and
the the the

joyously stepped
sun

into

the the

limpid
leaves bed

water.

ray

of

glanced through
sand

above

her

and

made and

soft

in

the

river's

gleam

like

gold

102

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

beautiful pure There

stream

limbs

of the

nymph
the

seem

as

though

carved

from

white
was

marble
no

by

hand but

of the

Pygmalion gentle
to
so

himself.
of it the

sound murmured

there

sound
as

that
on

caressingly
the
to

her

slowly

moved
that
to

through
it seemed the

solitude, and
stand

gently though
a

it flowed

almost leave
for

still, as
so

regretful

unkno^vn

forest

beautiful

thing

as

Arethusa.
"

The
And

Earth Heaven

seemed smiled

to

love

her
her."

above

But

suddenly
like the

the

stillness

of

the

stream

was

ruffled.
billows upon of

Waves,
the
sea,

newly-born
both
no

brothers

of

the

swept
the in
a

down-stream

and

up-stream

her, and
to

river voice
of

longer

murmured with beheld and

gently, but

spoke

her

that the

thrilled

passionate longing.
ing her, and, beholdAn uncouth
arts to

Alpheus, god
her, had
creature

river, had
her
was

loved
forest

once

forever.

of the

he, unversed
a

in all the did he

come

of

love-making.
but
came as one

So

not

as

supplicant

her,

who

demanded
as

fiercelylove
she that

for love.

Terror
she

upon from

Arethusa the
to
as

listened, and
had

hastily
upon

sprang and the

water

brought
the
a

fear

her,
Then

hastened
murmur,
comes

find

shelter
murmur

in
of

woodlands.
before
a

of the

river

mighty
form

flood in
a

to

seize

it and with

hold

it for

its own,

took

voice
as

that she
me,

pled
heard.
Arethusa
now

her, in tones

that

made

her

tremble
"

Hear

!" thou

it said.
hast
"

"

am

Alpheus, god
I
am

of the

river
the

that

made

sacred.
of the

the

god

of

rushing

streams

^the

god

thundering

ARETHUSA Where
echo the mountain the crash

108

cataracts.

streams

over

the

rocks I hold fire of

and

through

shadowy
from I and

hollows

of the and I

hills,
the

my
Etna

kingship.
is in my be

Down

Etna love

I come, thee !

veins.

love

but

thee, and
Then who

thou

shalt

mine,
blind
the upon the
as

I thine fled

forever." before the she

Arethusa,
her.

in

panic,

god sped,
bent

loved
he her
were

Through

shadowy
her. The

forest

while under

swiftly gained flying feet,

swept
and

asphodel
of the
ever

golden
she

flowers Yet

Fiori

Maggio gained
was

aside
at to

fled.
she
to

Alpheus
the chase
a

upon

her, until
and
and

length
Diana

felt that
save
as

ended,

cried
thick

her. the

Then

cloud, grey
wraps the

and

blinding suddenly
for

mist

that

mountain

tops,

descended her

and

enfolded
"

her, and
!
"

Alpheus
she
"

groped
him !
"

in in !
a
"

vain. voice
of

Arethusa

"

heard

cry, beloved

piteous longing Patiently

Arethusa with until the

my the
at

he

waited,

love

that
a

makes little that

couth un-

things beautiful,
from

length
grey
that Not himself

breath hid his had

Zephyrus
from

blew

aside

soft
saw

veil the for

beloved
been did in

his

sight, and
into
a

he

nymph
a

transformed

fountain.

moment
a

Alpheus
flood, he
to

delay, but, turning

rushed her
even on

into

torrent

in

pursuit
cleave the rushed
at

of Arethusa.
a

Then her

did

Diana,
the

save

votary,
into

way

for

through
of

dark

earth and the

gloomy
onward,
she

realm

Pluto

himself,
and the the then

nymph
until blue groves

onward

still,

upward,
of orange the

length
and the

emerged
trees, and

again

to

freedom

sky
and

green

beheld
burn-

golden

grey

olives, the

104

BOOK

OF

IMYTHS

ing

red

geranium
of

flowers

and

the

great

snow-capped

mountain

Sicily.
had
the
a

But
fear.

Alpheus Through
he

love

for

her

that of found

cast

out

all

terrible

blackness and

the

Cocytus
means

valley bursting again.

the those shore of

followed

Arethusa,
the

of her

through
And he the

encumbering
that

earth

and of the

joining
sea

in

spring
able for
at

rises
to

out

near

was

last
he

mingle
had lost

his his

waters

with

one

whom

godship.

"

And In

now

from

their

fountains

Enna's vale friends

mountains,
where the

Down Like Grown

one

morning

basks,

once

parted

single-hearted, ply
sunrise

They
At

their

watery

tasks,

they
cradles of the

leap
steep

From
In

their

the
At

cave

shelving
flow below

hill

noontide the meadows

at

they
woods of

Through
And And In the the

asphodel
sleep

night rocking
the

they deep

Beneath
Like In When the

Ortygian
that lie

shore

spirits
azure

sky
love but live
no

they

more."
"

Shelley.

PERSEUS

THE

HERO

"

We

call

such
to

man

hero and

in

English
that

to

this may

day,
do

and

call
to

it

'heroic'
fellow-men."

thing
"

suffer

pain
Kingslev.

grief,

we

good

our

Charles

In

the

pleasant
marshes,

land

of

Argos,
a

now

place

of

some unwholea

once

upon father she

to
was

time
one

there fair

reigned daughter.
to

king
Danae

called
was

Acrisius,
her when
name,

the

of

and

very what

dear

the for

king
him

until in the

day lap
head him the

he

longed
and from

know

lay

hid

of

the he

gods,

consulted
the

an

oracle.
for the

With oracle
borne
come a

hanging
had

returned
when of that the love her A of he

temple,
Danae
must

told

that

his
son

daughter
death of

had

son,

by
him.

hand
because the

surely
was

upon
more

And
than

fear

death

in

him

strong
that frustrate

his

daughter,
baffle
tower

Acrisius
the brass

resolved

by

sacrificing
Death
at to

would

gods
was

and

itself.

great
and

of

speedily
was

built

his

command,
out

in

this

prison

Danae

placed,

drag
But

her
can

weary escape Zeus

days.
the

who

designs
looked her

of

the down

gods
and
full

?
saw

From the

Olympus
air and

great

himself
away

princess
of

sighing
he

youth.
the the of

And,
brazen bride her

of

pity
in and
a

love, shower,

himself
and with Danae

entered became the born time

a

tower

golden happily
To

of

Zeus

passed
her
at

him
was

imprisonment.
a

length

son,

beautiful

and

106

BOOK

OF

MYTHS
wrath Did the of her father in the
on

kingly child,
he had

and of

great
the him the the ?

was

the

when

tidings laugh
Down

birth. The

gods

high
his her

heavens side.

at

laugh
he

should

yet be
Danae

to

seashore little
to

hurried

and

newly-born
chest, and
waves

babe,
set
a

Perseus,
be
a

put them

in

great
and

them

adrift for the

plaything hungry
the
tearful

for winds
sea.

and
"When
in

prey
the

cruel

and
chest
with

cunningly-wrought
terror

raging
cheeks

blast she

and
cast is mine

the
her !

stirred
arm

billow

and

fell upon

her,
'

around thou

Perseus

and
in

spake,
rivet

Alas, my

child,
in

what woeful the

sorrow

But

slumberest,
of

baby-wise sleeping
thou shinest foam
as

this
in

ark
swart
wave

midst

the
sent

darkness

the

brazen
not

and the liest and

gloom
above

forth ; thou locks

sweet
nor

heedest the voice If terror words

"

the the

deep
blast

of

passing
in

thy
a

of

thou

thy purple covering,

wert

face.

had

terrors

for

thee,

thou and may

giving
sea

ear

to

my
our

gentle

I bid
woe

thee and that

sleep, my
may I

babe,
of

the
come

sleep
and

and

measureless
thee.

change
make
of

fortune
in

forth.

Father

Zeus, from

For
"
"

my

prayer

boldness

beyond

right,forgive me.'
For tossed and
of
one
on

Simonides

Keos.

days
the

and

nights

the

mother
no

and
came

child
near

were

billows, but
the chest in

yet

harm
on

them,
beach man fisherof the the

morning

grounded ^gean
flotsam and child

the

rocky
a

Seriphos, an
came
on

island

the

Sea.
and
to

Here

this
the

strange
mother that Perseus.

jetsam

waves

and and

took
the

Polydectes, peaceful

king,
for

years
for

followed
But
to

were as

years
up,

Danae

and each

Perseus upon, courage

grew
more

grooving
more

day

more

goodly
gaze with
an

look

less, fearthe

ready gods
but and
a

to

serene

into

eyes
She

of
was

of

men,

evil
was

thing
born,
And

befell
and the

his mother.
as

girl when
ever more

he

the

years eyes of

passed

she

grew

fair.

crafty

PERSEUS old

107

Polydectes,
more

the

king,
desired

ever

watched for his

no

her wife. wish she the

more

eagerly,
Danae,
the his
arm

always
the

hotly
of Zeus

her

But
to

beloved of the

himself, had
and

wed

old suit.
her

king
Behind
son

Cyclades,
as

proudly
well,
was
was

scorned
stout

her,

she

knew

of

Perseus,
her
no

and

while But had

to

Perseus

there, the
of

king
the

could

do

harm.

Perseus,

unwitting
the
seas

danger

his mother and side.

Perseus
soon

daily

face, sailed

unfearingly,
him
on

felt that At

peace
one

and

safety day,
the

surrounded his of

every

Samos

while shade with

over

ship
a

was

lading,
tree, and
came
a

lay
his

down

under

great

eyelids grew

heavy
that

sleep, and
the flowers But

there

to

him, like butterflies

flit

in

sunlit

garden, pleasant, lightwinged

dream
went

dreams.
merry

yet
of

another that

followed before.

close And
as

on

the

heels
there
sea on

those
one

before the

Perseus

stood
the
as

whose
of
a

grey
summer

eyes

were

fathomless

dawn

day.

Her the

long
spear
as

robes
that the

were

blue held

the

hyacinths
was

in
a

spring,and
the

she

in her

hand the

of

polished brightness,
heart
is of
a

dart

with

which

gods

smite
sorrow

man,

with
to

joy inexpressible, with

borne. To

that

scarcely

be

Perseus

she

spoke winged
"

words.

I
of

am

Pallas
are

Athene,"
known.
that

she Those

said,
whose

"

and
fat

to

me

the
are as

souls
those
ease.

men

hearts

of the

beasts

perish
is

do

I know.
nor

They
fierce

live at

No

bitter
feet
are

sorrow

theirs,

any

joy
But
are

that dear
tears

lifts their
to

free the

from

the of

cumbering
those whose

clay.
tears

my

heart

souls is
as

of

blood, whose

joy

the

joy

of the

Immortals.

Pain

108

BOOK

OF

MYTHS is

is theirs, and

sorrow.

Disappointment
is
as

theii-s,and
dwell
on

grief.

Yet

their

love

the
are

love

of those

who

Olympus.
ever

Patient

they
ever

and
trust.

long-suffering,
Ever
sum

and

they
and is

hope,

do

they
and
when

they fight,
of their

fearless
on

unashamed,

the

days they

earth
never

accomplished, wings,
had

of whose them the

existence

have
the

knowledge,
and

bear

upwards,
life that

out

of
no

mist

and

din

strife of life, to

has

ending."
Then
"

she she

laid

her
"

hand
art

on

the of those

hand
whose thou

of

Perseus.
dull be
as

Perseus,"
dwell

said,

thou
or

souls
one

forever of the

in

pleasant ease,
?
"

wouldst

Immortals in his

And
:
"

dream

Perseus

answered

without

tion hesita-

Rather

let
ever,

me

die,

youth, living
he

my
"

life to than

the live and

full, fighting
at
ease

suffering ever,"
that feeds
on

said,

like
no

beast

flowery pastures
for him

knows
Then

fierygladness, no
Pallas

heart-bleeding pain."

Athene,
a

laughing
soul, showed
sick
for

joy,
a

because

she that

loved
made
a

so

well

hero's

picture
told

even

his brave

heart

dread, and

him

terrible
In the

story.
dim,
One

cold, far west,

of

she

said,
had

there

lived
one

three of her

sisters.

them.

Medusa,
and
as

been

priestesses, golden-haired
Athene found had that she she
was

most

beautiful,
as

but

when

wicked

she

was

lovely,
lock

swiftly
of her

meted had that

out

punishment. changed
been

Every
a

golden
Ilcr

hair

been had
once

into
the

venomous

snake.

eyes,

cradles

of

love,

PERSEUS

109

were

turned
now

into of

love's
own

stony
Hvid

tombs. hue. their

Her Her

rosy

cheeks

were

Death's

smile, which
had

drew
a

the

hearts

of lovers A

from

bosoms,

become
on

hideous
and

thing.
to

grinning
her

mask

looked
mouth which

the truding pro-

world,

the
meant

world
a

gaping
before
are

and
the

tongue
stood terrible that

horror
There
to

world
too

terrified, dumb.
for human dark hearts
cavern

some
so

sadnesses it
came

bear,

to

pass

in the

in

which

she

dwelt,

and

in the had
met

shadowy
the
stone.

woods
gaze

around of her

it,all living things

that

awful
Then brazen world.

hopeless

eyes

were

turned

into

Pallas

Athene face of

showed
one

Perseus,
of the

mirrored
of

in the

shield, the
And
But
as

tragic things
grew

Perseus
when

looked, his soul

in low

chill

within him
"

him.

Athene,

voice, asked

Perseus,
one

wilt
he

even

end
"

the Even

sorrow

of

this

piteous
"

sinful

"

answered,

that

will

I do

^the

gods helping
And

me."

Pallas
to

Athene,
and

smiling again
Perseus
he had

in in

glad content,
sudden

left him
and found

dream,
that
as a

awoke,
but
secret

fear,

in truth

dreamed,

yet held
of

his dream his heart. Back walked

son
"

holy thing

in the

treasure-house

to

Seriphos
fear of
man

he

sailed, and
the

found

that She

his mother
told years
"

in
a

Polydectes
now,

king.
young

her the

strong
of

though

in
saw

story
and far

his

cruel
would

persecution.
he of have

Perseus driven

red
keen

blood,
blade

gladly
home

his But

in the

heart

Polydectes.

his vengeance

110

BOOK

OF

MYTHS and
the

was

to

be

great vengeance,

vengeance

was

delayed.
The the
to

king

gave

feast, and

on

that best
came

day
and

every
most

one

in

land do
as

brought offerings of
honour. stood other Perseus in the

their alone
court

costly

him
he the

empty-handed, though
he
were
a

and

king's

as

beggar,
had
"

youths

mocked

at

him

of whom

they
"

ever

been

jealous.
that is

Thou said.

sayest
"

thy

father

is

one

of

the

gods
!
who
"

they

Where

thy godlike gift,O

to

Perseus
lad

And

Polydectes, glad
of

humble

the

was

keeper
taunt.
"

his

mother's

honour,

echoed

their

foolish

Where

is the
has

gift of
me

the ?

gods
"

that

the

noble and

son

of fat

the cheeks

gods

brought
loose mouth

he

asked,
with

his

and

quivered
thrown

ugly

ment. merri-

Then

Perseus, his
of

head

back, gazed

in

the

bold

eyes
Son of
at
"

Polydectes.
he whom
was

Zeus

indeed,

as

he

looked

with

royal

scorn

those

he

despised.
shalt
out
as

godlike giftthou
his
"

have,
a

in truth, O

king,"
before The

he

said, and
battle.

voice

rang

trumpet-call
be

the

The

gift of
shalt

the

gods
the

shall head

thine.

gods

helping
A and

me,

thou

have died

of Medusa." of

laugh, half-born,
of those
a

in the

throats

Polydectes
out

who in

listened, and
his

Perseus
for he

strode

of the

palace,
Athene

glow

heart,

knew

that
now,

Pallas
that

had he

lit the

fire that shed the

burned

in him

and

though

should

last

drop

of

his

life's blood

PERSEUS win
be he

THE
would

HERO
and

111

to

what

sought, right
with

triumph,

wrong

must

worsted.

Still
blue
sea

quivering
that stood.

anger,

Perseus

went
to

down
the

to

the
on

gently whispered
Athene

its secrets

shore

which
"

he If

Pallas my

would

but

come,"
true."
and

he

thought

"

*'

if

only
For,

dreams
a

might boy

come

like many
of

before

since, Perseus
Like many
a

had

dreamed
before

gallant,
since,
he

fearless had
been

deeds.
the

boy

and

hero

of

venture. great ad-

So

he

prayed,
! and
was

"

Come let
me

to

me

pray

you,

Pallas

Athene,
His Into and

come

dream

true."

prayer the

answered.
came
a

sky
and

there
ever

little silver cloud

nearer,

that
as on

grew
in his
as

grew,

it grew
came

and

then,
smiled
Nor

dream,
the
sun

Pallas smiles
Beside

Athene
on

to water

him

and

him
was

the

in

spring.
of in
the

she

alone. and

her

stood before

Hermes the
two

winged
Then,
more

shoes,
very than

Perseus

knelt

worship.

gently,
counsel
In
no

Pallas
she

Athene

gave

him

counsel, and

gave. she
more

his hand
shone
not

placed
at
"

polished shield, than

herself

which

mirror
"

brightly.
Medusa
then
;

Do

look reflected
her

look hard

only
and

on

her

image
And
on

here

strike

home

swiftly.

when

head

is severed, wrap

it in the
return

goatskin
in

which

the

shield

hangs.
I

So

wilt thou

safety

and
"

in honour." But

how,

then, shall

cross

the

wet

grey

fields of

112

BOOK
"

OF

IMYTHS
"

this
were

watery
a

way

asked bird of that

a

Perseus.

Would
the

that

white^vith
on

winged
the

skims

across

waves." laid

And,
his hand
"

smile

loving comrade,
be

Hermes

the

shoulder
shoes

of Perseus. shall

My

winged

thine,"
leave

he

said,

"

and

the

white-winged
"

sea-birds

shalt
is

thou

far, far behind."

Athene.
"

Yet

another the

gift

thine,"
this sword

said
that
"

Gird

on,

as

gift from
a

gods,
Perseus

is immortal."

For farewell

moment

lingered.
he
to

May May
I
to

not not

bid offer

to

my

mother thee

"

asked.

"

burnt-offerings to
Zeus himself
But heart desired Athene ?
"

and

Hermes,

and

my

father

said

Nay,
and the

at

his

mother's
the

weeping

his

might relent,
was

offering that

Olympians
Perseus

the like his

seas

head
a

of Medusa.

Then,

fearless and the

young
the

golden winged
northern

eagle,

spread
across

out

arms,

shoes

carried

him

the had

to

cold

lands

whither

Athene Each and

ever

directed

him.
took

day
the
at

his air

shoes

him
which

seven

days' journey,
grew
more

through
he

he the

passed
land of the surf

chill, till
snow,

length
the

reached ice where

even
never

everlasting
conquering

where of

black

knows
white

warmth
waves

spring, and
freezes
a

the
as

of the the

ing moan-

solid

it touches
which the he he

shore. and three Old

It

was

dark

grim place
the had
sea

to

came,

in

gloomy
sisters grey

cavern

by
Athene

lived
told

Graeae,
must
one

the

grey
and

that

him
with

seek. tooth

and and

horrible but
one

they
eye.

were,

but

amongst

them,

From

hand

to

hand

they passed

THEY

WHIMPERED

AND

BEGGED

OF

HIM

PERSEUS

113

the the

eye, and
cold.

muttered

and

shivered

in the

blackness

and

Boldly guide
the
"

Perseus
to

spoke place

to

them

and

asked and

them

to

him

the

where

Medusa

her

sisters

Gorgons
No

dwelt. know
where way

others

they dwell,"
that
were

he

said.

"

Tell

me,

I pray
But the

thee, the

I may
kin

find
to

them."

Grey

Women
of
at

the

Gorgons,
was

and evil

hated
mirth where But
as

all the
as

children mocked

men,

and and

ugly

their to

they

Perseus
found. in his

refused

tell him

Medusa
Perseus eye he

might
grew

be

wily
one

desire

not

to

fail, and
hand
to

the

passed
held
one

from his

withered,

clutching

another,
her

out

own

strong

young the

palm,
eye cry,

and

in
it. and

blindness
Then the the

of the

three gave

placed
a

within
fierce

Grey
cry and

Women

piteous
that have

angry

as

of old grey

wolves upon

been

robbed

of their

prey,

gnashed
said
"

him

with

their

toothless

jaws.
And
Perseus blind I may the
:

Wicked remain

ye

are

and unless
me

cruel
ye

at

heart, and
me

shall
find the

ye

forever But

tell

where

Gorgons.
and

tell

that, and

give
Then

back

eye." begged
of him,
was

they whimpered
that told all him.

and

when
at

they
"

found

their

beseeching
"

in

vain,

length they
Go
thou
comest

south,"
to

they said,
the
uttermost

so

far

south of

that the

at
sea,

length
to

limits

the

place
Garden

where of the

the

day

and

night
and of

meet.

There
must

is the
thou
II

Hesperides,

them

ask

114

BOOK
"

OF back

MYTHS
!
"

the

way."
most

And

Give

us

our

eye gave and

they
back south

wailed eye
a

again
into
a

piteously,

and

Perseus

the

greedy trembHng
that is

old

hand,
the

flew

like lands

swallow behind.
To

glad

to

leave

gloomy

frozen

the

garden
the the

of the and who

Hesperides
roses

he

came

at

last, and
he

amongst
came
on

myrtles nymphs
them
to to

and

sunny the he

fountains

there

guard

golden fruit,

and way

begged
in
not

tell him
the

whither

must

wing

his

order tell.
must
on

find

Gorgons.

But

the

nymphs

could
"

We
up the

ask the

Atlas," they said,

and
earth

"

the

giant

who

sits

high keeps

mountain
and

with

his

strong shoulders

heavens the

apart."
went

And and
his asked

with
the

nymphs

Perseus
to

up

the
to

mountain

patient giant

guide

him

the

place

of

quest.
"

Far

away

can

see

them,"
But

said

Atlas,
wert

"on
to
wear

an

island the
"

in the

great
of Pluto is this

ocean.

unless

thou
must

helmet Wliat I
"

himself, thy going

helmet ?
"

be
"

in vain." and how

asked

Perseus,

can

gain
Didst

it ?

"

thou

wear

the be
as

helmet invisible

of

the
as a

ruler shadow
no

of

Dark in the

Places, thou
blackness
can

wouldst of

night,"
it, for

answ^ercd the

Atlas;
Immortals
and

"but
can

mortal
the

obtain of the

only

brave
;

terrors

Shadow}^
me one

Land

yet

return

yet if thou
thine."

wilt
"

promise
What

thing, the
thou
"

helmet

shall

be

wouldst

? For

"

asked many

Perseus.
a

And

Atlas

said,

long

year

have

PERSEUS
I

115

borne

this thou

earth,
hast

and

grow

aweary let
me

of

my

burden.
upon

When

slain
be

Medusa,
into

gaze and

her
no

face, that
more

may

turned

stone

suffer

forever."
And

Perseus

promised, sped
down

and
to

at

the

bidding
of the

of

Atlas

one

of the for

nymphs days
face

the her of

land

Shades,
her her

and

seven

Perseus
as

and face when

sisters
a

awaited

return.

Her

was

the

white
came,

lilyand
but she
a

eyes
her

were

dark bore had the

with
helmet

sadness
of

she

with
her

she

Pluto, and
and

when him

and

sisters

kissed

Perseus
the

bidden
and had

sorrowful

farewell, he
Soon himself
the

put

on

helmet

vanished
gone,

away. and he found

out

gentle light of day

a

in

place

where
sea

clammy
was

fog
as

blotted
water

all

things, and
stream

where
runs

the

black

the

of that

that

through
where there
nor

the

Cocytus
is
"

valley. night
the

And
nor

in

that
nor

silent cloud

land
nor

neither he

day,
of

breeze the

storm,"
dwelt.

found

cave

horrors Two
"

in which

Gorgons
monstrous

of
But And And

them, like
a

swine, lay asleep,

about from the wall
in

third
ever

woman

paced
her head and

hall,
to

turned aloud

wall,

moaned the moved

in
to

shrieked of her snakes

her

despair,
side
to

Because Were That On

golden

tresses

hair from would shoulders would would

"

by writhing writhing
or

side.

their

oftentimes

glide
white
;

her

breast

shuddering
hideous

Or, fallingdown,

the

things
ankles

light
twine William

Upon
Their

her

feet, and,
folds

crawling thence,
her

slimy

upon

fine."

Morris.
was

In

the

shield
as

of

Pallas

Athene
on

the

picture
grew

rored, mirfor

and

Perseus

gazed

it his soul

heavy

116

ROOK

OF

]\IYTHS

the had
at

beauty
been

and
her

the

horror sisters
"

of Medusa. that I must will

And

"

Oh he

that

it

foul
then
"

slay !
be kind

"

thought
he

first,but
"

To has

slay her
become

indeed,"
and of

said.

Her

beauty
her has of
saw

corruption,
into the agony

all the
brance, remem-

joy

of

life for the

passed unending
her

torture

remorse."

And

when

he

brazen and

claws
to

that

still face sword And

were

greedy
stern,
smote

and
and her

lustful
he neck floor her his than

to

strike
no

slay, his
with and his

grew

paused
with the

longer,
his
of

but

he
to

all

might
IMedusa in

main.
fell "s\ith

the

rocky
but

body
he away.
arrow

brazen while and

clang,
he

head
eyes
an

wrapped
Aloft from
the
two

the

goatskin,
he of sprang,

turned swifter

then bow other

flew

the

Diana. found
hunt For
a

With
the

hideous of

outcry

Gorgons
that

body

Medusa,

and, like foul

flew up in the the

vultures of

little many
was

song-bird, they
a

pursuit

Perseus.
their

league they kept

to

chase, and
seas

howling
and
over

grim

hear. sand of
some

Across the

they flew,
as

the flew head found

yellow
before of

Libyan

desert, and
fell from the

Perseus severed
are

them,

blood-drops
from
to

the

^ledusa, and
the desert of

them

bred But

vipers that bravely

did

in

this bear

day.

the

winged
the found Ere from he

shoes

Hermes

Perseus
from

on,

and

by nightfall
Perseus

Gorgon
himself

sisters had
once more

passed
in the he

sight,and
of the the
sea

garden
knelt and after

Hesperides.
to

sought
hands
we

the

nymphs,

by

cleanse the bear

weed sea-

his that

Medusa's
find
on

blood,

still does
a

sea-beaches

storm

the

crimson

stains.

PERSEUS

117

And
the fair

when

Perseus in
to

had the him

received

glad
the

welcome

from he
;

dwellers that

garden
he

of

Hesperides,

sought Atlas,
and

might
for he

fulfil his
was

promise
of

eagerly
toil. Perseus the

Atlas

beheld

him,

aweary

his

long
So

uncovered
to

the upon.

face

of

Medusa

and

held

it

up

for And

Titan

gaze

when pure

Atlas
and

looked

upon
as

her of

whose
a

beauty
in

had

once

been
saw

living
and heart

that

flower

spring,
and

and

only anguish despair,

too,
his
the his

cruelty,
grew

foul

wickedness,
within

hideous
To
stone

like

stone

him. into

stone,
grew

turned
vast

his limbs

great, patient face, and

and

strong, crouching back.

Atlas the
snow,

So

did

Atlas

Titan

become

Mountain,
and
seem

and

still his
shoulder

head,
far up

white-crowned in and

with

his
to

great
hold

misty
the

clouds,

would

apart

the

earth Perseus
over

skj?".
took and flight,
and his suffered

Then

again

in his

flighthe
and Yet low. In

passed
want,
ever

many

lands felt

weariness

and he

sometimes
on,

faith

growing
ever.

sped
rest

hoping
was

ever,

enduring
honoured

Egypt
of

he the

had

and
were

fed fain

and
to

by
to

the
one

people
of

land, who
And of him in

keep

him

be

their
a

gods.
statue

place
he there. had

called
gone, And

Chemmis
and the and for

they
many

built hundreds said he that

came

when

of
ever

years and Nile had Far

it stood

Egyptians
that
was

again
rose

Perseus

returned,
the
season

when

the he

high
their

and land.

fruitful

because

blessed down

below

him

as

he

flew

one

day

he

saw

118

BOOK

OF

MYTHS
in the It seemed he darted The

something
too

white
to

on

purple
he the

rock

sea.

large

be

snowy-plumaged
that

bird, and
see more

swiftly
spray

downward

might
steep
a

clearly.
of
the
at

lashed

against
showered

rocks

desolate
first he but

island, and
took that
even

itself upon of white

figure that
The

to

be
a

statue

marble. very

figure w^as
more

of

girl,slight and
any
his that sobs. of Helmet the The the

youthful, yet
of
the

fair
visible Innear,

than in

nymphs
of

Hesperides.
drew shaken

Darkness,

Perseus
was

and

saw

fragile white
waves,

figure
few he

by

shivering
up
on

every

moments,
saw

lapped heavy
in the and stood there but

her held A

little cold her

white

feet, and
to

that rock

chains
sea.

imprisoned
anger the maid in the

that heart

chilly
of head

great
he her. evil took

stirred
helmet gave face and

the from
a

Perseus,
and but

swiftly
beside
was no

his of

The

cry of

terror,

thing

Perseus. shone

Naught
out

strength steady
Thus

and

kindness

purity

of

his

eyes.

when,
of her
as

very
cruel
a

gently,

he

asked

her she

what told of
was

was

the the

meaning

imprisonment,
tells it. Her very
no

him its

piteous story,
to

little child comforts

the

story
mother

grief

the

mother

who she

queen But

of when

Ethiopia,
the queen the
a

said, and
had boasted

very,
that

beautiful.
who
was

nymph
the
to
a sea

played
as

amongst
as

snow-crested

billows
was

of
sent

fair

she,

terrible of
came

punishment
father's hold its

her.

All

along
sea-

the

coast

her
to

kingdom
sway,
and

loathsome hideous and

were

monster

its all

ravages.

jMen

and

women,

children

animals,

PERSEUS

119 its in had

were

equally
whole
At he the land

desirable of

food

for

insatiate

maw,

and
of

the

Ethiopia lay
king,
rid him been

mourning
consulted land of the when
to

because
an

it.
that

last her

father, the
find had

oracle

might
oracle

help
told

to

the that

monster.

And

only

his

fair

daughter, Andromeda,
that Thus
one

had

sacrificed
the

the

creature

scourged
had life
she

the been be

sea-coast

would there

country
her that of

go

free.
that

brought
for

by
and

parents
her

might
heart

given

many, her
was

mother's
Even track running foregave

broken
as

might

expiate
the
sea

sin

vanity.
by
does the the

Andromeda
a

spoke,
that of
a

broken
as

of

creature

cleft

the
storm.

water

gale
a

mighty

And

Andromeda

piteous
"

cry. he
am

Lo
me

comes
so

!
young

"

she
to

cried. die."
above that miss with Not
water

"

Save

me

ah,

save

! I

Then instant

Perseus

darted like that

a

high
hawk
cannot smote
ocean.

her

and
to

for

an

hung
like the
swoop monster

poised
hawk

is about

strike.

Then,
did
he

its prey,
his sword but the

swiftly
the vouring deand
was

down

and

of the

once,

again
rock

again
churned

he

smote,
into

until
and

all the

round

slime

blood-stained
floated of off he the
on

froth, and
its

until
mere

his

loathsome
for the

combatant scavengers hewed

arms

back,

carrion
^

sea.

Then and

Perseus
in
to
so

the

chains her

that

held
as

meda, Androhe

his

held

tenderly

flew

with

her Who

her

father's

land.
then
as

grateful
who
so

the

king

and

queen

of

Ethiopia

? and

happy

as

Andromeda

? for Perseus,

120

BOOK and

OF

MYTHS
hero her

her

deliverer, dearest
not

greatest
her

to

in all the
but had

world,

only
his

had

given

her

freedom,

given

her

heart. and his

Willingly
to

joyfully her
wife. in
an

father

agreed
feast memory
a

to
so

give
of of

her

Perseus
ever as

for been

No

marriage
in the

splendid
man,
-

had
but

held
on,

Ethiopia
man

it went

angry
into been
to

with

band

sullen It
was

faeed

followers
he who
not at

strode had dared

the

banqueting
to

hall.

Phineus,
who

betrothed strike
a

Andromeda,
for
was

yet
rescue.

had

blow

her

Straight
that where then

Perseus

they rushed,
But of
a

and

fierce from the head

the

fight

began. lay hid,

and

sudden,
forth
were

the of

goatskin
^ledusa,

it

Perseus

drew

and

Phineus
For
seven

his warriors
the

turned feast
to

into

stone.
on

days
Pallas
and

marriage
came

lasted, but
in
a

the

eighth night
"

Athene hast but

Perseus
the

dream.
son

Nobly
!"
she

well
"

thou
now

played
that

hero, O
near

of end the the

Zeus and
shoes

said

thy
I

toil is
come

an

thy
of

sorrows

have the

ended helmet
own.

in
of Yet for

joy,

to

claim
and

Hermes,

Pluto, the
the head

sword,
of have the

shield
must

that thou

is mine

Gorgon
o

yet guard awhile,

at

I would
wear

it laid

in

my

temple

Scriphos

that

I may

it

on

my

shield

for evermore."
As she and
so

ceased helmet
he

to and knew

speak,
the that and

Perseus
and

awoke,

and
shoes

lo, the
were

shield
gone,

sword

winged
was
no

that did made

his dream

false vision.
a

Then

Perseus

Andromeda,
craftsmen from

in

red-prowed
sail blue

galley
away

by cunning
until
at

Phoenicia,
to

westward,

length they

came

the

PERSEUS of the
them

121

water

^Egean Sea,
the
on

and of

saw

risingout
And
the

of the when

waves

before
rowers

rocks

Seriphos.
oars,

the

rested
on

their

long
fair of she

and

red-prowed
and his

ship ground
bride

the

pebbles
the brow

of the mother the had the

beach,
of of

Perseus

sought Danae,
grew what hands the cruel of

Perseus. Danae
when she

Black

son

told
from

him
the

things

suffered

in his absence

Polydectes

king.
found

Straight king
had

to

the his

palace
friends been

Perseus
at

strode, and
revels.
now

there

the

and

their

For
no

seven

years

Perseus
stood

away,'and

it

was

who longer a stripling in stature and

in the
one

palace hall, but

the he thou

man

bearing
and

like

of

gods.
looked
hast he
was

Polydectes
up with

alone

knew

him,
gaze.
son

from

his
"

wine
So

mocking
oh

returned
"

nameless

of

less death-

god," thy
boast But

said.
an
as

Thou
one

didst !
the
"

boast,

but

methinks

empty
he

even

spoke,
of those

jeering smile
who
sat

froze

on

his

face, and
in horror.
"

the

faces

with

him

stiffened

O
me,

king,"
thou

Perseus
shouldst
me.

said,
have

"

swore

that, the
head
of

ing gods helpThe

the the

Medusa.

gods

have

helped
horror the

Behold

Gorgon's
and

head."
his

Wild

in their

eyes,

Polydectes
and
as

friends

gazed
turned
,a

on

unspeakable
stone
"

thing,
of

they gazed they

that still sit
on

into
of his for he of

ring

grey

stones

hillside

Seriphos.
wife had her
a

With
away, the

and

his

mother,
to

Perseus
take

then

sailed
back
to

gi'eat longing
and
to
see

Danae

land

birth

if her

father, Acrisius,

122

BOOK

OF

MYTHS her sins

been

still lived and of

to

and

might

not

now

repent
there he

of his

cruelty
that he

to

his

grandson.
had his did been throne the

But

found
that land

the had

Acrisius
from

punished
and sword the

and
own

driven
Not for

his
of

by

usurper. its scabbard,

all the

long

Perseus
cast
as

dwell

in

and
men

speedily was Ai'gos

acclaimed
not

usurper

forth, and

of

Perseus
be their

their

glorious king.
"

But
"

Perseus
I go

would
to

king.
said.

seek

Acrisius," he

My

mother's

father

is your his Sea

king." galley they

now

Again
Euboean the

sailed

away,
to

and
town

at

last, up

the

long
where

came

the

of

Larissa,

old
A

king

dwelt.

feast

and the

sports

were

going
the

on

when
sat

they got there,

an

and
man,

beside

king
one

of

land

Acrisius,

aged
part in

yet
And

kingly

indeed.
"

Perseus and

thought,
carry of

If

I,

stranger, take
the
men

the

sports
the

away Acrisius
off

prizes from
must

of

Larissa,
me."

surely
Thus stood

heart
did he

soften helmet of

towards and

take

his

cuirass, and
so

unclothed
was

beside
that

the

youths

Larissa, and
"

godlike
stranger

he

they

all said, amazed, and is

one

Surely
of the

this

comes

from

Olympus

mortals." Im-

In

his

hand

he of the who

took

discus, and
he
cast

full five
a

fathoms
shout out
as

beyond
arose

those

others

it, and
Acrisius

great
cried

from
as

those all the

watched,

and

loudly
"

rest.
"

Further

still !

they
a

cried. indeed

"

Further !"

still canst

thou

hurl

! thou

art

hero

PERSEUS

123

And

Perseus, putting forth

the of

all his his

strength, hurled
hand held
as

once

again, and
the hand

discus Zeus.

flew The

from watchers of
man

like

bolt

from

their

breath it

and

made
on,

ready
further

for than

shout mortal

delight
had when hurled
a

they
ever

saw

speed

hurled of

before.

But the the

joy

died
as

in their it

hearts

gust
it the

wind

caught

discus

sped
with of
a a

and

against Acrisius, sigh

that passes

king.
the
to

And

sigh
tree
so as

like
the

through
it crashes To

leaves
the rushed

woodman fall and

fells it and

earth,

did

Acrisius
and lifted had
to

lie prone.

his
arms.

side

Perseus,

him fled.
the

tenderly
And
:

in

his
a

But
cry

the
sorrow

spiritof
Perseus
am
can

Acrisius
called

with

great
"

of
me

people
of the

Behold

! I Who
a

Perseus,
avoid the

grandson
decree

man

I
?
"

have

slain !
For many him

of the

gods
as sons

year
to

thereafter
fair wife and

Perseus
were

reigned
four

king,
and and wife

and three

to

and

his

born he him

daughters.
at
a

Wisely
old age, who

well took

reigned,
and the

when,
of

good

Death
had to

his

heart, the
up among

gods,
the

always
live for

held
ever we

him and
may the

dear,
ever. see

took
And

him
there

stars

still,on
the of beside
out

clear

and

starry nights,
Near

him and
and
arms

holding
mother

Gorgon's head.
Andromeda him
across
"

him
and

are

father

Cepheus
Andromeda

Cassiopeia,
her white when the

close

stands the the for

with
as

spread
stood

blue

sky
And
to

in the
those

days

she

chained

to

rock.

who

sail

watery
is done their

ways and

look
whose

up

guidance
is

one

whose

voyaging
and

warfare the

accomplished,
of

take

bearings

from

constellation

Cassiopeia.

NIOBE

"...

Like

Niobe,

all

tears."
"

Shakespeare,

The another whose with noble

quotation
of those
utter

is

an

overworked Hamlet than and

to

quotation,
;

like of

many
those

from it of

yet,

have

half

lips
the

more

the the

vaguest
of her of
"

acquaintance
tears

story
"

Niobe

cause

Tlie her has

to

group

attributed

Praxiteles
Uffizi that of Palace

Niobe

and

last
been make

remaining
so

child,

in

the

at

Florence,
has

often the

reproduced figure

it
the

also

helped
queen

anguished
in

Theban that

familiar works
of

one

pictorial
Titans of

tragedy,
art,

so

as

long

as

the

those other

Shakespeare
is wanted

and for the

Praxiteles,
memory

endure,
of
Niobe.

no

monument

Like
a

many of

of

the

tales

of

mythology,
upon of
a

her

tragedy by
and

is
an

story

vengeance She
was

wreaked the

mortal

angry
husband Zeus.

god.
was

daughter King
of

Tantalos,
himself and

her of

Amphion,
her
were

Thebes,
fair

son

To

born

seven

daughters
not

seven

beautiful
own

and

gallant
nor

sons,

and

it

was

because their that

of

her

beauty,
and of
was

her

husband's of

fame,
their in
ever

nor

proud
the

descent

the

greatness
was

kingdom, pride.
children
be

Queen
she
own

Thebes that

arrogant
had

her borne

Very
like

sure

no

woman

her

children,

whose

peers

were

not

to

found

on

earth

NIOBE

125

nor

in

heaven. who feel

Even
as

in Niobe

our

own

day

there

are

mortal

mothers
But with mother that
a son

felt. there
as

amongst

the

Immortals
she counted
was

was

also

mother

children
of in

whom and
nor
so

peerless. Latona,
certain be and she

Apollo

Diana,
in

magnificently
to
come,

all time,

eternity perfect
were

could in

there

and

daughter
as

in her

beauty,
own.

wisdom,
did

in power

the

two

that

Loudly
Niobe heard

proclaim laughed
"

her in

proud

belief, and

when

it she

scorn.

The

goddess
and
seven

has

son

and

daughter
may
sons,

"

she

said.
I

"

Beautiful
borne is
more

wise

and

powerful they
and
seven

be, but
and
each
more

have
son

daughters
the of peer of the

than

Apollo,
moon

each

daughter
!
"

than

the

equal
to

Diana,
boastful

goddess
Latona

And
anger

her
to

words
heart. Thebes

gave

ear,

and

began
year

grow
the in it

in her

Each

people
honour
was

of of

were

wont

to
son

hold
and

great

festival and
the
to

Latona

and for

her

daughter,
came

an

evil

day

Niobe

when

she bore whose

upon

adoring lay

crowd
the

that, laurel-crowned,
altars
to

frankincense

before

of

the

gods

gloriesthey
"

had

assembled
ones

together
she

celebrate.
her Latona the
not

Oh
of

foolish
"

"

said, and
than

voice
? I

was

full the
son

scorn,

am

I not
a

greater
my fair ?
a

am

daughter
of
a

of

goddess,
I
not

husband,
am

king, queenly

the
as

god.
herself ?

Am

I I
am

Latona than Look the

on

And,
who

of has

surety,
one

richer and
one

by

far
son.

goddess
my
seven

but
sons

daughter
the

noble

! behold

beauty

of my

126

BOOK

OF
if in

:\iyTHS
in

seven

daughters,
not

and

see

they

beauty
!
"

and

all else

do

equal
when

the

dwellers the

Olympus

And

people looked,
and
"

and
were

shouted like
unto

aloud,

for in truth
their queen

Niobe

her Do the who

children
not waste

gods,
my
to

said,

thy
to
us

worship,
and

people.
me

Rather
to

make children
so

prayers
buttress

thy king
round
can

and

my

and

make

our

strength gods."
In her the
as a

great,

that

fearlessly we

despise

the

home

on

the words

Cynthian
of blows gro^"g Diana the

mountain queen of

top,

Latona

heard
even
a

arrogant gust
of

Thebes,
ashes into commanded had twin

and into
rage.

wind

smouldering
anger
to

consuming
called
to to

fire, her

flamed

She them

Apollo
the and

and

her, and
insult And
which

avenge them with

blasphemous
to

been

given
"

their
hearts. be

mother.

the

gods

listened

burning
shalt
one

Tinily

thou shall

avenged
that

!
not

"

cried unscathed of the

Apollo.
goes less death-

"

The who

shameless

learn

she

profanes
!
"

the

honour

of the

mother

gods
And the

with

their from

silver

bows

in

their the found their

hands,

Apollo,

smiter
to

afar, and
There

Diana,

virgin huntress,
all the noble

hasted

Thebes.
the
were

they pursuing
chariot
sons

youths rode,
all
some

of

kingdom having
the
no

sports.
and

Some
in

races,

excelling

things Apollo

were

seven

of Niobe. shaft of young from his

lost bolt

time.
the like

quiver flew,
the born first-

as

flies of

from

hand
a

Zeus,

and

Niobe

fell,

pine

broken

by

NIOBE
the

127 his
went

wind,
who

on

the

floor

of

winning
on

chariot. heels of the of

His his

brother,
comrade
sons

followed
to

him,
the

the Two

swiftly down
were

Shades.

other

of Niobe under

wrestling together, their great

skin
as

muscles

moving

the and
was

of

white

satin

that each of

covered

their

perfect bodies,
another both lads shaft

they
from
one

gripped
the arrow,

other,

yet
and

driven

bow
on

Apollo,

fell, joined by
their

the

earth, and

there

breathed
elder

lives away.
ran

Their

brother swift for

to
sure.

their

aid, and
The
two

to

him,

too,
even

came
as

death,

and

youngest,

they
after of

cried them those in

mercy
the

to

an

unknown
arrows

god,
of

were

hurried
The
were

by
who

unerring

Apollo. slaying
where
un-

cries
not
sons

watched
Niobe

this
to

terrible
the

long lay

bringing
Yet,
defied
even

place pride
was

her

dead. she she

then,
the

her

conquered,
whose

and

gods,
fate

and of

Latona,
her "seven

to

jealousy
Not
seven

ascribed

the

spears."
"

yet

hast
sons

tnou

conquered,
dead,
yet
that
to

Latona
me

"

she

cried.
the
to

"

My

lie

still remain
borne. of

seven

perfect
them,
am

lovelinesses

have

Try thy
two

match Still of
one

if thou than and she of

canst, with

the cruel

beauty
and

I richer

thou,
one son

O !
"

envious

mother

daughter
even as

But and after

so as

spoke,
a

Diana

had

drawn
cuts

her

bow,
one

the

scythe

mower

quickly
blossoms
of

down,
the

the her

other, the
arrows

tall

white
the

in

meadow,
When broken.

did

slay

daughters pride
of

Niobe.
was

one

only

remained,

the

Niobe

128

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

With

her

arms

round

the

httle she

slender looked

frame up
to

of

her

golden-haired
and
"

youngest
all the
so

born,

heaven,

cried
She

upon is

gods
"

for

mercy. wailed.
"

little !
me

she she

So

young
one

"

so

dear
so

! many But

All, spare
!
"

o/i^,"

said,

"

only

out

of

the the
arrow,
was

gods

laughed.
of

Like Diana's

harsh bow.

note

of

music

sounded silver Latona

twang
the

Pierced The

by

little

girl lay

dead.

dignity

of

avenged. by
was

Overwhelmed and
around

despair, King
left

Amphion
to

killed
on

self, him-

Niobe
her. for For her
were

alone
she

gaze
a

the

ruin

nine
children
not.

days
and

sat,

Greek be

Rachel, comforted,
the of

weeping
because
was

refusing
the tenth

to

they
much endure.

On
the turned And
on

day,

sight
the and the
no

too to

even

for

superhuman
the when
a

hearts

gods

They
them.
saw

bodies

into looked

stone
on

themselves
face human of

buried

they

Niobe
hand the for

and could

it
nor

bleeding
the Her word

anguish
of
was

that any

stay
were

god

comfort,

gods
Niobe,

merciful.
their

grief
a

talised, immorand
of bore her

at

will, became

stone,
summit

was

carried

by

wailing Lydia,

tempest
where
a a

to

the of

Mount her
name.

Sipylus,
Yet of

in

spring
was

Argos
from

although
the
tears

rock

Niobe,
a

blind
of

eyes

stone

still flowed,
of
a

clear

stream

nmning

water,

symbol

mother's

anguish

and

never-ending

grief.

HYACINTHUS

..."

The when him

"

sad the

death cruel breath

Of Of Who

Hyacinthus, Zephyr
now,

slew
ere

Zephyr
mounts

penitent
the

Phcebus flower amid

firmament.
rain."
"

Fondles

the

the

sobbing

Keats.

"Whom
seem

the

gods
we

love
the

die old To

young"
tales of
men

"

truly
and who
were

it of

would
women

so,

as

read

beloved

of of fortune of fate for life

the

gods.

those of after

men

deemed
no

worthy good
span their
tears

being
came.

companions
Yet,
had
be in tasted

the

gods,
if
even

seemingly
in
a

all,

brief
was

they
to

god-given
?
Rather grey with

happiness,
let
us

one

pitied
a

keep
have

our

those

who,
go

colourless
laden

world,

seen

the

dull

days
cares

past
and and

trifling
ideals,
narrower

duties,
and
than of

necessary un-

ever-narrowing
the grave
"

have

reached

old without
"

age

no

their

lives

ever

having Olympians
and to

known

fulness
ever

ness, happidared the

such to reach

as

the

knew,
hold

or

having
with

upwards

fellowship

Immortals.

Hyacinthus
of the

was

Spartan
of the

youth,
mortal

son

of

Clio,

one

Muses,
and

and from he

with

whom
or

she the

had

mated,

mother,
had that
as
129

or

father,
the drove

from of

gods
It

themselves,
one

received

gift
his

beauty.
on

chanced

day

Apollo

chariot
J

130

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

its
was was as

all-conquering round,
as

he
as

saw

the fairest
was

boy.
of

Hyacinthus
yet he
and that the

fair to

look

upon

the but

women,

not
a

only

full of grace,

muscular,

strong
fears

straight young
the blind of the rage

pine
of

on

Mount

Olympus
Wind
nor

not

the

North

angry

tempests
When
the face and

South.
had

Apollo
of

spoken
did
felt
ever

with
not

him
the

he

found heart

that

Hyacinthus
the

belie
at

within
found

him,
the

gladly

god

that

last he

had and

perfect companion,
mate,
Did whose

the

courageous

joyous
to meet

young
his
o\vn.

mood desire

was

always
hunt,
Did

ready
merry

Apollo
called

to

with the
to

shout

Hyacinthus deign
and of
to to

the

hounds.
was

great
the

god
nets

fish, Hyacinthus

ready

fetch the

throw

himself, whole-souled,
and
to not

into

great affair
Wlien
so

chasing
wished that the
too

of

landing
climb the the

the

silvery

fishes.
to

Apollo lonely
broke limbs
to

mountains,

heights

even

moving

of

an

eagle's wing
"

everlasting stillness,Hyacinthus
perfect
"

his

strong

for

the

chisel and

of eager

any for

sculptor worthily
the

reproduce
on

was

ready

climb.

And
over

when,

the

mountain and

top, Apollo gazed in silence

watched the the
as

illimitable

space,

silver

car

of of it
"

his
the
was

sister

Diana

rising slowly
land
and who the

into

deep
she

blue

sky, silvering
never

water
was

passed,
to

Hyacinthus
to

the of

first

speak

with

words shared

break

spell

Nature's

perfect beauty,
There
were

in

perfect companionship. Apollo

would
own

times,

too, when
but the

play

his

lyre, and
could

when

naught longing.

music

of his

making

fulfil his

HYACINTHUS
And the when feet would that of those his times friend
"

131

came,

Hyacinthus
friend of A who

would
was
a

He

at
"

of

the

god
to

and music

listen, with
his master
of the it

eyes made.

rapturous
very

joy,

the
was

perfect friend

this friend
Nor of
was

sun-god. Apollo
alone
who desired the the

ship friendSouth his

Hyacinthus.
known him desired

Zephyrus,
before him
?

god

of crossed

Wind,
and

had had stand

Apollo
for
a

path
who

eagerly

friend.

But

could their
grew revenge. he

against Apollo

Sulkily Zephyrus
in
his heart
to

marked

ever-ripening friendship, and

into

jealousy
him
and when who stood of

hatred,

and

hatred excelled
was

whispered
at

Hyacinthus quoits
it

all

sports,
for him

played
all

sheer
to

joy
watch

Apollo,
as

loved
to

things beautiful,
the

he him earth his

throw

disc, his

taut

muscles the than and

making

look
from

like off could when

Hermes,
his
feet.

ready
Further

to

spurn
even

cumbering
the

god,
his that
came

friend,

Hyacinthus
he could succeeded
ever

throw,
made

always god
so

merry
nor man

laugh
nor

the And

feel

god

grow

old.

there

that and

day,

fore-ordained

by
a

the match

Fates,

when

Apollo

thus Hyacinmade
cast
a

played
valiant discus
measure

together.
took his

Hyacinthus place,
and

throw,

and far.

Apollo

the
to
a

high
the that

and

Hyacinthus shouting
been

ran

forward excitement

eager
over

distance,
had indeed his the

with of

throw

worthy

god.

Thus

did the

Zephyrus
tree

gain
ran

opportunity. murmuring
with
a

Swiftly through
Wind,
hand. and

tops
discus

South cruel

smote

the

of

Apollo

Against

the

132

BOOK
it

OF

MYTHS

forehead

of

Ilyacinthus

dashed,
skin

smiting
and
ran

the

locks
and him

that

lay

upon

it, crashing through

to

flesh towards

bone,
and fell

fellinghim
raised
over on

the

earth.
arms.

Apollo
But the like

him the

in his

head
the

of head

Hyacinthus
of
to
a

god's shoulder,
Tlie red

lilywhose
ground,
the eyes

stem
an

is broken.

blood
and the

gushed
darkness flow of

the
on

unquenchable Hyacinthus, gallant young

"

stream,

fell

of his

and,
soul I

with

his

life's

blood,

passed
could

away. for
near

Would
the

that

die heart

thee, Hyacinthus

!"

cried robbed the And

to

god,
of I

his

god's

breaking.
is the
"

"

I have

thee

thy youth.
shall shalt of
men

Thine thee
ever
as a

suffering,mine perfect
that

crime.
evermore

sing
thou of

oh

friend

live

flower of

'vvillspeak
"

the

hearts

spring,

everlasting youth

of life that As his feet he

a

lives

forever." there of

spoke,
cluster their

sprang

from
as

the the

blood-drops sky
in

at

flowers, blue
as

spring,

yet hanging
And birds tell
we

heads

if in sorrow.^ is of
vow

still, when
us

winter

ended,

and if
we

the go

song
to

of the The

of find

the
traces

promise
of the

spring,
of the

woods,
trees
are are

sun-god.
willow

budding
v^ith

in buds

of rosy

hue, the

branches vnth

decked

silvery

catkins

powdered
wear a

gold.
of the

The tender

larches, like slender

gi-een, look
we

dryads,
the fallen
on

feathery garb
the woods the

and up, go,

that
"

under like

trees stars.

of

primroses
path
^

Along

land woodand

treading
on

fragrant pine-needles
of the

Legend
"

says

the !
"

petals

hyacinth Apollo

transcribed

the

letters

Ai/'"

Alas

DARKNESS

FELL

ON

THE

EYES

OF

HYACINTHUS

HYACINTHUS

133

on

the

beech

leaves

of

last

year
at

that

have

not

yet
way, branches

lost

their

radiant

amber.

And,
shines

turn

of

the

the

sun-god
of the

suddenly giants
blue,
from of

through
and

the

great
us

dark
lies

the

forest,

before

patch
the

of

exquisite
and
torn

as

though
a

god
fragment

had

robbed

sky
alive

it

precious
the
sun

that

seems

and

moving,
And,
as

between

and

the

shadow.

we

look,
the

the

sun

caresses

it,

and

the

South

Wind
wild

gently hyacinth

moves

little

bell-

shaped
across

flowers

of

the

as

it

softly
;
so

sweeps do

them.

So

does

Hyacinthus
love and
mourn

live

on

Apollo

and

Zephyrus

still

their

friend.

KING

MIDAS

OF

THE

GOLDEN

TOUCH

In

the

plays
three
"

of

Shakespeare
separate
volumes.
a

we

have

three

distinct "with gedy, Tra-

divisions another

One
third with in and

deals

with made

Comedy, by
do
the the

History
their

and
of

mistake is
that

young

aspect

life and

they

same

thing, relegating
have have that of
"

keep
to to

tragedy
separate
do with

comedy
that,
other. the

severely
so

apart, think,
who

them

volumes each

they
those know

nothing passed History

many
are
"

But road the

many is the

stones mile-

on

only
and

right
that

label the

for
actors

Book the

Life's

parts,
truth

in

great

play

in

tragic

comedians. This is the of

story

of

Midas,

one

of

the

chief

tragic

comedians Once

mythology.
a

upon and in

time

the

kingdom
the

of

Phrygia

lacked

king,
from
"

much The

perplexity,
answer

people
definite

sought
:

help

an

oracle.
first be
man

was

very your

The shall

who

enters

city

riding

in

car

your
there

king."
came

That their and

day

slowly

jogging
the

into

the

city
Gordias
place, marketof

in

heavy,
his
wife and

wooden-wheeled
and whose and
son,

wain,
destination
to

peasant
was

whose

the

business

was

sell

the

produce
or

their and

little

farm

vineyard

"

fowls,

goat

two,

KING

MIDAS

135

couple
crowd

of

skinsful

of

strong, purple-red wine. entry, and

their
a

An of

eager

awaited them.

their And in and

loud grew

shout

welcome
their
as

greeted
mouths

eyes
when of

round
were

and hailed

fell open
and

amaze

they Phrygia.
upon he

King
The

Queen
had
a

Prince

gods

indeed

bestowed

Gordias,
his the knot

the

born low-

peasant,

but surprising gift, his its wagon

to

showed of

gratitude
and

by dedicating tying simple

and untie
as

the

deity
the

oracle that

it up wisdom

in

place

with
as

wiliest
as

his
arms

knew,

pulled

tight

his Nor

brawny
could

strong rough
the famous

hands Gordian

could

pull.
and all

anyone

knot,
lord the with
son

therefore

become,
centuries and

the

oracle

promised,
Alexander the

of

Asia, until
came

had

passed, and through

time

Great
his

to

Phrygia
sword.

sliced In the
not

knot
the

all-conquering
came

Midas,
and
crown

of

Gordias,
Like

to

inherit
another

throne born him. the

of
to

Phrygia. purple,
that his his

many
sat

and

bred From

the

honours

heavily
had

upon entered he his what him had

the amidst

day
the of

father's

wain

city

acclamations
power, and
more

of the

people,

learned

the

value

therefore, from
power, had Midas
a

boyhood
he that for that
to

onward,

power, his

always
peasant
power, could

was

coveted.

Also could

father and
so

taught
ever

gold
more

buy
that

longed
world be able

gold,

buy long

him
race

place kings gods

should

in the

no

descendant
And

of from

of the

should looked
have

contest.

Olympus
that

down the

and chance

smiled,
of

and

vowed

Midas

realisinghis
one

heart's
he

desire. his
court
were

Therefore

day

when

and

sitting

136

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

in into

the

solemn

state

that

Midas
on

required,
the back

there of and
a

rode

their

midst, tipsilyswaying
old

gentle
foolish,

full-fed the

grey

ass,

ivy-crowned,

jovial

satyr Silenus, guardian of the

With all the deference due
to

young
the

god
friend

Bacchus. of
a

god
for On

Midas
ten

treated

this

disreputable
on

old

pedagogue,
him

and

days
and

and

nights day

end

he
came

feasted in

royally.
of his

the

eleventh
in

Bacchus

search

tor, precepof him

deep gratitude
because him
a

bade had

Midas done power.

demand

what when Not

"

he
to

would,
dishonour
even

he

Silenus

honour

lay

in his did

for

moment

Midas

ponder.
"
"

I would have

have that

gold,"
touch

he

said

hastily
all

much

gold.
and

would

by

which

common

valueless
And

things
Bacchus,
who

become

golden
that had the the thou

treasures."
here gone

knowing
times

spoke
empty

the
to

son

of after

peasants
a

many

bed

day

of toilful
a

striving on sadly
it
as

rocky uplands
eager face of

of

Phrygia,
and the

looked answered

little
"

in

Midas,
shall be

Be

"wilt.

Thine

golden
Then

touch."
Bacchus and
at

Silenus

went

away,
Midas

rout

of

singing
to

revellers
the words
tree

their

heels, and

quickly put
it

proof
An

of Bacchus. grew
near

olive
a

where with

he

stood, and

from

he and

picked

little

twig

decked
as

leaves

of softest

grey,
a

lo, it grew
of his
some crown.

heavy
He

he

held

it, and
to

glittered like
the turf green grew

piece
on

stooped
violets

touch and

turf into and

which of

fragrant
and

grew, lost

cloth

gold,

violets

their

fragrance

KING

MIDAS

137

became

hard,
whose like The
on

solid, golden
grew

things.
in in the the his like Midas into
"

He and

touched
at
once

an

apple
became

cheek the

rosy fruit

sun,

it
Hes-

golden
stone

Garden

of
as

the

perides.
past
them

pillars of

palace
a

he

brushed The

entering, blazed
deceived he be him. strode

sunset

sky.
the and

gods
Touch.

had

not

had

Golden
manded com-

Joyously
a

the
a

palace

feast

to

prepared

feast

worthy

of

an

occasion
But

so

magnificent.
Midas,
would cooks
roast

when

with have

the
eaten

healthy appetite largely

he found it into became
a

of

the

peasant-born,
food that

of

the

savoury his of
as

his

prepared,
kid
to

that slab

teeth

only
that

touched

turn

gold,
he

garlic
that

lost rice
a

its

flavour into fit for of of

and

gritty

chewed,
milk

turned

golden grains, and

a

curdled
unne-

became

dower

princess, entirely
Baffled the held red it ; and wine
nor

gotiable for
Midas become he
one

the seized with

digestion
his the cup

man.

able, miserhad could the

wine, but
that

golden
even

vessel the

quench
was

his

thirst, for
melted

limpid
it touched IVIidas
was

water

from

fountain

gold days

when
was

his
to

dry lips.
bear
now

Only

for

very
his for.
even

few

able

the for if he his he Gold

affliction him
to

of live but

wealth. He could

There

nothing
whole in
terror

buy
shrank

the

earth from heart

pleased,
touch,

children and his

and

hungry

thirsty weighty
of

and

sick of

at

wearily dragged
was

along
knew ?

robes what
not

gold.
was

power,
he and

he

well, yet
Gold could

worth

gold
and

while health

starved

buy

him

life

happiness.

138

BOOK

OF

IMYTHS

In

despair,
him Save the
me,

at

length
he

he

cried

to

the

god
"

who

had

given
"

gift that
O Bacchus

hated. !
"

he

said.
has

A my

witless

one

am

I, and
away

the

folly of
me

my
the I

desire

been Golden

undoing.
and

Take

from well

accursed
serve

Touch,

faithfullyand
Then

shall

thee

forever."
told and

Bacchus,
chief
river he for
a

very

pitifulfor him,
his

Midas
to

to

go to
to

Sardis, the
source

city of
upon

worshippers,
it
to
was

trace

its

the

which

built. his

And

in that
so

pool, when
he

found
evermore,

it, he
be

was

plunge
the

head, and
Touch. and

would,
It
was

freed that
was

from Midas he

Golden then

long journey
a

took,
at

weary reached
source.

and the He and

starving spring
crawled

man

when

length
had

he its

where

the

river

Pactolus

forward,
Almost but

and
he

timidly plunged expected

there he
to
was

in his the

head
harsh he had

shoulders.

feel
the his

grit of golden water,

known
at
a as a

instead when

joy
face

peasant

boy

laved

and
And

drank when hateful he time

saw

cool raised

spring
his had

when from

his

day's

toil

was

ended. that the

he

face

the

pool, he
him,
the noted but

knew
under

his
water

power

passed

from

in grains of gold glittering the the river Pactolus

was

sand, and
for its

from

that

forth

gold.
in

One

lesson
a

peasant
but

king
there

had
was

learnt

by paying
more

for suffering

mistake,

yet

suffering

in store He
power.
to

for had He

the
now

tragic
no

comedian.
for

wish
to

golden riches,
the

nor

even

for listen

wished of the

lead

simple
the

life and

to
on

the

pipings
or

Pan

along

w^th

goatherds
the woods.

the Thus

mountains

wild

creatures

in

KING

MIDAS

139

it befell that Pan for and

he

was

present
It and

one

day
a

at

contest

between

Apollo
and

himself. fauns

was

day

of

merry-making
all those
to
as

nymphs
in music shade the the of

dryads,
of ruled

and
came

who

lived
the

lonely
the of
a

solitudes who
one

Phrygia
them. and and
over

listen to
Pan
sat

god
forest

For

in the

night

piped
the the

on

his reeds
of the

until
stream

very
which and

shadows he
sat

danced,

water

by

leapt high
aloud
that and with But in he

mossy

stones

it

passed,
"

laughed
own

its

glee, the
:

god

had

so

gloried in
Who

his

power
of

cried
his his

speaks
be

Apollo

lyre

Some
and strikes

of

the

gods
a

may

well
man

pleased
or

music,
music

mayhap
to

bloodless of the of the

two.

my

the very

heart sap

earth

itself.
and

It

stirs with
to

rapture

the the

trees,
of all heard thou

awakes mortal."

life and

joy

most inner-

soul

things
his whose

Apollo
"

boast,
soul wouldst

and is

heard
the

it

angrily.
of the

Oh,
!
"

soul

untilled
that is

ground
is like
as

he wind

said,

"

thou

place thy music,

my

the music

in the

reeds, beside
?
"

music,

which

the And

of the

spheres
with
on
:

Pan,
of

splashing
the and
stream

his the

goat's
bank

feet of

amongst
which he

the

water-lilies

sat,

laughed loudly
"

cried

Yea,
"

would thou
on

I, Apollo 1

Willingly
"

would
on

play

thee from

match

thy golden lyre

my

reeds

the

river."
Thus did it
come

to

pass their

that

Apollo
and

and

Pan Midas

matched
was
one

against
of the

each

other

music,

King

judges.

140 all

BOOK
took the

OF his
trees

MYTHS

First

of the

Pan
on

fragile reeds,
shivered, and

and the

as

he

played,
listen

leaves

sleeping
song all all

lilies raised
to

their
then of

heads,
flew

and

the

birds their

ceased
mates.

their And and

and

straight to
grew

the its
on,

beauty
terror

the

world
more see

more

beautiful,
still and the Pan

grew

yet
to

grim,
the

and

piped
first the ship lord-

and in
to

laughed

nymphs
tremble
to

fauns

dance buds

joyousness
blossom,
and

and the

then

in

fear, and
in their
as

stags
he

bellow
it and
was

of
a

the

hills.

When

ceased, broken,
And

though
earth

tensely-drawn
breathless the

string
and

had

all turned

the

lay
to

mute.

Pan

proudly
as

golden-haired god through

the hearts

who of

had reeds

listened
to

he

had of

spoken
men.
"

the

hearts

Canst,
?
"

then,
said.

make

music

like

unto

my

music,

Apollo
Then

he

Apollo,
his

his

purple
a

robes of Pan For

a

barely
laurel
from
moment

hiding cro^vning
his

the his

perfection of
yellow height
curls,
and

limbs,

wreath
at

looked
in

down silence.
the

godlike
his hand

smiled
over

silently played
then
creature

golden strings of
touched them.

his

lyre, and
eveiy had

his

finger-tipsgently
there who had
a

And that
to

soul, felt that

them

soul

wings,
Far and

and

the from

wings sped
all

straight
creatures

Olympus. they
flew,

away
dwelt No

earth-bound

in

magnificent serenity amongst

was

the

tals. ImmorNo and

longer
there

there

strife, or
between

any

dispeace.
the

more

was

fierce

warring
fields

actual
woods

the

unknown.

The

green

and

thick

had

KING

MIDAS
and and
more,

141

faded
fair

into

nothingness,
and

their the wild

creatures,
fauns
man

and

the

nymphs
and the

dryads,
no

and had and the

centaurs

longed
desire

fought

and

ceased

to

impossible.
life faded

Throbbing
into and the
was

nature

ately passionmelody
had echo earth

desiring
that

dust when

before his

Apollo
to

called and

forth,

strings

ceased
of his

quiver

only
it

faintly
as

remembered the

music

remained,
and space all

though
new.

had

passed
For

away
the

things

had

become all
: was

of many

seconds

silence.

Then,
"

in low who earth

voice, Apollo asked

"

Ye

listen and and

who
sea

is the

victor
and

"

And

and

sky,

all the
one

creatures
:

of

earth
"

and The
was

sky,

of the is
one

deep, replied as Apollo."

voice.

victory
there

thine. Divine
dissentient

Yet

Midas,
relieved Pan wish would
to

sorely puzzled, utterly un-understanding,

when the music of he

was

Apollo
murmured

ceased.
to
me

"

If

only
"

play again,"
Pan's and

himself.
I love

live, and
vine-buds
violets is

music the

gives

life.

the the

woolly
scent

fragrant pine-leaves, and spring.

The the of red be smell breath wild of the of the

of the

in the dear in the

to

freshkine of and

ploughed
that have

earth

to

me,

grazed
I
want

meadows

parsley
and
to

and

asphodel.
love
and

drink
and and

wine

eat

fight and
very

work

joyous
to

and the

sad, fierce and

dead

strong, and
men

weary,
as

sleep
do."

sleep

of

who

live

only
he

weak his and

mortals

Therefore
"

raised

voice, and
truer

called

very

loud the

Pan's

music

is sweeter

and

greater than

142

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

music

of him

Apollo.
the
scorn

Pan

is the
crown

victor, and
"

I, King

Midas,

give
his For

victor's

! the

With

ineffable
face he

sun-god
him
to

turned
his

upon

Midas,
decision. his look

peasant's
a

transfigured by
at

proud

little have he
ears

gazed
a

in
an

silence, and
icicle.

might
Then
"

turned

sunbeam

spoke
of
an

The

ass

have have

heard

my

music,"

he

said.

"

Henceforth And
when

shall

Midas in

ass's ears."
his hands
to

Midas,

terror, clapped

his

crisp

black

hair,
ears

he of

found
an ass.

growing

far

beyond
what

it, the
him
that

long, pointed
most,
came as

Perhaps
shout of

hurt

he

fled

away, And
most

was

the

merriment and

from that

Pan.
shout would
no

fauns

and

nymphs

satyrs

echoed

joyously.
have hidden The in the

Willingly
there and Back he found

he

woods,
and

but

hiding-place.
seemed
went to

trees

shrubs

flowering things
to

shake
sent to

in for

cruel the

mockery.
court
a

his that

court

he

and

dresser, hair-

he

might

bribe

him

devise of

covering
his

for

these the and it

long, peaked,
hairdresser

hairy

symbols
many
all and

folly.
oboli,

Gladly
many while But
court

accepted

many

many

golden gifts,and
the

Phrygia wondered,
of the his

copied,

strange

headdress had of

king.
silence, the

although
barber the And
too
was

much

gold

bought
heart.

unquiet
he
at
was

All

day
his
to

and

all

through
secret. torture

night
then, great
a

tormented silence

by
was

weighty
him
a

length,
borne
;

to

be

he

sought kneeling

lonely place, by
it, softly

there

dug

deep

hole,

and,

KING

MIDAS

143

whispered
ears."

to

the

damp

earth

"

King

Midas

has

ass's

Greatly
content

reHeved,

he

hastened

home,
his
the winds
secret

and

was

well

until,
grew
the

on

the

spot
when

where

lay
blew

buried,

rushes

up. rushes
"

And

through passed
Midas

them,

whispered

for

all

those

who

by
has

to

hear

King
!
"

Midas
Those

has

ass's

ears

King carefully

ass's
the

ears

who

listen

very

to

what

green

rushes

in

marshy
may hear the

places
hear the

whisper
same

as

the

wind

passes

through
And those

them,
who

thing
of the rushes

to

this

day.

whisper
to

may,

perhaps,
comedian

give
of

pitying

thought

Midas
"

the

tragic

mythology.

CEYX

AND

HALCYONE

"

St.

Martin's

summer,

halcyon

days." Henry
VI,
i.

King
"

2,

131.

Halcyon

days
how seldom borrowed

"
"

how do it.

often its

is

the reaHse

expression
from

made
whence

use

of,
have
"

users

they

Tlicse

were

halcyon
back

days,"
to
a

says
time

the

old for

man,

and

his

memory

wanders

when

him

"

All all

the the

world
trees

is

youngs green

lad.
;

And And And

are

every every

goose lass
a

swan,

lad,

queen."

Yet

the

story

of

Halcyone
woman

is

one

best wanders

to

be

stood underthe

by
bleak sail of
sea

the

heavy-hearted
and strains that of

who weary
never

along
the

beach

her will

eyes
more

for

brown

the

fishing-boat
the

return.

Over
ago, there

kingdom
a

Thessaly,
whose and
name

in

the

days Ceyx,

of
son

long
of

reigned
the
as

king
Star,
his of

was

Hesperus,
and

Day
was

almost His ruler

as

radiant mfe
was

in the

grace fair and

beauty

father.

Halcyone,
most

daughter
did

^Eolus,

of

the love
one

winds,

perfectly happiness Ceyx

had close

this

king
unmarred

and

queen until

another.

Their when

was

there loss disaster of

came

day

to

mourn

for of
144

the this

brother. direful

Following

on

the

heels

came

CEYX

AND

HALCYONE
to

145

prodigies which
must

led

Ceyx
the

fear

that of the

in

some

way To

he him his
to

have
was

incurred
no

hostihty
to

gods.
wherein

there

way make

in which
atonement

discover
for

lay

fault, and
consult
he she told
must

to

it, but
in

by going
Ionia.

the

oracle

of what
to

Apollo
he him

at

Claros,

When
well that

Halcyone
not

must

do, she
from
a

knew solemn shadow words

try

turn

his black

purpose, of of fear

yet there
and
of

hung
drive with the
woman

over

her

heart
no

evil

foreboding
away.

that Most but

loving
king
Sea knew

ance assur-

could
to

piteously she begged

too

him
the

take

her of

him,

the

well
on

dangers
"

treacherous that he he

^Egean
loved
"

to

risk

it the

life of the
I

so

well.
rays of my Father the

promise,"
Star, that
have shall

said,

by

the

the
moon

Day

if fate

permits
sailors

I will orb." of

return

before

twice shore when

rounded the with

her

Down his and

rowers
oars

by

the

King
of

Ceyx
tender

awaited
love he

coming,

and

passionately
farewell

Halcyone
sat

had
on

taken
the

each

other, the
their

down the

benches

and

dipped
the and

long

into

water.

With
the his from
see waves.

rhythmic
sea,

swing they Ceyx

eyes the stood

drove
on

great ship

over

grey wife the the

while his
on

deck

gazed
she

back

at

until
rocks

could

no

longer distinguish her

could

shore,
the
was

nor

any
the she

longer
restless turned
as

white

sails of
still

ship
her

as

it crested when

Heavier
from
wore on

heart
more

away

the and

shore, and
dark

yet

heavy

it grew For the winds

K

the
was

day

night

descended. of the

air

full of the

clamorous

wailings

fierce

whose

146 it is to
men
"

BOOK
the

OF
into the
to

:MYTHS
and with

joy
dead

lash

waves

rage angry,

to

strew

and

broken she

timber

surf-beaten
"

shore.
! my
to

INIyKing,"
!
"

sighed
the

herself. hours
to

IMy King
she

Own the times

women,

And
to

through bring
him

weary back
to

prayed
many

gods
she

safely
incense have
was
waves.

her, and

offered
that and she
true

fragrant might
lover
and

Juno, protectress
on a woman

of

pity

whose
a

husband
for

out

in the

storm,

plaything
Long
of

ruthless
A

winds

helpless plaything
the dim land

was

the had

king
made

of

Thessaly.
of the

ere

evening
a

light

shore

his of

own

faint, grey

line, the
seas,

white-maned

horses
rear

Poseidon,
and
as

king

of

the

began

to

their
out

heads,
every
Wind

night fell, a
and all
the

black

curtain,

blotting
the the

landmark,
rushed into
across

home-like

things,

East
horses sea-

^Egean

Sea, smiting
sails with

madness,
them it
a

seizing the
in
were

cruel

grasp the

and
mast

casting
as
so

tatters

before
a
no

it, snapping
reed

though mighty
for like
a

but

dry
oars

by

the be and of

river.
any

Before

tempest
time

could winds
over

avail, and

little

only
wolf the

the

waves

gambolled
prey.
water

half- sated
roar

-pack
great
the
;

their

helpless
of

With
stove to

hungry
in the them deck in

weight
sailors

black
of the

and its

swept

out

ship

choke wounded
as

icy depths
up
on

and its

ever

it would white
ever

lift the

thing high
to toss

foaming sky,
and while

crests,

though
suck winds

it to into onward

the the

dark

again

would

it down drove it

blackness,
^vith

the

shrieking
and

howling
in him,

taunts

mocking

laughter.

While

life

stayed

Ceyx

CEYX

AND

HALCYONE
He had
to

147

thought only
of
as

of

Halcyone.
death
must

no

fear, only the fear

her who loved him His

the he

grief his
loved
to

bring

her, his
the
one

peerless queen,
were

his
for

Halcyone.
For

prayers
he his him had he the asked

gods

prayers
"

her.
waves

himself
bear

thing only
her

that her

the

might

body
in

to

sight, so
With winds

that

gentle
of

hands

might lay
that
even

his
a

tomb.

shout

triumph
seized
was

they
as

slain

king,
and

and
Star knew gone

waves

him hidden

prayed,
black
a

the the

Day sky
had

that that

behind

pall of

his
to

son,

brave

king

and

faithful

lover,
the

down

the
come

Shades.
to

When

Dawn,

rosy-fingered,had
and
was

Thessaly,
watched mood.

Halcyone,
the
sea,

white-faced
that

tired-eyed, anxiously tossing place

in

still

half-savage
last the
that

Eagerly
had been

she

gazed

at

the

where

white

sail

seen.

Was

it not
for
was

possible
the

Ceyx, having
have her

weathered

the
to

gale, might
Ionia, and
?
But

present
to
was

foregone
to

his
peace Wrack the of
never

voyage
to

returning
sea-beach

bring
with

her

heart

the

strewn

and

the

winds
for

still blew
her there and of

bits of tattered
was

surf

along
labour that in the

shore, and

only

the for

heavy
the blew

waiting,
came.

of

waiting
The

watching
her

ship

incense
to meet

from the

altars

out,
of

heavy
seaweed

sweetness,
that
on,
was

bitter-sweet

tang

carried

in

by

the that
"

tide, for
her

Halcyone might
busied
on

prayed
still

fearful, yet
her
man
"

hoping
her

prayers She
wear

keep
in

safe

king

her he

lover.
would in which
as

herself

laying
in in

out

the

garments
the clothes

his

return,
be

and

choosing
eyes.

she the

might sky
in

fairest

his

This

robe,

as

blue

148

BOOK

OF
the

IVIYTHS

spring

"

silver-bordered,
with
a

as

sea

in

kind
She

mood
could

is recall it.
of

bordered

feathery
looked
his very

silver

fringe.
first he
as saw

just
She queens

how

Ceyx
hear
was

when
tones

her her

wear

could
she

he

told
women

that the she

all

the

peeress, the
most
so

of

all

most

beautiful, of all wives

the dear been In dead thither horrors of the
must
soon

dear.
did the

Almost it
seem

forgot
his

night,

certain

that that

voice love's
the

again
ever

tell her
time

words

have

litany
ears

since

began. petitions
for him hither
came

of

Juno
even

those then
waves,
even

whose

body by
be

was

being
his
she

tossed

and
at

the
more

restless
than

murderers,
bear. go of the
to

last

to

could Iris to

She
the

gave

command
of

to

her

handmaiden
of

palace
and of to

Somnus,
him send

god
to

Sleep

and
a

brother

Death,
form

bid
to

Halcyone
all her among weary the had

vision, in

Ceyx,

tell her

that

waiting
black

was

in vain.

In
the hued

valley

Cimmerian
In
at

mountains,
her
her

death-god

Somnus

his abode.
the

rainbowmistress's
the

robes, Iris darted

through
she

sky

bidding, tingeing, as
that
at

sped through
a

them,
that
was

clouds
reached
ever

she

passed.
Here
to

It

was

silent

valley
nor

she

last.
sound

the break

sun

never

came,

there

any

the

silence.
work rolled

From

the

ground
hide the
tain moun-

the
sun

noiseless
and
moon,

grey
rose

clouds, whose

it is to
away up

softly and
down
to

to

the

tops
will dark and of the

and

the around

lowest
the
to

valleys, to
cave

work the

the

gods.
that
at

All

lurked heart of of

long
timid

shadows

bring

fear

the

children,
the

that,

nightfall, hasten

the

steps

CEYX

AND

HALCYONE

149

wayfarer. valley
there

No
came

noise
a

was

there, but
so

from and than the of

far
so

down

the

murmur

faint

infinitely
a

soothing
remembered

that

it in

was

less

sound

of

lullaby
of

dreams. of door and

For the
cave

past

valley

Sleep

flow Close

the up

waters to

Lethe,
of the

river where

Forgetfulness,
dwelt the

the

twinand

brothers,
at

Sleep

Death,

blood-red

poppies
their who

grew,

the

door

itself stood

shadowy
on

forms,

fingers on
would sheaves
enter

their

lips,enjoining

silence and dreams

was

all those

in, amaranth-crowned,

softly waving
from
no

of
no

poppies

that

bring
There
to

which

there

is

awakening.
creak walked
or

there and

gate
the
cave

with

hinges

to

bars

clang,

into
outer

stillydarkness
to
was

Iris she than of

unhindered.
and each she
cave

From she

inner
less

cave

went,
the
on
one

left behind In the

dark

that

entered.

innermost sable

room

all,

an

ebony

couch

draped
His A

with

curtains, the
were

god

of

sleep lay drowsing. golden

his of
stars.

garments
of he

black,

strewn

with
crowned

wreath and

half-opened
leaned
son.
on

poppies
strong
his him

sleepy head, Morpheus,

his

the

shoulder bed
to

favourite

All

round
over

hovered

pleasant dreams,
their
or

gently stooping
a

whisper
the

messages, willows other the

like that

field their that

no

of

wheat

swayed
heads and

by
murmur

breeze,
to

bow

silver
one

each

secrets

ever

knows.
brushes

Brushing
away the walked

the

idle dreams

aside, as
of mist couch

ray

of sunshine
to

grey up her

wisps
to

that where robe

hang

the

hillside,
Tlie of eyes,

Iris

the

Somnus lit up the

lay.
darkness his

light from
the
cave,

rainbow-hued

yet Somnus

lazily only half-opened

150

BOOK

OF
it rested her what

MYTHS

moved

his voice

head

so

that of
"

more

easily, and
be her

in

sleepy
"

asked she

might
of

errand.

Somnus,"
and commands
the

said,
of

gentlest
careworn

gods, tranquilliserof
sends
to

minds
her

soother that of

hearts, Juno
a

you

you

despatch

dream

Halcyone
husband

in and

city

Trachine,
of the

representing her
wreck." hastened

lost

all the Her

events

message
to

delivered, Iris
that

away, grew

for

it

seemed
that dust those to

her
were

already
upon

her

eyelids
her

heavy,

and

there

creeping

limbs, throwing
her that

silver

in her

eyes,

lullinginto peaceful slumber

of
rest

mind,

sprites born
mortals

the

blood-red
sweet

poppies
give

bring
orders,
upon
on

weary

and

forgetfulness.
his

Only
Somnus
him

rousing
entrusted and

himself
to

sufficientlyto
the yawn, up
to to

Morpheus
a

task

imposed
over

by Juno,

then, with
gave himself

turned

his

downy
When took where

pillow, and
he had

exquisiteslumber.
Morpheus
the far
room

winged
the

his way
of

Trachine,
and

upon

himself

form She

Ceyx
had

sought
the hour

Halcyone
many hours

slept.
that

watched
many
an

zon horishe

day.
to

For

had

vainly
her

burned

incense and
in

the

gods.
she for the

Tired

in heart do"vvn

and
on

soul, in body
couch had
a

mind,

laid

herself
of

at

last, hoping

gift sleep

sleep.

Not

long
and
came

she

slept,in
heart

the

dead-still with

that

weariness

stricken and stood face

son now
was

bring
her

them,
He
was

when

Morpheus
a

by
the the

side.
of

only
Not the

dream, radiant,
stood
dead

yet

his

face

Ceyx.
was

beautiful

of and

Day
on

Star
her

the

Ceyx

who

by

her

gazed

with

piteous,pitying

CEYX His
the
was

AND

HALCYONE in his

151

eyes.

clothing dripped
weed his of the

sea-

water

hair

was

tangled

sea,

uprooted
him in his
as

by

the

storm.

Pale, pale
stones

face, and
had

his white

hands

gripped dying

the

and

sand

that

failed
in

agony.
on

Halcyone
him,
word
"

whimpered

her
over

sleep
her say.

she

looked

and that I
am

Morpheus
he had

stooped
been told

and

spoke
No

the

to

thy husband,
the

Ceyx, Halcyone.
smoke
and of the and

more

do
me.

prayers Dead
am

and

blue-curling
storm

incense
waves.

avail On restless
a

I, slain by the
face chill
arms,
a

my
sea

dead,
tosses

white my dear

the

skies that

look

down

the

body

still seeks
rest
on

thee, seeking
warm,

haven

in

thy

seeking Halcyone
were no

thy
up,

loving

heart."
had
sea-

With

cry

started
wet

but
nor

Morpheus drops hoped,

of

fled, and
water that that A
on

there the

footprints
as

floor, marking,
had

she

had

the

way

her

lord

taken.

Not

again
and

did

Sleep
her

visit her

night.
grey,

cold
As

morning
ever,

dawned
eyes

found
the

on

the

seashore.

her

sought
of
saw

far
was

horizon,
there
to

but

no

white
her. like
a

sail, a
Yet

messenger she
on

hope,

greet

surely
driven

something
long
oars

"

black

speck,
who ways.

ship

by
to

the home

of mariners the

knew
From

well

the far

path
in
came

through
it

watery
towards

away

the
to

grey

hasted the

her, and
that
no

then

there
was

Halcyone
but
a

knowledge body, swept

ship by

this

thing,
waves.

lifeless
Nearer

onwards
came,

the
at

hurrying
she

and form

nearer

it

until and

length

could
sea.

recognise the
With heart

of this

flotsam

jetsam

of

the

that

broke

152

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

as

she

uttered aloud
returnest
"

the

words,

she

stretched Beloved

out

her

arms

and

cried
thou

O
to
me

Ceyx
?
"

my

is it thus

that

To had

break

the

fierce from

assaults
the

of

sea

and

of storm
on

there
to

been

built

out

shore

mole, and
one.

this

barrier

leapt
when

the the of

distraught Haley
dead,
reach,
of white she
to

She
the
man

ran

along
loved
"

it,and
was

body

of

she prayer

still out
prayer let

prayed
the

her

last

wordless
"

anguish
get
near

gods.
she

Only
that

me

him,"

breathed. breast.

"

Grant Let
me

only
show

I nestle

close

against
dead,

his dear
I
am

him

that, living or

his, and

he

mine

forever." And
to

Halcyone
from
out

great miracle
her snowy them the

was

then grew
over

safed, vouchsnow-

for white
waves
a

of

shoulders she

pinions,
until she

and

with

skimmed
of
waves,

the

reached for the As

rigid body

Ceyx, drifting,
in with
cries the of

helplessburden
and the she of

conquering
she

swift-flowing tide.
love from
when

flew,

she

uttered
raucous

longing, but
that the had

only strange
once

cries music.

came

throat
reached

only Ceyx

made

And have

body

of

and found of

would that
a

fain
no

kissed
were

his
her

marble
own

lips,Halcyone
like For the the
to

longer
red
rose

lips
sun.

petals gods
the had

fair her
on

warmed and
to

by

the

heard

prayer, shore been

her be

horny

beak

seemed
at

watchers

the had

fiercelytearing
of

the

face

of him

who

king

Thessaly.
the

Yet love of

gods

were was

not
an

merciless

"

or,

perhaps,
love. For

the
as

Halcyone

all-conquering

"MUMM

GREY

COLD

MORNING

FOUND

HER

ON

THE

SEASHORE

CEYX

AND

HALCYONE

153

the

soul

of

Halcyone
sea-bird,

had
so

passed
also for

into
the

the

body
soul of

of her and storm the

white-winged
husband
her and the known

passed
evermore

king.
as

And the

Halcyone
defied the

mate,

Halcyon

birds,

tempest,
waves

and of the

proudly raging
the

breasted,
seas.

side

by

side,

angriest
To
seven

them,

too,
before after in

did
the

gods

grant

boon
the
over

that,
and the
sea

for
for
a

days days
calm hatch

shortest

day

of

year,

seven

it, there
which

should

reign
in
to

great
should
and

Halcyone,
And

her those

floating days Days

was

nest,
calm

her the
as a

young.
name

of

sunshine,
And

of

the

Halcyon

given.

still,
come

storm

approaches,
with

the

white-winged
of

birds
the
"

flying
whose !
"

inland

shrill
pass in

cries
their

warning

to

mariners

ships they
"

flight.
!
"

Ceyx

they
the

cry.

Remember fill the the

Ceyx
their

And

hastily
drive

fishermen
to

sails, and
where of the their

the

smacks smoke

homeward

haven

blue
steads, home-

curls
and

upwards
where the

from red

chimneys
are

poppies

nodding

sleepily

amongst

the

yellow

corn.

Note.
"

The Of
it

kingfisher
Socrates from the all says

is
"

commonly
The because has
in

known
is not

as

the

real but
;

"

Halcyon
received
it

"

bird.

bird of

great,

it has

great

honour
its

gods
the all

its

lovingness

for which

while
it

is

making

nest,

world others

the

happy

days

calls

halcyonidse, excelling

their

calmness/'

ARIST^US

THE

BEE-KEEPER

"...

Every
of

sound
rivers

is

sweet

Myriads
The And
moan

hurrying
in

thro'

the

lawn, elms,

of

doves of

immemorial

murmuring of luscious surf the

innumerable

bees."
"

Tennyson.

In
are

the

fragrance
a

blossom
harvest. reef heard those

of Their

the

Hmes

the

bees

gleaning
like would the

busy
very

humming
far away,

sounds and

the almost

on

from who

lull
summer

to

sleep

lazily, drowsily
in
the

spend
the shows rob them

sunny That

afternoon
bee-hives their the hum home which

shadow

of

trees.

line

of
store out

by
treasure

the

sweet-pea
that where
men

hedge
may heather

where of the

they
it,
but wild and

on

uplands
in their and

the of
to

is

purple,
bells

bees

out

the

honeyown

laden free
there of the

carry

spoils
can

their
them brown

fastnesses,
comes a

from

none

drive from
the

unless
men

foray

against

them

moors.

How know
art

many the

of of

us

who

watch he
"

their
who

ardent
first

labours
the of of

story

Ai'istseus
to

brought
dear in beat land

of

bee-keeping
and whose

perfection
followers
are

in

his those who order be

own

Greece,
blue and and

men

veils
fire-irons

gi'cen,
a

that

motley
clamour
followers

throng
in

create

hideous excited

that

the

queen

bee

and

her

may

checked

in

their

ARIST^US
and

155

perilous voyagings
of
a

beguiled

to

swarm

in the

tuary sanc-

hive.
was a

Aiistseus

shepherd,
there had

the
come

son

of
one

Cyrene,
as

water

nymph,
to

and

to

him

day,

he

listened
the

the

wild

bees

humming
he

amongst
conquer He
as

the

wild

thyme,

great thought
and
or
a

that

might gain.

these that

busy

workers
trees

make hole

their
in
a

toil his rock and

were so

knew the

hollow
houses

used the knew

storage
lad

of

their
for
near

treasure,
the

wily shepherd
that

provided
covet,
and

them them

homes

he all

they

would
most

placed
became

the noted of

food
as a

that
tamer

they
of
as a

desired.
even

Soon in

Aristgeus

bees, and

Olympus
for the

they spoke

his

honey
have him and

thing
well

that

was

food
tseus

gods.
not

All
come

might
for

gone the
to

with

Ariswhen heart. and

to

had
the

there

fateful
her of

day

he She

saw

beautiful
the

Eurydice

lost his
his her

fled upon

before the

fiery protestations
whose
were

love,
down

trod
the
as

serpent
The

bite angry

brought
with His
"

Shades.

gods they
"

Aristaeus, and
hives
stood of who the

punishment
and

slew
no

his
more

bees.

empty

silent, and
bees their of the

did
the
ears

the of

murmuring
the herds and

innumerable
watched

drowse

flocks meadows. the

cropping

the

red

clover

asphodel

Underneath
the

swift-flowing
the mother round her

water

of

deep river,
sat
on

nymph
her

who

was

of

Aristaeus

her

throne.
her cords who sat

Fishes

darted

white the the

no

feet, and
fine

beside
gi-een those

attendants,
twine
when themselves

spinning
round
can

strong
of

that

throats

perish

their

arms

longer fight against

156

BOOK

OF

MYTHS
A

the

force

of
an

the

rushing
song,

current. that and the

nymph
one

sang
the the

as

she

worked,
tales
of
a

old, old

told

of of

old, old
creatures

of

man's
but

weakness
above her

power who

water,
man's
The

song

those

listened

heard

voice, callingloudly and

voice
Then of far the
was

pitifully.
for and

that

of

Aristgeus, calling aloud

gave
asunder the of
on

his
the pass

mother.
waters down

his river
to

mother

command,
and

rolled
where
roar

let Aristaeus of the

below
A

fountains
waters
race

great
in his

rivers
ears as

lie.
the

mighty

many the

dinned
was

rivers last to
came

started their

that the

to

bring
To

them

all at he

restless

haven,
to her

Ocean.

Cyrene
tale
"

at

length, and
live

told

his sorrowful

To
as

men

who
"

their
son

little lives
of
a

and and
two

work
of
a

and

die
"

myself
do,"
he

though
said,
I have reap that flowers
a
"

nymph

god

must

I have

brought
them that

great gifts,
the from that that may grey
me

oh

my

mother.

taught

from and bees

olives

they
have
out

can

priceless harvest,
the may riches

they
in and
to

learned of the the

little brown
be of made which

hum

slaves
Nature

bring
be

them

sweetest

robbed."
"

Tliis do
upon Yet that

already know,

my

son,"

said

Cyrene,
"

and

smiled
"

Aristaeus.
dost has does thou
not

know,"
my from many and army

said
of my

Aristaeus,

the

doom
No

overtaken
there
come

busy
of

workers.
bees
as

longer
of

city

the

boom

many and

wings
strong,

and

busy

little feet
to

they
back

fly, swift

hither

thither,

bring

ARIST^US hives
bees
me
are

157

to

the

their

honeyed
"

treasure.
or,

The

comb

is

empty.
saken for-

The

all dead

if not

dead,

th-ey

have

forever."

Then

spoke
of

Cyrene.
? It On wrestle
smites
see

"

Hast
who when

heard,
herds the

my the

son,"
flocks Wind the

she of and

said,
the the from

"

Proteus
sea.

is he

boundless North
the thou

days

South
when

Wind
East

together,
West raise

and

Wind
before

the him the

Wind his snowy

waves

in

shame head of

him,
white and into
"

mayst
above

and
the

long
sea,

beard lash
the

grey-green

white-maned,
him.

unbridled,

fierce
none

sea-horses

fury

before

Proteus what
art

only
thou

"

but

Proteus

can

tell thee
once

by

canst

win

thy

bees

back

more." Aristaeus
with find he eagerness Proteus and and

Then
how he

questioned gain
from

his mother him

"

might
that

the No

knowledge
matter
save

sought,
thou

Cyrene
dost
his

answered

how

piteously
thou

entreat secret
as

him,
from
he

never,

by

force, wilt
canst

gain
him

Proteus.

Only
hold
he

if thou fast the

chain

by guile by
the

sleeps and
into

chains, undaunted
power
to

shapes

which win his

has

the

change

himself, wilt

thou

knowledge
Then
the

from

him."

Cyrene

sprinkled
and in

her his him

a

son

with there

the
was

nectar

of
a run.
"

deathless courage Lead and where

me

gods,
and
now

heart
new

bom
to

noble
"

through
to

life seemed my mother

Proteus,
her throne

oh and of

!
to

he the his

said,
cave

Cyrene

left

led

him

Proteus,
Behind
the

herdsman

the

seas,

had

dwelling.

seaweed-covered

rocks

Aristaeus

158

BOOK

OF

MYTHS
used

concealed for
across were

himself, while

the

nymph

the drove

fleecy clouds
his chariot

her

covering.
the

And

when
at
noon,

Apollo
and with the

high
as

heavens

all land his

and

all

sea

hot the

molten
of his he

gold, Proteus
great
cave

flocks

returned
and
on

to

shade

by

sobbing
and
soon

sea,

its

sandy

floor and
From

stretched

himself,

lay,
a

his

limbs

all lax

restful, in the
behind
at

exquisite joy
rocks
saw

of

less dreamwatched

sleep.
him,
and

the

Aristseus Proteus
and

when,
to

length, he
he

that

slept too
on

soundly

wake

gently
limbs
of

stepped forward,
fixed in the

the that

sleep-drowsed
made been shouted him the his

Proteus

fetters

captive.
of And wild the

Then,

joy

and
the

pride at having
seas,

undoing
aloud. into
a

shepherd

of

Aristseus
turned

Proteus,
boar into
with the

awaking,
white

swiftly
that

himself
to

tusks of

lusted
But

thrust

themselves

thighs
firm

Aristseus.
of the

Aristseus, unflinching, kept

Next and and did fierce
never

his

hold
and

chain.

he
to

become devour. let

his
to

tiger, tawny
And

velvet held
the

black, chain,
of the

still Aristseus

eye devour

fall

before
A

the

glare

beast

that

sought
out

him.

scaly dragon
Aristseus

came

next, breathing
Then of
came
a

flames, and

yet

held
the

him.
lust him fire

lion, its yellow pelt

while Aristseus

scented
strove

with

and killing,
came

yet

against
sound of

there that would

to

terrify his listening ears

and

the

lapped
stand and
came

up

thirstily devoured
it.
And of
ere

all
the

things
of

that
the

against
their in

crackle had

flames
there

great sigh
his
ears

fierce of

desire many

ceased,
the

the

sound

waters,

booming

rush

of

an

angry

river

in furious

flood, the

irre-

ARIST^US

159

sistible command
still Aristaeus
his
own

of the

almighty
chains, and
and with
a

waves

of the

sea.

Yet
took

held

the

at

last
like

Proteus the

shape again,
and and
or

sigh

sigh

of

winds

waves
men

on

the

desolate
and he

places where
is
to
never a

ships become
human

wrecks,
to
save
"

perish

there

soul

to
one

pity them,
!
"

spoke
"

Aristaeus.
are

Puny

he

said,

and

puny

thy

wishes
the and

Because

thou

didst

by

thy

foolish down
to

wooing
the

send

beautiful break
the the

Eurydice
heart
of the

swiftly Orpheus,
bees and

Shades music

whose thou

music hast So
or

is the

of

Immortals,
hives

that

treasured
are

have bees and the dost

must

left their
so

empty

silent.
bliss

little of

the

great, O
!

Aristaeus, the Yet,

because
me

woe

Orpheus
hast
won

Eurydice
power
to

by
the

guile

thou

gain

from
to
me

knowledge
Aristaeus !

that Four Then

to

thou bulls
must

seek, hearken
thou find in
"

now,

four

cows

of

equal beauty.
four

thou and their hast

build

leafy
pay

grove

altars, and
honours
as

Orpheus allay
thou

Eurydice
resentment.

such At the

funeral
end of

may when

nine

days,
and
see

fulfilled
have
"

thy pious task,

thee."
will I do

return

what

the

gods

sent

This

most

faithfully,O
the chains and

Proteus,"
and

said

Aristaeus, and
to to

gravely
mother land

loosened awaited

returned

where

his

him,

thence

travelled

his

own

sunny

of Greece. he
on

Most

as faithfully,

had the sound go

on

said, did
ninth

Aristaeus
he

perform
to

his
the

vow.

And of

when,

day,
and

returned which made

grove

sacrifice, a
then

greeted beating

him

his heart

stop and

throbbing

as

160

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

the

heart

of

man

who

has

striven is
of assured.

valiantly

in

great

fight

and

to

whom

the

battle

For,
for

from

the

carcase

one

of

the

animals

offered

sacrifice,
the rays shade

and

whose

clean

white forced

bones
its

now

gleamed through
the

in
thick

of

the

sun

that

way there

of

the

grove

of

grey bees."

olives,

came

the

"

murmuring
"

of

innumerable

Out

of

the

eater

came

forth

meat,

out

of

the

strong

came

forth

sweetness."

And

Aristseus,

Samson

of

the

old

Greek

days,
sin

rejoiced
was

exceedingly,
and

knowing
that for

that

his

thoughtless
to

pardoned,

evermore

him

belonged
bees,
that their

the

pride
glory

of

giving

to

all

men

the

power brown

of

taming
creatures

the

of

mastering
the

the

little

pillage
most

from

fragrant,

bright-hued

flowers

precious

treasure.

PROSERPINE

"

Sacred Thou

Goddess,
from and and whose

Mother immortal and and influence beasts bud

Earth, bosom,
have and
most

Gods,
Leaf Breathe

men,

birth,

blade,
thine
own

blossom.
divine

On

thine

child,

Proserpine.

If

with

mists

of nourish

evening
those
in scent

dew young and flowers

Thou Till Fairest Breathe On

dost

they

grow,

hue,

children thine
own

of

the

hours.
most

influence

divine

thine

child,

Proserpine."

Shelley.
"

The

story

of

Persephone
the
sun

of
"

Proserpine
the bare

is
"

story

of

spring.
and
the
at

When

is

warming
up

brown

earth,
thorns blackthe soft

pale
a

primroses
kind,
a

look

through
can

the
we

snowy hear the of

blue
name

sky,
as

almost
it

wind
and

murmur

gently

sways

daffodils
the

breathes

through
catkins
!
on

the the

honey
grey !
"

sweetness

goldriver
"

powdered
"

willows

by

the

Persephone
Now
once

Persephone
was
a

there

time

when

there

was

no

spring,
with

neither
its

summer

nor

autumn,
cruel

nor

chilly
brief,
ever

winter dark
were

black
was

frosts
there

and

gales
and
and
161

and

days.
there

Always
flowers

sunshine
and

warmth,
nowhere

and

corn

fruit,

did

the
L

flowers

162

BOOK

OF
colours
of

IVIYTHS
and

grow

with
than To

more

dazzling
fair the any her

more

fragrant

fume per-

in the

garden
Earth

Sicily.
was

Demeter,
fair than

IMother,
that grew,

born
ever

daughter
more

more

flower

and

dear

to

her

became in the who

were were

child, the

lovely Proserpine. Proserpine

and

By
the

the

blue

sea,

Sicilian her
the

meadows,

fair

nymphs
Too

companions
for

spent their happy

days.

short

days

all their
it
was

joy,

and

Demeter
she

made

the
more

earth

yet

fairer than
to

that

might
Each

bring day
grew
anemones

gladness
blossoms that

her the form

daughter Proserpine. nymphs

and twined

the
more

into
but

garlands
from the

perfect
of

in

in

hue,

royal purple

and

crimson,
turned stood
slim
one

and

the

riotous with
beside

red
a
a

of cry

geraniums, Proserpine
of

morning
her
a

gladness,
on

for
one

there

before

Httle

stream,
with
out
a

erect,

stem,
Her
a

wonderful
eager hand

narcissus,
was

hundred
to

blossoms.

stretched

pluck it,when
the
as

sudden

black

cloud of

overshadowed

the

land, and
away.
a

nymphs,
the
as

^vith

shrieks

fear, fled
there many
was

swiftly
heard
or

And

cloud of the

descended,

terrible
roll
comes

sound,
of
to

rushing
of
the

of

waters

the

the

heavy
Then the their

wheels
was

the

chariot

of

one

who from

slay.
arose

earth

cleft open,
horses the
car

and

it there

four

coal-black while
in his

of

Pluto, neighing aloud

in
on,

eagerness,
erect

dark-browed of

god urged

them

standing

gold.
"
'

The

coal-black
mother
"

horses
!
'

rise

"

they
cries
"

rise

mother,

low

she !

Persephone

Persephone

PROSERPINE
O

163

'

light,light,light !
coal-black shade horses of shades,

'

she

cries,
for
me.

'

farewell

The O

wait

where far from

I must thee
t

dwell,
'

Demeter,

mother,

"

In

cold, strong
that

arms

Pluto
be

seized

her and

"

in that

mighty
wept
and

grasp

will
as

not

denied,
at

Proserpine icy touch,

flowers
she she
most

childish sobbed

tears

she she
never

shivered had

his
the

because and Wliile had

dropped picked
the

had
sired. de-

picked,

flower

still she

saw

the

fair

light of day,
and
not
one

the

little

oddly-shaped rocky hills,the

and

vineyards
did

olive-groves
lose
so

flowery
the

meadows

of

Sicily,she
could She
had
not

hope.
young,

Surely
so

King
and fain
so

of Terrors fair.
she

steal

happy,

only

tasted

the the her

joy

of

living,and
years. Her

would
must

drink

deeper
save

in
"

coming
mother the

mother

surely
"

her

who

had

never

yet failed her

as

her

mother,

and

gods.
down

But the
them

ruthless
grass

the

mower

whose

scythe
flower
drove

cuts

seeded
in

and
on

the the

half-opened
Pluto the

and
on.

lays
His of his

swathes reins he

meadow,
loose
on

iron-coloured

were

black

manes name

horses,
froth furious the

and

urged
their
sea

them
mouths

forward like before

of

by
the
a

till the that the

flew

from

foam
storm.

surf of the and

drives
the

it in
the

Across

bay

along
at

bank river
the

river
came

Anapus
to

they pool

galloped,until,
of

the

head,
water

they
with

the

Cyane.

He

smote

his

trident, and
his the

downward

into
and

the

blackness
knew

of
no

darkness
more

horses

passed, light
of

Prosperine
^

pleasant

day.
Jean

Ingelow.

164

BOOK

OF
she

MYTHS

"

What Demeter And From

'

ails her seeks

that her

comes

not

home

far and doth

wide^
ceaseless
roam

gloomy-browed
many
a morn

till eventide.

My

life, immortal
she
"

though
cries,
'

it

be.
of

Is

nought/

for want !'

"

thee,

Persephone

Persephone
Mother
from the
want

So,
have heart

to

the

great

Earth

came
a

the mortal

pangs

that

drawn

tears
a

of blood borne

many

mother's

for

child
" '

off to
for

Shades.
of thee,
!
'

My

life is

nought
!

"

Persephone The
cry
so

Persephone

"
. . .

is borne

down
mothers

through
love
sea,

the

ages,

to

echo

and

echo re-

long

as

and

Death where

is still unchained.

Over

land

and in his

from to

Dawn,

the cools

rosythe

fingered, rises
fiery wheels
seas,

the

East,

where
waters

Apollo
of far With
torch her

of

chariot

in the her

western
a

the
over

goddess
her

sought
and

daughter.
a

black

robe

head

carrying
she

flaming sought

in either
one.

hand,
And

for

nine

dreary days
more

loved

yet, for nine

the

weary

days by
human

and

nine
sorrow,

sleepless
sat

nights

goddess,
The

racked
hot

in

hopeless misery.
By night gently,
garments
tears.

sun

beat

upon
car

her
smote

by
her
her her her

day.
more

the

silver rays the dew

from drenched with

Diana's her
the of

and and
At

hair

and
of

black
bitter

mingled
grey stood
to

saltness
the tenth

the

dawning
beside her

day
of of

elder
and

daughter, Hecate,
shades
were
"

her.

Queen

ghosts
the

was

she, and

all dark

places

earth

known.

Let

us

go

to

the

Sun

God,"

said

Hecate.

"Surely

PROSERPINE
he

165

hath

seen

the his

god
chariot

who

stole will

away
across

the

httle
the

pine. Proserheavens.

Soon

drive
us

Come,

let

us

ask

him

to

guide

to

the

place

where

she

is hidden."
Thus did and

they

come

to the the

the

chariot
of of

of the
his the who

glorious
like

Apollo,
two

standing by
that bar the

heads passage

horses
sun,

grey him

clouds
to

they
stolen

begged
fair
"

tell them

name

of him

had

Proserpine.
No
of

less

thief

was

he," said
robber of

Apollo,
Life in

"

than

Pluto,
Mourn

King
not,
The

Darkness

and

itself.
his

Demeter. little

Thy
who

daughter played
Nor

is safe
in the

keeping.
is
now

nymph
in love did

meadows love her

Queen
She is No
the

of the
now

Shades. with
the

does

Pluto

vainly.

Death."
words of the

comfort soul

Sun
her

God
wounded
must

bring

to

longing
bitter.

of

Demeter.
she she

And

heart

grew
as

Because

suffered, others
all the
to

suffer
must

well.

Because
The

mourned,
flowers grapes

world her
her of

mourn.

fragrant
the

spoke
reminded
her child her

only
a

of

Persephone,
when the

purple

tage vinthe

white

fingers of

had that

plucked

fruit.
was

The
an

waving golden grain

ear

told

Persephone
its time. dearth and

as

of wheat
the

that earth

is

reaped
there

before
come

Then

upon

did

drought
"

and

barrenness.

The Was

wheat

blighted
no more

in

the
on

ear,

the

purple
and

grapes all the

Blushed Were

the ."
"

vines,
Leuis

crods

sorrowful
. .

Morris.

166

BOOK
alike

OF

MYTHS

Gods Demeter.
sent
an

and
To

men

suffered for it the

came.

from barren

the

sorrow

of

her, in
but

pity
in vain

earth,
was

Zeus
the she

embassy,

Merciless robbed
of

great
held
"

Earth
most

Mother,
dear.
me

who

had

been

what

Give the

back

my of

child
men,

"

she
no

said.
sorrow

"

Gladly
is
as

watch
sorrow.

sufferings
Give
me once

for

my

back

my

child, and

the

earth

shall

grow

fertile

more."
Zeus
come

Unwillingly
"

granted
back,"
forever.

the he

request
said
at

of Demeter.

She

shall
on

last,
on one

"

and

with

thee
do food of I

dwell

earth fond

Yet

only

condition
eat
no

grant thy

request.
time of

Persephone
her

must

through
else

all the
must

sojourn
be

in

the

realm

Pluto,
Then

thy beseeching gladly

of
the

all in vain." and that

arms,

did
to

Demeter darkness

leave

Olympus
land

hasten
once

down

the

shadowy
strong

again
who

she

might
once

hold, in her
her little

mother's

her

had But

been

clingingchild.
of

in

the

dark
No eyes

kingdom longer
like had

Pluto

strange

thing
with

had dark

happened.
locks, and
stream,
any

the

pale-faced god, pools

He she
a

the

sunless

of
was

tain moun-

terrors

for

Proserpine.
him,

strong,
that of

and the

cruel touch

had of

she

thought
strong, Wlien,
gave
as

yet

now was

knew

his

cold

hands

touch of the
a

finite in-

tenderness.
of

knowing
to

the

fiat

ruler
pome-

Olympus,

Pluto
in heart

his
heart

stolen
of
a

bride
man,

gi'anate, red
taken
of the it from sweet

the

she

had
eaten

his hand,
seeds.

and, because

he willed it
was

it,had
too

Then,

in truth,

late

for

GODS

AND

MEN

REJOICED

AT

THE

BRINGING

BACK

OF

PROSERPINE

PROSERPINE
She
"

167

Demeter

to

save
"

her

child.

had

eaten

of

Love's

seed

"

and
"

changed
takes
eat

into

another."
seeds
'

He
'

the

cleft pomegranate
me

Love,

with them

this

parting day
coal-black away free saith
"

Then
'

bids

fetch

the

steeds
?
'

"

Demeter's

daughter,
of Hades
return

wouldst her

The
'

gates
will

set

She

full wife

soon/

he

"

'My

wife,
was

my

Persephone."

Ingelow.

Dark,
never

dark

the

kingdom
and
a ever

of

Pluto.
moaned

Its low

rivers
as

mirrored river
the
never
an

sunbeam,
before

an

earthly
that those

moans

coming

flood, and
were

the feet

feet of and

trod who of

gloomy

Cocytus
would

valley
on

the

again
earthly
shadows In

tread Yet

the when

soft

grass

flowers braved
end her

meadow.

Demeter

had
was

all the

of Hades,

only
was

in

part

her
now

accomplished.
child, for
in while

part
her of

only
heart

Proserpine
in the
other
to

half

was

sunshine,
half Land Back
was

rejoicing
with the

the who

beauties
had

earth,
her her

the

god
and

taken
won

down for

the

of
to

Darkness the the

as

there of and The

had

his

own.

flowery peach
she

island
trees

Sicily her
the

mother

brought her,
blossomed

and

almonds decked
sprang

snowily
with their
and

passed.

olives
corn

themselves
up, groves green

soft

grey

leaves, the
The lemon

and

lush

strong.
luscious
For
men

and

orange

grew

golden
with

with

fruit, and
months
at

all the
of the the

land
year

was

carpeted stayed,
of

flowers.

six

she

and

gods
for

and
For the

rejoiced
months

bringing
her him green whom

back
and she

Proserpine.
land

six

she

left of

pleasant
loved,

dark

kingdom

and

through

168

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

those and

months

the

trees

were

bare,
earth the

and

the

earth
hid

chill
selves them-

brown,
in fear

and

under

the

flowers

and

awaited

the

return

of

the

fair

daughter

of

Demeter. And has

have

evermore

she

come

and

gone, the

and

seedtime

and
world the the the
"

harvest has
of

never

failed,
and

and
and

cold,
heralded

sleeping
with

awaked

rejoiced,
the

song

birds,
of
of

and

bursting
the

of

green from

buds
the

and

blooming
coming

flowers,

resurrection

dead

spring.

*'

Time Commands
We

calls,

and both

Change
men

and

gods,
but the the seed

and old

sj^eeds
earth

us

on

know

not

whither and

smiles

Spring
Out of

after
its

spring, prison

bursts dead and themselves Lewis

again
lives

mould,
and

and

the

Renew And Till

themselves,
are

rise

aloft

soar

transformed,
last

clothing
be

with

change,

the

change

done."
"

Morris.

LATONA

AND

THE

RUSTICS

Through

the
can

tropic
be heard
unseen,

nights

their from of

sonorous,

bell-Uke

booming
when

coming
the of

up

the

marshes,

and

they

are

song

the

bull-frogs
The

would of
is
no

suggest
their

creatures

full

solemn

dignity.
yet
the the the the make

croak
there

lesser from

brethren

is
those

less

impressive,
when and

escape

it

on

evenings
in
the

dragon-flies'
birds
in the

iridescent branches closed

trout

wings
are

are

folded
when

sleep,
lilies and
even

still,

on

pond

have

their
have water.

golden
ceased
"

hearts,
to

late-feeding
eddies !
"

plop
!

and

to

in go

the

quiet
"

Krroak ! krroak

krroak !
"

krroak

they

"

krroak It is

krroak

unceasing,
of
a

unending.
great
clock

It
that the

goes
can

on

like
run

the

whirr

of
a

the

wheels

never

down
"

melancholy
a

complaint
protest

against

hardships
as

of

destiny

"

raucous

against
of the

things frogs
the
or

they
that

are.

This

is

the

story
of

have of

helped
^sop,
as

to

point
which low

the have

gibes

Aristophanes,
been,
the animal
was
more

morals

and the

always
of

less,

regarded

comedians

world.
the Zeus

Latona,
and favour upon of

or

Leto,
the
errant

goddess
bestowed
was

of

dark the

nights,
doubtful
of

her

mighty
love. she found

his

Great
that
169

the
was

wrath

Hera,
the

his

queen,

when

she

no

longer

170

BOOK
her

OF

IMYTHS

dearest

wife

of she

omnipotent
her

lord, and
to

with
And found

furious
when that her

upbraidings
Latona the

banished
the had

rival
of her that

earth. she would

had

reached

place
sworn

exile
she
or

vengeful goddess
ban upon any that
an

place

everlasting
dared
to

anyone,

mortal
or

immortal,
her whose

who

show been

kindness Zeus
outcast

pity

to

only

fault had
she

loved
even

her.

From

place to place
men,

wandered,
came

among

until,

at

length, she
One had

to

Lycia.
the

evening, as
to

darkness

of which
a

she

was

goddess pleasant
her
water

just begun
The when her

fall,she

reached
was
a

green

and
to

valley.
feet, and

soft, cool
she
saw

grass the
was

delight

tired
she

silvery gleam parched

the and of her

of

rejoiced,for
she where fresh
was

throat

lips dry
still willows
a

and

very the

weary.

By

side

this

pond,
and of

lilies floated, there

gi^ew
were

lithe grey

green

osiers, and
rustics. for many
of Hera
to most

these

being
and

cut

by

crowd

chattering Humbly,
the dictum

rude

word
her of

harsh
her

rebuff

had

brought
the

during

wanderings,

Latona

went
was

edge

the

pond,
to

and,

kneeling
when the told

down,

thankfully
her. dare

about
and

drink,

peasants
her
water to

espied
nor

Roughly
to

rudely they
of the

begone,
beside looked

drink willows churlish

unbidden grew.

clear

which up of

their
in
a

Very

pitifully
her
eyes

Latona
were
as

their

faces, and
hunters
have

the

eyes

doe

that

the

pressed

very
"

hard.

Surely, good people,"

and

she
to

said, and
all.

her

voice far
have

was

sad

low,

"

water

is free

Very

LATONA
I

AND

THE

RUSTICS

171

travelled, and
that I

am

aweaiy the

almost
water

to

death.
one

Only grant deep draught.

of thirst."

dip

my

lips in
me

for for

Of

thy pity grant

Harsh
and
coarse

this
were

boon,
the

perish
voices
that

mocking
the

that

made
made.

answer.

Coarser
one,

still than

were

jests

they
her

Then

bolder his

his

fellows, spurned
another brushed

kneeling
her ing churn-

figure with
and

foot, while
the that

before

stepping
up
the

into mud

pond, lay

defiled below

its with

clarityby
his

great splay

feet.

Loudly they
follow
were so

the

peasants
followed that

laughed
his

at
as

this

merry

jest,and sheep
Soon
will

quickly
the all
one

lead,

brainless
a

scrambles

through
and

gap. in

they
had and that

joyously stamping
been
a

dancing
The

what

lately

pellucid pool.
were

water-lilies the

blue
had away. rustics

forget-me-nots
their homes the in

trodden the
came

down,
stones

fish

under mud loud

mossy up,

in terror

fled
the the

Only

filthy, defiling,and laughter

to
see

laughed
they
had

and

foolish

havoc
The

wrought.
Latona
a mere

goddess
did
she
seem

rose

from
very In
as

her

knees.

No

longer
and she

woman,

weary,

hungry
eyes

athirst, travelled
grew
And
to
a

over

far.
was

their that of

surprised
the
sea

stature

that
were

deathless
at
even.
as

gods.
"

her

eyes
ones

dark
"

as

an

angry in
a

Shameless
of
a

she

said,

voice
over

the

voice

storm
"

that Ah !

sweeps

destroyingly
ones

forest and
thus that

mountain. thou wouldst

shameless
one

Is
on

it

defy

who shalt

has thou

dwelt
have

Olympus thy

Behold

from

henceforth

dwelling

172

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

in the
the

mud

of
that

the

green-scummed
flat feet have

pools, thy
defiled."
and

homes

in

water

thy
a

As
over

she

spoke,

change, strange

terrible, passed
Their
stature

the

forms

of the

trampling peasants.
squat
and

shrank.
feet
were

They

grew

and

fat.

Their
mouths

hands

and

webbed,

their

grinning
which brown
to

became
worms

gi'eat,sad, gaping openings by

and flies. when their ! Green and would there
"

swallow
were

yellow
fain

and

their
for
"

skins,
mercy,

and from

they
throats

have
come

cried

aloud
the

would
we

only
so

KrroaJc

krroak And

hrroak

that

know
the

well. of darkness
star
arose was

when,
in
none

that

night,
in
the take grey

goddess
silver

wrapped
robe that
over

peace

black,
from

bespangled
from
the the

could
which the

her, there

pond
clamour
were

willows

hung,
Yet
no

weeping, piteous

of

great lamentation.
incessant,
marshes.

words
of the

there, only the

we

harsh

complaint

frogs that
From

hear time

in the
the

that
to

world
she

went

w^ll
and

with

Latona.
she

Down
out

the
arms

seashore in

came, to

when

held

her

longing appeal
flowers Zeus

the

^gean
apart,
prayer. the

islands
on a

that soft

lay

like of

purple

stre'svn, far
heard
to

carpet

limpid blue,
to

her carry

He

asked
he had with

Poseidon
to

send

dolphin
of

woman

loved been

the

floatingisland
there in

Delos,

and

when the

she island

borne of

safety,
to

he

chained

chains
sea.

adamant

the

golden-sanded
born
the
to

floor

of

the

And

on

this

sanctuary
to

there be

were

Latona

twin

children, thereafter

amongst

most

famed

LATONA

AND

THE

RUSTICS

173

of

the

deathless

gods
"

^the

god

and

goddess,

Apollo

and

Diana.

"...

Those

hinds Latona's held

that

were

transformed

to

frogs

Railed Which

at

twin-born the and

progeny.
moon

after

sun

in

fee."
"

Milton.

Yet

are

there

times,

as

we

look

at

the

squat,
brown

bronze

bodies and their all

of

the

frogs
"

green-bronze, gold,
their
rims
"

dark

spotted,
corners

flecked

with

the

turned-

down
black

of

wistful with
forth

mouths,

very when

exquisite
the

velvety
that

eyes

golden
from

piteous pale
daffodil

croaks

come

their

throats

of

colour

do

indeed

awake

sympathy
of

with

their

appeal

against

the

inexorable
"

decrees

destiny.
!

We

did

not

know

We
!

did krroak

not

understand
!

! !
"

Pity

us

All,

pity

us

Krroak

krroak

ECHO

AND

X.\RCISSUS

In
come

the
on

solitudes her
us

of

the

hills

we

find

her,
of
are a

and

yet

we

may She

unawares

in
the

the
waves

din

noisy

city.
themselves

will

answer

where

lashing
British

against
may

the

rugged
her where in

cliffs
the the At the

of

our

own

coast,
of

or

we

find he

gi'eat
close

yellow
to

pillars
%'i\'id

fallen
water

temples
of the

hot

sun

the the

blue

African
she

sea.

nightfall,
cr\'

on

lonely
bird that

northern

moors,

mimics
but it
vast

of

wailing
the

calls
the

for

its
organ

mate,
in

is

she

who

prolongs
she the who

roll

of

great
rattle
what

cathedral,
boom be the of

repeats
no

the in

and land bush

gum who

crack
the she
tree
war

and
mav

guns, In the

matter

Ta.mna.

desolate limb

Austrahan
of
a

makes
go
on

crash

of

the

falling
the

dead

and

on,

and

tortures

human

being
death,

is lost,

hopelessly

lost, and
calls
she of the the

facing
for

cruel

by
the

repeating night,
new

his

despairing
co^mtr^'-houses,

help.
at

Through
vdU. dead
voices in the

in

old
to

sports
restless

and
who

gives
lessly rest-

life

sad But

old
she

tales
echoes

walk.

children's

as

they
in
she when

play

by

the and

seashore when

or

pick
greet

primroses
her

woods

spring, laughs
the
sun

they
response.

with
may

laughter,
fear her all

in
has

meny gone
to

They
and when

down,
her

they
Yet

are

left

alone
who

they

begin

dread

mocker}^.
174

the

n^Tnph

ECHO love find

of and
some

AND

NARCISSUS
what she

175

sought
must
summer

for

failed comfort when her

was

to

gain
on

sought
of

surely
and
and

those

bright days

spring

she

gives
love.

the

little children

happiness
^Vhen fauns
and

they give
the

thek

all

world dwelt and

yomig, the
more

and

nymphs
was

and
no

dryads

in

forests, there
gay than
on

nymph
name was

more

lovely
Echo.

she her

whose for her

Diana
when she
met

would she

smile
her

fleetness and
those

of

foot

followed in
the
on

in

the

chase,
of
brance remem-

whom

leafy pathways smiling

her
at

the

dim,

gi'een

woods,
meriy e^-il

would

pass and

the

of her It
was an

chatter for Echo

tricksy humour.
she crossed the

day

when

path

of Hera,
her
errant

queen

of the

gods.
was

The

jealous goddess sought

himself
with
some

husband,
and the

who full

amusing
mischievous fled
to out

nymplis,
talk until

Echo,

of had

glee, kept safet}'.

that
a

her
was

in

nymphs
when
to

Hera

furious

indeed
had she

she

found
on

frohcsome lessly ruth-

nymph
"

dared

play
Echo's she
me

her

such

trick, and

spoke

fau'

doom.
"

Henceforth,*'
hast

said,
shall
to

the be in

tongue
bonds.
in be

with Xo

which

thou

cheated
have the

longer
the from
to

wilt

thou

power

speak

gi-eetrng. To
slave, and

tongues
this

of

others time

shall shall

thy tongue
cease

day

mitil

thou

shalt
on

speak only
thine ears."

repeat
A

the maimed that

own.

last words

that indeed

have
was

fallen
Echo her

nymph
matters

then, yet whole

merrj^ did heart
was

in

aU

most,

in
a

that

still her

But the

only

for

little while of
a

this endiu^. and

a

Narcissus,

beautifid

son

nymph

river

176

BOOK
in

OF

MYTHS

god,
saw

was

hunting
pass.
once

lonely
he
seen

forest

one

day

when

Echo

him
and his like

To she
or

her had

seemed
liim that from

more

fair than knew

that
on,

god
she
must

or

man,

she

gain
Iiim
dowTi
as one

love his

die.

From

day
tree

she

haunted

shadow,
thick

gliding
fern vnld and

to

tree, nestling

amongst
who he she

motionless undergi'o\si:h,
him afar off

stalks

thing, watching
eyes with

while So
did

rested, gladdening her

feed
her

his

beauty.
to

hungering heart,
on

and

sought day.
when in
sun

find

contentment

by looking
at

his face
a

each

To

her
was

length

came

perfect

moment

cissus Narchase

separated

from where

his

companions
the evenmg and

the

and, stopping suddenly

the

chequered
the

pathway
soft
"

of the

forest
on

with the

black

gold, heard

nymph's

footfall
here ?
"

rustling leaves.

YMio's Here
!
"

he

called.
Echo. the !
"'

"

answered

Narcissus,
and

peering amongst
one,

trees'

long

shadows

seeing
And
"

no

called
"

"

Come the

Co7?2e

called

glad

voice

of

Echo,

while

the

nymph,
"

"s^-ith fast-beating had do do

come

heart, felt tliat her

day

of

happiness Why Why

Let

indeed.
shun shun
one me me

you you

"

then Echo

called

Narcissus.

"

"

repeated.
said song the when

"

us

join

another,"
turned into

lad,

and

the

simple
them
"

words

seemed

Echo

said

over.

Z^
as

us

join
with

one

another!'''

she

said, and
aside
the

not

Eos dark
as

herself,
clouds

rosy

fingers
be

she

turns
was

the

of

night, could

fairer

than

nymph

SHE

H^UNIZD

ECHO

AND

NARCISSUS
of the trackless
to

177

she
ran

pushed
forward lord

aside
with

the

leaves
arms

wood,
him

and

white

outstretched

who

was

of her

life.
eyes

With beheld
"

cold her.

and

colder

heart

the

one

she

loved

Away
that

!" he

he

cried, shrinking
''^

back I would

as

if from
rather

thing some-

hated. have

Away
!
"

die than

that
"

you

should
me

me

Have

f"*

cried
had
no

Echo love

but pitifully,
to

she

pled
his
scorn

in

vain.

Narcissus
with
more

give her,
in the

and

filled her she

as never

shame.
was
never a

Thenceforth
seen,
care as

forest danced

revels

and

the who

nymphs
had
were

gaily
gone in

ever,
as

with

for her

faded
a

and

away
the

completely
of and

though
In the

she

blossom
mountain

passing
of

spring.

solitude

of

cliffs and

caves

rocky places, and

hid dark her branches

in the

loneliest when
trees

depths
winds

the

forest, Echo
the

grief,and
of the

the
at

blew

through
and of voice

night, moaning
them the

sighing, they
Echo

could their

hear

far

below

repeating
that the and her

lamentations.
and all in
saw

For and
Then

her, long nights followed

hopeless days,
love
no

nights
vain. the

days only
came a

told

her when

was

night nymph,
to

winds

longer
a

figure of crouching
had
to

the

white rocks Echo.

frail

as

broken
over.

flower,
Grief
was

close
the

the of

they passed Only

still
are

slain

body
that but

her

voice "wistful
all the her

left
"

repeat their
her

mocking
lives
few

laughter,
on

their

sighs
old

only
are

voice and

though
who know

gods

gone,

there

story.

Heartwhole

and

happy. Narcissus, slayerof happiness,

M

178

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

went

on

his
from than into

way,

and

other

nymphs
in vain. tale
ears

besides One

fair

Echo less
was

suffered

loving
Echo,
the her

him

nymph,
love
that of

gentle
scorned
and

poured

the

of

her

sympathetic
to

of the

goddess

Love,

implored
Hot and

punish
the

Narcissus.

tired

from

chase,
there

Narcissus
to

sought
to

one

day

lonely pool

in the

woods,

rest and

quench

his thirst.

"

In A And Than The

some

delicious space, the with

ramble,

he

had
woven

found round
;

little
in

boughs
of all^ a
in its

all

midst reflected

clearer

pool
cool

e'er blue

pleasant

sky here,
tendril

and

there, serenely peeping

Through

wreaths

fantastically creeping."

As

he

stooped
the his

down

to

drink,
and

face
a

looked
of the

at

his

through
eyes what
on

crystal
own. sure

clear His

water,

pair
at

beautiful

met

surprise and
be the
most

joy

sight
creature

of

he

felt
was

must

beautiful the

earth,
who

evidently

shared
at
a

by
him.

nymph

of

the

pool,

gazed fearlesslyup
her

Round
that
more

head
"

she

had of

nimbus

of curls than

which
not

of

Adonis

nay, her

the eyes

sun-god
were

himself,
the

was

perfect, while
water

like

brown flecked

pools
with

of

in

rippling
with in

mountain

stream,
When also

sunshine,
smiled smile.
arms

yet
her

depths
her

untold. red
arms

Narcissus

at

rapture,
out to

lips

parted
her, and
in

in

He
were

stretched stretched

his him.
to

towards Almost

her

trembling
Nearer
she mouth

his

delight, he slowly stooped

to

kiss

her.

drew
have

him,

nearer

still,but

when

his

would

ECHO itself to
of Eros
"

AND

NARCISSUS formed
"

179

given
bow
water

that
a

other

mouth
to

that

was

hke the

the

thing

slay
his
In

hearts

only
the

chilly
of

of the

pool

touched
away. for her

lips,and

thing

his

delight
Narcissus
water

vanished waited
the

passionate disappointment
return,
and
more as soon saw as

to

the
quisite ex-

of

pool

grew

still, once
up

he

her

face he

gazing wistfully
the
to

into
"

his.

Passionately
of his

pled

with
her

beautiful
have

creature
on

spoke

love

"

besought
in the

pity
his

him,
look

but of

although
adoration
to

the

face of

pool
time

reflected
and but

every he

and
in

longing,
arms

again
the

vainly

tried

clasp

his

what In

was
measure

mirrored
the

likeness

of himself.
meted
out

full

had

avenging goddess longing

the
at

to

Narcissus and
face dawn.

the

restless he

of

unsatisfied

love.
ere

By day long
in down the

by night
that

haunted back the

forest
was

pool, and pale

came

looked

his

as

lily

the

When
the

moonbeams and
the the all the

straying
was

through
him

branches

night
the

still,
face

they found
that of the

kneeling by
mirrored
to

pool, and
eyes of has
one

white

water

had
a

of the

things
mortal

the

woods

which

huntsman he
a

given
was,

wound.
many
was

Mortally
another

wounded his

trufy
that

slain, like
for what
own

since
but
an

day, by
and shade
over

hopeless
an

love

in truth

image,
his

image
across

of his
the boat
one

creation.

Even it

when

passed
the

dark
that

Stygian river,
it

stooped
a

side

of

the

might try
waters.

to

catch

glimpse

of the

beloved

in the

inky

Echo

and
on

the

other

nymphs

were

avenged, yet
Narcissus,

when
were

they

looked

the

beautiful

dead

they

180

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

filled their

with

sorrow,

and

when

they
did

filled

the

air
of

with
Echo

lamentations,
each

most

piteously
cry.

the

voice

repeat
and
when

mournful
the

Even would their

have

the

gods
burned

were

pitiful,
the

nymphs
pyre

body
built

on

funeral

which it

own

fair
For

hands
the

had

for

him;
turned

they

sought
Narcissus

in

vain. white

Olympians
the flower

had that

into and

flower,
his
memory

still

bears

his

name

keeps

sweet.

"

lonely
flower,
o'er

flower
with

he

spied,
of

meek

and

forlorn

naught

pride,

Drooping
To Deaf
woo

its

beauty
sad

the

watery
into
nearness

clearness.
;

its

own

image
it

to

light
would

Zephyrus
seem

would

not

move. to

But

still

to

droop,

to

pine,

love."
"

Keats.

ICARUS

Fourteen

years

only
In

have

passed
fourteen
has

since

our

twentieth
many
a

century
father's

began.
and

those heart

years

how
the

mother's

bled

for

death
who

of

gallant
have

sons,

greatly-promising,
to

greatly-daring,
?

sought
tried,
more

rule

the have
to

skies soared

With

wings

not

well

enough
to

they
names

dauntlessly
list
of those

aloft,
whose

only
lives of
men

add

the in

tragic
that that

have

been
may sail

sacrificed become

order
so

the in

groping
the
sons

hands
of
as

science
may

sure,

time

through through

the the

heavens
seas.

as

fearlessly

their

fathers

sailed

High

overhead

we

watch
a

the

monoplane,

the

gi'cat,
and

swooping
our

thing,
travel
years

like

monster to

black-winged
story
are

bird,
who that

minds
many

back
ago that

the

of

Icarus,
who say

died his

so

there
an

those

story

is but

foolish

fable,
of

idle

myth.
of

Daedalus, greatest
was

grandson
of

king
Not

Athens,
as an

was

the

artificer

his
as

day.
a

only
he
women

architect

he

great,
not

but
to

sculptor
men

had

the

creative animals
and
to

power, that
to

only
alive,

make but
to

and them with

and
move

looked all

cause

to

be,
the

appearances, who

endowed followed
the

life. the

To

him
of

artificers
axe,

him

owed and
181

invention

the

the

wedge,

wimble,

the

carpenter's

level,

182

A his restless
his

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

and To he

mind

was
or

ever

busy
Perdrix,

with
he

new

inventions.
all that it

nephew,
knew
the that

Talus,
of

taught
arts. not

himself

all

the

mechanical
he

Soon excel

seemed

nephew,

though
in
his the

might picked

his
As

uncle, equalled Daedalus

he of walked
a

inventive lad its

power.
up the

by

the

seashore,

spine
took
saw.

fish, and,

having pondered
it in invention

he possibilities,

it home,
A

imitated

iron, and
followed
that there

so

invented this.

the

still had

greater

While
none

those

who
than
to

always thought
were

could
the

be

gi'eater
came

Daedalus him
the

still

acclaiming
two

lad,
of

there

idea them

of
at

putting
one
a

pieces
with
of
a

iron

together, ening sharpmade.

connecting
both Louder

end

rivet, and
was

ends,
were

and the

pair

compasses of the

still
than

acclamations
was

people.
much
was

Surely
this

greater
for the One

Daedalus

here.

Too

artist's

jealous spirit.
stood

day they
and

together
that

on

the

top of the
from

polis, Acro-

Daedalus,
his that

murder

comes

jealousy
down he

in

his heart, threw

nephew
he
was

down.

Down,
to

fell,

knowing
but
came

well

going
her

meet

cruel

death,

Pallas
to

Athene,
rescue.

protectress

of

all clever
was

craftsmen,
into
the

his

By
his

Perdrix and

turned

bird the

that

still bears

name,

Daedalus
his has in
as

beheld
to

Perdrix,
far-off
roosted and
can

partridge, rapidly winging

Since

way
ever

the
or

fields.

then,
but

no

partridge
has nestled and

built

in

high place,
the its that For

the
we

hedge-roots
mark it
we

amongst
see

standing
crime court

corn,

flightis always
Daedalus
of

low.
was

his
the

banished

from

Athens,
he

and

in

Minos,

king

of

Crete,

found

ICARUS all
for the

183

refuge.
of

He

put
and

his
him

mighty

powers
an

at

the

service

Minos,

designed
Meander,
on

intricate
neither

labyrinth which,

like

river
ever

had

beginning king, but,

his
monarch

nor

ending, but
Soon
he

returned

itself in favour

less hopeof
one

intricacy.
ever

stood
for the

high
he of

in the

the

greedy
him
son,

power,
wrath

incurred, by
Minos. The

of

daring inventions,
threw him did this his
not master
were

angry

into

prison, and
But
were

imprisoned along
prison
strong
from the
son

with locks baffle which

Icarus.
that

bars

and
to

exist

enough
tower
were

craftsman, shut,
their
matter.

and and To
were

in
not

they
in
a

Daedalus escape.
There

his escape

long
was

making
less
easy

from

Crete in

many for the

places
father
were

that
son

wild
to

island
but

where the

it

was

easy of that

and

hide,
and

subjects
knew well should he

Minos all

mostly
the shore

mariners,

Daedalus

along
a

they kept
on

watch

lest he

make
was

him

boat, hoist

it

one

of the
to

sails of which

part inventor, and

driven before
the skill he the

speed gale.
of make

away Then

safety
there the for

like
come

sea-bird
to

did

Daedalus,

pioneer might
in another

inventions,
a

great idea
himself
And the would and and

that

by
son

his

way
than

his
he

through
aloud
the

element

Water.

laughed
on

his
at

hiding place amongst

the who

cypresses baffle beach of the

hillside sailormen
the who

thought
watched

of how each

he

simple
on

creek
he

down

shore.

Mockingly,
dared
to

too, did

think

King
the

Minos,
wits and

had

pit
the
a

his

power

against
craftsman.
was

skill of

Daedalus,

mighty

Many

Cretan

bird

sacrificed

before

the

task

184

BOOK
had
on

OF

MYTHS

which In
a

the

inventor
forest and

set

himself

was

accomplished.
fashioned

shady

the decked

mountains them with of

he

light
at

wooden

frames

feathers, until
a

length they
a swan

looked

like

the

pinions
way
wax,

great eagle, or
lake the of
to

of

that feather

flaps
was was

its

majestic
on

from and

river.

Each of the

bound
so

with
a

mechanism that
of the
on

wings
from

perfect
fastened
found

reproduction
had
them

wings
the them

which that

the he

feathers

been
to

plucked, that
and
even one

first

day

his back

spread
as

out, Daedalus
flew. Two

that

he
;

could

fly
tested

the

bird
second like

pairs he
made bird for that

made

having
her the

pair,a
him
to

pair was
a

Icarus, and, circlinground

teaches

mother

nestlings pride
of

how

fly,Daedalus,
showed
sun or

his

heart he
to

big

with

invention,
to

Icarus

how

might
blue and

best
sea

soar

upwards

the he

dive conquer

do%vn the

the

far

below, and

how

might
and

winds

the

air currents

of the

sky

make

them
was never
a

his servants.

That
father

joyous day
before
"

for

father

and of
the

son,

for

the

had
of

drunk
"

deeper
and he
As
a

intoxicating
it
was

wine
pure

the

gods
Never

Success before

for

the

lad

all

joy.
so

had

known little
the

freedom child blue

he

and had
to

power
watched where that he

utterly glorious.
the

birds
was

fly

far

away

over

hills
for At

the

sun

setting, and
them in had

had

longed
flight.
power,

wings
times,
in

might
dreams,

follow he had above

their
the the

in

his

known
risen the away of the from

and

his

dreaming
and soared

fancy high
bore that

cumbering
fields
on

earth

trees to

and

strong
heart's

pinions
desire
"

him

the

fair land
But

of when

^to the

Islands

Blessed.

Sleep

ICARUS left him

and of the the and

185

dreams

silently slipped day,

and
his
arms

out

before

the from

coming
his couch
he had

light
he

of

the

boy
as,

sprang his

eagerly spread
could
no

in

dreams,

done,

longer fly. Disappointment

came

and
Now

unsatisfied

longing ever
had
as come

with

his and

waking
Daedalus
and

hours.
was

all that and

to to

an

end,

glad
"

proud
One

well word
son

watch

his son's

joy
did he
soar

his fearless

daring.
Beware,
new-found of the

of counsel of my

only

he

give
"

him. in
the rays

dear

heart,"
to
as

said,
even

lest
to

thy
from

power
For

thou
as

seekest

gates
smite
will

Olympus.
burnished

surely
of

the

scorching
of

wheels
the
wax

the binds

chariot
on

Apollo
feathers
me woe

thy

wings,
then

that
upon

thy
on

melt, and

will

come

thee

and

unutterable."
In

his

dreams
to

that find

night
only
his

Icarus

flew, and

when

he

awoke,
of
a

fearing
he of bind had

the

haunting
the

remembrance the

dream,
bed
to

found

father

standing by shadowy
the

side

of

his

soft
on

leaves his

under

cypresses,

ready
that he

willing shoulders
rosy-fingered, was
East when

great pinions

made.

Gentle her
way up their

Dawn,
from

the the

slowly making
and

Daedalus
went
on

Icarus
the of

began
Blount

flight. Slowly they

who tended up their way
arose

at

first, and
the

goat-herds
Ida

their in

flocks fear and

to

slopes
saw

looked
of

when

they
the

the

dark
birds

shadows

wings
out

marked
sea.

monster

making
the flew

their

From

the with

river

beds

waterfowl
with

from their

the

reeds, and
to

great
them. sank

outcry
And

all

swiftness the

escape hearts

do'wn

by

the

seashore

mariners'

186

BOOK

OF

MYTHS that

within

them

as

they watched,
a

believing
the

sight so
they

strange must
went

be
to

portent

of disaster.
on

Homewards

in haste of the

offer

sacrifices

altars

of Poseidon,

ruler

deep.
and
on

Samos

Delos
the

were

passed
ere

on

the

left

and

Lebynthos
started of
on

right, long
course,

the the

his

daily
the

and

as

sun-god had mighty wings

body
to turn

Icarus

cleft he

cold

air, the
for
over

boy's
sun's
he

slim

grew
the

chilled, and
waters

longed
Sea

the

rays flew

of the

^Egean
and

which emerald

from

green-

grey

into

limpid sapphire Sicily he

the

and

and

burning gold.
course,

Towards
when
a

his

father

bent

their
afar

and like

they
in the
a

saw

beautiful
made

island
the
a waves

off

lying
it

gem

sea,

Apollo
the

in which

lay,

for the down

it

fitting setting.
rays the face

With

cry

of

joy
and
a

Icarus

marked looked
swan

sun's
at the

paint
great
and

chill water,

Apollo
snowy who

white-winged
form
of
a a

bird,

with

beautiful

boy,
with
same

sped
of of

exulting onwards,
darker

while

clumsier

thing,
in the warmth

wings
line

hue,
As

followed
the

less

quickly,
the

flight.
from the

god
touch

looked,
the

that of

radiated
as

his chariot

touched of

icy

limbs

Icarus

with Not

caressing
if and

hands. gentle, life-giving

long before,
seemed
and
soars
as

his
new

flight had
life
was
as

lagged
his.
Like

little, but
a

now

it

bird

that

wheels did
of
near

dives
each

if for of

Icarus, until
silver
the
at

feather

lightness of heart, so his plumage had sheen a

down,
he

and

of that
as

gold.
almost he

Down,
the

darted,
waves

so

water

white-tipped
over

caught
up, he up,
saw

his he

wings
soared,

skimmed

them.

Then

up

ever

and higher, higher still,

when

ICARUS the
of

187

radiant
Daedalus

sun-god
was

smiling
did

down As he

on

him,
had wish

the

warning
other the

forgotten.
now

excelled
to

lads birds

in

foot

races,

Icarus he

excel and

themselves.
he

Daedalus
So

left far he

behind,

still

upwards
was

mounted.
to

strong

felt, so
he
as

fearless
storm

he, that
that

him

it

seemed call
to

that

could
he
a

Olympus,
him
the

he

could

Apollo
to
race

swept
wager

past
from their

in his

and flight,

dare the

him

for

JEgean
In

Sea

to

where

sun-god's
seas

horses

took

nightly rest by
terror

the

trackless

of

the

imknown and
that
as

West.
he

his voice

father

watched

him,

called

to him

in

of

anguished warning
of the the moist
a

was

drowned
the
as

by

the

whistling
of
Icarus them he

rush

air

currents

through
the

wings
the

and

whisper
for
as

of

clouds

through

cleft It lose

way seemed

himself,

there the
a

befell

dreaded
had

thing.
begun
of
to

though
Like from

strong straight,
fluttered breast
arrow,

wings
bird clean

their

power. sidewise

wounded

Icarus
line

fluttered, lunged
his

the

recovered flight, like

a

himself, and
into
has whose

again.
the
sure

And
hand

then,
of he
ever

the

bird
archer
over

soft
an

mighty

driven

downwards

fell,turning
downwards,
still was

and
he

yet turning again,

fell with
a

downwards,
into the
sea

until
in

plunge
and

that

radiant

shining

emerald

translucent
Then did

blue.
the
was
car

of
too

Apollo
feathers

drive

on.

His and

rays
now

had

slain
fondled the

one

who
the

greatly daring,
that
on

they
from
the

little

white and

had
water

fallen

broken
of
a

wings
torn

floated

the

like

petals
On

flower.
of Icarus

the

dead, still face

they shone,

and

they

188

BOOK
diamonds him up
was on

OF

MYTHS

spangled

as

if with bore
at

the the

wet
waves.

plumage
but there

that

still,

widespread,
Stricken time the
to

heart his

Daedalus,

was even now

no

lament

son's
of

untimely end,
Minos in

for
be
a

black-prowed
he flew there the
to

ships

might

in

pursuit.
to

Onward

safety,and hung
who up

Sicilybuilt
as
a

temple

Apollo, and
offeringto
And
sea

his

wings

propitiatory
part
of the

god
gi^ey the

had
came

slain his
do^vn
to

son.
on

when bears the

night
name

that

that

of Icarus the

this

day,

still there had the

come
quisite ex-

floated
true.

body only
a

of

boy

whose

dreams he known

For

little while
of

had

realisation
a

dreamed-of
the sweetness

for only potentialities,

of

few

hours
an

tasted

perfect pleasure,
lost it all for
over
ever.

and

then, by
The

had over-daring flight, Nereids hither

came were

sorrowing
the of

sang

dirge
from

him the

as

he and

was

swayed

gently
silver
and it

and
out

thither

by
the

tide,

when

stars

dark

ment firmaof

heaven at

reflected
as

in the
a

blackness

the

sea

night,

was was

though spread
sno^^y

velvet the

pall, silverslim white

decked

in his

honom%

around

body
So

with
much

its outstretched

wings. accomplished.
who have

had
the

he

dared

"

so

little
of those

Is it not
Icarus in vain has the of
"

oft-told
can

tale say

followed has very lived

Yet

who
as

that has and

even

gallant youth
breasted soul for
to

when,
with

Icarus

did, he
heart

the the

skies,
of

flown

fearless

provinces
of
a

deathless
the the

gods

"

when, Time,

the

space supreme

few

heart-beats

of

he

has

tasted ?

power

ecstasy

of illimitable

happiness

CLYTIE

The

sunbeams

are

basking
on

on

the that
are

high
grows

walls red

of

the

old

garden
in

"

smiling
warmth.

the

fruit
bees

and
round

golden
the in whose that
are

their
of

The

humming drowsily

bed
the

purple
of

heliotrope,
the soft back grey

and
of

murmuring
roses

shelter

petals
the

the

blush of

sweetness

brings
On
croon

fragrance
the their heads
not

days winged

gone.

the

old
as

simdial
preen

white-

pigeons
and

sleepily
the of

they

snowy
like look up

plumage,
a

Madonna

lilies
nuns

hang
who

their
dare

procession
from

white-robed
beads

telling
quering all-con-

their

until

the has

triumphal
gone

procession
Wliat
can

of

an

warrior that who

by.

they
the

think

of

long
turn

line their

of

tall faces

yellow
sunwards for
car

flowers with
to

by
an

garden

wall,
ance, assur-

arrogant

and he drives ?

give
his

stare

stare

golden-haired through

Apollo
the

as

blazing

triumphant

high

heavens
"

Sunflowers

"

is

the

name

by
which

which somehow the

we

know fail whose

so

those

flamboyant
to

blossoms the from

a

wholly
destruction
She
was

suggest
came

story
a

of

Clytie,

nymph

faithful, timid,
bathed

unrequited being
the in blue who

love.
quented fre-

water-nymph,
and white tall

gentle
where

lonely streams,
flies dart the
across

dragonlakes.

the

water-lilies

pellucid
the

In

shade

of

the

poplar
189

trees

and

silvery

190

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

willows when
water

she the

took
flowers

her

midday

rest, and
heads fierce

feared
and

the the

hours

drooped

their
the

rippling
the
sun.

lost its coolness

But there she
came a

before

glare of
the

day

when,

into

dark

pool
down hide

by
and from
when

which

sat, Apollo
his
face.

the

Conqueror
nevermore

looked did
she

mirrored
the she

And

golden-haired
had became
seen

god
water

who,
the
master

from

the

moment

in the the she lord

picture
of

of his radiant heart the

beauty,
soul.
saw

and

her and

and Dawn

All
her the

night looking
wheels
her eyes

awaited

his
for

coming,
the first All

eastward
of

golden
she
ever

gleams
followed
cease

from

his

chariot.
nor

day
she

him
feast

with
her

longing
upon his

gaze,

did

to

beauty
from
the

until

the

last reflection

of

his radiance Such

had

faded

western touched

sky.
the heart of the he
nor

devotion
but he

might
had
The
no

have

sun-god,
had did
not

wish

to

own

love

for which

sought.
come

nymph's pale
face

adoration

irked
when and For he
more

him,

pity

as

Love's
her

substitute whiter
away. her

marked

how,
and

day by day,
her

grew

white,

lovely
food of of
or

form

wasted she she

nine

days,

without
one

drink,
did

kept
crave.

shamed

vigil. Only
in
the have

word

love
her

Unexacting
would

humility
nourished
But steeds
a

devotion,

she

gratefully
one

her full each

hungiy
of
scorn

heart and

upon anger,

kindly glance.
up his for
on

Apollo,
as

lashed
nor

fiery
her the the

he
more

day

drove than the

past her,
that which

deigned
he threw

glance
as

gentle
hid

satyrs

they
woods.

in

dense

green

foliage

of

shadowy

CLYTIE

191

Halfwho

mocking,
her

Diana heart's

said,

"

In

truth
at

the the

fair
feet
on

nymph
of my is

throws

treasures

golden-locked coming
the
were
"

brother

that

he

may !
"

trample
And,
dwellers
as

them,
she

to

look
of

like
the

faded

flower

spoke,

hearts stirred A

other

immortal

in

Olympus

with she

pity.
shall
be

flower

"

they said,
is renewed
of

"

and
year The

for

all

time
the
summer

shall she
earth

live, in

life that

each

when

stirs with

the she !
"

quickening spend
forever

spring.
in fearless

long

days god
as

shall

worship

of the

of her

love

And,
human
"

they willed,
and

the

nymph
form
"

passed
a

out

of

her
more ever-

form,
the

took
of the
that

the

of

flower, and
she

emblem
on

constancy
of her
loved the her

does

gaze

with

fearless
"

ardour
The

face
has loves
turns

love.
never

heart But
as

truly
on

forgets.
;

truly

to
on

close

As

the The

sunflower
same

god

when when

he
he

sets

look

that

she

turned

rose."

Some sunflower
that of

there did

are

who

say

that

not

into

the

bold-faced
but

her

metamorphosis
that

take
an

place,

into

purple heliotrope
to

gives
when

exquisite offering
warm

fragrance
And in

the

sun-god
old the

his

rays the

touch

it.

the and

walled
white

garden, pigeons
gaze with

while
croon,

bees
the the

drowsily hum, dashing

scent and

and
and

sunflower

gives Apollo mingles

for that

gaze, of

of the blush

mignonette
roses,

clove

pinks

the

fragrance
to

of the

heliotrope is, above

his altar

all, worthy
devout lover

incense of
a

be

offered

upon

by

the

god.

THE

CRANES

OF

IBYCUS

"

For With

murder,
most

though
miraculous

it

have

no

tongue,
"

will

speak

organ." of

Shakespeare.

Ibycus,
he wild blossom sang

the

poet
on

friend
foot thick the

Apollo,
the the

was

happy

man

as

journeyed
flowers

through
and of

country
were

where

the

grew

trees

laden tuneful and

ever

with voice and

on

towards snatches of

city
of

Corinth.
own

His

song

his his
of

making,
and

again
his

he

would He of
and

try
was

how

words

music

soimded
ever

lyre.

light
and
not

heart,

because

had
sung

he

thought
of

good,
noble

evil, and
and of he the

had

always things
to

only helped
for the

great

deeds And
now

those
went

that

his

fellow-men.

Corinth
of
was

great
where

chariot-races,
every
true

and

for

great

contest

musicians
sure

poet

and

musician

in

Greece

to

be

found. It
was

the

time and

of

the he

return
was

to

earth

of

Adonis
to trees

and
enter

of
the

Proserpine,
sacred and

as

reverently
where

about
the

grove
saw,

of

Poseidon,
the

grew
the the

thick,

crowning
of
some

height
he

before

him,

glittering
harsh

towers

Corinth,
other

heard,

overhead,
exiles.

cries
as

of he with back

returned

Ibycus
flock
of

smiled,
grey

looked
their from

up

and

beheld
and

the

great

birds,
come

long
their

legs

strong,

outstretched
on

wings,

winter
192

sojourn

the

golden

THE

CRANES
dance of his

OF
and

IBYCUS beck
and

193

sands other
"

of

Egypt,
the

to

bow

to

each

by

marshes

homeland. !
"

Welcome
and

back,
meet

little brothers

he

cried.

"

May
the

you

I both

with !
"

naught

but

kindness

from

people
And
answer

of this land
when to his the

cranes

again harshly cried,

poet walked
wood
out

as

if in

greeting, the
of that
as

gaily on,
of which

further he
was

into
never

the
to

shadow pass

dark

living man.
struck and
ever

Joyous,
cast to

and

fearing no
cruel
two

evil,he had
and
were

been

the

ground by
that

murderous hidden With those

he
was

hands

ere

he where he
not

knew
the

robbers grew his

arms

in

narrow

pass

brushwood but

thick.
were
soon

all his
of
a

strength
and

fought,
of
a

musician

warrior, and
who

veiy

overpowered
to

by
to
more

those
men

assailed

him. in his
of the

He

cried

in vain
he

gods
once

and

for

help, and
voices

final agony

heard

the of

harsh

migratory
From
the to them.
"

birds

and

the

rush he

their
to

speeding wings.
he

ground,

where

bled

death,

looked

up

Take

up but the

my yours
cranes

cause,
answers

dear
my

cranes

! !
"

"

he

said,

"

since

no

voice And

cry

screamed
as

hoarsely flapped

and

mournfully
way towards

as

if in

farewell,
and left the his
from

they

their

Corinth Wlien

poet lying dead.

was
over

body
all

found, Greece,
a

robbed
where he

and
was

terribly
kno^vn

wounded,
and
"

loved, there
Is it thus

uprose I find you

great clamour
restored
as

of lamentation.

to

me

"

said he who

had

expected

him

in

Corinth

liis honoured
N

guest

194

BOOK

OF
the

MYTHS

"

I who you And

hoped

to

place
whom

victor's

laurels
of song

on

your
"

head

when

triumphed
all those
charm eager the
cranes. came

in the the

temple

loving personality
had
so

of

Ibycus
were
none

and alert knew

save

the and how the Then

of
to

his

music

made
a

his

friends But
pass
"

avenge

foul

murder. to

wicked

deed

had

come

none,

the such

day joy,
sat

to

which thousands

Ibycus
upon
at

had

looked

forward
of

with

when in

thousands

his

countrymen
a

the

theatre hearts

Cyprus
them.

and

watched
The
sun

play

that

stirred
for roof

their
the and

within

theatre for of
"

had

blue
for

vault
the The and

of heaven

; the

served
heads

footlights
those who their

lights
three

above
"

the the

acted.
hard

Furies faces
their

Eumenides

with
with

cruel from the In

and eyes, of

snaky
were

locks, and

blood
actors
so

dripping
great
them.

represented by
beholders

that

hearts

their hands
of

trembled

within
of the

their

dread

lay

the

punishment
of the

murder,
cruellest
of

of

inhospitality,
basest
the of

ingratitude,and
Theirs
was

all

and

crimes.

duty

hurrying
care over

doomed
the Phle-

spirits entrusted gethon, through

robes
were

to

their
fire

merciless
that that flows

the
the

river brazen robes

of

round

Hades,
and

and their

gates

led to

Torment,

worn

"

With

all the

pomp

of

horror, dy'd the

in

gore."

"

Virgil.

In

solemn

cadence,
and listened

while

thousands the

of Furies

beholders walked
:

watched

enthralled,
sang

round

the

theatre

and

their

song

of

terror

THE
"

CRANES

OF

IBYCUS

195

Woe
!

! The

woe

to

him shall
even

whose
not

hands

are

soiled
nor

with his !

blood
dread

darkness lie hidden seek

hide

him,

shall the

secret

in the

bowels
us,

of for

earth

He

shall

not

by flight to
than
a

escape that
we arms

vengeance

is ours,
shall
we

and

swifter

hawk

strikes
nor

its quarry
are

strike. and ! to
rest to
our

Unwearying avenging
shedder

pursue,

our

swift Woe
peace

feet

made innocent hurried

endure of

slow

by pity.
for
nor

woe

the

of
have shall the

blood,
his

nor

is his torture

until
that

we

tormented
"

soul

down As
the

everlastingly !
doom,
there
were

listeners did
not

heard think and

moment

dirge

none

who
so

of
so

Ibycus,

the

gentle-hearted
to

poet,
in the

much

beloved of the
over

foully done
when the

death,

and
a

tensity

voices
as a

ceased,

great thrill passed

with benches
"

the

multitudes
from
one

voice, shrill

amazed
:

horror, burst

of

the

uppermost

See /
"

there !

see

there !

behold, comrade, the

cranes

of

Ibycus
there

Every

eye

looked overhead his

came

upwards,
the

and,
of
cranes

harshly
to

crying,
the
an

passed

flock

whom like

poet had
electric

entrusted

dying
to

message. all those

Then,
who
was

shock,
that

there

beheld
the

the

knowledge
of

he

who

had

cried

aloud

murderer

Ibycus.
"

Seize

him

seize
"

him

"

cried
man,

in and

unison
him
to

the whom

voices he

of thousands.

Seize

the

spoke

"

Frantically
words,
but it

the

trembling
too

wi'etch

tried of the

to

deny

his

was

late.

The

roar

multitudes

196

BOOK

OF

IMYTHS

was

as

that

of

an

angry denied.

sea

that

hungers
had

for

its

prey him

and

will
whom

not

be

He

who

spoken
a

and

to

he

spoke

were

seized

by

score

of

eager

hands. In them white-faced because confession

And the the Furies

terror,

had
crime

hunted

down,

they
to

made

of

their
of

and

were

put

death.

flock

grey-plumaged,
to

rosy-headed
there
to

cranes

winged
bow
to

their
each

way

on

the

marshes,
in the

beck

and

other,
because

and

to

dance

golden
delivered,
them

sunset,
and

well

content

their

message who had

was

Ibycus,
was

the

poet-musician

given

welcome,

avenged.

SYRINX

"

Is

it

because
in
our

the

wild-wood minds the and

waters

passion
voice

still

lingers lingers
for
most

in in

our

hearts,

because

still the
a

of

Syrinx
that

melancholy
us

music,
so

music

of
in

regret

longing,
?
"
"

of

there

is

potent the

spell

running

Fiona

Macleod.

As

evening
steals
the

shadows
the of
can

lengthen,
trees,
the be

and

the

night
with that

wind

softly

through
still
waters

touching
little

restless
would

fingers
fain like in
a

lochans
a

have

rest,

there

heard

long,
note
one

long
to

whisper,
be

sigh.
Pan's
be
so,

There

is

no

softer,
nor

sadder
can

heard
that it who

all

great
for their

orchestra,
the

marvel
the

should

whisper
while lake
or

comes

from

reeds
over

gently
as

sway grow

heads

the

wind

passes

them

they
This

by

lonely
of

river. the

is the

story

Syrinx,

reed,

as

Ovid

has

told

it to In

us.

Arcadia
So fair

there she
to

dwelt
was

nymph
for and her
sat

whose dear in the

see

name

was

Syrinx.
and in

that

sake green
her

fauns woods
as

satyrs

forgot

gambol,
that of wish

thoughtful
But She

stillness,
for had
none

they
them for

might
had

she

passed.
kindness.

Syrinx

word

of

no

love.

"

But I And have

as

for

Love,

truly

know my careless

him

not,

passionately
from that fate

turned the

lijis therefrom. gods

Lady allot." Margaret Sackville.

197

198

A To

BOOK

OF did

MYTHS giance. alle-

one

only
She

of

the

gods

she and

give
with

her her the

loyal

worshipped
As

Diana,

followed

the

chase.
have

she

lightly sped through

Diana
not

forest
were

she

might
who but

been

herself, and
know
a

there

those

said
that
was

they
the

would

nymph
silver bow,

from while without Not

goddess,
that
a care

goddess
made
of

carried horn.

of

Syrinx
or

Fearless, and
her
she

sorrow.

Syrinx passed
of

happy
have

days. changed
their

for

all

the those

gold
of

Midas

would

places
out

with
for

love-lorn
a

nymphs
or

who
man.

sighed

hearts

love and

god

of

Heartwhole,

fancy free, gay

young

happy
it is to white
eyes
to

and
run
arms

lithe
and

and
to

strong,
excel
the

as

boy
was

whose

joy
whose the

in the

chase,

Syrinx,
dazzled back
her

against watching
arrow

greenwood
when

trees

of

the
an

fauns the

she
she she

drew

bow

speed
dawn. of
a

at

stag
that

had

hunted
was

since
the down

early
to at

Each

morning
of

awoke
she

morning
the But

day
to

joy

;
a

each child

night
who

that

lay

rest, it

was

sleep as
of who
one a

smiles

in his

sleep

remembrance
to

perfect day.
knew
no

Syrinx,

fear. Fear
from
the for whom other

came

at

last.

She

was

returning
by
face
seen

evening
that
met

shadowy
many
an

hills,
hour,
she

untired

the
to

chase

had

lasted
one

when,
had

face, she
from
was
so

with

hitherto

only

afar.

Of
as

him Pan

the ?
"

nymphs
who Those ruled who

spoke
the
fied de-

often.
woods. him
was

Who None
must
;

great
stand
come

Pan,

could
ever

against
under
;

Pan.

his power
was

in the
;

end. Love
was

He
; he

Fear

he
;

was

Youth
was

he
;

Joy
was

he
;

was

was

Beast

he

Power

he

Man

he

God.

SYRINX Life
a

199

He with

was

itself.
Not he and

So
Pan met

did

they talk, and

could
the

Syrinx listened
Fear
to

smile.
when forest

himself
her in her in

bring

her. of with be of
never
a

Yet

silent and
so

loneliness
on

great
eyes

stood
amazement

path
one

gazed

her

of

joyous

that

fair should

in

his

kingdom
felt had

Avithout

his
come

having
to

had her

knowledge
heart
that

it,

Syrinx
before

something
it.

assailed head young

and
was

Pan's face
was

crowned and

with

sharp pine-leaves.
and

His
the

beautiful,
seas.

yet older
and
same

than in

mountains
eyes
at

the

Sadness and
at

joy

were

his

the
out

same

time,
them

the

moment

there

looked

from For eyes

unutterable
a

tenderness
of time then like the earth in

and did low

he

less mercistand

cruelty.
and

only
with and
like of

little space
own,

hold
he
to

her

his his the the

and
were

caressing
song the
sun

voice
bird

spoke,
his

words

the
to

of

mate,
the

call of
waves

in

spring, like
of

lap

when love he

they

tell the
of

rocks
that

their

eternal

longing.
of the the

Of

spoke,
most
came

love

demanded
Yet
as

love, and
he

nymph's

perfect beauty.
and
smote

spoke,
the

unknown of

thing

with
"

icy
Ah

hands

heart Fear

Syrinx.
have in of Fear the

! I have

!
eyes

"

she of

cried, and
but

more

cruel
were
a

grew

the

cruelty
words

Pan,

his

words Like that her the

still the
that

passionate
the
was

tenderness.
the

bird

trembles,
did

helpless,before
huntress like have
a

serpent

would
face

slay it, so
shade when

Syrinx
forest

stand, and
white
drawn
to

in the But and

of the
the her

lilyin
her

night.

god
red

would

close to him

kissed

lips,Fear

leapt

Terror,

200

BOOK

OF feet.
now

MYTHS Never
ran.

and Diana
storm

Terror
had

winged
she Pan what
was
run

her
as

in But

the hke

chase
a

-with

she

rushing
she
was

did
that
"

pursue the Fear of the of

"

her, and

when said
"

he
was

laughed
true
"

knew
Power

nymphs
he
was

had

he

he

Beast

he
more

was

Life

itself.
The

The

darkness

forest

swiftly grew
the

dark.

climbing caught
and

trails

ivy

and and and

fragrant creeping plants

her

her

flyingfeet
grew

made

stumble.
at

Branches

twigs
as

alive

snatched blocked her

her

and

baulked

her had
to

she

passed.

Trees

path.
seemed

All Nature
to

grown
be
a murmur

cruel, and
of

everywhere

there

her the of

mocking echoing

laughter, laughter
the

from

creatures

of and

Pan,

merciless
he
came,
on

merriment
ever nearer.

their Almost
even

lord
she
as

master.

Nearer his
his

could
stretched
came

feel
out

breath
arms

her seize

neck
the of
a

but

he

to

nymph
young of the

whose

breath

with

sobs

like

that

doe
the

spent
river

by

the

chase,
And
to

they
her

reached
"

the

brink
"

Ladon. of the
and

watery
a

sisters

nymphs
for
run

river, Syrinx breathed

for

desperate
a

prayer quarry

pity
to

help,

then

stumbled

forward,

the
an

death.
exultant

With And

shout. Pan
he held but
a

grasped
no

her

as

she

fell. with

lo, in

his

arms

exquisite body
of
as

fiercely beating
Baffled savagery fathomless rays he stood of the
as

heart,
for
a

clump
and,
his

slender
he

reeds.

little space, faded mountain

from

stood, the
that the
a

beast dark

eyes where them

were
sun-

tarns
came

seldom

come,
woe.

and At

there the

into

man's

unutterable

reeds

by

the

river

he

gazed,

SYRINX

201

and
heart

sighed
of
a

great
who the

sigh,
thinks

the
of the

sigh
pain

that of

comes

from world.
the the

the
Like

god

the

gentle
from of

zephyr
the the with

sigh
there

breathed
came a

through
sound Pan
the
as

reeds,

and
sorrow

reeds
world's it

of

sobbing
his

desire.
he
cut
seven

Then of

drew reeds

sharp
grew

knife,

and

that

by

the
"

murmuring
Thus shalt he thou bound and

river. still
them fashioned the be

mine,

my
cut

Syrinx,"
them

he into

said.
equal un-

Deftly

together,
for

lengths,
that So And and
the
to

himself
or

an

instrument,

this did
all

day
the
that

is called make
he his that

Syrinx,

Pan's

Pipes.

god

music.
sat

night
from

by
of

the

swift-flowing
was so

river,
and

music

pipe
it

reeds
as

sweet the

yet
heart

so

passing
of the earth

sad,

seemed

though
its
sadness.

very

itself

were

telling
:

of

Thus

Syrinx

still

lives
"

still

dies

"

note

of

music

by
from

its

own

breath
frail heart

slain,
of
a

Blown

tenderly

the

reed/'

and
and

as

the

evening

light
shadows

comes

down fall the the

on

silent

places
We
can

the her

trembling
mournful and

on

water,

hear
brown and

whisper

through
that

swaying by lonely

reeds,
lochan

silvery-golden,
and river.

grow

lake

THE

DEATH

OF

ADONIS

"

The

fairest

youth

that

ever

maiden's

dream

conceived," Lewis
Moruis.

The

ideally
for

beautiful
all the

woman,

subject
of

throughout sculptor's
of

the

centuries

greatest
or

powers

and

painter's
and of

art,

is
And

Venus,
he

Aphrodite,
shares \vith

goddess
her
one
an

beauty

love.
of but

who of

unending
the of

supremacy her

perfection
a

form who

is
was

not

of
son

gods,
a

equals,
As

mortal

lad,
one

the

king. god
his

Aphrodite by
And

sported
she

day

with

Eros,

the

little
one

of

love,

accident

wounded
there ache knew

herself
came

with

of heart

arrows.

straightway
and Eros
an

into
the

her

strange
of the

longing
bow of

such well.

as

mortal

victims
the

While
of who

still
the

ache

remained,
of the she hounds chase.

she and
For

heard,
the her

in

forest of those

Cyprus, urged
no

baying
on

shouts the

them

in and
the the her

chase the

possessed
quarry of burst the But

charms,

stood

aside
and followed

while

through
wood,
she and drew

branches hounds breath

thick
in and she

undergrowth
hot her

pursuit.
eyes
on

sharply,
when

opened
the

wide

in

amazed of the than

gladness,
fleet-footed
the
ness

looked
who
was

perfect
a

beauty
less mth And swift the she

hunter,
spear bolt

only
from of

little
hand

shining
of
a

that from the

sped
hand

his

sure-

Zeus.

knew

202

THE

DEATH

OF

ADONIS
than

203

that

this
of
not

must

be

none

other whose
on

Adonis,

son

of she

the

king
heard

Paphos, only
the

of

matchless

beauty
the and

had

dwellers
in wonder.
to

earth, but
Wliile

Olympians
men

themselves

speak
pay himself

gods

were

ready
Adonis

to

homage
it

his

marvellous for

loveliness,
But his in

to

counted
frame of he that

nothing.
in

the

vigour
of has for

of

his

perfect
power
in
a

rejoiced ;
arm

fleetness

foot, in the modelled,

the

that
sureness

Michael
of

Angelo
his aim, for the

the

quickness
hunter

and

boy

was

mighty

with

passion

chase.

Aphrodite
and dealt her.
shores and the knew that

felt that the

her

heart that she be

was

no arrow

longer
of

her Eros

own,

wound

the

had

would No
or

never

heal
was

until
she
to

knew
found held

that

Adonis the

loved

longer
in other in
roe,

by by

Cytherian
most

those

places
smiled chase

once

her

dear,

gods
the the up

when

they

beheld

her

vying
as

with

Diana
the

and

following
the wild

Adonis

he the

pursued
dark

wolf, and
the

boar The

through pride

forest of
was

and

mountain
often have

side.

of the For

goddess
her He love

love
a
"

must

hung
could
than

its head.
not

thing

that

Adonis better and

understand.

held

her

Something
horse,"

his
at

dog,
her

little
to

dearer follow
forest.
torture.

than

his hounds

wondered

whim and and

his

through

brake
was

and

marsh her

lonely
her

His

reckless
he

courage
was

pride

Because seemed
to
ever

to

her with

so

infinitelydear,
But

his

path
she
to

bestrewn with fierce anxious beasts

dangers.
and
one

when

spoke
beware

him the

warning
that

begged day

him
turn

of

might

204

BOOK

OF

IMYTHS

on

him with

and

bring

him

death,

the

boy laughed mockingly

and

scorn.

There he did
on

came

at morrow,
no

last

day

when

she

asked her
that

him

what

the had

and for

Adonis
her

told

'\\'ithsparkling he than of be had any word he

eyes of
a

that
wild
ever

heed

beauty,
more

boar, larger, older,

fierce the

had
next

slain,
over

and

which,
the

before of

chariot would

Diana

passed
with With
a

land

Cyprus,
it.

lying

dead

spear-wound

through

terrible
his

foreboding. Aphrodite

tried

to

dissuade

him

from

venture.

"

O,
With

be

advised

tliou
a

know'st
churlish

not

what
to

it is

javelin'spoint
tushes
to
a never

swine

gore.

Whose Like

sheathed

he
to

whetteth kill.

still.

mortal

butcher,

bent

Alas, he naught
To Nor Whose But Would which love's soft

esteems

that

face

of thine.
;

eyes

pay
sweet

tributary gazes lips,and

Avorld wondrous he
roots

thy

hands,

crystal eyne.
amazes

full

perfection
thee
at

all the
"

having
root

vantage

dread the

!
"

these

beauties

as

mead." Shakespeare.

To

all her

warnings,
him
an

Adonis
to

would abashed of

but

give
away

smiles.
before

Ill would
the

it become of

slink

fierceness in the

old of
a

monster

the

woods,
at
a

and,

laughing
With

pride

whole-hearted "s^dth his

of
a

boy

woman's

idle fears, he
the

sped

homewards dread the

next

hounds.
woman

gnawing
spent
she

mortal

in
she

her

soul, Aphrodite
the forest that

hours.

Early
with

sought
and

might again plead

Adonis,

THE

DEATH

OF

ADONIS

205

maybe

persuade

him,

for she

love
loved

of him

her,
so.

to

give

up

the

perilous chase
But
even as

because the rosy

gates
and his

of the from hounds.

Dawn
afar

were

opening, goddess
their it the

Adonis could clamour

had
hear
was

begun
the
not

his hunt,
of

off the

baying
that that

Yet
nor

surely
was

of hounds

in full cry, make fiercely but of the rather Hecate.

triumphant
down

noise

they

so

as

they pull
it

their
as

vanquished
that of the

quarry, hounds reached made

her

was

baying,
as a

mournful

Swift from

great
came

bird.
the

Aphrodite
that the

spot

whence

sound

tremble. where many

a

Amidst stiff and of

As the he

trampled brake,
while

hound
the

lay
tusks

dead,

others,
aloud
the

disembowelled in mortal agony,

by

boar, howled

lay
chill

Adonis.

lay,

he

"knew the young

strange, slow
it

which,

stealing, tells
And
came

that

is death."
of
hood past things, man-

as,

in
to

extremis, he thought
Adonis love
of and he

knew
"

something
a

of

the than his

meaning
life, than
spear remained

of

the

Aphrodite

love

stronger
and

time, than
but

death

itself.
now.

His

hounds
the

seemed
"

playthings
and

Only

eternities

bright Life, lay,

a as

black-robed
he

Death. marblehand of

Very
and
But open in

still he
as

though

slept ;
by
the white

white,
a

beautiful
from the the

statue

wrought
in the

god.

cruel

wound

thigh, ripped
blood

by

boar's

profaning tusk,

the green

red
moss

dripped,
him. threw in her

rhythmic
a

flow, crimsoning the

of

under

With herself
tender

moan

unutterable
and

anguish. Aphrodite
his
dear head life's

beside
arms.

him,

pillowed
for
a

Then,

little

while,

embers

206

BOOK

OF tried

MYTHS
form

flickered
a

up, of

his cold

lips

to

themselves
up
to

into hers.

smile

understanding they kissed,

wound
on

and the

held soul

themselves

And,
''

while

of Adonis

passed
but his
a

away.
wound
are

cruel, cruel
heart doth and

his
^

thigh
of

hath About

Adonis,
him

deeper
hounds him

in

her

Cytherea
the

bear.

dear wail

loudly baying, Aphrodite

wretched,
she
passes with with

nymphs
locks

the

wild the

woods

but
"

unbound hair

through
Avith feet

glades goes
and her
. .
.

wandering
the

unbraided,
her and the

unsandalled,
blossom
is borne.

thorns

as

wound wails
sorrows as

pluck
woodland and red

the
she the for

of

sacred
And the

blood.
rivers
on

Shrill she bewail

the the

down of The

Aphrodite,
flowers flush

wells

are

weeping
and

Adonis

mountains.

anguish,
doth

Cytherea through
piteous dirge
!
'
"
"

all the

mountain-knees,
woe

through
hath

every

dell

utter

"

'

JVoe,

he for Cytherea,

Adonis perished,the lovely

BioN.

Passionately
her
lost

the

god besought
when there

Zeus
was
"

to
no

give
answer

her
to

back
her
a
"

love,
she

and

prayers,

cried Adonis

in

bitterness that her

Yet
to

shall
all

keep

memorial

of
she
were

shall
tears

be

! everlasting

And,

as

spoke,
turned
the
tears

and

his

blood, mingling

together,
"

into flowers.
sheds
on

tear

Paphian
and

for
the the

each earth
roses,

blood-drop
are

of
to

Adonis, and
flowers.
The

blood

turned

blood

brings

forth

the

tears, the

wind-flower."

Yet,
abatement. heard
do^vn

even

then,
And
to

the

grief

of

Aphrodite
with be

knew
her

no

when

Zeus, wearied

crying,
to

her,
to

his

amazement,
that
one

beg

to

allowed
endure
was

go

the

Shades
the
can

she

might
the

there

eternal

twilight with
"Never

of her that

heart, his soul

softened. and of

it be

Queen

of

Love

^ Aphrodite.

THE leaves

DEATH
and

OF
the

ADONIS

207

Beauty
for
evermore

Olympus
the

pleasant
he

earth

to
"

tread

dark

Cocytus valley,"
the

said.
of

Nay,
to

rather
return

shall
for and

I half

permit
of

beauteous
year from

youth
the

thy

love

each

Underworld

that

thou

he

may

together

know

the

joy

of

love

that

hath

reached Thus
did
was

fruition."
it
come

to

pass returned

that
to

when the

dark
earth and

winter's
to

gloom
arms

past, Adonis
who loved

the

of her

him.

"

But

even

in
not

death,

so

strong
; and

is

love,

I could When Love Across

wholly
these

die

year
comes,

by

year, and the

me

the opens the

a

bright springtime
dread Not and old
sweet

earth forth

lives.

gates, and here, indeed,

calls she

gulf.
the the

comes.

Being My
Once Blossom A As The And Less

goddess
to

in

heaven,

but

smooths

path
more

earth, where
lost

still I know and

am once

days,
; and
seem

again

on

that

soft
in

breast, and
love
; but

again
not

youth,
careless

and
as

rapt
of

yet
to

all

yore of
a

know

early spring suffering,to

but fitful,

passion,
calmer,

tamed

by
flow,

time

fuller
"

more

strong,"

Lewis

Morris.

And and and green the the

when flowers brown

the

time have

of the thrown grows

singing
off their

of

birds white

has
snow

come,

pall,
of that prints footthe in the

earth and of

radiant

in its adornments
we

blade
has

fragrant blossom,
from

know his
own,

Adonis

returned the

his

exile, and
that

trace

by
white wind shook

fragile flower
with
the the white

is his
that

very

flower
as once

golden heart,
hands of
a

trembles

grief-strickengoddess

for

sorrow.

208

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

"

The

flower

of

Death

"

is

the

name

that

the

Chinese

give
the

to

the

wind-flower
"

the

wood-anemone.

Yet and
of
"

surely
tells which
us

flower
life

that

was

born

of

tears

of

blood
love

of

that

is

beyond

the

gi'ave

is

unending.
The cruel tusk of
a

rough,
Adonis
know

remorseless

winter

still down

yearly
to

slays
Shades.

the

"

lovely
Yet
we

"

and
that

drives

him

the

Spring,
as

with
earth

its

Sursum

Corda,

will

return

as

long
rise

the

shall

endure

even

as

the

sun

must

each

day

so

long

as

time

shall

last,

to

make

"

Le

ciel

tout

en

fleur

semble

une

immense

rose

Qu'un

Adonis

celeste

teinte

de

son

sang."

De
"

Heredia.

PAN

"

What Down

was

he
in

doing,
reeds and

the

great
the

god
river ?

Pan,

the
ruin

by

Spreading Splashing
And

scattering
with

ban,
hoofs afloat
river.

and

paddling
the

of

goat.

breaking
With the

golden
on

lilies the

dragon-fly
reed,
the

He

tore

out

great
bed of
ran.

god
the

Pan,
river
:

From The And And Ere

the

deep
water

cool

limpid
the the he

turbidly
lilies had
it out

broken

a-dying
fled of

lay.
away,

dragon-fly
brought

the

river.

'

This

is the

way,' laughed
while way, he
since sat

the

great

god

Pan

(Laughed
'

by

the

river),

The make

only

gods they

began
could
to
a

To

sweet

music,
his power

succeed.' hole
in

Then,
He

dropping
blew
in

mouth

the

reed,

by
O the

the

river.

Sweet,

sweet,
sweet

sweet,

Pan
river

! ! Pan
!

Piercing

by
O hill

Blinding
The And Came
sun

sweet,
on

great

god
to

the

forgot
and
on

die.

the

lilies back

revived,
to

the the

dragon-fty
river.

dream

Yet To

half

beast
as

is

the
sits

great

god
river.
:

Pan,

laugh
a

he
out

by
a man

the

Making
The For As
true

poet

of for

gods
reed reed

sigh
which

the

cost

and

pain, again
river."
"

the
a

grows the reeds

209

nevermore

with

in

the

E.

B.

BRowNDBCt.
O

210

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

Were of fable
as
a

we

to

take
was

the
once

whole the

of that

immense

construction and
treat

that

religionof Greece,
there
were

it of

vast
we

play
should

in

which find In

many

thousands
actors

actors,

that
one

one

of these then then in with

appeared
in
nection con-

again

and

again.
with
one

scene,

another, another,
of the Pan
"

character,
from the the

pectedly unex-

slippingout
the and first act
even

shadows should
see

trees
so

from young

to
so

last, we

yet

so

old,

heedlessly gay,
were

yet

so

sad. infinitely

If, rather,
Greece
the
as a

we

to

regard

the

mythology
of

of

colossal
of

and

wonderful and the

piece
harsh

music, where
of the
none

thunders black

Jupiter
of

hoof-beats whose

fierce
can

steeds way

Pluto, the
for the of

king

coming
of

stay, made
the fauns

limpid
the

melodies
of

Orpheus
and
an

and
of

rustling whisper
on

footfall it all
we

nymphs
have of

the

leaves, through
"

should

ever-recurring motif pipes

We
of of Pan. have the

the

clear,

magical

fluting

the

stories and

of

Pan

and Pan it Pan

of and
was

Echo,

of

Pan

and and

Midas,

of Pan Pan and

Syrinx, of
Pan It
to
was

Selene, of Pan
who

Pitys, of
how deemed gave
to

Pomona.

taught Apollo spoke

what he who
own

make
to

music.
comfort her

who

be

the

distraught Psyche
The other that

; Pan

Diana

hounds. the

gods
at
one

had

their time

special parts
have

in

great play
at

would
was

Olympus

for

stage,
He

another the Earth

the

earth.

Pan

Nature

incarnate.
are

was

itself. but
the
one

Many
that the is

the

stories
of the

of

his

genealogy, hymns

given

in

one

Homeric wedded

is that the

Hermes,
beautiful

swift-footed

young

god,

Dryope,

PAN

211

daughter
born, under

of

shepherd

in

Arcadia,
tree, the

and

to

them

was

the

greenwood
on

infant.
was

Pan. smitten

When with

Dryope
horror,
roared

first and

looked
fled away

her from his

child, she
him.

The

deserted

baby

lustily,and
he

when

father, Hermes,
with

examined
ears

him

found
that

rosy-cheeked thing
grew

prick

and
with of of

tiny
the

horns

amongst
chest of the
a

his

thick

curls, and
while

dappled baby
He

furry

faun,

instead

dimpled
a

legs he
was a

had

strong, hairy hind

and up merry

legs

goat.
when

fearless
had and
to

creature,
him his
the

withal, skin,
son

and he that

Hermes
to

wrapped
showed

in

hare the

sped
had

Olympus
born

fellow-gods
beautiful

been

him

and he
was,

nymph
the

of

the

forest.

Baby
He

though
had

Pan
a

made
woman,
new

pians Olymown

laugh.
mother,
had
who after he
was come

only

made

his
creature

cry

all others increase

most

rejoiced at
their

the

that

to

merriment. felt that

on

And here
name was

Bacchus,
a

loved

him
own

of

all,and

babe

his

heart, bestowed
known grew grew,
of up, he
"

him

the All.

by

which

forever Pan

Pan, meaning
the took

Thus

earthly equal
to

of the the

Olympians, lordship
of huntsmen of

and,
woods and

as

he
and

himself
He and All
was

solitary places.
lord the
master

king
herds

of

fishermen,
of

of

flocks

and

of all the

wild owned
him riot

creatures

forest.
;
even

living, soulless
the wild merry, the the bees and

things
claimed
when of
a

him
as

their

their

overlord.

He

was

ever

of

music

and
it

of
was

laughter
Pan who and

slew led

stillness

the

shadowy
of

woods,

dancing throng
satyi's, for

white-limbed

nymphs

gambolling

212

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

whom
a

he had

made

melody

from

the

pipes

for

whose

creation

maid

perished.
his horns
of and thick

Romid
wear a

cm^ls

he

presently came
of another about.

to

crown

remembrance sharp pine-leaves, destruction

to

fair

nymph Pitys

whose

he of

had

brought
and

listened
the

the

music

Pan,

followed

him later

even

as

children
ever

followed

the

Pied

Piper
further
at

of
on

story.
into
she
more

And

his

playing
and of

lured

her

and

dangerous
on

desolate
a

places, until
cliff whose far

length

stood

the

edge

high

front pitiless

rushed

sheer

down

to

cruel

rocks knew

below.

There and
arms

Pan's
sorrow

music
of

ceased, and
the world But
as

Pitys
the

all the held

out

Joy
his had

the
to

god
Pan

embrace of the

her.

neither the

nor

Pitys
wind,

brance remem-

Boreas,
had could

merciless

north

whose

love

nymph
Ere

flouted.
touch the from

Pan had

her,

blast, fierce

and

strong
and
as

as

death,
wind that
torn

seized
tears to to

nymph's
the the
tree

fragile body,
the first white

of March has

blossom
casts

dared

brave
the dash her for

ruthless
so

gales, and
did

it,
the far

and

dying, Pitys
and

earth,
her

Boreas
on

grip
rocks

slender
down

life

out

the the

below.

From

body
dear wreath

sprang life to he the

pine
of

tree,

slender, erect, clinging

and

sides

pices, preciPan

by
he

the

pricldy
her and

always

wore.

showed

that and

held

in fond

remembrance.

Joy,
the

youth,
whose the green sap

force, and
he

spring, was
was.

Pan
meant

to

all
the

creatures

overlord
in the of

Pan lushness

richness and of

of the

trees, the
the blue

of and

grass the

stems

hyacinths

PAN

213

golden
for their

daffodils in the
mates

the

throbbing
;

of

growth

in the
that

land woodseek
on

and

meadows

the
;

of trilling the
coo

birds of the

and
young

find
;

them

doves bulls silence

their
of the dance for

nests

of whose

the and

arrogant

of virility wake made and the the

and of

stags
hills

lowing

belling
heart that

the

lightness of
the fauns

nymphs
aloud Pan
to

and
very

sing, joy
of
own

leap high,
of these

shout
was

living.

All

things

those
Yet

of his
to to to

kingdom.
human
men

the his them

and

women
mean

who

had

also

listened
He
was

playing, Pan
a

did not
many

only joyousness.
became
a

force

that

times

terror

because While

of its sheer
the
sun

irresistibleness. shone and

the the herdsmen could and of the the
see

the

nodding kingcups
marshes,
when the
trees

white
that

cotton-grass,
hid
had the the the
no

asphodel,

golden pitiless time, day-

black fear the sang

death-traps
of

they
in and

Pan.

Nor

in

the

woods

sunbeams
of

played amongst
and away of

birds
sent
an

Spring
from
a

love,
that of

and
made

the the

syrinx
little and

echo

far

silver

birches
cease

give
to

whispering laugh
did fell in
man or

gladness
have
terror

the

pines
Yet

sigh,

maid

any would would

fear.
come

when with

darkness

on

the

land, hearts,

it, and,
the from
terror

deep
was

their

they

know would

that flee

Pan.
that

Blindly, they
and

madly, they
not
see,

something

could
many would

something
to

they
own

could

barely hear,
And

times be
no

rush
sweet
was

their of
name

destruction.

there

sound the

music

then, only mocking

to

laughter.
name

Panic

given

this

fear

"

^the

by

214

BOOK

OF

IVIYTHS

which
comes,

it still is known.
and
not

And,

to

this

day, panic yet

in veiy

only by night,
are

but have

only
known

lonely
for

places.
shame in the

There have

those dared of
an

who
to
own

it, and

scarce

it, in
in the

highland glens,
sea,

loneliness

island the
"

western

in

green backed of the

or

valley amongst
hills
"

solemn,
in

kindly,
the

round-

of

the bush.
are

Scottish

Border,
have
no

remoteness to

Australian
reasons

They
far-fetched.

reasons

give
"

their

Only,
fear seemed from

to

them
to

as

to

Mowgli,
come

Fear
a

came,

and

the

them

to

from

malignant
haste
to

something
flee, did
it for
Great of
moor

which

they
of

must

make
and

all of

they
this

value
reason
so

safety
that

mind
Roman

body.

Was
the

the

legionaries on
in that of them
'

Wall
and
"

often

reared where

altars
so

lonely

land
and

mountain

many

fought
To

died

Pan,

and

to the

Sylvan deities
the the

"

For the
must

siuely
almost
the

Pan

was

there, where
and

curlew

cried

and

pewit mourned,
have that

sometimes
his

waiting

soldiers borne their

imagined
swept

mocking
the

laughter
hills of

in

winds solitude.
who
was

across

bleak

exiled He
one

surely
in such the of

one

of
own

the

bravest
"

of

mankind,
to

who

always,
writes

his
a

words,
when flood. the he

clung escaped

his

paddle,"

fear in in

death

by drowning
"

from

Oise

The

devouring
me,

element

universe

had

leaped
a rmi-

out

against
stream.

in The

this green bells

some
were

valley quickened by
all the veiy

ning
way,

pretty
notes

in of

their Pan's

but

I had

heard

of

hollow

PAN

215

music.

Would
indeed ?

the and

'svicked look
was

river
so

drag

me

do^vn all
the

by

the ?

heels,
Nature's And their still of

beautiful

time all." upon

good
of the

humour reeds
;

only skin-deep,
writes
"

after

he

Pan hands

once

played
of his

forefathers

and

so,

by

the

river,

he

plays

upon
;
us

these and

later

generations
the
same

down

all the
sweet

valley
and

the

Oise

plays

air, both
the
terror

to tell shrill,
"

of the

beauty
the for
to

and

of the
"
"

world."
was

The what

Beauty
Pan

and

terror

of
Greeks

the

world of of

not

this

stood of the
"

the

long

ago
"

? the
quisite ex-

The

gladness joy
and of
"

living, the
infinite
for
ever we

terror

living
has found because

pain

"

^that

been
a

the
more

possession fittingtitle
is
as

Pan since

have

not

yet
And

time has with

began.
a

Pan

he

is, from
done these

him away

evolved his
on

higher
feet him and
to

Pantheism.
his

We

have

goat's
from of

horns,
when

although
"

were

handed

Satan

Christianity broke
Nature,
to

down is the

the

altars

Paganism.
of God the is not and

which

Time-

vesture

reveals

Him

the Pan

wise, hides
is

Him
and
once

from Nature have

foolish," writes
the

Carlyle.
that the

Nature,
would
of

ugly thing
it to be.

Calvinists
is
"

had the

us

believe

Nature

capable
In I walk Work and and

being

made
Action's

garment

of God.

Being's floods, in
work,
weave

storm,

above,
in

beneath,
motion

endless

Birth An A The 'Tis And thus

weave

and infinite

Death,
ocean

seizing

and

giving
;

fire of

Living
loom

at

the for

roaring
God the

of Time thou

ply.
seest

Garment

Him

bj."

216

BOOK

OF in

MYTHS

So
-another

speaks
of the

the

Erdgeist

Goethe's

Faust,
:

and

yet

greatest of the
the

poets writes
the

*'

The Are

sun,
not

the

moon,

stars, the
the Vision

seas,

hills and who

the
?

plains
"

these,

Soul,

of Him

reigns
of

And

the if
we

ear

of

man

cannot

hear,
this

and

the
"

eye
were

man

cannot

see

JBut

could

see

and

hear,

Vision

it not

He?" Tennyson,

Carlyle
of

says

that and

"

The who

whole

universe
very close

is the
to

ment Gar-

God,"
least
once

he

lives

Nature
of and which

must,
the is

at

in

lifetime, come,
upon
out

in
bush the

the that

solitude
bums of

lonely
not

mountain

tops,
and

that of

yet
the

consumed,
voice
of the soul
"

midst

speaks
The
^ver

Eternal.
"

immortal

the

human The

body

"

united,
and the

yet

in conflict

^tliat is Pan.
must

sighing
"

longing
riotous

for

things

that of the

endure of Life

everlastingly
life is
" "

enjoyment
of of the

beauty
are.

^the
so

perfect appreciation
so

things

that and

real,
on

strong,
other

so

full of Yet until

a

joyousness
stream,
and who of
a

of

beauty,

and

the

side

dark Life
we,

cold, menacing,
make
our

cruel, stands
sum

Death.
and

Death live

up

the

of

existence,
on

paltry
can

little lives what there

here is the is
no

earth
true

in

the is of

hope

Beyond,
those

realise of

air that for

us

played
even a

on

pipes

Pan,

hope

vague

comprehension

of

the

illimitable

tality. Immor-

It Pan. the

is In

very the

old

tale of
at

that

tells
on

us

of that

the

passing
when,

of
on

reign

Tiberius,
Jerusalem

day

hill of

Calvary,

in

Syria,

Jesus

Christ

PAN

217

died
the earth
near

as

malefactor, hour, Thamus,

islands
of and
an

on

the
was

"

cross
a

And

"

it

was

about
over

sixth
"
"

there

darkness

all

the
a

Egyptian
in the
"

pilot, was
Ionian ! make !
"

guiding
Sea
;

ship
him the

the
a

Paxse

and

to

came

great voice, saying,

Great the Pan of for

Go

everywhere

proclamation.
And
of
to

is dead

from

poop

his
him

ship, when,
the

in

ness great heaviworld seemed he

heart, because

joy
had

of the reached been of

have

passed
aloud

away, the words there and

Thamus that
arose

Palodes,
told.

shouted from

he
a

had

Then,

all the and

earth
sea

sound
the

great

tion, lamentaall echo the of

the of

the in

trees,

hills, and
unison
an

creatures

Pan
"

sighed
"

sobbing
"

the

pilot'swords
"

Pan

is dead

Pan

is dead.^^

The And A

lonely
the
voice

mountains

o'er

resounding
of

shore,
heard,
and and dale loud lament
;

weeping

From

haunted with

spring

Edg'd
The With The

poplar pale,
is with
tresses

parting genius
flow'r-inwoven

sighing
torn,
of shade

sent

Nymphs

in

twilight

tangled

thickets

mourn." Milton.

Pan

was

dead,

and

the

gods

died

with

him.

"

Gods Can Can Where With

of ye your

Hellas, gods
listen
in

of

Hellas,
}
us

your
voices

silence tell

mystic
hide? that of

ye
a

In

floating islands.

Avind you
out

evermore

Keeps

sight
is dead.

of shore

.''

Pan,

Pan

218

BOOK

OF

IMYTHS

Gods
Ye Not Even Not
*

we

vainly
nor

do

adjure
nor

you, !

"

return
a

voice

sign
you Divine

votary
a

could

secure

grave grave
to

for your show old

thereby, gods
do
"

Here

these grey

lie,'
E. B.

Pan,

Pan

is dead."

Browning.

Pan
gone

is dead.
Yet Pan call

In

the

old Nature remain when de

Hellenistic
has
a

sense

Pan
to

is
the

forever.
we

until
must

ceased

be,

thing
there

call who his

"

living entity.
makes all

Some

be
to

his music,
'"''

he

humanity
Musset
"

dance

piping,
vin
de

Joie

vivre,^^ and
"

De

speaks

of

L^

la

jeunesse

which

ferments

dans
the

les veines old

de Dieu^
whom the

It is Pan Fiona
sea

who Macleod

inspiresSeumas,
writes,
says, and
"

islander, of
towards
like this

who,

looking morning
world." Half
Tliere
are

at

sunrise,
off to the

Every
of the

I take

my

hat

beauty

of
some

the

flesh
who

and

half
never

of
come

the into

spirit
contact

is

Pan.

have

with
a

him,
cruel

who

know
more

him

only

as

the
man,

emblem

of

Paganism,
with

thing,
on

beast

than

trampling, spring.
of

goat's
not

feet,
the
ever

the

gentlest
of
"

flowers Green of

of Fire

They
nor

know
have Never

meaning
known has
come

the

Life,"

they
to

Pan's

moods

tender

sadness. the of

them of the

in the rise the the

forest, where
a

great

grey and the

trunks
blue dian guarbeams sun-

beeches and of

from

carpet
silver

primroses
are

hyacinths,

slender

beeches

angels
slant green

starry
the

wood-anemones,
oak and amber beech leaves

and leaves of
a

the

through
on

of tender year that

and

play

the

dead

PAN

219

is

gone,

the

whisper
music

of

little
from

feet

that

cannot

be

seen,

the
the

piercing
heart with

sweet

very

far

away,

that

fills

gladness
Weltschmerz

and

yet
^the
"

with

strange
the

pain
"

^the

ache

of

the

echo

of

pipes

of

Pan.

"
.

Oftenest
. .
,

in

the

dark

woods where the

hear old eddies

him

sing

Dim,
To the

half-remembered
old trees, echoes and the of

things,
faint

mosses

cling bring

wandering spring."

The

phantom

phantom

Fiona
"

Macleod.

LORELEI

"

Ich

weiss

nicht,
so

was

soil bin alten

;

bedeuten,

Dass
Ein Das

ich Marchen kommt

traurig
aus

Zeiten,
Sinn.

mir

aus

dem

Die
Dort

schonste
oben

Jungfrau
wunderbar,
Geschmeide
Ihr

sit2et

fhr Sie

gold'nes
kammt

blitzet,
Haar.

gold'nes

Sie
Und Das

kammt

es

mit

gold'nem
dabei
;

Kamme,

singt
bat
eine

ein

Lied

-vrundersame,
Melodei."
"

Gewaltise

Heixe.

Is-

ever\'

land,
sea,

North and

and

South,
hand

East down
to

and

West,
as

from and man's

sea

to

m\i:h

legend
who his of in of

us

cruel

malignant body
of the and

creatures,
to

ceaselessly
soul,
the the

seek
half-human

to

slay

destroy
sea

children
streams.

restless Scotland
we

and
and tales rivers

fiercely

running
in
ever\"

In

Austraha,
horrible and lochs Death.

part
wliich

of

Europe, frequent
to meet

have

formless and And

things
marshes,

lonely
which
must

and

mean

equal

in

nity maligare

with beautiful

them,

and who wife

infinitely
would of who
seem

more

dangerous,
to

the from

beings
the
were

claim

descent

Lihth,
Such

soulless the

Adam. would have

sirens

compassed

the

LORELEI destruction
with of the there
one

221

of of

Odysseus.
must

Such

are

the

mermaids,
woe

to

wed any
sea

whom of
are men.

bring
In

unutterable far-off

upon the in
a

sons

lonely

places by
heard

still

tales
at

of

exquisite
when the stiU

melodies
moon

the

gloaming, pathway
women

or

night
the

makes
there of the

silver
of and

across

water;
is in away the

are

stories
ocean,

whose
come

home charm

depths
souls himian the the

who and

to

men's for
on

by
love.

their

beauty

by
Those

their who

pitifullonging
have
or

looked
have

vellow-srreen
more

waters
more

of

the

Seine,

who

seen

turbid,

powerful
down London inwardness

Tliames the
can

sweeping
open

her

serious, majestic
at

way
or

towards

ocean,

Westminster,

at

Bridge,
of makes feel
a

perhaps
that made

reahse
the

something people
of

of the

that

things
the

past,
of the

and

that

mentally
power

uncontrolled

people
them and
to to

present,
to

fateful
of the then

calling upon
waters,
to
a

Hsten

the

insistence hves and

exacting
forever
no

smrender called

then and in
a

souls brook the

tiling that
the

which

would

denial.

In

]\Iorgue,or
bodies have

mortuar}^
when
''

by
"

river-side, their
have worked then

poor

lain
and

the

rivers

^*ill with
or
*'

them,
]Mishve age in
to to

Suicide,"
"

Death been
too

by
the

drowning,"

By

adventure
a

have

verdicts

given.

We

too

practical,
a

utterly
"^ith down
to

common-sensical

conceive
live of

poor

woman

nothing
the Shades for

on

earth

left
creatui-e

for, being lured

the

by
death

water,

or

man

who
a

longs

seeing
to

beautiful
come

daughter
he

of

river-god beckoning
peace

him

to

where

'^ill find

everlasting.

222

BOOK

OF

^lYTHS All
her.

Yet

ever

we

war

with

the
us

sea.

of

us

know

her

seductive
line

charm,
om-

but fear

all of
of

fear

The

boundaryever-

between

the

fierce, remorseless,
up life

seeking, cruel
beast that be
seen

waves

that and the

lap
old

smftly

as

thirsty

laps water,
is

belief
human
one.

in cruel

sea-creatiu'es

sought constantly
their
the

for the
narrow

things
And
in

that
we

were

to

prey,
sea

very rage,

once

have anger have

in
poor, that

flinging herself
that
to

terrible
of
to
men

against
made

the

frail toy
was

the

hands and
of

and

intended
over

rule decks

resist

her,
that

foaming
carries
pagan
as

and
human

frothing
lives, we
If
one

the

the
much

thing
of the

can

midei-stand watched
a

old

belief.

has

river
over

in

spate, red resistance,

each

with

blood, rushing triumphantly

down the trees that
or

all

smashing
poor,

baulk

it,sweeping away
that

helpless thing, brute

out

human,
and

it encomiters,
on

dealing
to

ruin

and

death,
of

proceeding superbly
to
see

carr^^

its

trophies

disaster
is it to of

the from

bosom whence

of

the

Ocean those

^Mother, very
old tales
of

easy

came

cruelty,

uTesistible

strength,

of

desu'e.

^lany
men's up and
a

are

the from

tales
them

of

sea-maidens
sent

who

have
to

stolen
move

lives down

and
the grown

their like of

bodies
broken

amidst has

wrack,
tired

toys
and

vnth
cast
cerning con-

which away

child

playing

in weariness. St.

In
we

an

eighth-century
of and the

chronicle whose hate

Fechin,
that

read

evil

powers

rage

is

"

seen

in

watery

fury
of

their
sea

hellish the

and

turbulence

in the

beating
of
oiu:

against

rocks."
name

"Tlie

bitter

gifts

lord

Poseidon"

is the

LORELEI

223

given
and
a

to

them of of of

by
our

one

of time

the
"

earhest

poets
sea,

of of

Greece

poet
and

own

poet of the
"

running
of

water,
a

lonely places
the
so

quotes

from

the that

saying
show the

fisherman minds

isle

of

Ulva
times the

words

why
less, rest-

simple

have

many

materialised form
of
a

devouring
is very
"

element
but
a

into
whose
woman

woman
are

who very whose

"

beautiful,
She is

tender of the the

mercies old

cruel.

like

tales

beauty
who frowns. you
are

is

dreadful,"
your she
or

said
at

Seumas,
last
care

islander,
she

and
or

breaks But hurt

a

heart doesn't
not.

whether

smiles
or

about

that,
she has

whether
no

It's
^

because

heart,

being

all

wild

water."

Treacherous,

beautiful, remorseless,
and the of

that of

is how whom
come

men

regard
sirens
stand

the and
as

sea

rushing rivers,
old

the
to

mermaids

tradition
and the

have

symbols.
that
:

Treacherous draw
even

pitiless, yet
moon

^\ith

fascination
to

can

and

the

stars

her

breast
"

Once And

I sat heard

upon
a

promontory,
on a

mermaid,
dulcet
sea

dolphin's back.
breath.
song their
;

Uttering
That And To the

such rude

and

harmonious civil at her

grew shot

certain

stars

madly
music."

from
"

spheres.

hear

the

sea-maid's

Shakespeare.

Very
and her of
o^vn,

many the

are

the

stories that has

one

of

the who

women

of

the

sea

rivers, but
because maiden
^

must

forever her

hold song,

Heine of the

immoi-talised
"

in

is the

river

Rhine
of Pares.

the

Lorelei.

Archilochus Fiona

Macleod

{Tlie JVinged Destiny).

224

BOOK

OF
rises
some

IMYTHS
of four the of feet the

Near Rhine
a

St.

Goar,

there

out

waters

perpendicular rock,
boatman echo which in

hundred
met
a

high.
death,
one.

Many
and
Those the

bygone

days

there

his

the

it possesses the

is still under its

"

mournful which

who
treasure

know
of the

great river,
with

lies

hid

Nibelungs,
and the have green

gleaming
combed of the

townis

by
the

the

river-side
who

vineyards
romance

along rugged

hills," and
crowned
very

felt the

crags, and

by

ruined
sentries easy of

castles, that
to

stand its

like

fantastic
can

ancient
how

guard
was

channel,

well
of the

understand Lorelei.
Down

belief

the

legend
boatman's

the

green

waters
nearer
were

came

the

frail All his

craft,
care

ever

drawing
all his skill
But

to

the

perilous rock.
to avert
a

and

required
him,

very rock

visible round
there

danger.
which
came
a

high

above eddies

from

the

the

swirling

splashed

and

foamed,

voice.

"

Her Had

voice

was

like sang

the

voice

the

stars

when

they

together."

And such he her

were

when

the

boatman beheld of.

a

looked maiden the

up
more

at

the

oound

of any

sweet

music, he
dreamed hair foam

fair than she

had

ever

On
a

rock
of red green her

sat, combing
Her

long golden
white of and sound the her of
as

with
and

comb eyes And

out

gold.
like red in the
to

limbs

her

the

emerald
on

green him the who

rushing
arms
were

river.
held thrilled eyes

lips smiled
welcome,
heart her
arms.

to

him

and him

her

song her

through
his soul

of

listened, and

drew

COMBING

HER

LONG-

GOLDEN

HAIR

Vi^ITH

COMB

OF

RED

GOLD

LORELEI
all

225

Forgotten
little boat and

was

peril.
it

The
as

rushing
it willed.

stream

seized while her

the the

did

with

And

boatman

still

gazed upwards,
the the

intoxicated
of her

by

less matchwas

beauty
swept

and

magic
rock,
to

voice, his
the

boat and

against
came

and, him,

with
and of he the

jar

crash,
broken he
was

knowledge
heart,
the

back

heard, with
Lorelei
as

mocking
as

laughter
by
a

dragged
a

down

if

thousand his it her

icy hands, and,

the
to

with

choking sigh, surrendered

To
one man

life to

river. pitiless
see

only
could wondrous

was

granted

the

siren

so

near

that

he the
was

hold

little,cold, white
hair
sweep who
across

hands,
his her that tell

and
eyes. the sang where

feel

golden

This

young
to

fisherman,
the

met

by
she him

river
for
to

and him
cast

listened

entrancing evening
she and

songs would he who

an

alone. his nets

was
a

Each
on

the
to

morrow,

prospered
fished in

greatly
the when bank
never

and

marvel
Rhine.

all others
there
came

waters

of
was

the
seen

But

evening
the river

he

joyously hastening
to

down

in response

the
so

voice

of the

Lorelei,

that he

surely
came

had

sounded

honey-sweet
said
coral that
caves

before, and
the that
not secret

back

nevermore.

They
down
to

Lorelei
he
so,

had live ing rushof

dragged
^^ith her
water
a

him there

her

might
the

forever, and,
never

if it

were

could

whisper
that

her

and

theirs,
and

lifeless
a

plaything
of

they swept
and
of

seawards,
in

that

wore

look

horror

great wonder

its dead,

wide-open
It is
"

eyes.

ein

Marchen

aus

alten

Zeiten

"
"

legend

of

long

ago.

226

BOOK

OF

IMYTHS

But the
"

it

is

veiy

much
to

older

Marclien

that

tells

us

of

warning
To the

of

Circe

Odysseus
shalt

Sirens

first

thou
to

come,

who

bewitch draws
Siren's him but

all

men,

whosoever

shall
and

come

them. sound stand

Wlioso
of the

nigh
voice,
his

them

unwittingly
doth he have him there
to
see

hears wife

the babes
at

never

or

by
;

on

return,
enchant until

nor

they
with their be

joy

his

coming

the

Sirens And have

the

clear

song."
sea

shall
the
to

no

more

and

the

rivers
from

ceased call
of the

run, water

enchantment the hearts of

that

comes

men

must

go the

on.

Day

by

day
of

the the

toll

of

lives remain
from of
to

is

paid,

and

still

cruel hear

daughters
their
the the

deep

unsatisfied.
the the

We river thunders

can

hungry night,
coast

whimper
and the
waves

rushing
sea

through along
of their

that

would
And
we

seem

voice
to

the

insistence

desire.
moan can

who

listen

their

ceaseless,

restless

say

with

Heine

"

Ich Dass

weiss ich

nicht,
so

fvns

soil bin."

hedeuten

traurig

For music

the

sadness

of

heart,

the

melancholy
none

that

their
earth

brings
ever

us

is

mystery

which

on

this

may

unravel.

FREYA,

QUEEN

OF

THE

NORTHERN

GODS

"

Friday's that

bairn
sets
on

is forth

loving
the of
as

and

giving," qualities
and
of
to

says of the

the

old

rhyme

special
the
a

the

dren chil-

born
who

each

day Friday

week,

tious superstiit
seems

regard
that

day
should

evil
be
so

omen,

strange

Friday's
that

bairn

blessed.

But

they
before

forget
it, and
the

before those

Christianity
who

swept
the

paganism
northern the

taught
of that all

worshipped
"

gods

story
in which of

first

black
was

Good

Friday,"

tragedy
was

humanity
"

involved,

Friday
tress, protecand

the and

day
most

Freya,
generous

The

Beloved,"
of all

gentle

giver
in mediaeval

joys, delights,
the

pleasures.
women

From acted

her,
as

times,
to

high-born
first took

who

dispensers
and had

their

lords in into its

a

the

title
the

Frouwa old

(=Frau),
heathenism

when,
evolved

transition

stage, strong

religion

of

nature

worship, by
of

overshadowed
the like

by
minds
those

fatalism,
of the of the

only
tian Chris-

thinly

veneered
converts

Christianity,
Scandinavia,
to

puzzled
attributes

children,
that the had

transferred

the those

Virgin
of

Mary
"

formerly
of Love.

been

their

Lady

"
"

Freya,

goddess Long

before
name

the
to

Madonna
to to
"

was

worshipped,
and
even

Freya
insects, insect,
away

gave and that

her the he

plants,
says
a

flowers,
the

to

child finds
on

who

beautiful

little

leaf,

Ladybird,
227

ladybird,

fly

228

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

home,"
to

is

commemorating
his ancestors

the offered Hall of

name

of

the

Lady, Freya,

whom

their

prayers.

In ^vife

her
of

home

in the
the All

^lists,Freya
sat

(or Frigga),
her
was

Odin

Father,

with

golden
known the
men

distaff
"

spinning

the

clouds.
"

Orion's
the

Belt

as
on

Frigga's spindle
earth,
as

by

Norsemen,
the

and

the

they

watched
or

great

cumulous the

masses

of

snowy-white, golden
of

silver

edged,
on

lets fleecy cloudof

a

grey, angry
had

soft

as

the of

feathers black of

the

breast

dove,
a

or

the

banks
constant
was

and the of
as

purple, portending diligence of

those who
came

storm,

proof

their sailed

dess. godthe the

She
seas,

the
care

protectress
of

and
was

the

children

they
was

into

world of

also

hers.

Hers,

too,

the whom

happy
Death task
of

task had

bringing together
and
the in
to

after

death, lovers
the where

parted,
down
to

her

belonged
battle and
as

glorious
the
to

going
strewn

fields of autump.

slain Vahalla
died.

lay

like
of

leaves
the

leading
heroes, had

the Her

half

warriors her
to

who,
look but
over

vision
see

enabled into the

secret

all the

earth, and

she
as a

could

Future,
none

she

held

her

knowledge
her to

profound

that

could

prevail upon
are
come

betray.

"

Of And In

me

the

gods

sprung I

all that my
own

is to

know,
to

but
none

lock reveal'd."

breast,

and

have

Matthew

Arnold.

Thus

she the

came

to

be

pictured
"

crowned silence of

-svith heron the

plumes,
marshes
"

symbol
the

of

silence

the in

lonely

where
a

heron

stands

mutest

tion contemplabeautiful

tall, very

stately,very

queenly, wholly

PREYA

SAT

SPINNING

THE

CLOUDS

FREYA
with bunch of the of

229

woman,

keys

at

her

girdle symbol
" "

of

her

protection
in snow-white And

Northern

house^vife in for the new-bom

sometimes of sombre weary

clad black.

robes, sometimes
her
care
was

robes

because for the

anxious,

housewife,
storm-tossed
sea,

mother

and

her the

babe, for the

of had
a

mariner,
whose of

fighting
true

billows love

hungry
suffered

for

those

and and

pure for easy of the

to

the the

crucifixion
field of

death,

glorious
see

dead
as

on

battle, it is very
saw

Freya
womanhood.
never

her

worshippers
But the

her

"

an

ideal

perfect
were

gods

of

the like

Norsemen the

wholly

gods.

Always
to

they,

gods

of

Greece, endeared
some
none

themselves

humanity
weakness.

by
And of

possessing Freya
her is

little, or
the

big,
lovable she love the

human
to

less

the

descendants the

worshippers

because
of

possessed
of

so-called

"feminine
she

weakness"
and

dress.

Jewels,
skill
of

too,
the broke

loved,
in
a

knowing
quisite ex-

wondrous

dwarfs
off

fashioning
of

ornaments,
the
to

she her

piece
gave

gold
it to

from them
lace neck-

statue

of into
a

Odin,

husband,
"

and

make

necklace that
was so

^the marvellous

jewelled
was

Brisingamen,
by
her Beowulf. It twice because had been

in

time

to
a

come

possessed
it made loved her that very
"

exquisite perfect,
But

thing

that

beauty
much

more

and he

Odin

doubly
his

of it.

when

discovered
was

statue

tampered
he

with, his wrath

the and

great,
who which the

and

furiously always
them with

summoned
"

dwarfs

they

dealt
of

fine metal him and

demanded wrong.
no

of them But
answer.

had

done

this

grievous
them
he

dwarfs

loved

Freya,

from

got

230

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

Then

he

placed
with of

the

statue

above
runes

the that

temple

gate,

and

laboured
power of
no

guile to
so

devise
that it
as

might give
aloud
went
a

it the
name

speech,

might
the

shout robber but

the

the

impious
an

robber

by.

Freya,

longer

omnipotent
his

goddess,
and them
"

frightened
the dwarfs hideous

wife, trembled
to

before

wrath,
one

begged
the

help
all
"

her.

And

when that he

of

most

of

promised
if

would
but who
was

prevent

the smile

statue

from

speaking
the

Freya
of the

would

deign
had full
the of

to
no

upon of

him,

queen
and her had

gods,
heart smile known

dread and

ugly pity,

things,
smiled who

whose

of

love

of

gentle
never

on

piteous

little creature
but horror It
was
was

looks
of the

anything
the

and
for worth

disgust
him
a

from

any

deathless
and
a

gods.
payment

wondrous itself.

moment,
That

Death
of
was

night
and,

deep sleep fell

while

on

the the

guards
statue

Odin's

statue,
do-wn dwarf

they
and

slept,

pulled
The

from had

its

pedestal
his

smashed of the

into

pieces.

fulfilled

part

bargain.
When

Odin
his

next

morning
and when

discovered
no

the
could

sacrilege,
find for

great
him For Ice

was

anger, he he

inquiry
in

the
seven

criminal,
months

quitted Asgard stayed

his away, and and

furious

wrath.
time the
was

in that all the

Giants
with

invaded
a

realm,

land

covered

pall by
the

of

snow,

viciously pinched by

black

frosts, chilled
mists. But
and
at

clinging, deadening,
end him of
came

impenetrable
months

seven

dreary

Odin

returned,
of

with and the

the

blessings of light and

fled away.

sunshine,

Ice

Giants

in terror

FREYA

231

Well
favour
even were

was

it

for the

woman

or

for who

warrior
knew The

to

gain
to

the rule who

of

Freya,
the

Beloved,

how

Odin,

All

Father,
the

himself.
once

Winilers
her

warring gained
her

with

Vandals
of

sought

aid,
the

and

promise

help.

From

Hlidskialf,
in
down

mighty
whence what and
was

watch-tower,
Odin
and his

highest
queen

point
look

Asgard,
and

from behold

could

happening
dwarfs,

all the
and

world

over,

amongst
all creatures and
was

gods
of the
to

men,

elves,

giants, and
the the should but in

their

kingdom,
making
forever
was

Freya ready

watched for

Vandals which the

Winilers decide

battle
rule the

which

people

other.

Night
two

descending,
the

evening light
the

the

gods

beheld
of

glitterof
and
as

spears,

gleam
afar for her the

of brass

helmets
shouts

and of
on

swords,

heard made

from

hoarse

the the

warriors
morrow.

they

ready
that
to

the

great
oured fav-

fight

Knowing Freya
asked
"

well him The

lord

the army my said that

was

Vandals,
to

tell her
upon the
was

which which

gain

the

victory.
when

army
at

eyes

shall

first rest

I awake that the his

dawning,"
so

Odin, full well knowing

he could
not

couch

placed
woke. retired

fail to his

see

Vandals

when he then

he

Well
to

pleased
rest, and
he he who hers. up their

with
soon

own

astuteness,
on

sleep lay heavy gently

he his the
as

his
the his
on

eyelids. But,
couch
not
on

while
which army owned dress of

slept, Freya lay,

had To
women so

moved open but she

upon the that

to

that
won

must

eyes the

favour,

army

Winilers,
men,

gave

command
meet

and

let them array.

the

gaze

Odin

in the

dawning,

in full battle

232

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

"

Take Maidens Over Lace Over

thou and your

on

thy women-folk.
wives
;

ankles the white war-hose

;

your up your

bosoms the hard mail-nets

;

Link Over
Plait

lips
tresses

long
Odin

with

cunning

;
"

So

war

beasts

full-bearded
deem you,

King
When At

shall grey

off the sunrise

sea-beach
"

ye

greet him."

Charles

Kingsley.

When

the
over

sun

sent

its

first
sea,

pale
Odin
on

green

hght
and

next

morning
from

grey

sky
at

and
the
"

awoke,
the

gazed
And,
"

his

watch-tower

army

beach.
are

with
he

great amazement,

What

Longbeards
said
them

those

cried.
"

They
"

are

Winilers
you have them

"

Freya,
a

in

joyous
name.

umph, triNow

but

given
a

new

must

you you,

also
dear

give
lord

gift !

Let

it be

the

victory,
knowing
and
on

pray And

of mine."

Odin,

seeing
him
he then' of had
men

himself follow
named the
one

outwitted the
a

and

that

honour the

bade

Northern

custom

give

people
and

gift, bestowed
that

the

Longbeards
Nor
to
was

victory
for

Freya day
many the

craved.
for

the the them

gift

Odin

that the in

alone,

him
led

Langobarden
at

attributed
find
a

victories
sunny
rates commemo-

that of

last

to

home

land

Italy, by
With

where
name

beautiful the

Lombardy
of

still
the

its the
out

stratagem
of

Freya,

queen.

coming along

Christianity,Freya,
all the
other

the

Beloved,

was

cast

mth

old

forgotten gods.

FREYA

233

The

people
that

who she Thus

was

had
an

loved
evil
was

and

worshipped
and
to

her
to

were

taught
her of
was

thing

that the

worship

sin.
mountains in

she of

banished and
a

lonely peaks
and
to to

the

Norway
no

of

Sweden

the

Brocken
but

Germany,
into

longer

goddess
power,

be of

loved,
horror led
the
were

transformed of wickedness.

malignant Walpurgis
Brocken,
and

full

and

On
the
car

Night
the
was

she

witches'

revels
draw

on

cats

who

said

to

her

while

still she the

of

regarded needy,
Good,
and

as

beneficent
to

protectress

of

weak

and the

ceased
came

be

the the

gentle
ban habit of

creatures

Freya
the

under

religion as
and

satanic

companions

of

witches One

by

repute.
was

gentle thing only

When,
not
as an

her

memory

allowed
but
as

to
a

keep.

omnipotent
wept
the

goddess
death the of
tears

heart-broken loved shed

found
we

mother,
Baldur

she the
as

her

dearlythat that she

son,
were

Beautiful,

turned,
the beds

they

fell, into
mountain

pure

gold
streams.

is

in
who

of

lonely
from
the

And

claim

descent

peoples
Dane
are

who

worshipped

her

"

"

Saxon

and

Norman

and

"

we

"

can

surely
of

cleanse

her

memory and remember

from

all

the the
not to

ugly
pure

purities im-

superstition
that and
our

only
did

gold
pray

of
to

the
a

fact fierce
"

warrior

ancestors

only
a

mighty
and whom

god giving

of
"
"

battles, but
the

woman

who

was

loving
mother

little child's who

tion deifica-

of dear.

the

it loves

and

holds

it very

THE

DEATH

OF

BALDUR

"

I
'

heard Baldur

voice,
the
is

that

cried,

Beautiful
dead the the !
'

Is And

dead,

through
like

misty
mournful

air

Passed

cry
Longfellow.
"

Of

sunward

sailing

cranes."

A310NG who do of

the

gods

of

Greece
but

we

find
to

gods
act

and
the

goddesses permanent
of the

unworthy
villain
we

deeds,
of have the the

none

part
Norsemen and

play.
a

In who

the is

mythology wholly

god
of the
"

treacherous

evil,

ever

villain

the

piece, cunning, god

Loki. best Baldur his father.

malicious,
as

vindictive,

and his

cruel
we

And
of all

his

foil,
most

and

victim,
most

have

Baldur,
beloved. the

gods,
the

beautiful,
of the

greatly
of Odin

was

Galahad

court

king,
strength

"

My

strength
my

is

of

the
is

of

ten,

Because

heart

])ure."

No

impure
could

thing

was

to

be

found

in
ever

his he and the

dwelling
counselled his

none

impugn
was

his and

courage,

yet

peace,
was as

ever

gentle
of

infinitely wise,
whitest him of all

beauty
of

the

beauty

the after

flowers The

the of the

Northland,
Norsemen

called

Baldrshrd.

god
and
we

was

essentially
that

god
Baldur

of

battles,
was

are

told

by

great

authorities

originally

THE

DEATH

OF

BALDUR

235

hero be
race

who

fought
Even

on

the

earth, and
so,

who,

in
to

time,
think chief

came

to
a

deified.
of

if it be could

it is
one

good
whose

that

warriors

worship
love.

ties quali-

were

wisdom,

purity, and

In lived

perfect happiness, loving

in

and

beloved,
until
a

Baldur
when
omen.

Asgard
was

with assailed
he

his

wife

Nanna,

night
evil

his
In that
come

sleep
the

by

horrible

dreams that he in

of had

morning
a

told

the

gods

dreamed
had

Death,
and
debated

thing

till then his ill fear

miknown life away.

Asgard, Solemnly
be

cruelly
how his her

taken

the

gods
and

this

happening
for upon her

might

averted,

Freya,
over

mother,

best

beloved the all

hanging
of

hea\y
under
trees

heart, took
and

herself and and eager

task
other

laymg
metals,
to

oath and harm

fire

water,

iron

shrubs,
to

birds, beasts
With she

creeping things,
haste the she oath
save

do

no

Baldur.
did

went

from thing any-

place to place,nor
in all nature,
"

fail to exact
or

from
one

animate

inanimate,
and

only. high

twig
the green

of

mistletoe, tender
such
waxen
arm a

fair, grew
it was,

above

field," and
leaves
the it and

little white of

thing

"svith its

dainty

berries, nestling for

a

protection

under

strong

great oak,
scathe
so

that

the
come

goddess passed
to

by.

Assuredly
from
a

no

could

Baldur

the

Beautiful
to
was

creature

insignificant,
her

and

Freya
Then

returned indeed for each

Asgard
there

well

pleased
and
he hammer

with

quest.

joy
how

laughter amongst might slay Baldm-,

nor

the

gods,
neither

one

tried

but could

sword
him any

nor

stone,
ill.

battle-axe

work

Odin

alone

remained

unsatisfied.

Mounted

on

his

236

BOOK

OF

MYTHS
off in haste
was

eight-footedgrey
to

steed, Sleipnir,he

galloped
who

consult had
to

the be

giant prophetess Angrbotha,

followed
from
to

dead

and
that
sun

Niflheim,
world
of

the
men,

chillyunderworld
and
of where the of

lies far north

never comes.
was

the

Hel,
queen

the

daughter

Loki

and

Angrbotha,
"

of this dark

domain.

There,
of

in

bitterly
old walls
was

cold
;
care

place, she
was

received

the her her of

stern

souls

of

all who

died her

sickness Her

or

age
were

her and half

bed, hunger

dish, starvation
bolts and bars A
"
"

knife.
;
'

high
skin, and
in

strong,
the

and

huge
Dasent.

Half easy

blue
to

her

colour very

human and

flesh.

goddess

know,

and

all

things

grim.'

In battle

her
was

kingdom
received,
combat died

no

soul any with

that

passed

away
out

in the of

glorious
last the of

nor

that the

fought
angry
waves

life in

fierce who he

sea.

Only

those

ingloriouslywere
the realm and with of

her

guests.
found
were

Wlien
that
a

had
was
an

reached

Hel, Odin
the rich couches

feast
as

being prepared,
honoured many
a

spread,
with
in

for For

guest,
year

tapestry
rested

and there

gold.
and those

had

Angrbotha
a

peace,

it
runes

was

only by chanting
which have power she did
men.

magic spell and

raise the dead

tracing
that and the for

to

Odin angry

awoke from

her. her of

When
he and

raised
not

herself, terrible
that he
was

tomb,

tell her He and And of the that

to

mighty
whom

father

gods
was

only why
to

asked
Hel

her
was

the her she

was

great feast
couches revealed
so

prepared,

spreading
of Baldur

gorgeously.
the
secret

the

father that

future,

Baldur

the

expected
his soul
was

guest, and
to

by
the

his

blind

brother

Hodur

be

hastened

Shades.

THE

DEATH

OF
him And

BALDUR
? the
"

237

"

Who,
wrath his

then, would
in his

avenge

asked

the

father,

great
that

heart. be
not

prophetess repHed
his

death who he

should should
had But

avenged
wash the his

by Vali,
hands of

youngest
comb
to

brother,
hair until

nor

his the

brought
yet

slayer

Baldur Odin

funeral fain have

"

pyre.

another

question

would

answered.
he

Who,^^
?
"

asked,

"

would

refuse to

weep

at

Baldur'

death

Thereat

the
none

prophetess, knowing
other
so

that
to
no

her

questioner
man

could could
evermore

be be

than much and

was

Odin,
of returned

for the
to

mortal

known
to

future,
the

refused
of

for her and

speak,
Odin his
own

silence
his

tomb.
to return

And
to

forced

to

mount

steed

land he found

of warmth that all

was

and

pleasure.
well with
to

On Thus
feast who who

his return he
tried
to

Baldur.
the
son

still his anxious

heart

and

forget

in the
was

chill him

regions
the
to

of

Nifllieim, spread for the

and
to to

to

dearest,

laugh

with

those

tried

in vain
one

bring
those

scathe who

Baldur.
at

Only
and grew

among
as

looked

those stood
waves

sports
like of
a

merry,

he which and
as

whom the foam

they
and

loved

great
fierce

cliff North in heart

against
Sea

devouring
crash

the

beat

in

vain, had
In overthrow the

malice
evil the He Loki

his
of

heart Loki
was

he

beheld
came a

the

wonder.
to

there beloved

desire

god
hated
was

who

by
he
was

all

gods

and and

by
the

all
mind

men.

him
as a

because
stream

pure, all the

of

into

which

filth of the Baldur

was

world truth

is

discharged.

He

hated

him

because

238

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

and He

lovalt^*, and
hated
him that
was

he.

Loki.
to

was

treachery"
Loki there

and
came

dishonour.
never
a

because
not

thought

full Baldur

of

meanness was

and

greed
sans

and peur

cruelty'and
et
sans

and "s*ice,

indeed

one

reproche.
Loki,

Thus
went to

taking
the

upon

himself

the

form and

of

woman,

Fensalir,
the

palace, all
of Baldur.

silver

gold,

where

dwelt The

Freya,

mother

goddess
when where what

sat,

in

happy

majest^', spinning
a

the

clouds, and

Loki,
she
were

apparently
then shouts

gentle paused
of
:

old and

woman,

passed by
as

sat, and
the

asked,
that

if

amazed,

merriment

she
"

heard, the
All

smiling goddess rephed

on

things
and

earth aU the

have

sworn

to

me

never

to

injure Baldur,
him
"

gods
for

use

their weapons

against

in vain.

Baldur ?
"'

is safe

evermore."

All

things Freya

queried

Loki.
''

And

answered,
can come

Ail

things
from

but
a

the
so

toe. mistleweak

Xo
that it Then he
went

harm Uves

to

him

tliins

only
the
to

by

the heart

hves
of

of others.*'

vicious where the

Loki

grew

joyous.
cut
a

Quickly
green

mistletoe
a

grew, and

slender the blind

branch,
Hodur. Hodur

shaped

it into

point,

sought

god

stood

aside, while

the

other

gods merrily

sued pur-

their
"

sport.
dost
thou and
not
so

Why
that

take

aim in the

at

Baldur ?
*'

with asked

weapon

fails

join

laughter

Loki.
And Hodur sadlv made
answer :

THE
"

DEATH

OF

BALDUR
is my

239

Well
I

dost
to

thou
cast

know
at

that

darkness

lot,

nor

have

ought
Loki

my his

brother." hand and the shaft of

Then

placed
his

in

mistletoe
cast

and
dart.

guided
He
ever

aim, and

well

surely

Hodur

the lowed fol-

waited,
on

then, for the

merry those and

laughter against
t enable

that

the harm.

onslaught
But the
a

of

him cry
"

whom
smote

none

could
"

do

great

his

ears.

Baldur

Beautiful
a

is dead white all land

! is dead! flower
cut

On bv of the the

the

ground
of the and cry

lay Baldur,
mower.

down
realm

sc^i;he

And
the

through
of the

the

gods,
arose a

all

tlirough

Northmen

there
"

of bitter the the

lamentation.
woe

That

was

greatest
storj^

that

ever

befell

gods

and

men,"
Tlie

says

somid

of
to

terrible where
dead which weapon

mourning

in

place

of

laughter

brought Freya
'"'

on

the

floor

lay

Baldur

and

round

lay thickly
in

stre-vm

svords,
throAVTi stood

axes, at

darts, and Baldur,

the whom fatal

spears,
no

all the

gods
or

sport
;

had
in

lightly
his breast

pierced
"

clove

but

fixed

bough

of mistletoe."

Matthew

Arnold.

^^^len
was a

she

saw

what refused vdth

had
to

befallen be

him,

Freya's grief
but when
course

grief that
overwhelmed

comforted,
knew that
one

the

gods,
to

sorrow,

not

what should would

take, she
and
to

quickly
offer
to

commanded Hel
a

ride

to

Xifllieim Baldur

ransom

if she

permit

return

Asgard.
Ximble,
another of the
on sons

Hermoder luidertook the

the

of

Odin,

mission,
he

and,

mounted reached

liis father's the ice-cold

eight-footed steed,
domain of Hel.

speedily

240

BOOK

OF

IMYTHS

There of those

he who

found

Baldur,

sitting on
among

the the

noblest

seat

feasted,
With

ruling

people

of

the

Underworld. Hel
of that she

burning permit
of men, Hel
:

words
to

Hermoder
return to

pled
the

with world

w^ould the

Baldur

gods

and

world
Said

by

both

of whom

he

was

so

dearly
"

beloved.

Come And

then this how

me

! if Baldur
is

was

so

dear loss

beloved.
"

true,
to

and

such may

is Heaven's

Hear,
Show Fails Let

Heaven

Baldur world the here

be

restored.

throucrh
one

all the
to

sis-ns of ^rief !
Baldur

but

thing
lives and and

grieve,
moves

stops

all that

upon
is without

the

earth
;

Weep
Let

him, Gods,

all that

life weep
him
;

men,

brutes,
the loss and

beweep
was

plants

and

stones.

So
And

shall
bend

I know my

dear him

indeed.
back
to

heart,

give

Heaven."

Matthew

Arnold.

Gladly
"

Hermoder shall

made

answer

All

things
he

weep his

for

Baldur

"

Swiftly
at
once,

made
the

perilous
heard all
to

return

journey,
Hel
had
to

and

w^hen
w^ere

gods

what
over

said,

messengers

despatched
dead,
the

the for

earth

beg
so

all dear

things, living and

to

weep

Baldur,
that

and

all nature

was

beautiful them

god,
a

the

sengers mes-

everywhere
that

left behind be shed.

track

of the

tears

they

caused in

to

jMeantime,
Baldur's
were

Asgard,
The

preparations
of and the

were

made in
in the
a

for forest

pyre. down the

longest
the his

pines
up

cut
on

by
of

gods,

piled

mighty largest

pyre in the

deck

great ship Ringhorn,

the

world.

\.

"?
\

BALDUR

THE

BEAUTIFUL

IS

DEAD

'

THE

DEATH

OF
four

BALDUR

241

"

Seventy
On the

ells and grass the

extended keel
;

vessel's

High
Rose With

above the

it, gilt and

splendid.
Longfellow.

figure-head

ferocious
"

its crest

of steel."

DowTi it
on

to

the

seashore with the rich

they

bore all

the

body,

and

laid
the the

the trunks

pyre of

gifts

round that

it, and
formed

pine
pyre,

Northern with gorgeous had his still

forests

they

covered when

tapestries and
laid fair

fragrant
all

flowers. love looked heart

so

And

they

him
young
sorrow

there, with

and
on

gentleness, and
his that beautiful

wife, Nanna,
smote

face,
and

her dead.

it

was

broken,
her

she

fell down

Tenderly they
which land

they
the slew

laid bodies
to

beside
of his their

him,
horse
master

and
and

by
his

him,

too,

laid

hounds,
in
the the pyre

they
whither

bear had

company around

his

soul

fled ; of

and

they

twined
even

thorns, the
then

emblem looked home

sleep.
his
to
a

Yet

they
to
come

for

speedy
sunlit
were

return,
land
to

radiant

and

glad
And

of

happiness.

when of

the

messengers
were

v/ho
seen

have
near,

brought tidings eagerly they

crxatures

his freedom
to

drawing
"

crowded
and them

hear shall

the
return

glad words,
!

'"''All

weep, with

Baldur

But All A
to

they brought
and in

not

hope,
save

but
one

despair. only.
them

things, living giantess

scorn.

dead,
a

had
cave

wept,
had she
in

who

sat

dark

laughed
:

With
"

devilish
Neither Gave Let he Hel
in
me

merriment
life, nor

mocked

yet

death.

gladness.
her

keep

prey."

242

BOOK

OF

:MYTHS

Then
been than

all

knew

that

yet
the

second

time
was

had
none

Baldur other of

betrayed,
Loki,
of the his
and of and other doom.
men

and

that

giantess
fierce

Loki,

realising the
fled
before

wrath

Odin
not

and
escape

gods,
And
when

them,

yet
was

could
that

grief unspeakable they

knew that
must

of

gods
of

in the

chill realm until

the

the

inglorious
the all

dead
had had

Baldur
come,

remain

twilight of
away, Not and

gods

until
new.

old

things had
of the the
set storm

passed

things
the

become but
came

only
the

gods,
elves Then

the

giants
to

and of him

frost, and
whom the

frost

behold
was

last

they

loved.
was

the

pyre and

alight, and
to
sea

great vessel

launched,

glided out

with

its sails of flame.

"

They
Over
Till

launched

the

burning ship

It floated the like

far away

misty
the
sun

sea. it

seemed.
waves,
more
"

Sinking
Baldur

beneath returned

the
no

Yet,
over
are

ere

he and who

parted

from
a

his
word the
out

dead in

son,

Odin
And

stooped
there
sorrow

him those
on

whispered
say beach that

his

ear.

as

gods
to
sea,

in

infinite

stood

the

staring
on

darkness
whither

fell,and
he Earth of had of

only
gone

fiery track

the had

waves

showed

whose
most

passing
beautiful

robbed

Asgard
as

and
the been

the

their

thing, heavy
hand of

weight
their
knew

chill

Death's
but with for the

remorseless
the

would
that the

have word.

hearts,
that had

knowledge
of Baldur much

They
of the

death that

twilight

gods

begun,

and

by

strife and

infinite

sufferingdown

THE

DEATH

OF

BALDUR

243

through
must

the
be

ages

the

work

of

tlieir when

purification
all
were

and
fit
to

ing hallowreceive
earth word

wrought.
and Baldur

But

him,
and

and in

peace

happiness
would
come

reigned
back.

again
For

on

heaven,

the

was

Resurrection.

"

So But Rises

perish
out

the of the

okl

Gods of of old."
"

!
time

sea

new

land the

song, Longfellow.

Fairer

than

"

Heartily
When The

know.

half-gods gods
arrive."

go, Emerson.
"

BEOWULF

''He
In

was

of

mankind
the

might

strongest." read
and
use

Longfellow's
"

Translation.

Whether
argue theorists and about

those the

who

it date

be of

scholars
the poem,

who

would

origin

ingenious
tales

who of

would the

fain
nursery
or

all
as

the

fragmentary
of
a

rhymes
of for

parts

vast

jig-saw
who poem read of

puzzle
a

nature
a

myths,
tale's
own

merely
every

simple
of

folk the

tale

sake,
that

reader
one

Beowulf
ever

must

it

is

of

the

finest

stories

written. It

is

"

the and

most
was

ancient

heroic
to

poem

in

the the
to

Germanic
"

language,"
Hats and what But
"

brought
across

Britain
North

by
Sea of

Winged
conquer,

who

sailed
to

the

grey

to

help
is
now

weld

that

great
Race.
in

amalgam

peoples

into

the

British

once

it had dress In that but and that

arrived the

England,

the

legend
more

was

put

into

British-born the
scene

could of which the pure

readily
story
was

appreciate.
a
corner

all

probability
of who
wi^ote

the

of

island he who

Sacland
wrote

upon down the scenery

Copenhagen
poem for his

now

stands,

countrymen
Saxon that walk
coast

it in the

literaiy Anglofrom the you

of he and

Wessex,
his the

painted
readers

places
should

knew

best.

And

if

along
for

breezy,
miles,
from would

magnificent, Whitby
find the it

rugged

Yorkshire
to

twelve

northward

the

top

of that

Bowlby
it
was

Cliff, you
there

quite
sea-cliffs

easy that

to

believe Beowulf

amongst

high

BEOWULF
the

245

and

his hearth-sharers
ness

once

Hved,
under

and
a

there,

on

est highthat
a

of

our

eastern

coast,

great barrow,
"

Beowulf

was

buried. transition.

Beowulfesby
But
a

Bowlhy
of
our

seems

quite
race

easy

the

people

island
of

have lands

undoubtedly
and

gift for seizing the

them of
as

imports
own,

other in
one

hall-marking
Beowulf in the the died
so

their heroic

and,
was

all

probability,the
lived
and

the

poem

who In

land

of Scandinavia. the

Denmark,
for
a

goes
to

story, when
shores there
over

people
on a

were

longing
when

king,
that up

their
were

drifted,
the

day

the

white

birds
a

screaming
sea,
a now

sea-tangle
to

and
was

\vreckage sweeping
a

stormy
the

sinking
boat in

rest,

on

shore,
and

little

which,

on

sheaf

of

ripe

wheat

surrounded
a

by

priceless
babe,
of

weapons who

and

jewels, there
in his

lay
That

most
was

beautiful
the
son

smiled
had
no

sleep.
and

he made

Odin
and

they
served
A
a

doubt,

they

him the

their
rest

king,
of his

him

faithfully and
and
land he and had
a

loyally for king

the fear. when his
was

life.

worthy
on

noble
on

King
of when

Scyld Scefing,
which
many felt and
even as

ruler infant
come

and had
no

sea,

an

But

years that told

had
death them
as

gone, he

and

Scyld Scefing
nobles
to

drew

near,
manner

called
he

him So

in what
he

fain

would built
a

pass.

they
pyre,

did
and
a

said, and
it of
was

in

ship they gold

with Death's

funeral
on

round sheaf
for the limbs he

placed
wheat. old

much
Then

and
very hand

jewels, and great pain

lay heavy
and
to

it laid

and upon

labour,
liim,
out

and

king
on

climbed
the pyre, the

into and

the said

ship
out

stretched
all his

his

farewell
with

faithful
the

people.

And

ship

drifted

the

tide, and

246

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

hearts of the that

of

the

watchers
that bore had

were

heavy
vanish
to

as

they place

saw

the and

sails
knew

vessel their

him

into the the

on

grey,

king
and him

gone

back should left

from
no one

whence
more.

he

came,

that

they

look

his

face
and in

Behind
the of other

Scyld

descendants,
It
that
was

after

reigned over
that

Denmark.

the

reign

his

great-grandson,Hrothgar,
things mighty
the
are

there

took

place
far
that

those
A
across

told and
seas

in the

story
was

of Beowulf.

king
of him

warrior his land

fame that

Hrothgar, spread wide,

he

and
so

northern

all the
to
serve

warriors under his

the

ruled
war

were

proud
him. in
the forth

in peace, and

and his
men

in

to

die for

During
their

long

life he

never

went

black-prowed
shouts
won

ships
their
to

without

returning
for cargo
As the he

with rich
grew
a

joyous they
monument
was

of the from

victor, with

spoil
old,

had

enemies. raise
for of his

Hrothgar
builded

determined
to

himself

mighty
so

the for

magnificence
him
"

reign, and

there
towers

vast

hall

with

majestic
when
a

and

lofty pinnacles
artificers
was

the

finest

banqueting- hall
of. And gave
at

that

his

skilled the

could

dream

length
all his

hall

completed, Hrothgar
for

feast
end named

to

thanes,
rafters
the music A

and of

days
"

and

for

nights
was

on

the
"

great
echoed
the sang. quet ban-

Heorot
and the

as

his

palace
the
on

shouts of

laughter
minstrels
was

of the and

mighty warriors,
songs the that that of
to

and

they
the

proud
was

man

Hrothgar
amidst
the
man

night
down

ended and of

acclamations
he

his

people,

and his
on

proud

happy
floor

lay

rest, while
themselves
where

bodyguard
the

mighty

warriors of the

stretched

rush-strewn

great

room

they

had

feasted, and

deeply

slumbered

there.

BEOWULF

247

Now,
"

in the

dark

fens and
was

of that

land
a

there

dwelt

ster mon-

fierce,noisome,
hated the all that

cruel,

thing
the song it with

that

loved
To

evil
ears

and
came

joyous laughter
the

and and

good.

its
of

ring melody
round

of

the

shouts of the fierce

King

Hrothgar's revellers, and

and From
the of

sweet

gleemen
hatred.

harps

filled

its wallow

in the
its

marshes,
the

where

the

pestilent grey
known
to to

fog hung
men
as

dwelling,
came

monster,
to

all

the the

Grendel,
dark and

forth,
across

kill and

devour.

Through
it made in
desolate

night,
the

the of the wild

lonely moorland,
moor

its way,
terror

birds

flew

ing scream-

before
over

it, and
which

the it
as

creatures

of

the

country
coverts to

padded
it

clapped
It

down
came

in
at

their

and

trembled
hall where
thanes

passed.

length
"

the

great

fciir troop

of warrior

guarding
not

it found

he

Heedlessly sleeping, they Never

"

recked

of soitow."

thought
A haunter of

did

they give
a

to

the

Grendel,

"

marshes,
inhabits

holder
. .

of moors, Secret
.

The Of Or

land the

he

dark,

wolf-haunted treacherous the

ways
tarn ;

windy

hillside, by the
up
in

where,

covered flows."

its mist,

hill stream

Downward

Soundly
the

slept Hrothgar,
the of his

nor

opened
he
was

eye

until, in

bright lightof crying

fresh of

morning,
their

roused

by

terrified

servants, terror,
come,

forgetful
to

august
the the

royalty, impelled by
tale. of the

aloud

terrible
floor

They
and But
to

had

they said,
all trace

lay

on

banquetingclear
two-

haU, sweet,
away

rushes the

from

meadows,

feasting overnight.
in full
armour,

the lain

and-thirty knights who,

had

domi

248

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

to

sleep

were

all gone,
foul and

and

on

the and and

floor
on

was

the

spoor and
on

of the

something trampled
blood.

noisome,
were

the

walls

rushes

great

terrible

smears

of

human

They
whence bestial

tracked he had

the
come,

Grendei
and left the

back shuddered blood-

to

the
at

marsh the

from

sight
but reward

of

footprints
indeed
was

that
was

stains

behind. still
to ten

Terrible
more

grief of Hrothgar,
He

terrible
man

his

anger.

offered

royal
full that

any of the

who

would

slay
to

the

Grendei,
to

and

gladly

his warriors

pledged
and showed

themselves the
more

sleep
ere

night
came.

in

great hall
But da^vn
were

slay
once

Grendei
a

morning

piteous sight. Again

blood-stained flesh.
where

there with foul

only
loathsome
of the

trampled
smell
monster to

and of

rushes,

the

unclean
were

Again

the

tracks

found fens.
in the

it had

padded
There

softly
were

back
many

its

noisome
men

brave and of

kingdom they
strive and

of
to to

Hrothgar
maintain

the the

Dane,

yet
the

again

did

dignity
honour the
to

great

hall, Heorot,
But

uphold
dismal
the built

the years

of

their

king. place

through
of the

twelve in had
ever

Grendei

took in his the

its toll

bravest

realm,
as

and

sleep
to

that

Hrothgar
Well

monument

magnificent
death.
and

supremacy,

meant,
was

for

the

sleeper, shameful
that black there should
to

content

the

Grendei,
of the Goths

grew

fat

lusty amongst
that manhood that in
to

the the
one

grey land whose from In

mists
of the feet

marshes,
was

unknowing

growing
be

already
Death realm
was

echoing along
Hygelac

path
and

which
the

come.

of

the

Goths,

was

king,

BEOWULF

249

no

greater
own

hero

lived
son.

in From

his

kingdom
age of his
was

than
seven

Beowulf,
Beowulf

his
was

sister's up

the of lad

brought
A slow
to

at

the

court

uncle.

great, fair, blue-eyed

wrath. Wlien of

Beowulf,
had
at

lazy,

and

very
a

he

last

become and of

yellow-haired
in
had

giant,

wondrous
other
as

good-temper,
young
at
one

leisurely
Gothland
a

movement,
mocked very
at

the him

warriors
who like
was

only
of

very
same

huge,
terrible

amiable Beowulf's
once

child. anger, it

But,

others
to

the
was

descent,
fire

if slow
to

kindle,
A few

began
the evil deed

flame.
of his

of

those

flares-up
that evil
no

had

shown
nor

folk

uncle's be

kingdom
done,
In
more nor

mean

might
of had And the
a

lightly
Beowulf.
hewn when

word the

spoken
Swedes,
sword of the

in
no

the

presence sword

battle
men

against
than

down
the lenged chalwith A
pest tem-

the

of

Beowulf. land
to
swam

champion
the

swimmer
young whole down them

of

Goths match

giant
from

Bco^vulf

swim

him,

for

five

days they
the and and dear Beowulf battered and
as

together.
of the been who had

driving
snow

twilight land
he

ice and
pion chamon

parted
was

then,
ashore

driven
of
seas

thankfully
country
on some once

struggled again.
into and

to

the

beach

his

own

But

the and

foaming
would

east

jagged cliffs,
broken

fain

have

his he

body fought
and with And with those

fragments
to

against them,
their of the
wrest

struggled
nixies the while and
waves

resist

raging cruelty, mermaids deep joined

life from
a

many and
one

monsters strove to

forces

his
on

him.

with he of

hand with

he

held

to

sharp rock,
blows
on

the

other

dealt

his

sword

stark

children

250

BOOK
fain and and of

OF
have

I\IYTHS

the

deep
of

who

would

devoured floated and

saw

him.
down all those
to

Their
the who

bodies,
coast

deep-gashed
Gothland,
the corpse
came

dead,
the

king

looked
Then
at

for

Beo^vulf

them,

amazed.

length
was

Beowulf and

himself, and
the

with

great
gave

gladness
him
In the
ever

he

welcomed, sword,
of

king, his uncle,

token of had brave

his treasured
court

Nageling, in
the
man

of his valour.
riors war-

Hrothgar,
One
one

number

grew

smaller.
of

only
those

witnessed

the

terrible

slaughter
his life.
he

of
a

black
a

nights
"

and

yet had
the the he of

kept
where

He
seen

was

bard

"

scald

and he

from

land
land sang

had

such

grim horror,
court

fled to

of the the

Goths,

and tale the

there, in the
of the

of the

king,
and

gloomy by

never-ending slaughter
of the fens

noble

warriors

foul

Grendel

moors.

Beowulf
who blade and

listened, enthralled,
him
a

to

his song.
as

But

those steel

knew
of when

saw

his

eyes when

gleam
allow

the

good
for
to

sword he

gleams
and

it is drawn
to

battle,
to

asked Danes
no

his uncle

him

go

the

land

of the

slay
that

this
was

filthything,
very

his uncle

smiled, with
So it
came

and surprise,
to

well content.

pass

BeoAVulf, in his black-prowed

sail from land Goth-

ship, with
The
rounds
a

fourteen

trusty followers, set

of the when

for the

kingdom
of

Hrothgar.
Danish he beheld for her
coast
was

warden
one

riding
white

his

morning
war-vessel
on

from the

the shore. the the

cliffs

strange
men

making
her
ran

Skilfully
surf, and
and cliffs,

the

board in
a

through
between cables.

beached made her

her

little creek
a

fast

to

rock

by

stout

Only

for

BEOWULF little time

and the
one

251

valiant
man

warden

watched

them

from

afar,

then,

against fifteen, he
warriors.

rode

quickly down

and
"

challenged
What
are

the

ye grey the

warlike corselets

men

wielding bright
and boar-adorned
come

weapons.

Wearing
Who o'er

helmets.
your

water-paths
ocean

with I
was

foaming
I

keel

Ploughing
Warden That
on

the

surge

? ;
no

appointed
hold enemy
to

of Denmark's this Danish

over

shores
coast
sea

watch

by

the

wave

deadly
land

Leading troops
None Than The have this here fair

should

injure.
not

landed

yet
:

more

frankly coming
ye
answer

company

and and

yet

password
have
more
common

of warriors, eyes beheld

customs
a

of kinsmen.

Ne'er
An He He Anon Lest Now Have That

mine

mightier warrior,
the chief him of you not.
;

earl
is is
no

lordly than
man

is he if looks

belie

hero

bold,
I know of you go should

worthily weaponed.
kindred free
on

must

and
our

country.
Danish soil.
sea.

ye ye

of
men

spies

from my

afar,

sailingthe

surging
best ye
is
a

heard I may

earnest

thought

quick reply.
hither come."

swiftly know
with told whence
come as

whence

have

Then of who the he

Beowulf,
warden
was,

fearless

eyes,

gazed
and

in the

face

and

him
he

simply
came,

unboastfuUy
what
was

from
had

and

his

errand. the

He

the

nation's

deliverer, to

slay

thing that
"

Cometh Worketh

in

dark

of

night,
awe,

sateth

his

secret

hate,
shame."

through

fearsome

slaughter and his noble

With
"

joy
men

the

warden beach
a

heard your of

words. he

My
her

shall

ship,"
oars

said,
the

"

and

make

fast with

barrier
to

against

greedy
where

tide. It

Come
was
a

with

me

the

king."
strode

gallant band

that

into Heorot,

252

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

sat

the

old for

king, gloom
a

overshadowing
was

his
a

soul.

And

fit leader in and gar,

band spear the

of heroes and

Beowulf,

giant figure
his
To

ring-mail, by
as

shield

gleaming

in

hand,
Hrothof

his side
to

mighty

sword,

Nageling.
told the

the

warden,

Beowulf
to

reason

his

coming, king.
That
were

and

hope began again

live in the

heart

of the

night

the

warriors
the years,

from

the

land

of

the

Goths
for
so

feasted

in

great
voices The

banqueting-hall
had queen
never

where,
out

twelve

unliappy
and
so

rung

bravely
the

merrily.
which each the

herself
the her
men
own

poured
from hand

out

mead

with

king
and
one.

and with

land Gothshe

pledged passed
it
came

other,
to of each

the
to

goblet
the the the

When,
Beowulf

last
took

of
the

it all,
cup of

guest
fair land

honour,
and the

mead
to

from
save

queen from
to

solemnly
evil

pledged
that

self him-

thing

devoured

it like

pestilence,or
Needs Or here
must must

die

in his

endeavour.
deeds
in

"

now

perform knightly
my doom
in

this

hall,

meet

darksome

night."
to
an

When left the In

their

darkness
hall
save

fell the Beowulf with

feast and

came

end, and

all

his

fourteen
on

followers.

armour,

swords
to

girt
rest, but
to
a

their Beowulf

sides, the
laid aside away.

fourteen all his

arms

heroes and

lay
gave

down his

sword

thane

to

bear

For, said he,

"

I have That Recks Hand

heard that
not to

foul the hand

miscreant

dark
. .

and
.

stubborn

flesh

force
. . .

of

arms

Beowulf

will

grap])le with

the

mighty

foe."

BEOWULF
his shouts

253

From

fastnesses
of

in

the
as

fens, the
the open Goths them

Grendel
closed

had their

heard
eyes
to

the
to

revelry,and

sleep,knowing
with belief
monster

they might
death,
"

again only
because
ever as

grapple
sure

hideous that

yet unafraid
is to be goes

of

their

What

it

must,"

the

roused he of
came,

himself. and

Through
his
more

the made

dank,
the
as

chill, clinging mists

breath

poisonous padded
across over

miasma
the bleak

the

marshes reeds and

sea

deadly trembling high by

cliffs the

he

shivering
moorland
grey

and the

rushes,
where

the fresh of

the

tang
a

of the beast

was

defiled There
was

hideous
food for than way.

stench

foul he

of prey.
some

fresh

him
any

to-night,
that he for

knew,

blood had
come

more

potent
his bestial

twelve
on

years with the

And

hastened He and little

was

greedy
great
but
one

eagerness, of the

nightmare banquetingset
men.

incarnate. hall bolted the dawn Beowulf

found

door

barred,

angry

wrench of
mere

at

naught
The when

precautionary breaking
the of
no

measures

dim

and

grey

and

very and

chill the gave

heard
crash made

stealthy
the

tread and

without,
bars but

quick-following
so

bolts

that

readily.
an

He the

movement,
blotted any
one

only
a

waited.
black

In

instant
and hand

dawn

was

out

by

vast

shadow,
a

swifter had the

than

great
of the from

bear friends limb heard

could of
to

strike,
Beowulf.

scaly
an

struck
man was

In in of

instant wild

torn

limb, and

disgust
the the

and

hatred of

Beowulf bones and

the

lapping
of
warm

blood,
as

scrunching
monster

chewing
him.
to

flesh the

ravenously
was

devoured
out

Again
and
to

loathsome

hand

stretched

seize

254

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

devour. of knew of

But

in

the

darkness outstretched

two
arm,

hands,
and

hke
the The
on

hands Grendel warriors

such
as

iron, gripped the

that he had
met to

his match find

a

at

last.

Beowulf
eyes

awoke
never

struggle going
for

their death
to

before
man

beheld,
and

it

was

fight to they

the

between

monster.

Vainly

tried
lessly harmthe

aid their

leader, but
Grendel's

their

weapons

only glanced Up
the
to
no

off the hall the

the Ever could

scaly

hide.

and

do-\vn
shook

combatants

^vrestled, until
itself rocked
as

walls its

and

great
and

building again

foundations.
human

it seemed

though
claws

power

prevailagainst teeth
as

and

and
to

demonic

fury,
and

and broke

tables

and the

benches

crashed
feet that
more

the

ground

under
an

tramping

of

the

Grendel,
should grew
the
to

it appeared
come. over-

impossible thing
ever

Beo"\vulf

Yet

tighter
His

and

tight

iron iron.

grip
His

of

BeoAvulf. and

fingers
made the
at

seemed his
marrow

turned crash
out

hatred

loathing

grasp

through
bone

scales, into
it found
no

flesh, and
And

crush when

of the

there. and

length
ciy

the

Grendel himself

could

more,

with

terrible
to

wrenched

free,

and

fled, wailing, back

held the limb.
arm

the

fenland,
had

stiU
freed

in

his grasp

Beowulf

The
out

Grendel

himself
once,

by
the

tearing the
trail and of
not

whole
across

of its socket, and, for

moors was

blood

the

that

of

the

monster

of its victims.

Great

indeed

was

the

rejoicingof Hrothgar
instead claws of the of

and

of

his

people when,
rushes and

in the track

morning,
of vermin
one

crimson-stained
in human

the

imbrued
men

blood, they found

all but

from

Gothland

BEOWULF

255

alive, and
them
a

looked

upon enemy in the

the could

hideous

trophy
have gone

that
to

told

that

their death

only

find
out

shameful

marshes.

They

cleansed

the it

great hall, hung

once more

it with

lordly trappings, and

for the in the

made

fit habitation
a

lordliest

in

the had

land.
never

That before

night
been

feast

was

held

it, such

as

held
The

all
best

through
of the

magnificent
sung
queen
to

reign
in honour

of

Hrothgar.
of the the
most

scalds and and the gave

songs

triumph
in
a

of cup

Beowulf,
of mead

herself

pledged
beautiful

hero

him

the of

richly jewelled workmanship,

of the

collar
that
a

Brisingamen,
once was

exquisite by Freya,
red

ancient
queen

owned

gods,
too, sword

and the

great ring
gave
a

of the

purest

gold.

To in

Beowulf,

king
of the

banner,

all broidered

gold,

finest, with
on

helmet
back had decked of of

and
the

corselet, and
one

eight
deemed

fleet

steeds, and
best

the

that
own

he

the

Hrothgar
and

placed
with

his

saddle,
ornaments.

cunningly
To each

wi'ought,
of the

golden
there

warriors
ere

Beowulf

were

also

given

rich hall

gifts.
that O

And

the said

queen,
to

with
:

her

maidens,
"

left the

night

she

Beowulf

Enjoy
canst.

thy reward,
Live and in
to

dear and
sons,

Beowulf,
blessed !

while

enjoy
well

it

thou

noble my dear
a

Keep
to
"

thy

great fame,
ever

in time

come,

should

they
With

be

need, be
hearts

kind

protector !
weary feast

happy
left the the

in very the

bodies, Beowulf
was

and

his

men

hall when

ended,
as

and those

they sleep
and
to

slept through
who whom have

night
death

in another
a

lodging
very

faced has

through
in
the

long night,

joy

come

morning.

256

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

But that and the that

the

Danish
must
more

knights,
even now

careless be
was

in in his

the

knowledge

Grendel
once

dying agonies,
a

Hereot

for

them down

safe

and in

noble
the

lay sleeping-place,
hall, their
up
on

themselves their

to

sleep
fastened

shields roof

at

heads,
the

and,

high

the

above

them,

hideous

trophy

of

Beowulf. Next
sea,

morning
it
saw a

as

the

grey
that

dawn made
went

broke it
a more

over

the chill

thern nor-

sight

than

death. half
woman

Across
"

the the

moorland of home she door. the the of

thing
The
to

"

half

wolf,
she

mother
come

Grendel.
to went

creature

had
his

borne

had

die, and
to

her

belonged Softly
she

avenging.
the seized

Softly

Hereot. in her
was

opened
she
most treasure

unguarded
Aschere,
from
arm

Gladly,
who she

savage
to

jaws,

thane roof

Hrothgar
her Then desired she her

dear, and
"

plucked
her
son.

the

Grendel,

trotted the

off to

her

far-off, filthy den,

leaving

behind

noise

of lamentation.
was

Terrible
of

the of

grief

of

Hrothgar
and sharer

over

the his

death

Aschere,
to

dearest

friends

of

councils.
at

And

his lamentations

Beowulf heart of that the

listened, sad
burned
was

heart,

humble,
The

yet

with
creature

for the

vengeance. mother would for did could of be the he do how direc-

hideous
as

night
On
her the

Grendel,

all

knew

well. 's

Beowulf

avenged,
sake of

for his

Aschere
own

sake, for
Then that

king's, and
once

honour.
to

again

pledge
to

himself

do
an

all evil

man's

strength
did and he he

rid the

land
was

of the

thing.
before

Well

know gave

dangerous

task

him,

BEOWULF
tions
never

257 he the
a

for

the

disposal
from

of

all that
To
on

valued

should who he

he

return

his

quest.
forth

King,

feared said
:

greatly that
"

he

was

going
man

forlorn

hope,
at

Grieve Let That him

not

!
. . .

Each while after he death

must

undergo
fame slain

death
in

the !

end

of life.

win,

may, for

warlike the

the

world

is best

warrior."

His of

own

men,

and

Hrothgar,
him
of when the
mere

and
set

great company
out to trace

Danes

went

with tracks

he

the Near

blood-stained
the

Grendel's

mother. the

edge

of And

gloomy
when

they
looked
"

found
at

head

of

Aschere. seemed
ever

they
and

the

fiord

itself,it
that
a

to

be

blood-stained

stained in which of

with

blood

welled
sort

upwards,
of

revelled

with

fierce

joy

"

^the

rapture
number.

bestial

cruelty
"

water-monsters

without face
cast

Beo^vulf, his

white

and

grim
bolt had

like
a

that

of

an

image
then

of drew

Thor

in and

silver, watched
drove
a

little
the the

while,
heart

his

bow and

into drawn

of

one

of
to

them,

v^^hen thanes

they
of

slain
at

carcase

shore, the
of it. Beowulf took

Hrothgar Hrothgar
return,
The

marvelled

the

horror

Then
that be

leave
did
no

of
not

and

told

him

if in two
he would
to

days
him be

he

certain hearts

it would of all who

that

return
were

more.

said and
waters

farewell bade he the them

heavy,
cheer.
in
over a man

but

Beowulf
into in

laughed,
the black

of sword

good

Then

dived,

hand,
him

clad
as

ring-armour,
of Death is done.
R

and

dark
over

pool
the

closed
of

the

river

closes

head

when

his

day

258

BOOK
if the

OF

MYTHS
of in from
water

To
ere

him
he

it seemed

as

space

day

had

passed
he
countered en-

reached
many

the

bottom,

and

his

passing
and who

dread
creatures

dangers
of the

tusk

horn

of to

myriad

evil

sought
the

destroy
of that

him.
sinister

Then
mere,

at

length
and

he

reached
was

bottom in
the

there

clasped
strove to

murderous his life out

grip

of the

Wolfher

Woman

who

crush

against
her
with

loathsome embrace

breast. failed to

Again slay him,

he
arm,

and
she

again, when
stabbed him

hideous her

knife.
the L^r

Yet power from

ever

did her

escape.

His
own

good

armour

resisted thrust when have he

of

and his

his
own

great muscles
failed hero
on

him.

Yet

sword

him

would in evil
most

have
case

smitten
had he

her, and
not

the

would
the

been
of that

spied,

hanging

wall

foul den,
A

"

glorious sword^
in

An

old

brand

gigantic,
of heroes."

trusty

point

and

edge,

An

heirloom

Swiftly
Woman

he
a

seized
blow

it, and
that blood shore

with

it

he

dealt from

the her

Wolf-

her

head

body.
that

Through mingled
saw
a

the

foul
the

that
water
"

flowed of

from the

her
mere,

and

with

black
horror the last

Beo'svulf

very

terrible
out

^the of

body

of

the

Grendel,
his strong
the

lying moaning
arm

his life.

Again

descended,
of the that
ever

and,

his

left hand
he sprang and
more

gripping
upwards
its clouded

coiled

locks the
as

Evil lost

Thing,
higher
sword of the

through
crimson his
but

water,
he
went

its blackness and that

high.
saved

In

hand
the the

he

still bore

the

had

him,
had

poisonous

blood

dying

monsters

made

BEOWULF

259

water

of such

fieryheat
hilt, with

that

the

blade
runes

melted

as

he

rose,

and

only

the

strange

engraved

upon

it,

remained Where
who
ever

in his hand.
he

left

them, them,

his

followers, and

the

Danes

went

with
more

remained,
as

watching,
turned the and

waiting,
into

growing
day
faded

hopeless night, and

up,

night
saw

day,

and

into
fen

they

black

waters

of the

lonely
when

bubbling
waters at

terrible

blood-stained.
to

But

the

cleared, hope

returned uprose in
no

their
the he

hearts,
water

and
of the

when,
mere

length, they

Beowulf
saw

from

and
the of of
"

that
was

his

hand

bore
nor

the

head

of

Grendel,
the

there

lonely
that
"

scaur,

nor cliff,

rock
cry

land

of !

the

Danes

did

not

echo

the

glad

Beowulf

Beowulf gifts
from

Well-nigh
he had

overwhelmed
was

by

those But

whom

preserved
he

the
to

hero, Beowulf.

in modest,

wise

words

spoke

the

King
"

Well
more

hast
to

thou
win

treated

us.

If O

on

this

earth

can

do than
now

thy love,
as

prince

of warriors, I
ever

I have weapons

wrought
to

yet.

Here

stand

ready
hear

wield

for thee.

If I shall That As any Grendel

o'er foes

the

encircling
threaten will I
to

flood nation's
to

neighbouring
grim
before,
of noble

thy

fall,

swift

bring help
of

thee

Thousands

thanes, that the and

heroes

thee."

Then,
had
own

in

their

ship,

Warden

the
set

Coast

once

challenged,
dear

Beowulf

his warriors

sail for their

land.
the
was

Gaily though
Beowulf
it

vessel
with
come

danced

over

the

waves,

heavy
when

treasure,
in

nobly gained.
to

And

had

safety

his

homeland

and

had

260

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

told and
to

his

kinsman

the

tale

of he

the gave

slaying
the

of

the

Grendel

of the the

Wolf-

Woman,
to

finest

of his steeds

King,
And
and honour.
was as

and that the

the

Queen
of the

the

jewelled collar,
had bestowed and

Brisingamen,
on

the heart
was

Queen
of much

Goths
was

him.

his uncle

glad
made

proud
in the

indeed,
hero's and fame
"

there Of
no

royal
the

banqueting
up

him, too,
hero
as was

scalds

songs, whose

there
was

in

all that
the fame
an

northern of Beowulf.

land

great
Be
was

The

Must
"

often the

helps
on

undoomed
which whose
an

man

when

he and and the

is brave
he
never

precept
the

he

ruled

his

life,

failed he
was.

King
in

chief

champion

warrior

When,

expedition against
a

Frieslanders,
of his
to
man

King

Hygelac
sword of

fell

victim

to

the

cunning
for

foes, the

Beowulf hero
was

fought nobly
a

him

the

end,
when

and
he

the

grievously
the have

wounded

brought
The

back Goths

to

Gothland fain
but
own

body
made
was

of

the

dead

King.
in

would

him
too

their

King,
to

Hygelac's stead,
his uncle's

Beowulf
son.

loyal a
he for the

soul

supplant
infant
to
see.

On held
claimed profully faithwho

his him

shield
up

laid the

the

prince, Hardred,
And vowed
was

and had

people

when
to
no serve

he

child

King
of

and

him
there

all the did

not

days

his
the
a

there life,

man

loyally echo
Hardred,
of
once

promise
man,

of their
was

hero, Beowulf.
slain

Wlicn

grown he
was

treacherously
the and of North

by

son

Othere,

who chosen

discovered

Cape,
years

Beowulf
he
war

again

King,
The fame

for

forty
arms

reigned wisely
away from the

and

well.

his
as a

kept

land, and

his wisdom

statesman

BEOWULF

261

brought
He had

great prosperity
never

and

happiness
so

to

his

people.
was

known

fear, and
the that

for of

him age

there

nothing
him
be

to

dread
he

when knew

weakness

fell upon could

and but

when few
:
"

his

remaining
end,

years

Seeing
Will
come

that

Death,
when

necessary come."^

it will

Through
to

all

those

years
to

of

peace, had

the

thing

that

was

bring

death

him
in the

lurked,
mountams.

unknown,

un-

imagined,
Many
of

in

cave

lonely
the

centuries warriors
of weapons cups, of
cave

before
had and of
won

birth

of

Beowulf,
swords of
a

family

mighty

by
of

their

priceless
chased

treasure

armour,

richly
and of

goblets and

magnificent ornaments
"

precious
avarice."

jewels, and
In last
was
a

gold
among

beyond
the
on

the it

dreams
was

great
of

rocks death

hoarded

by
where
a

the

their

line, and

his
one

none

knew stumbled

it

hidden.
"

Upon
Firedrake
"

it

day
for

there three
over

fiery
the

dragon
monster

and

hundred the

years

gloated, unchallenged,
But
at

magnificent
a

possession.
who fled

the

end

of

that

time,

bondsman,
and

before

his

master's
came

vengeance
on an

sought
in the

sanctuary

in the

mountains,

opening
that he

rocks, and, creeping in, found

a

the

Firedrake
gems
moment

asleep

upon

mass

of
even

red

gold
in the
sure

and

of

sparkling
For
a

dazzled

his

eyes

darkness. of

stood,
if he

trembling, then, brought him

he
as

his

master's
cup

forgiveness
with monster

gift a golden
and
^

all studded
ere

jewels,
could

seized

one

fled

with

it

the

Shakespeare {Julius Occsar).

262

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

awake.
Hither

With and

its thither
as
a

awakening,
it it

terror

fell upon for

on

the who earth

land. had
and

flew, searching
sent

him
the

robbed

it,and
it
news

flew, it

flames

left behind Wlien

the father

black of its

trail of ruin

and
came

of death.
to

destroyings
Beowulf
the

the that them

an

ears

of

of the

his task

people,
of them. from

knew land
he
nor once

to

him
for
man,
now

belonged
all those and
to

saving

for
was
was

and old able

to

come

after

But

strength
wrestle
the
arms.

had

gone the

him,
as

he had

with

Firedrake the
an

he but made

wrestled
to trust

with
to

Grendel
He

and
had

Wolfiron

Woman,
shield

had
to

his

withstand
a

the

Firedrake's

flaming breath,
and
to went out

and,

with

band

of
as

eleven

picked followers,
the
"

taking fight his

his

the

bondsman

guide, Beowulf
drew
near

last

fight.

As

they
where

place,
I

he

bade he

followers
"

stay
win
the

they
and

were,
save

For

alone,"
Death
to steam

said,

will

gold

my the

people, or
entrance

shall take
cave

me."

From
a

the

there

poured

forth
and But

sickening

cloud
so

of
hot

and
he

smoke,
not

suffocating
go

blinding, and
with
a

that the

could warrior
enemy,

forward.
an

loud
of

voice

old
to

shouted and

arrogant
Firedrake
roar

challenge
rushed

defiance

his

the

forth

from

its lair, roaring with

the
a

of

an

unquenchable
its

fire whose

fury
from

will

destroy
heat

city. poured

From forth

wings

of

flame
its

and

its eyes

scorchingly, and
flames
Tlie upon
as

great mouth
on

belched

forth

devouring
stark deal
blow

it cast

itself

Beowulf.
smote
a

hero's

sword

flashed, and
But

its

scaly

head.

Beowulf

could

not

death

STROKE

SHIVERED

THE

S^WORD

BEOWULF

263

strokes his

as

once

he

had

done,
In

and

only

for rage the

moment

was

adversary
its made in his

stunned.

hideous

the

monster

coiled

snaky
the

folds iron

around shield

him, and
redden
as

heat

from
the

his

body

though
each into

smith blackof the

smithy
Beowulf

were

welding it,and
wore

ring
his

armour

that breast have he

saw were

seared agony, for

right
and

flesh.
heart

His
must

swelled
come

"svith the
near

his
and

great
for

bursting
had
come

pain
on

sorrow.

For

that

panic

his

followers Yet

and
not

that

they

leaving fleeing,
faithless.
of

him

to

his fate.
and he the and

all of them dear

many

were

Wiglaf, young
from shame whom
on

daring, a
received
who tection proa

kinsman
a

Beowulf,

had

kindness,

calling
sword his

dastards
with wood. up,
no

fled, rushed
but

forward,
that of
a

in

hand,
of

shield
the

linden

Like
but
new

leaf

scorched
came

in

furnace

shield with

curled
the

strength Wiglaf
heroes
a

to

Beowulf
him

knowledge
Together
blood
the the

that
two

had

not
a

failed

in his need.

made
red

gallant stand,
from
a

although
that

flowed

in had and

swift

stream

wound

monster

made
ran

in down

Beowulf's

neck
A

with stroke

its

venomous

fangs,
left the
seen

his corselet. shivered

smote
a

which had
ere

Firedrake

unharmed
but

the

sword

that

many

fights,
could
be

Wiglaf

shrewd

blow

his

lord

destroyed,
with
seemed Then and bade when
an

and
so

Beowulf

swiftly drew
that

his broad
was

knife

and,

effort
to

great

all the
the

life that

left in him asunder.

very
near,

go

with

it, he
knew

shore that

Firedrake end
for

Beowulf he

his

drew his
forth

had

thanked
the
cave

Wiglaf
and

loyal help, he
the
treasure

him

enter

bring

264

BOOK his

OF

IMYTHS

that

he

might please
that he had the

dying
for

eyes

by looking
And he raced

on

the

riches hastened

won

his
knew

people.
that of of

Wiglaf
%\^th nificent magof of

into and

cave,

for

he

Death,

brought
Handfuls

forth of of

armfuls
and

weapons, cups, of he

ornaments, red and

goblets
and

bars

gold.
each whatever

sparkling jewels,too,
went,
it seemed
A that the

brought,
ing, choosthe

time

he

came

seizingwithout
as

lay nearest,
were

though

Fire-

drake's
and

hoard

endless. swords
of

magical golden
the

standard
made

armour

and
a

dwarfs

had
eyes. the

brought
when
was

smile
ten

joy

into

dying King's
that

And

the
at
an

shamed
came

warriors, seeing
to

fight lay,

end,
him

where the

their
vile
carcase

mighty
of the

ruler

they
he

found

lying near
surrounded

monster

had

slain, and
To

by
and
to

dazzlcment

of treasure Beowulf the

:

uncountable.

them,
on

Wiglaf,
to

spoke
honour

his

valediction, urging
land
of the
God
vast
ere

them

maintain
he

of the
"

Goths,

and
the

then
great

said
of

I thank For the I

so

eternal,
treasures

King
for

Glory,
upon.

which

I here

gaze my

That
Win Thou Here Bid

my

death-day
"

might
Since
the needs

people
my

great wealth
now

I have

given
calleth

life.
;

must

look
no

to

of the

nation
me

dwell thou
me

longer,

for
after

Destiny
my
on

my
a

warriors

funeral
the

Build

burial-cairn

high
tower

pyre sea-clilF's head

It shall So that

for the

memory
sea-farers shall
name

up

to

Hronesness,
Barrow
who drive Reels, of

Beowulfs

Henceforth Over Thou the

art
^

it,

they
their the

far and

wide

mighty
the

flood

foaming
kindred all the

last of all all my

Wagmund
chiefs

! away !

Wyrd
Now

has

swept
I follow

kin,
!
"

brave

must

them
^

Goddess

of Fate.

BEOWULF

265

Such

was

the

passing
a

of

Beowulf,
barrow

greatest
on a

of

Northern

heroes,
above

and

under

mighty
buried

cHff

very

high
a

the

sea,

they
the

him,
he

and

with

him

great
with

fortune

from

treasure

had

won.

Then rode his

of

heavy
sharers, mildest,
in
search

hearts,
who

"

round

about

the

mound

hearth-

sang
to

that

he

was

of

kings,
and

men,

the

kindest,
of

his
"

people

sweetest,

the

readiest

praise

"

Gentlest,

most

gracious,

most

keen

to

^vin

glory,"

And

if,
Goths

in

time,
have

the

great
more

deeds
like

of

mighty
than

king
solid it is

of

the

become

fairy-tale
that

history,
Saeland

this

at

least
Yorkshire

we

know,
coast
"

whether

in

or

on

the

where

''

High
The

on

the

sea-cliff

ledges trooping
and

white

gulls

are

crying

"

the
"

barrow

of

Beowulf

covers

very

valiant

hero,

very

perfect

gentleman.

ROLAND

THE

PALADIN

"

Roland,

the
at

flower

of

chivalry,
Thomas
"

Expired
"

Roncevall." while Turpin's

"

Campbell. Carlyle.
"

Hero-Avorship
"

endures

for

ever

man

endures."

Roland,

the

gode

knight."

History

of

Charlemagne.

The

old

chroniclers when
at

tell the
a

us

that

on

that

momentous

morning
\actory

William

Conqueror knight
was

led named

his

army Taillefer

to

Hastings,
of iron

Norman

(and
to

figure
front.

surely
of the

his) spurred
who he of

his
all

horse

the

In
to

face
with the sang, it

enemy

hated up

things
voice
and of

that

had

do aloud

France,

lifted

his

and
Roland.

chanted
As

exploits
he threw

Charlemagne
his
hand
at once,

he

sword
as

in it

the

air

and

always
the the be
our

caught
whole
Chanson

in

his

right

fell, and,
with

proudly,
him
"

army, de

moving
Roland^
be
our

joined
as

in God

and

shouted,
!
"

chorus,

help

! God

help
de

''

Taillefer
. . .

chantoit
et

Rollant

Et

d'Olivier,
mourent

de

Vassaux

Qui

en

Rainschevaux.''

Wage,

Roman

de

Rose.

Fifteen

thousand

of
one

those

who how

sang many of their

fell

on

that who

bloody
went

day,
down
to

and
to

wonders Shades

those

the

owed of
266

half
the

desperate
deeds

courage

the

remembrance

magnificent

ROLAND
of whom
met

THE

PALADIN
sword

267

of

the

hero
or

they
the sullen

sang,

ere

ever

met

sword,
of
a

spear

impact
own.

of the

stark

frame

Briton
The

born, fighting for his

so a we
are

story of Roland,
of

told, is only
slender
the bit

splendid drawing.
Ronces-

coating
A

paint put
"In

on

very

of of

contemporary
says the
are

chronicle
:

tells of
which

battle
was

valles, and

battle

slain

Roland,
a

prefect of squire,
we

marches told
name

of
to

Brittany."
"

Merely

Breton

believe
would

very have for

gallant country
been

gentleman
in
fine

whose

not not
won

preserved
But that cause be-

priestlyarchives
courage,
we are

had
an

he

himself, by his

such
so sure

unfading
that

laurel is the

crown.

"it
the

memory trail
so

the

soldier follows tradition

leaves the

after

him,

like

long
because the

of

light that
often

sunken

sun,"

and
than

oral
we

is less

misleading

written

word,

gladly
ValhaUa
777
at

and

undoubtingly
of all

give
races

Roland

high place
time.
the

in the

of heroes
or

and date

of every fixed
won

778

a.d.

is the

for

great fight
and
of the
a

Roncesvalles,

where

Roland

death

glory. Holy
seven

Charlemagne,
Roman

King
was

of the

Franks,

and

Head

Empire,

returning victoriously from

Saracens
in

years'campaign against the

"

Spain.

No Nor

fortress

stands
nor

before
to

him be

unsubdued.

wall,

city left

destroyed,"

save

one

"

the

city

of

Saragossa,
Here
still held

the

stronghold
the

of

King
the

IMarsile

or

Marsiglio.
his

amongst
to

mountains

King
"

and

people

their

idols, worshipped
and looked

Mahommed,

Apollo,

and

Termagaunt,"

268 with

BOOK

OF

MYTHS magne Charleupon magne Charleheld

queror cona

forward

horror the of

to

day

when of the

the

mighty
thrust Ere Marsile the

might, by
them the had

power the
to

sword,
Christ.

worship
returned his

crucified his
To
own

land,
that

council

with would

peers.
content

believe with

great
still he

rest too

Saragossa
for. them.

uncon-

quered
return
was

were

nuch

to

hope

Surely

would

to

force
to
war,

his
?

religion upon
A wise very in
to

Wliat,

then,

it best

do and

wily

emir

was

Blancandrin,
on

brave IMarsile
upon

in

counsel,

and

his ask
to

advice of

sent

ambassadors conditions in
peace he and

Charlemagne
be continue
on

to

him

what

would
to

allowed
to

retain the

his

kingdom
of his

worship
mules,

gods
silver

fathers. with

Mounted

white

with olive
sengers mes-

saddles, and
in
sent

reins

of

gold, and
and
at

bearing
the
ten

branches

their

hands, Blancandrin
Marsile with with
Peers
"

by
rested
were

arrived his him

who
were

Cordova,
Fifteen his him

where

Charlemagne
tried
peres
veterans
"
"

army.

thousand "Douzewhat Arthur and under the of

there, and
were

his of He

Twelve
the

to to

Knights
Britain.
a

Round his

Table
court

King

held
tree

in

an

orchard,
the wild

great
like

pine
a

from

which
canopy, of

honeysuckle king
and

hung
emperor The than of
one

fragrant
on a

the

mighty

sat

throne of

gold.
saw a man

messengers
stature

Marsile

of

much

more

ordinary
who
was

and indeed
and

with

the

commanding kingdoms,

presence but

might
laid

conquer he of watched

his
the

sword
contests

aside
the

contentedly
who

between

older

his

knights

played

ROLAND
of

THE

PALADIN trees, and

dear
to
own

269

chess bouts

under of the

the

shade

the

fruit

the him

fencing
were

younger

warriors.
dearest

Very
of all
own was

all his Roland.

Douzeperes, yet
In

his

nephew,
his
own

him
his

he

saw

his

youth
his endeared his

again,
utter

impcriousness,
"

reckless

gallantry,

ness fearlessto

all

those

qualities which
men.

him
son,

the

hearts
was an

of other evil

Roland
the fair

was

sister's
when

and

it
her

day

for

Bertha anger had

she
scorn,

told she
man

brother

that, in spite of
his
a

his
and

and

had
she

disobeyed

commands
poor would young

wed

the

loved, Milon,
No

knight. recognise
Roland
was

longer
in
a

Charlemagne
and lad

her

as

sister, and
He
was

obscurity
very

poverty
when
was no

born.

still
ford
a

tiny

his father, in attempting

to

flooded
Bertha

river,
had Soon

swept
one

down-stream fend for

and her the

drowned,
and

and

left to
no

for her Roland

child.

they
with
that
answer

had

food eyes
not

left, and
his

little

watched
so

amazed she could

famished
the her
to

mother
bed

growing
she

weak
nor

rise from
he

where the

lay,
and

him make
her

when
come

pulled
him

by
seek when
he

hand

tried and it
to
was

to

with
to eat.

his he
must

father
saw

find

something
the

And that

that

hopeless,

child

knew for
a

take who

his
so

father's

place
so

and

get
still.
were

food Into

the

mother hall Roland

lay

pale, and
and
was

very lords in

great

where

Charlemagne
Here
to meats

his
food

banqueting
!

strayed.
cooked
from

plenty
stomach

Savoury
were

smelling, delicious daintily

court
ate

his little empty which their

the

the

Emperor

and

his
one

off

silver

platters. Only

270

BOOK this

OF

MYTHS

platefulof
dear moment darts of the

food

such

as

must,
once

of

surety, make
Not
a

his
for
a

mother did into

a

strong
Roland

and

well

more.

hesitate.
and

Even up
so a

as

tiny

sparrow
out

lion's cage

picks jaws,
the

scrap

almost

monarch's
food

hungry
stood

acted
At

Roland.
this

plateful of
sprang,

beside both
the

King.
and
men

Roland
ran

seized his prey.

it with When

hands,

joyfully
would
them very

off have

with

serving
said,
when the rich
"

caught him, Charlemagne,

"

laughing,
he

bade and

desist. bold."
had fed had
to

hungry
the

one

this,"
on,

So mother her

meal
some

went

and
of

Roland
food

his
seen

with

pieces

and
came

gradually revive, yet

mind,
"

another

thought

his

baby

My

father

gave wine

her

wine,"

he

thought.
It will

"

They
her

were

drinking
cheeks
he

in that

great hall.

make

white

red
ran

again."
back,
as

Thus

fast

as

his
more

legs

could he

carry
saw

him,
the

and

Charlemagne
child,
he had
who

smiled knew

yet
no

when
return to

beautiful where he
came,

fear,
up

to

the

place
chair
of cup

thieved.
measured company the

Right
with

the

King's
the that cups the the

solemnly
the

his eye
saw

wine
of

that

great
was

quaffed,
most

Charlemagne
of the

beautiful
out

and
a

fullest little

purple-red wine, grasped

the cup,

stretched
and

daring
go off the

hand,
like
a

prepared
bird. hand

to

again, King
the
"

marauding
in his
own

bright-eyed
hand the

Then that

seized

held

cup.

No

no

bold

thief," he

said,

"

cannot

have

ROLAND stolen

THE

PALADIN

271

my
so

golden sturdy
"

cup
a

from

me, me,

be who

it
sent

done thee

by
out

ever

robber.

Tell

to

steal ? And

Roland,
iron into
sent

an

erect, gallant,little figure,his hand

of eyes the of he

still in the

grip
the

King, fearlesslyand Charlemagne.

said.
not
no

proudly
lay
had
was

gazed
"No cold
my but she

back
one

me,"
would
come

"My

mother and
so

very

and father
me

still and would seek cold

speak,
more,
me

she there

said
none

back food.

to
so

her

Give
very that

the

wine, I say
"
"

! for

is

and

so

very,

white still held

and

the

child

struggled to
"

free

his hand ?
"

the

cup.

Who

art
name

thou, then
is Roland
to
:

"

asked let
me

Charlemagne.
go, I pray

"

My
he

thee," and

again
"

tried said

drag

himself

free.

And

Charlemagne

mockingly

Roland,
to

I fear

thy
thief."

father

and

mother

have

taught

thee

be

clever

Then
"

anger mother
am

blazed
is her
a

in Roland's

eyes.

My
I
not

lady

of

high degree cupbearer,

!
"
"

"

he

cried,
!

"

and do

page,

her

her

knight
have

speak King

false
for very

words
rage.

and

he

would

struck
Then
"

the

Charlemagne
is this child
one

turned
"

to

his

lords

and

asked

"

Who And

made and of

"

answer

He

is the
who
was

son

of

thy

sister Bertha,
these three

Milon

the

knight,

drowned

weeks
the heart he

agone."
of

Then
remorse

Charlemagne
that

grew

heavy
so

with

when

found

his sister

had

nearly

died

272

BOOK

OF

IMYTHS
knew

of

want,

and and him

was as

from

that

day
from

she

never

aught
Roland

but
w^as

kindness

tenderness his
own

him,

while

dear
He

to

child.
now,

Douzepere
delivered those
was

and

when

the
to

envoys

from

Saragossa
he
a was one

had of

their

message
to

Charlemagne,
honour
at

who

helped
for

do

them
a

great

feast

that

held

them

in

pavilion raised
and
sat

in the

orchard.
in the

Early
then,
and
on

morning
throne his

Charlemagne
under the

heard

mass,

his

golden

great pine, he
Not
had
one

took

counsel

with but and

Douzeperes.
who
a

of them the
for

trusted

Marsile,
Bertha
"

Ganelon,
who

married
hatred
so

widowed

had his
was

jealous

his and
the

step-son
honoured counsel
to

so

beloved
the

by
"

mother,
ever

loved
oppose

by
of
a

King

ready

to

Roland.
messenger the

Thus
to

did

he

persuade Charlemagne
him
to

send
up

INIarsile, commanding
in all haste

to

deliver
a

keys

of

Saragossa,
to
come

become

Christian, and

in person vassal the

to

and, with

all

humility,

pay

homage
Then
arose

as

Charlemagne.
as

question

to

which

of

the

peers

should for be
nor
was

bear

the of But

arrogant

message.

Roland,
asked
have

ever

gi-eedy
he

the

post

danger, impetuously Charlemagne

and of would

that

might
him who

chosen.

neither
"

his
the

dear

friend

fellow-knight,
Roland's
nor

Oliver
nor
"

he

Jonathan de

David

"

would

he

have
and afford

Naismes undaunted
to

Baviere,

Turpin,
Rheims." Marsile
his peers
was

the He

chivalrous
could not
to

Bishop
their Then

of

risk

lives, and
he said
to

kno^vn

be

treacherous.

ROLAND
"

THE

PALADIN
I
not

273

Choose

ye

for
;

me

whom

shall

send.

Let who

it be

one

who

is wise mine

brave,

yet

over-rash, and

will

defend
Then

honour who

valiantly."
never

Roland,
said
"

knew

an

ungenerous be have

thought,
who better

quickly
goes, than for

Then,
or

indeed,
if he

it must

Ganelon
none

if he

goes,

stays, you

he."
And

all the said

other
to

peers

applauded
:

the

choice, and

Charlemagne
"

Ganelon

Come which

hither, Ganelon,
the

and

receive

my have

staff

and
to

glove,
thee."
But
not

voice

of

all the

Franks

given

the
to

honour be
an

which honour
:

all the

others In

coveted furious

was

held

by

Ganelon.

rage

he

turned
"

upon and
"

Roland your

You

friends if

have

sent

me

to

my

death

!
look

"

he you

cried.
to

But

by

miracle
for

should I

return, shall
be

yourself, Roland,
!
"

assuredly

venged re-

And
"

Roland
taken

grew
thee

red, then
for another

very
man,
me

white, and
Ganelon. the sire ?
"

said

I had

Gladly
to

will I take

thy place.
and

Wilt

give

honour
"

bear

thy
he

staff looked

glove

to

Saragossa,
in
the the cup of

And
as,

eagerly
when
mother's
a

Charlemagne
had craved

face

eager for

child, he
sake.
But
"

wine

his

Charlemagne,
must

with

darkened
he

brow,
"

shook
so

his head.
I
manded. com-

Ganelon Go

go,"
the

said,
of

for Jesus

have

for

honour

Christ, and

for

your

Emperor."

274

BOOK

OF

MYTHS
and

Thus,
hatred
the not

sullenly
back

and

unwillingly,

with

burning
bitter the

against Roland
to to

in his heart, Ganelon

accompanied
so

Saracens
easy

Saragossa.
as

hate

was

hide, and
was

he

rode

beside
a

him

wily

Blancandrin
this
pay

not

long
Soon
of

in
he

laying
saw

probing finger on
Ganelon
revenge whose

festering sore.
even

that
to

would himself lives

the

price
and
on

his

honour

upon
were

Roland
more

the

other

Douzeperes
eyes of
a

precious than
Saragossa
Ganelon had
was

his in the

Charlemagne.
man

Yet, when
a own

reached,
the

like

brave

and his with And thread

true

did brain

deliver

insulting message
that the

that

conceived had
he knew

and

Emperor,
deliver. but
to

magnificent
this he

arrogance,

bidden

him

did, although
Marsile
and the

his life hung lords

by

while
But of the

Saracen

listened

his words. comfort

Marsile
what way. be
a

kept

his anger had

soon

under, thinking with

told he had and his him of his

Blancandrin And
very
on

discovery by
how of

shown
on

Ganelon friends need that

he

might
and

avenged
manner

Roland
which

the

Roland,
be

in

treachery
the

never

known,
to

and

very

rich

were

bribes

he

offered

the Thus

faithless
it
came

knight.
about that

Ganelon
to

sold

his

honour,
and of

and

bargained companions
narrow

with
into of

the

Saracens hands

betray
in For

Roland
passage than of

his
the

their

their
more

defiles silver this

Roncesvalles.

fifty

pieces
and

of

Marsile

purchased
of the

the

soul

Ganelon,
in

when
to

Judas

Douzeperes
him

returned

safety

Cordova,
the

bringing keys
of

with

princely gifts for

and the

Charlemagne,

Saragossa,

promise

ROLAND in sixteen
and

THE

PALADIN would
the All gone and
as a

275

that
to

days
to

^larsile

repair
Christian

to

France
the

do

homage
was

embrace indeed.

faith,
out
as

Emperor
desired.
returned

happy
who

had

fallen in

he had

Ganelon,
calm his and

had

forth
had

wrath,

gallant,

carried
statesman

himself
and

throughout
a

difficult

embassy

wise

brave
"

and

loyal soldier.
has done
to

Thou

well, Ganelon,"
God and
to

said Thou

the

king.
be

"

give

thanks

my

thee.

shalt

well

rewarded."
Tlie

order
and

then

was

speedily given
miles
the

for
army the

return

to

France,
before

for halted

ten

great
for of

marched

they

and

encamped

night.
of peace

But
he the

when
had

Charlemagne
two

slept, instead
which disturbed
seized the

dreams

dreams

him

greatly.
spear his of

In

Ganelon first,
ash- wood the and

roughly
it broke

imperial

tough
In

and

into
saw

splinters in
attacked
arm,
rose

hand.
a
as

next, Charlemagne
a

himself

by
and from

leopard
a

bear,
darted

which
to

tore

off his

right
and

hound grey-

his aid he because he

awoke,

his couch
omen.

heavy
In

at

heart

of those

dreams

of evil and pass in its

the of It

morning
the
was

held
of oval the

council

reminded
of

his

knights
valles.
save on

dangers
a

the

lonely plain,
river

Ronces-

small
where

shut

all round,

the

south

found covered the and

outlet, by
with beech

precipitous
woods.

mountain
ran

ridges densely
sheer down up
to

Mountains

sky
the
to

above

it,
that
so

precipicesrushed
crossed
narrow

sheer of the be

below,
and

path
it
was

the

crest

Pyrenees
traversed

led

that

it must

in

single

file.

Tlie

276 the be

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

dangers

for
to

rearguard naturally
greatest,
and
to

seemed his

to

magne Charlehe

the

Douzeperes
"

turned,
"

as

before, for counsel.

the

Wlio, then, shall command

rearguard?
"

he asked. Roland ?

And
Ever

quickly
would And
he

Ganelon seek
the

answered,

Wlio

but

post

where

danger
owed with other much

lies."
to

Charlemagne,
way
to

feeling he

Ganelon,
ings forebodsave

gave

his

counsel,
Then for

though
all the

heavy

in

his

heart. that
see

Douzeperes,
they
the
:

Ganelon,
with
way.

said and

love

of

Roland

would

go of the

him

him

safelythrough
his

dangers

Loudly
'"^

they
For dred

vaunted

bravery
neuer

ofdethe,

he

hid

his hed.^'

I^eaving
with

them

behind

with

twenty
the

thousand

men,

and

Ganelon

commanding keep
you
to

vanguard, Charlemagne parting with

his Roland

started.
"

Christ
I betak

you

"

he
^^

said

on

"
"

Crist. clad

And

Roland,
on

in his

his sword

shining

armour,

lordly
side,

helmet
his horn

his

head,

Durendala

by
and

his

Olivant shield
on

slung
his

round

him,
mounted

his

flowersteed

painted

arm,

his lance

good

Veillantif, and,
pennon and

holding

his

bright
in
his the

with led
the

its white way who for

so

golden fringe
for

hand,
other

his

fellow-knights and
loved
far him. from the the dark pass Not

Franks

dearly

of Roncesvalles of Ten the

he

saw,

ing gleamthe Sir

against
spears of the

side

purple mountain,
men,

Saracens.

thousand

under

ROLAND

THE

PALADIN

277

Gautier,
every

were

sent

by

Roland

to

reconnoitre,
them,

but

from one every-

side of the

the
ten

heathen

pressed
were

upon
"

and

thousand

slain

hurled

into the

valley
turned re-

far

down
to

below.

Gautier
to

alone, sorely wounded, him,

ere

Roland,

tell

his
to

life ebbed
warn

away, of the

of

the

betrayal by
Yet
even

Ganelon,
then

and
were

him

ambush.
and beech of the the

they
late.

at

Roncesvalles,
the

warning

came

too

Afar

off, amongst
the
see

trees, and

coming
the

down Franks

amongst
could

lonely
the

passes of

mountains,
armour,

gleam
not
a

silver
the
as

and

Oliver, well
valour
came

knowing
withstand

that

even

most

dauntless
one

could

such

host

the

that

against them, magic

him.
thus horn that

besought Charlemagne

Roland

to

blow and

blast
return

on

his
to

might
Douze-

hear peres But

aid

And
he them.
hathe

all the would

other call

begged
Roland
"

of

him
not

that

for

help.

would fight with

or

listen to
that blod
no us

I will And Blow

them brest for

sought
my harnes ryn

se

my horn

throughe
then."

never

help

Through coming
no ever

the

night they hemming

and
was

knew them

their

enemies
there still.
"

were

nearer,

in, but
fair grass the and
;

were

night alarms,
no

day
dew

broke
on

There

was

wind,

there

the
trees

dew sang

dymmd merrily.
Mass

the At and

floures," and

amongst

the

birds

daybreak
blessed
the

the

good
and host

Bishop
even as

Turpin
his

celebrated ceased Then

them,

voice
them.

they

held be-

Saracen

close
to

upon

Roland

spoke
their

brave souls

words
and

of cheer his
own

his army

and

commended
suffrid for
us

to

Christ, "who

278

BOOK
whose

OF

MYTHS

paynes enemies
a

sore," and
of the

for

sake

they
every

had
tree

to

fight the
and rock the

Cross.
to

Behind be

Saracen pass

seemed
was never

hidden,
men

and

in

moment

whole

ahve

with

in mortal
were

strife.
of

Surely
valour Twelve
and
to

in any
than

fight
those fell

greater prodigies
and his comrades.

performed
Saracen
a

of Roland before
was

kings

their hurled
of

mighty
down

swords,
the

many

Saracen the
to

warrior of
the

cliffs

pay

for

lives their
so

men

France

whom

they
one

had

trapped
one man

death.
many
an
as as

Never did

before,
Roland
and

in

day,
his

did

slay
Roland
very
"

Oliver

friend and

"

"A
a

for

Oliver"
the
red

was

no

good exchange, quickly

;

yet

fair one,
Red Red Red
was

heathen
with his his

learned.

Roland^

bloodshed

his his

corselet, red
arm,

shoulders.

and

red

charger." Oliver
was came

In the
and

thickest
saw

of the that

fight he
his

and

together,
for of weapon
a

Roland

friend
the
there
?

using

and

dealing
" '

death-blows
hast

with
thou
a

truncheon
'

spear.

Friend, what
In this
a

cried

Roland.

'

game of

'tis not steel

distafF,
needest.

But
Where

blade
is
now

thou

thy good sword, Golden-hilted, crystal-pommelled ? Here,' said Oliver ; so fight I

' ' '

Hauteclaire,

That
'

I have

not

time

to

draw
'

it,'
I love
"

Friend,' quoth Roland,

henceforth
than
a

more

thee

Ever

brother.'

When Saracen who

the
was

sim

set

on

that those

welter
of the
men.

of

blood,
Frankish

not

single

left, and
were

rearguard

still lived

very

weary

ROLAND Then Roland called

THE

PALADIN

279

on

his whose

men

to stout

give
arm

thanks had

to

God,
well
army,

and
on

Bishop
that

Turpin, day,

fought
for the
none

bloody
in sorry

offered
were

up

thanks

though

plight
and

they,

almost
and

unwounded,
hauberks themselves eyes
but
never even as

their
rent

swords

lances

broken,

their laid

and
to

blood-stained.
rest

Gladly
the

they

down
more

beside
on

comrades

whose

would
was

open

the
to

fair land
take

of France,
rest
a

Roland upon him

about and his

his band

he

saw

descending
Saracens,
A hundred

little

host

of

led

by

Marsile

himself.
men,

thousand
came

untired, and
the

ing thirstfiercely
of

for wounded Franks

The

revenge, heroes.

against
Yet with

handful

wearied,
the

unwavering
call.
France of

courage

responded
war-cry
"
"

to

their
the

leaders'

of rang

soldiers above
army. Lord/
and shall

"
"

Montjoie
of the

IMontjoie !
trumpets

clear

the

fierce

sound

of the

Saracen

"

Soldiers Be ye this

of the valiant

cried

Turpin, given

'

steadfast.
crowns

For Midst In Be Lest

day

be

you

the
name

flowers

of

Paradise.
our

the ye

of God

Saviour,

not

dismayed
be the
us

nor

frighted. legends
of minstrels.

of you

shameful

Chanted Rather Since Heaven

by
let this

tongues
shall

die

victorious.
see us

eve

lifeless !

!
"

has who
sit

no

room

for

cowards

Knights,
Ye In On shall

nobly fight,and
among fields of the

vainly.

holy glory
!'
"

the

blessed

of Heaven.

then.

Friends

God,

to

2S0

BOOK

OF

AIYTHS

Marsile
of

felL the and

it.
even

first victim
more

to

blow

from the
one

the

sword

Roland,

fiercelythan
terrible

that

had

preceded
And of Evil
from
now

waged

this
as

fight.
the Powers
a

it seemed

though

of Good

and

also

took

part

in the

fray, for
darkness

storm

swept down
the the of its dead
to

the

mountains,
and
who When the that
to too

thick
rush and of

fell,and
rain and
came

rumble
shouts

of thunder of those

the

hea^"^" clash

dulled

fought
a

the

clang
up, with

their lurid and

send it

weapons.

blood-red

cloud

light showed dving.

a

trampled

ground

strewn

At

piteous sight Charlemagne

Roland ask

proposed
him
for

messenger then "When

to

aid, but

was

late. sixt^- Franks for the

men

only
to

remained,
whom

the he

pride
led

of Roland
to

gave and

way he

pity
the
on

had

death,
that he

took blow

magic
a

horn that

Ohfant
would
to

in his

hand,

might
his
host

it

blast behind him in

to

bring Charlemagne, wipe

But he Now
out

mighty
that

army

him,
such

the

Saracen

had

done

evil. when

Oliver had the

bitterly
wiUed

protested.
Roland done. had The

Earher
refused

the

day,
for
"

it,
was
was

caQ

help.

day
"

twHight
uf)on
nor

of death

Death

the

inevitable
now

closing in

them. he
nor

Why,
any

then,
other

caU

for

magne, Charlethem ?

when

could the wish

help

But
'"

Turpin
The

with

all Ins
of

forc-e backed horn if

cannot
our

of Roland. the he dead

can

blast

thy
'*

bring

back
return

to
save

life," he
OUT

said.

Yet

Emperor
them And there

corpsc-s
to

and beUe
not

weep France. in
a

over

and

bear

them lie

reverently
in

la and

shall

they
the

sanctuar\',

Pa^Tiim

land

where

wild

ROL.IND beasts
beaks
"

THE

PAL.\DIX

281

devour
tear
our

them flesh

and and

croakincr leave
our

wretches bones and

with

foul

dishonoured."'

That

is well

said," quoth
blow
was

Roland

Ohver.
upon

Then

did
and
so

Roland

three the

rm'ght\-blasts
that his
a

his

horn,
burst,
For the had
"

great
red
on

third
from

blood-vessel

and

the

drops

trickled

mouth.

days
of

end

Charlemagne
but

had
ever

been the

alarmed Ganelon

at

delay

liis him.

rearguard,

false

reassured

Why surely

shouldst gone

thou
some

fear, sire ?
wild

"

he
or

asked.

"

Roland
fond is

has he

after

boar

deer,

so

of the But

chase.*' when

Roland

blew

the

blast
it

that

broke and

his
no

mighty longer
knew
set

heart,
had that any his

Charlemagne
doubt of had the the dire the

heard

clearly,
of and its
at

meaning
true,
pass of

call.
once

He he that and

dreams

come

his

face
even

towards
at

Ronces\'alles
save

he

might,
men.

eleventh

hour,

Roland

his

Long
of his

ere

Chai'lemagne
who stood the in reached
men.

could
dire of

reach

the the
a

children
uncle force of of

soul had

such

need,

^larsile

place

battle behind

with

fift\' thousand

Pierced

from his !

by

cowardly
Yet time
or ever

lance, Ohver
he

was

sobbing

out

life's blood.
"

cried,

"

^lontjoie !
the of he his
was

Montjoie
a

and his

each

his from

voice the

formed lances when

words,
men,

thrust drove
a

from soul

sword,
to

down

Hades.
on

And

breathing

his sins asked

last, and
and

lay

the
to

earth, humblv

confessino: his
m

becronncr

God

gi'ant liim

rest

Paradise,

he

God's

blessing upon

282

A his

BOOK lord

OF

MYTHS
and
men,

Charlemagne,
of

the

king,

upon
to

his

fair land
free

France,
his

and,

above
true

all other brother

keep

from

scathe
the

heart's

and

comrade,

Roland,
his last
over

gallant knight.
measure

Then

did and

he
as

gently sigh
Roland
of the

little him
Yet of

of

life away,
half of the

bent

he

felt that
so

glamour
Aude

living was
Fair, the
his

gone.

still

dearly
was

did
to

he be

love his

sister

Oliver, who
taut
as

bride,
and
wave

that

muscles
was

grew
the the he

he

gripped
of
coast

his
a

sword,
furious
a

his courage that

when

dauntless cliffs of faced Of

the
a

courage

faces

all

rocky
Saracen

in

winter

storm,

again

host.

all the
now

Douzeperes, only
remained,
and

Gautier
them Soon

and
a

Turpin
poor

and little

Roland
handful

with

of

maimed
the

men-at-arms.

Saracen

arrow

drove

through

heart

of

Gautier, and

Turpin,
side. and

wounded But when for

at

by
each

four

lances, stood
thrust he

alone slew
a

by

Roland's
men,

lance
he

hundred

length
once more

fell, Roland,
his horn
"...
a

himself blew
of that
echoes Charles

sorely wounded,
it
a

seized
:

and
blast

upon
dread

piercingblast

horn,

On

Fontarabian That
to

borne.
did
come,

King

WTien And On

Rowland

brave, and
and

Olivier,

every

paladin

peer.
"

Roncesvalles

died."

Sir

Walter

Scott.

That and

blast

pierced right into

he turned his that

the army

heart

of

Charlemagne,
the whom pass he
was

straightway

towards

of
so

Roncesvalles

he

might
then

succour

Roland,
too

greatly nearly

loved. dead.

Yet Roland

it

was

late.
to

Turpin dying.

knew

himself

be

Veil-

ROLAND

SEIZED

ONCE

MORI-;

HIS

HORN

ROLAND

THE

PALADIN

283

lantif, Roland's
from wounds
a

faithful
of the blow

warhorse,
arrows,

was

enduring
him
Roland

agonies
slew From

Paynim
from could

and

with

shrewd the

his hear
at

well-tried the the

sword. of the what made

far, far away

of the of the

hero army, host

blare

trumpets
was

Frankish
Saracen

and,
fled where in

sound,
He

left way,

terror.

his

to blindly,painfully,

Turpin lay, and

and
was

with

fumbling
golden
strove
own

fingers
helmet.
to

took

off

his

hauberk poor skill wounds

unlaced left to

his

With
up

what

him,
of

he

bind

his
he the

terrible

with

strips
as

his

tunic, and spot

was

dragged
beech

him,
trees

as

gently
the

he fresh

could,
moss

to

under green.
" '

where

still

Ah, gentle lord/

carry
we

said

Roland,
who
;

'

give
are

me

leave

To Whom

here
so

our

comrades loved

dead,
not

dearly
I will bless

they
and 'but

must

lie

Unblest And
'

but shalt the

bring
them,

their

corpses
me,
soon ere

here thou
return.

thou said God

die.'

Go,'

dying priest, victory

Thank

! the

is yours

and

mine

!'

"

With
of
the

exquisite pain
and where of the

Roland
rest

carried
the
to

the

bodies from their

cost
a

Oliver

of

Douzeperes
where that took

places

they

had

died Each
each

Turpin,
he

dear him toll until

them

bishop, lay a-dying.

a

step step
he

took

pang blood. all

of

agony Yet

from his

him

of

faithfully
around them

performed
who then

task,

they
and and
of

lay

Turpin,
all. And

gladly
the

blessed of

absolved
heart for

agony

soul grew

and him
a

body
to

that

Roland
he gave the

had
a

endured

overmuch last

bear, and
tree

great cry,

like the

sigh

of

mighty

that

woodcutters

284

BOOK

OF
and

:\1YTHS

and fell,
Tlien

dropped do\\Ti, stiff dying

the horn

chill,in

deathly
towards

swoon.

the

bishop

di'agged

himself

him
he

and

lifted

Olifant, and
with
ver}'

with

it in his hand

struggled,inch by inch,
to
a

great pain and

down
to
ere

labom%
ra\'ine,
hero
the

Uttle

stream

that fetch
men

trickled
some

the

dark
the

that that

he he

might
and
the

water

re^'ive
he could his each

all

loved.
of

But

reach eyes.
movement

stream,

mists
hands and

death
prayer,

had

veiled

He

joined
meant
a

his

in

though
to

pang,

gave And
a

liis soul
so

Christ, his Saviomaway the

and

his

Captain.
wamor
was

passed

soul

of

mighty
Tlius

and

stainless alone
to

priest.
the

Roland
back

amongst
With
to
so

dead

when he

sciousness conlaced un-

came

him.

feeble
as

hands best he

his helmet

and had

tended

himself did

might.
crawl honi

And,
towards

as

Turpin
the

done,
There and that and

also
he

he

painfully

stream.

found that brave hero

Tui'pin, the
it
was

Olifant
to

by
him

his

side,
water

knew
the the
lord

in had

tr^'ing
died,

fetch

bishop
wept.
birth.
Heaven

and

for tenderness
"

pity
the

Alas

! brave soul I

priest^ fair give

to

of noble of

Thy

great King
the
in

May
And

thy

fair soul

escape thee

pains

of

Hell,
"

Paradise

receive

its bowers

Then
"

did
no

Roland
way

know
but

that

for

him,

also, there

was

other

death." his

With

dragging steps
Durendala Under in
a a

he
one

toiled

uphill a
and

little way, other

some

good

sword

in Uttle of

hand,
of

in the

his horn

Olifant.
hevm

clump
marble

pines were

rough steps
up the

boulder Roland

leading yet higher

and Iiill,

these

ROL.\jST)
would
more,

the

paladin

285

have and
out

climbed,
he fell

but

his

throbbing
on

heart A

could

no

again
of

swooning

the

ground.
saw

Saracen
there

who,
and
"

fear, had
out

feigned death,
covert

him

lying
"

crawled It is

of the the in

where of the he

he

lay

concealed.
! he
"

Roland,
and

nephew triumph

Emperor

ously joy-

thought,
bear

said to himself,
But would aroused skull
as

I shall hand it from

swoon.

his sword
the

back

with

me

"

his have from and

Pagan
torn

touched

hilt of the grasp,

sword the hero

and
was

Roland's
One
at

dying

his

great stroke
Roland's
"

cleft the Then but,

I thou

Saracen's
to

laid him

dead
:

feet.

Durendala

Roland

spoke

surely die
me

;
sure

ere

end.
art

Let For

be

that heathen

ended thee
sore

too

ray I
am

friend

should

grasp full

when until

clay.
day !
"

My
]\Iore effort
smote

ghost

would

grieve

the

judgment
as

ghost

than of

man

he he

looked

with his

mighty
feet and the

of

"svoll and

body
the

stiTiggledto
boulder.
as

with the miner

to

his marble
had break A third

blade

marble

Before the

stroke of
a

split asunder
cloven it

though
rock of

pick-axe
he
harmed. un-

it.
but

On

sardon^rx
remained

strove

then,
he

Durendala
and the Tlien
not

time

strove,
that

struck

rock
rushed

of

blue
out
as

marble from in
so

"s^'ith such
a

force

sparks
he be blew the knew

blacksmith's Durendala Olifant down the the

to

an^'il. would his

that

it And

was

vain, for
raised echoed rang

shattered.
a

he

lips and
up
to

d\'ing

blast

that

cliffs and
trees

mountain And

tops and
to

through
do

of the the

forest.

still,

this

day,

they
down

say, the

when

spiritof

the

warrior the

rides

by night

heights

and

through

dark

286

BOOK

OF

IMYTHS

pass

of

Roncesvalles,
all the of
he the echoes

even

such

blast

may

be the

heard,

waking
hollows
Then of his

and

sounding

through

lonely

hills.

made and

confession, and
for mercy he from

with
the
unto

prayer whose

for

pardon
faithful

sins
and

God

servant

soldier

had
away.
With last.

been

his life's

end, the

soul

of

Roland

passed
"...

hands God

devoutly joined
sent

He Saint

breathed

his

his

Cherubim,

Raphael,
with soul

Saint them

Michel

del
came.

Peril.
"

Together
The

Gabriel
Rollind
to

All

bring

of Count

Paradise. Aoi."

Charlemagne
very
as

and
the

his army

found
the

him
rage of

lying thus,
of the

and

terrible looked
on
"

were on

griefand
and
on

Emperor

he

him

the

others of

his

Douzeperes
" "
"

and

the

bodies field
was

of that
was

army

twenty
ouer
"
"

thousand.
roun

All

the

with

blod ther

Many

good
By

swerd
was

broken home."

"

Many

fadirles

child

ther the but

at

side
ere

of he

Roland,

Charlemagne
his
:

vowed mourned

ance, vengeover

avenged

death

he

him

with
"
'

infinite
The

anguish
mercy,
our

Lord

have shall

Roland,
fair France

on

thy
behold

soul

Never A

again
so

knight

worthy,
lies
realms taken
woe

till France

be

no

more

How How Now So And While

widowed will thou the

art

our

fair that

France,
I have

and

how

lone

swayed
age I die !
too

rebel,

from fain Peers

my

weary

deep

my my

that

would
in

join
men

valiant
inter

Paradise,
with thine !'
"

my

weary

limbs

ROLAND

THE

PALADIN

287

terrible
when when the

vengeance Saracen

was

the
was

one

that

he

took

next
;

day,
and

army

utterly
had been and

exterminated buried
where the and

all the
save

noble

dead

they
bodies

fell,
of

only Roland,
three heroes honour

Oliver,
were

Turpin,
to

these

carried
the

Blaye

interred
there.

with

great

in

great

cathedral

Charlemagne
his

then the

returned

to

Aix, and
of
meet

as

he

entered and
the

palace,
of

Aude

Fair,
hastened

sister
to
was

Oliver,
him.

betrothed
were as

Roland,
?

Wliere
murmur

the

Douzeperes
who of the

What
that

the

moaning
the

of
the

women

wept,

had
and

heralded his

arrival
army ? of

in

town

Emperor

conquering
of the

Eagerly
Roland,
her
:
"

she

questioned Charlemagne
when the

safety

and

Emperor,

in

told pitying grief,

Roland,
cry

thy hero,
fell to

like

hero

died," Aude
like
a

gave

bitter

and

the

ground

white

lily slain
she
he had

by

cruel

wind. when
he

The would

Emperor
have

thought
up, he

fainted, but
that she
to
was

lifted her

found her

dead,
and
was

and,
buried

in

infinite
the

pity,

had

taken

Blaye
tender had

by

side
to

of Roland. the

Very
Roland had
been

Charlemagne
but for when the there

maiden
of

whom Ganelon
At met
a

loved,

treachery
was
no

proved,
and of

him

mercy.

Aix-la-Chapelle,torn
shameful
as a

asunder

by
nor

wild

horses, he
name

horrible blackest
of the

death,
of other

is his
But

forgotten
the
on

that

the and

traitors.

memory

of

Roland

Douzeperes

lives

and

is,

however

fanciful, forever

fragrant.

288

BOOK

OF

IVIYTHS

"...

Roland,

and

Olyvere,

And That

of

the

twelve the

Tussypere,
batayle king,
and
us

dieden

in

of

Runcyvale

Jesii
To To his

lord,
bliss

heaven hem

both

bring.
Sir
"

liven

withouten

bale

"

Otuel.

THE

CHILDREN

OF

LIr

"

Silent,
Break While

Moyle,
ye

be

the

roar

of cham

thy
of Lir's of

water

; ;

not,

breezes,

your

repose

murmuring
to

mournfully,
her tale

lonely
"

daughter
Moore.

Tells

the

night-star

woes."

They

are

the that
are

tragedies,
handed
rich in

not

the
to

comedies
us,

of the

the

old,

old
of

days
the

down

and the of the

literature and

Celts

is

tragedy.
of the Celts

To

romantic green

sorrowful
of

imagination
we
owe

island of
the

Erin

the

hauntingly

piteous

story

children In
the

of

Lir.

earliest

times
a

of

all, when
who Greece
came

Ireland from

was

ruled

by
and
arts

the

Dedannans,
with

people
from the

Europe
and other believed chiefs the best
to

brought
so

them that the

magic
of had the
so

wonderful
to

people

land many
was

them that
man

be
met

gods,
one

Dedannans
to

they
of

day

decide

who choose Bodb

as

them The every

all, that
choice
man

they
fell

might
upon him the and

him the

be and Lir

their

king.
did

Red,
all
save

gladly
of Shee

acclaim
left

king,
in

Finnaha,
he chosen. and

who that

council
not

great
should
to

wrath have his

own

because been

thought
In

he,

Bodb,
retired he another.
an

high
years
war

dudgeon
that

he

place,
Red

in

the fierce
came

followed
one

and

Bodb At of last

the
a

waged
sorrow

against
Lir,
for

great

to

after

illness

three

290

BOOK

OF
dear
saw

MYTHS

days
him

his wife, who

was

very Bodb chief

to
an

him,

was

taken

from
for wish

by
And
"

death. with

Then the

opportunity
he he I had
sent
a no

conciliation re-

whose

enemy

to
:

be.

to

the

husband grief-stricken weeps my the for house

most

message
to

My

heart In

thee, yet
have I

pray

thee

be my

comforted.

three and
one

maidens,
the thou my best wilt

foster-daughters,
in all and

beautiful which

structed in-

Erin.
own me

Choose for

for

thy wife,
shall be And
out

thy lord,

and

friendship

thine the
a

forever."
message

brought
company reached the Lir

comfort of the

to

Lir, and
nor

he

set
ever

with

gallant
he

fifty chariots, palace

Warm
from of Bodb and

halted
at

until

had
on

the

Red
was

Lough

Derg,

Shannon. received beautiful

as

kindly

the
next sat

welcome

that
as

his

overlord,

and

day,
on
"

the

three couch

foster-daughters of
Bodb

Bodb Lir
:

the Behold wilt."

same

his queen,

said

to

my

three

daughters.
"

Choose

which

one

thou

And Eve is the

Lir

answered,
so

They
be

are

all

beautiful,
of the

but

eldest,
her he

she my

must

the

noblest

three.

I would That wife back

have

for

wife."

day

married him
to

Eve,
his
them
o^vn

and

Lir

took

his fair young

with

place, Shee
their
son

Finnaha,
To
a

and in

happy
course

were

both time
were

of

in
a

love. and
the

them

of

born named
as

twin

daughter.
Aed,
as

The the
as

daughter they
children their
were

Finola
as

and

son

and

beautiful,
she bore
as

good,

and

happy they
on

mother.
Ficra and

Again
Conn,

twins, boys, whom

their

named

but

eyes

opened

THE

CHILDREN

OF

LIR

291

the life

world,

the

eyes
once

of

their Lir

mother
was
a

closed

on

pleasant
bowed

forever, and

again
before. the death the

widower,

more

down
The
to

by grief than tidings of palace

very
to
sorrow

of Eve

brought great
to

sorrow

the
was

of

Bodb

Red,

for the

all who sent

a

knew

her

Eve

dear.
Lir
:

But

again

king

message

of comfort
"

We thee thee

with
our

thee, yet in proof of

for the
one

our

friendship
we

with

and

love of
our

who
to

is gone,

would
to

give

another
who have Lir

daughters
their
to

be

mother

the

children And Great

lost
went

mother's
the

care."
at

again
Lake,

palace
Eva,

Loch

Derg,

the

and

there the

he

married

the

second

of the

foster-daughters of
At first
as

king.
as

it seemed

if Eva
were

loved
her
own.

her

dead
But

sister's
she
to

children
saw

though

they
was

when

how
how

passionate
he

her them

husband's
to

devotion
near

them,
would
caress

would their
and

have

sleep
to

him

and
to

rise at

slightestwhimper
how
at to
see

comfort wake

and
to

them,
had
left

dawn that

she

would
was

find

he the

her

side weed

all

well
to

with up

them,
in the
and she them

poisonous
of her

of

jealousy began
She
was a

grow
woman,

garden
knew whom

heart. it
or

childless who

not

whether

was

her

sister she

had

borne the and

she

hated,
But the Red

whether

hated grew,

children the

themselves.
that the
see

steadily the
bore times times for in would when

hatred
them

love
her
to

Bodb
more.

only
he them

embittered would away

come

Many
many

the

year take the

them, him,

to

stay
the

with

and

each

year

Dedannans

held

292

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

Feast
which

of

Age

"

the who

feast

of

the
never

great god
grew gave

IVIannanan,
old
"

of

those of them Lir

partook

the all

four who

children beheld their

But

were

present,

and

joy

to

by

their

great beauty, their

nobility,and

gentleness.
as

the Lir

love
grew,

that the

all others
hatred
at

gave of

to

the their the

four

children

of

Eva,

mother, step-

kept
in her gi'ew
heart
worn

pace

with her

it, until

length
as

poison
she For

ate

into

body
of in

as

well
very

her

soul, and

and year she

ill out

her

wickedness.
the sound their

nearly

lay

sick

bed, while

of the

children's faces
like

laughter
the faces

and
of words

their
the

happy
children

voices,
of
a

lovely
the

god,
father

and

proud
of At them

and

loving
were,

with

which in
a

their

spoke
wound. had

to
came

her, like
a

acid

festering

last

there

black

day

when

jealousy
heart, and
She be

choked

all the
and

flowers

of

goodness
cmelty
the take her

in her

only
rose

treacher}^
from her
the
were

merciless and
she
to
see

remained.
horses the
to

her chariot

couch that Lake little

a

ordered

yoked

to to

might
the

four

children

Great
but
even

king,

foster-father. that
an

They

children, yet the

little child that harm
to seen, to

instinct
it is
come near

sometimes
evil her have vision

tells warned
her

very

when would go. with which

thing,
to

Finola
were

to

and

brothers that

they
had

It

may the Lir

also

been,
of
a

perhaps,
woman

she

sharp
was

child, the
that had that in
a

thing
of in her

quite blind,
in
a

and she love

tone

stepmother's voice,
eyes, she had for learned her

look
the the

surprised
her

her \vife

that for

father's

professed

and

THE

CHILDREN

OF

LIR

293

others she tried

to not

was

only
to

hatred,
excuses

cunningly
for herself

disguised.
and
so

Thus

make she Eva

the that
ears,

little brothers

whom But said

was

child-mother,
with deaf
must

they
and

need the

go.

listened
to

children
at

farewell that stood

Lir, who
in

have and off

wondered
the

the

tears

Finola's

eyes

shadow
chariot

that with

darkened their

their

blue, and

drove

in the

stepmother. they
:

Wlien
her

had
"

driven Much be

long
have

way,

Eva

turned

to

attendants I four love The of have

wealth yours that

I," she
will

said,

"

and
me me

all that those the

shall

if you have

slay

for

hateful my man."

things

stolen

from

servants

heard

her

in

horror, and
"

in is

horror the

and deed

shame thou thou

for wouldst

her

they
have have
us

answered
do
so

Fearful fearful

more

still is it that Evil

to

shouldst
come

wicked
for

thought.
wished

will the

surely
lives

upon innocent

thee

having

take

of Lir's

little children."

Angrily, then,
fain But have she and done lacked
so

she

seized
her

sword

and had
out

herself scorned her

own

would
to

what

servants to

do.
evil

strength they
at

carry

wish,
to

journeyed
last
"

onwards.

They

came

Lake

Darvra
"

now

Lough
all

Derravaragh,
from the had
was

in riot, cha-

West

Meath and the

and

there

they

alighted though
that

children, feeling as
at
an

they
now
were

been
over

made and the the

to

play
was

ugly
and

game,

but

it

all loch

safety
bathe.

happiness again,
and the with

sent

into

to

Joyously
into

merry
water

laughter by
the

little

boys

splashed

clear

294

BOOK

OF

IMYTHS

rushy shore,
sister, whose
water-lilies
It
was

all three
little slim

seeking
white
more

to

hold
was

the

hands

of their than the

body

whiter

and
then

her

hair
that

golden
struck
for the

than

their
as a

hearts.
a

Eva touch then

them, each,
with

snake

strikes
wand

its prey.
of the and

One

magical
an

Druids,
the

low

chanting
had the

of

old and their

old
where

rune,

beautiful
feet had above the
to

children

vanished,
sand
and

their hair
that

tiny
had dance

pressed
the

yellow
heads
swans.

shown in

water

like four floated

the four

daffodil white
of

wind,
Eva

there

But

although
their
to not

belonged
and

power and

bewitching
still

bodies, their hearts

the
as a

souls

speech
Finola

belonged
it
was

children

of

Lir.

And

when
as
a

spoke,
who there
*'

little timid sad eyes

child, but
the
a

woman

could
see

look
the

with

into
of

future

and
act.

could

terrible

punishment
deed thee that

shameful
hast
we are

Very
"

evil

is the
gave
were

thou

done,"
very

she

said.
and

We
our

only

love, and

young, and

all

days
hast

happiness.
our

By

cruelty
to
an

treachery
yet is
our

thou doom

brought piteous

childhood thine.
lies before

end,
unto

less
a

than

Woe,
thee
to

woe

thee, O
Then the

Eva,
she

for

fearful
"

doom

"

asked

child

still, longing
from

know

when children

dreary days
be
we over
"

of
"

its Tell

banishment
us

other time

should until

how forms made

long

must

pass

can

take

our

own

again."
"

And,
it been

relentlessly,Eva
for

answer

Better

had
that Three

thy
Yet

peace will ye

hadst I live tell

thou thee

left

unsought
doom.
waters

knowledge.
hundred
years

thy

shall

in the

smooth

of Lake

ONE

TOUCH

FOR

KACH.

WITH

MAGICAL

WAND

OF

THE

DRUIDS

THE

CHILDREN

OF

LIR

295

Darvra which
more

three between

hundred Erin Domnann^ Until from

come a

years and

on

the
; three

Sea

of

Moyle,^
years
on

is
at

Alba
and

hundred

Ivros
Sea.

at

Inis

Glora,^
the north the ye my
runes

the shall

Western marry
a

prince
south

from
;

princess
shall
the the

the
to

until

Tailleken
shall power
can

(St. Patrick)
the
sound power, of
nor

Erin, and

until

hear
nor

Christian
power of

bell, neither
any

thy
ye

Druid's

set

free until
As she

that

weird
a

is dreed."

spoke,
heart.

strange

softening
were so

came

into

the

evil

woman's
who

They
up
at

still,those
eager, of
were

white

creatures

gazed
which she

her the

with
souls

beseeching
little silent

eyes,

through
that
once

looked had

the
so

dren chiland

loved.
and
to

They

piteous, the
faces she of

little Ficra used

Conn,
And

whose she

dimpled
said, that

baby
her

often

kiss.
the have

burden
"

guiltmight
relief your ye shall human suffer and the
went
no

be ye

lighter :
in your and

This

troubles.
human your
more

Though speech,
is the

ye

keep
shall

reason

your

yet
form
any

grief
shall
has
to

because

form sweet

of swans,

you earth back

sing
ever

songs

than

music
Then

that Eva

known." chariot and

drove
to

her
at

the the

palace
four

of

her
swans

foster-father
were

the

Great

Lake,

and

white When

left
the

on

the

lonely waters
without the she

of Darvra.

she

reached in

palace

children,
had
not

the

king

asked
with

disappointment
her.

why

brought
*

them

The

North
3

Channel.
A small island

Erris,

in

Mayo.

off Benmullet.

296

A
"

BOOK

OF

IMYTHS
"

Lir

loves
trust

thee

no

longer,"
to

she

made

answer.

He

will not them But

some

his children ill."

thee, lest thou

shouldst

work

her he

father
sent

did

not

believe
to

her Finnaha
ever

lying
that

words.

Speedily might
with when
a

messengers the

Shec who

they joy
and

bring
them. he

baek

children Lir

carried
message,

Amazed,
that
arose
as

received had his reached heart.

the the In

learned
dread and

Eva in

palace alone,
haste he he

terrible

great

set

out,

he

passed by
so

Lake
and

Darvra

heard he And four and

voices
was

singing

melodies his

sweet to

moving
and

that

fain, in spite of
as

fears,

stop
the where of his

listen.
were

lo,

he

listened, he
swam

found up

that
to

singers
he
o^vn

swans,

that him

close
the

stood,
dear and knew their break he

greeted

in that

glad
he

voices

dren. chilwhen that doom

All

night
him

stayed piteous

beside tale

them,
and he of
to

they
no

had

told

their them Lir's

power

could

free

till the heart

sorrow.
was

years like At
to

were

accomplished,
love and of

with
took
a

pitying
tender the
was

infinite
them
were

da^vn house

leave
Red. his face

and

drove the

the of evil

of

Bodb dark Eva

Terrible
as

words the

Lir, and

he

told

the who

king
had

thing
in the

that

had

done.

And

Eva,
that Lir
man,

thought give
her

madness
when

of her he away eyes. anger

"

jealousy
a

would

all his love

and

was

childless

shrank,
saw

white furious

trembling,
in
as

from Then of Lir

him said
:

when the

she

the

hatred
was even

his the

king, and
the

his anger

The

suffering of

little

children

^vho

are

dear

THE

CHILDREN

OF

LIR

297

to

our

souls
eternal he

shall doom."

come

to

an

end

at

last.

Thine

shall

be

an

And

put
on

her

on

oath
or

to

tell him the

"

what
or

shape
beneath
she
most

of

all others,
the

the
most

earth,

above

earth,
which

earth, she
to

abhorred,

and

into

dreaded
"

be

transformed." of the of her the

A A

demon demon
"

air," answered
air shalt thou

the be

cowering
until

woman.

"

time he
too

shall
smote

cease

said

foster-father.

Thereupon
a

her for

with
men's

his druidical
eyes and other the
to

wand,
upon,

and

creature
a

hideous
of
to

look

gave

great

scream

anguish, join the

Then
went

flapped
demons

its black
of the

wings
air.

as

it flew

away

king
Lir
to

of

the

Dedannans

and and sung

all his

people
to

with

Lake
that been

Darvra,
were

listened
to

the the

honey-sweet
white And
away stricken heart.
on swans

melodies that had

was

them of their it
to

by

the the and

children
music that

hearts. lull

such

magic
sorrow

in

could
the

all

and

pain,
the

give

rest

griefat

and And the

sleep
the shores

to

toil-worn
made lake that
as

and
a

the

heavy
ment encampnever

Dedannans of the

great

they might
centuries the three

be

far
came

from the and

them.

There,
who

too,

the

went

by,
in years

Milesians,
so

succeeded of Lir

Dedannans
hundred

Erin,

for

the

children

passed happily
Sad
of the for

away. and
was

them

for

Lir, and
the the

for when
swans

all the
the said

people
at

Dedannans,
were

day
four who
were

years

Darvra
to

ended and

and
to

farewell
to

their

father

all

so

dear

them,

298

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

spread
stormy

their
sea.

snowy

pinions,
sang the
a

and of

took

flight
that

for

the

They
on

song of

parting
who

made

grief sit heavy

and and
the of
men

hearts in memory

all those
of the

listened,
of Lir

of

Erin,

children

the

good things they

made
a

had

wrought

by
it
man

the

magic

of their all the

music,

law, and
that

proclaimed
forth
no

throughout
of

land, that
harm
were

from
a

time

their

land

should

swan.

Weary
of of Lir the when

the

great white
the

wings
whose the

of

the

children
the

they
grey

reached
sea

jagged

rocks

by

side

fierce

of

Moyle,
And

turbulent
that
came

waves

fought angrily together.

them of there
were

days
of

to

days
cold

of
were

weariness,

loneliness, and
very

hardship.
yet the
shriek
of cliffs the
or

Very
sweetness

they often,
song and

hungry,
the

and

of

their

pierced through
the sullen

vicious
crash the

of

the

tempest
that

boom

and

great billows
thundered in like
a

flung themselves majesty

silver drove

against
over

devouring
thread
a

the
runs

wrack-strewn

shore,

of

that
across

through
down it
that and the

pall.
Sea
of

One

night
from

tempest
the

and

Moyle
the teeth

north-east,
and like that of

and
the

lashed sleet
of

into

fury.
in

And the

mirk of the

darkness

drove
the

gale

bullets
threshed Lir with

ice,
the

huge,

irresistible hearts had

breakers children love

shore, filled the

For

of the

dread. and the

always they
of

desired

and and

beauty, fury
made

ugliness
sick
at

imrestrained

cruelty

them

soul.
her the

To

brothers
storm

Finola

said
us

"

Beloved
Let

ones,
us,

of

surety

must

drive

apart.

then.

THE

CHILDREN

OF
lest

LIR

299

appoint
each

place

of

meeting,

we

never

look

upon

other

again." knowing
that she

And,
three

spoke
as

wisely

and

well,

the the

brothers

appointed

their

meeting-place
the

rock

of Carricknarone. Never did Erin

a

fiercer than

storm storm

rage that

on

sea

between

Alba

and

the

raged
stars

that

night.
moon, sea,

Thunderous,
nor was

murky
any

clouds

blotted line up

out

and

there

dividing
themselves
the

between

sky
in
a

and

but of

both

churned

together
the
soon

passion
victims
were

destruction.
the

When
of the

lightning flashed,
seas,

it showed

only
of

fury

cruel

shattered
the
over swans

the

destroying
one

storm.

Very
and

driven
of
to

from

another

scattered could

the

face

the

angry

deep.
while
the

Scarcely

their
the

souls winds
to to
an

cling
and

their

bodies When

they struggled with long, long night

dawn
no swans

waves.

came swam

end,
rock

in the of

grey

and

cheerless
But

Finola
were

the

Carricknarone.

there, only the

and
the terns

greedy gulls that

that cried Then she all very

sought

after

wreckage,

dolorously.
came

great grief
see

upon

Finola, for

she But

feared
first broken of

would
came

her

brothers feathers and

nevermore.

Conn,
head

his

all in
a

battered little Ficra

and

and
so

his

drooping,
and he cold and

appeared,
that younger
no

drenched
could

beaten And

by

the took

winds her

word brothers

speak.
her

Finola

under and

great

white
warm

wings,
she

and

they
then

were

comforted
"

rested would indeed."

in that

shelter.

If Aed

only come,"

said,

"

should

we

be

happy

300

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

Aiid towards

even

as

she
a

spoke, they proud

Finola and

beheld
with its

Aed white

sailing
sails snowy
to

them

like
sun,

ship
held

shining plumage
children

in the
of of

and

him

close to the returned

her

breast,

happiness

the

Lir.

Many
very of
came

another
to

tempest
them
were

had the

they
snow

to

strive

with,

and

cruel the
a

and

biting night
sea

frosts there

dreary
frost and

winters. that in the rock and turned

One
even

January
the when

restless the
swans

into
strove

solid
to

ice,

morning,
of

rise

from
to

the

Carricknarone,
left behind and had Yet them the

the

iron the

frost of

clung
their
of their

them

they

skin feathers the

feet, the

quills of

their

wings,
the

soft gone,

breasts, and
torture

when their
sweet

frost

salt sang peace

water

was

for

wounds.
and
a

ever

they
the

their
and them

songs,

piercing
come,

speaking
storm-tossed

of

joy
was

to

and
to
nor

many and who

mariner

by

lulled

sleep
knew in who

dreamt

the sung that

happy
him
so

dreams

of his childhood,
a

had

magical
sang the

lullaby.
which

It
a

was

those

years

Finola

song of
a

poet

possessed
of
us.

the

wonderful
of the

heritage
Gael has

perfect comprehension
for

the

soul

put into English words

"

Happy
Witli

our

father
and

Lir songs the

afar^
of love white have and
war ;

meadj

The
With

salt brine, and these the his

foam,
their

children

home.

In

sweet
we

days
winds
our

of

long
to

ago, and fro and and

:

Soft-clad
But
now

wandered

cold

of dawn thin

night light.

Pierce

deep

feathers

THE
Beneath When On

CHILDREN

OF
brothers hurtle my other Macleod

LIr
lie

301

my the

wings
fierce side and

my

ice-winds 'neath
no

by
rest."

either
sons

breast

Lir's

have

known Fiona

(William hundred friends. mouth

in
on

Sharp),
years

Only
did
the
saw,
on

once

during
of down

those
see

dreary
any the of shore

three their
at
a

children

Lh'

Wlien
of the

they
Bann

riding
the

to coast

the

north

of

Erin,
and
to

company mounted them. company

gallant
white

attire, with horses,

were

glittering arms,
swans

the

hastened that the

meet

And
was

glad
led
the for
a

their two
sons

hearts of the Bodb

day,
Red,
coast

for who of

the

by
swans

had
Erin

searched
for many from

along
who

rocky
them

day, good

and

brought
Dedannans the

loving greetings
and from their years flew
western
to
on

the Lir.

king
At
came

of the

father the

length
to
an

three and Glora

hundred
the in
swans

Sea

of

IMoyle

end,
of

to

Ivros
sea.

Domnann And that there

were

and

the had
more

Isle

the

they
even on

sufferings and grievous

of than

hardships
those
one

bear had

that the

they
snow

endured drifted
on

the

Sea upon

Moyle,
them

and

night
ice
came

that

down

from

the there

was
a

scourged
moment
no

by

north-west three But "It

wind,

and

when
more.

the

brothers

felt that said

to

they could
them
:

endm-e

Finola
is the who

great
alone

God
can

of

truth

who
us,

made for
oin-

both alone hearts. will send

land
can

and

sea

succour sorrows

He

wholly
your comfort

understand in Him,

the dear

of and

Put
us

trust

brothers,

He

and

help."

302

A said
that that the

BOOK

OF
"

IVIYTHS

Then

her

brothers the

In

Him of
nor

we

put

our

trust,"
them

and His
nor

from

moment
no

Lord
snow,

Heaven

gave
nor

help, so
any harm. of

frost, nor
of

cold,
could

tempest,
them

creatures

the

deep

work

any

When doom their

had

the

nine

hundred
the children
to

years of

of Lir

their

sorrowful

ended,
and

joyously spread
home
at

wings

flew

their

father's

Shee

Finnaha.
But the
was

house dead. and

was

there

no

more,

for

Lir, their
grew
creature

father,
rank had
had

Only

stones,
where the

round
no

which

grass

nettles, and
marked

human for

his

habitation,
with
an

place

which

they

longed
weary

aching, hungry
of

longing, through
cries
on were

all their
as

years

doom.
as

Their

piteous
desolate
songs shed

the

cries

of lost children all

they
made

looked

the

ruins, but
were

night they stayed there, might

have the

and very

their
stones

songs

that

tears.

Next and there

to

day they winged

the listen of the
sweetness

their of their

way

back

to

Inis
so

Glora,
many of

singing
lake Near

drew the

birds
the

that

the

little

got
and the

name

Lake

Bird-Flocks.
the
swans, at

far, for
coast

long
the held there live

thereafter,
Western
converse

flew

all island
crane

along
of that

of

Sea,
with the until

and
the

the

Liiskea has which

they
lived

lonely
of the

since there And

one

beginning
time is the
no

world,

and

will

more.

while

years

went

by,
the

there

came

to

Erin
came

who

brought glad tidings,for

holy

Patrick

THE

CHILDREN

OF
into his the It like home four
was

LIR

803

to

lead

men

out

of darkness made

light. With
on

him

came

Kemoc,
At the rang

and dawn of

Kemoc
one

Inis
were

Glora.
roused that had fear
ever

morning,
little bell.
it three
was

swans
so

by
it

tinkle

far

away

faintly,but
and the and

no were

sound

they

known,
flew
the

brothers

filled with discover

from

and

hither

thither, trying
came.

to

whence
to

strange

sound

But

when peace it

they
on
"

returned the she

water.

Finola, they found

"

her

floating at
what sound

Dost

not

know

is ?

asked,

divining
"

their

thoughts.
a

We

heard
not

faint, fearful
it is."
:

voice," they said,

"

but

we

know Then

what

said

Finola
now,

"It
our

is the

voice

of

the

Christian for
such

bell.
is the So

Soon,
will very

shall

suffering be

ended,

of God."

happily
"

and

peacefully they
Kemoc
now

listened matins. and

to

the

ringing
said

of the
:

bell, until
Let
us

had

said

Then

Finola
the when of

sing
and

our

music,"

they

praised
And
the
ears

Lord
the

of heaven

earth. of their but

wonderful
he

melody
that

song
the

reached
children So them he had he if

Kemoc,
make where

knew
such

none

of

Lir

could
to

magic-sweet
and of when

melody.
he asked

hastened

they
the

were,

they
come

were

indeed Inis said

me,
an

children

Lir, for whose

all their
to

sake

to

Glora, they told Kemoc,

for
on
"

him then

piteous

talc.

Then
trust
come

Come

land, and
your

put your

in
to
a

this And

island when to

shall
most

enchantment
came,

end."

gladly they
two

he

caused

cunning

workman

fashion

slender

silver

304

BOOK

OF

IVIYTHS

chains
between

one

he

put
and

between

Finola
and
so so

and

Aed, and
were

the
to

other know with

Ficra human in

Conn,

joyous
to

they
each

again
Kemoc

love, and

happy
the

join

day
in

praising God,
sorrow

that its

memory

of their Thus there words. wed her had

ing suffer-

and
were

lost of Eva

all

bitterness.

part
to

the

words the
a

fulfilled, but
of her

yet

take

place
Decca,

entire

fulfilment of

princess
and

IMunster, had
news came

Larguen, king
of the her ful wonderbut that

of

Connaught,
swans

when

to

of

Kemoc,
have them

nothing
for

would
own.

suffice

she

should she

her

By

constant to

seeching, besend

at to

length prevailed
Kemoc,
returned

upon the

Larguen
swans.

messengers the

demanding
with angry
a

When
from
a

messengers the

stern

refusal How of he the

Kemoc,
mere

king
refuse

was

indeed.
the whim

dared
queen

cleric
of

to

gratify
!
To

of

Larguen

Connaught

Inis

Glora

went,

haste, post-

himself. "Is your it truth

to

that queen answered in bound which away

ye ?

have
"

dared

to

refuse

gift of

birds

my

he
"

asked, in wrath.

And
Then silver of the

Kemoc

It is truth." anger, and Ficra

Kemoc,
chain chain them that

furious

seized
Aed
were

hold

of

the and and

Finola Conn and the

to

together,
bound,

by

dragged
that he But
a

from them held

altar queen.

by

which

they sat,

might
as

take

his

the

king

their

chains

in

his

rude

grasp,

wondrous Instead

thing
of

took

place.
there followed

swans,

Larguen
three very

very old

old
men.

woman,

white-haired

and

feeble, and

THE

CHILDREN
and upon bitter And and

OF

LIR

805

bony
them,

and

wrinkled
came

grey. him

when he

Larguen
of
at

beheld

terror

hastened

homeward,
Then
to

foUo-yvedby
the Kemoc knew children and that "Thou than
we are

the of

denunciations
form

Kemoc.

Lir, in human
him very
more

last, turned
because

besought
death
art
to
was

to
near.

baptize them,

they

not

sorrowful you,
us,

at

parting

from

us

part
"

with

dear

Kemoc,"
you,
dear
rest
"

they

said..

And

Finola

said,
"As

Bury

I pray
brothers

together."

oft in Were

life my sooth'd

by

me

to

Ficra And

and Aed

Conn

beneath my

my breast

wings.
;

before

So

place
Aed

the

two

on

either that

hand bound my

"

Close, like
Place And
as

the

love

me

close their

before
arms

face.
me."
"

twine

around

Joyce.

So blessed

Kemoc

signed
and while

them
as

in

Holy
the
were

Baptism
in their Kemoc

with

the their death up,

Cross,
and

even

water

touched
ears,

foreheads,
took them.

his
as

words

And,

they

passed,
lined

looked faces

and,
with

behold, four

beautiful white

children, their

radiant

joy, and
to

with the he them

wings
And

with

silver, flying
from

upwards
his He

clouds.
saw

soon

they

vanished

sight

and

them
as

no

more.

buried
over

Finola carved
a

had their

wished,
names

and
on a

raised
stone.

mound
And of

them,
it he and

and sang

over

lament prayer the

and for

prayed
the piu-e

to

the

God

all love

purity, a
who

and

loving

souls

of those

had

been

children

of Lir.
U

DEIRDRE

''

Her

beauty
rumour.

filled

the The

old

world
name

of of

the

Gael

with has

sweet,
as a

wonderful,

and

abiding

Deirdre
and
to

been and

harp
women,
men

to

thousand how remember shall

poets.
one name

In

land

of
?

heroes

brave

beautiful for
ever,

survive

Yet

this

day

and

will

Deirdre.
. .

."

"

Fiona

Macleod.

So
so

long
says

ago,

that

it there

was

before
was

the that

birth

of

our

Lord,

tradition,

born

"

Morning
Helen

star

of

loveliness,

Unhappy

of

Western

land,"

who those it
to

is

known of

to

the
as

Celts

of

Scotland As in of that power the Gael

as

Darthool,
of of

to

Ireland
easy,
or

Deirdre.
even

in

the

story story

Helen,

is

not

possible
old facts tale the been the for

the

Deirdre,
from
woven

disentangle
web of

the romantic

old,

actual time of fond

owes

history
has

the about
unto

fairy
great
it
to

them,
this and

yet

so

is

Deirdre,
task
so

even

day,
women

that

has

of

those
to

men

whom

much,

preserve, of In
more or

and Deirdre

to

translate
the Beautiful

posterity,
and the
we

the of the

tragic
Usna.

mance ro-

Sons

many less

ancient

manuscripts
form. Glenmasan while the In the

get

story

in

complete
in the

Advocates'
we

Library
get
the the best

of and is

Edinburgh,
the
to

M.S.
oldest

fullest found

version,
in
the

and

shortest

be

twelfth
306

-century

Booh

of

Leinster.

DEIRDRE
would revel the of go for
to to

307

But Deirdre realm

those lead of the Isles

who them
romance

in hand

the

old into

tale the

and

have

by

enchanted

misty, help
to

ancient Fiona
to to

days

of

our

Western
Alexander

must

Macleod,
Dr. J. M.

to

Carmichael,
to

Lady
W. like of of the ruled B.

Gregory,
Yeats,

Douglas Synge,
of the

Hyde,
and
to

W.

F.

Skene,

those possess the

others the

who,
power Islands

true

descendants
the

Druids, gates
of

unlocking
Blest. the

entrance

Green
or

Conchubar, Ultonians,
All the
most
now

Conor,

kingdom
was

of in

the Erin.

Ulster, when
famous live
on

Deirdre of his

born heroes

warriors in the

time,

whose
was

mighty
"

deeds

legend,
Red

and

whose he

title

The

Champions
him,
of the and warlike
a

of all

Branch,"
Erin and

gathered
rang the

round fame

through
Ultonians. when Conor

Alba

There

came

day

and

his

champions,
with brooches in

geous gorof red

in their inlaid

gala

dress

of crimson shirt the house

not

tunic

gold
went
was a

and
to
a

white-hooded feast and

to

embroidered of
one

gold,
Felim
war

in

called
was

Felim.
arm

bard,

because

only

his in

in his

strong and

swift draw

strike, but
sweetest

because,
music

peace, his

fingers could
he
a

the

of

from Conor
on

harp,
beheld face
saw

was

dear shadow
a

to

the

king.

As and

they feasted,
of
come

dark

of horror Druid who eyes him

were

grief fall
in far evil his

the

of

Cathbad,
that

had

train, and
the it

his

aged
he and that bade

gazing
what
to

into

Unseen.
was

Speedily
he told
saw,

tell him turned wife

thing

that and
a

Cathbad
to

the
was

childless about
to

Felim be born

him

his

there

308

BOOK
like red

OF

IVIYTHS
mirrored berries
more

daughter,
in the
more

with

eyes

stars
as

that the
a

are

by night
and
than teeth the

water,
white
of

with than

hps

rowan

pearls ;
"

with A

voice

sweet

music for

fairy harps. champions

envious of her
more

maiden contend

fair, tall,long haired,

and
....

whom be

will

mighty
For her

kings
sweet

lovely, faultless
blood ages Gaels of in should

form." be and

sake, he
for

said,

spilt in
many

Erin

than and For

generations
torches of

and the

past,
should

heroes

bright
love their of

lose

their

lives.
must

her, three
away, themselves

heroes the
sea

eternal
which be
a sea

renown

give
should
woe

lives

her of
sons

starry blood,
of and

eyes and

mirror unutterable
up

would
come

should
the lords the

on

the

Erin.

Then

spoke
at

of

the

Red
:

Branch,

grimly

they
"

looked If the

Felim
that upon

Harper
wife

babe evil

thy

is about that

to

bear

is

to

bring
shed

such her

our

land, better
ere

thou blood

shouldst of
our

innocent

blood

she

spillsthe

nation."
And
"

Felim It

made

answer

is well
a

spoken.
so

Bitter

it is for

my I

wife

and her

for that

me

to

lose may

child be

beautiful, yet shall

from such
a

slay

my

land But

saved the

doom." and because charm the of he the

men

Conor,
of
was
"

king, spoke

then,
and before the

witchery
Deirdre said
:

the felt

perfect beauty by
him
even

magic
she
was

born,
I take all her

She The

shall child
an

not

die. be wed.

Upon kept
Then
to

myself
apart
shall

doom.
until my she

shall age
to

from I take

is of

for

wife, and

none

sliall dare

contend

for

her."

DEIRDRfi
His
came

a09

voice
to

had
to

barely
tell him heels the the babe
came

ceased,
that
a a

when

messenger
was

Fehm
on

daughter procession

born

to

him,
women,

and

his

of

chanting
cushion.

bearing
all who locks
"

on

flower-decked
with milk-white

And and
summer

saw

tiny thing,
than her
on

skin,
of the
even

more

yellow
looked feels
"

the with

western

gold
fear that

sun,"
bravest

on

the the

the

heart

facing

Unknown.
her
name,

And
sweet

Cathbad
menace

spoke
that she

Let And

Deirdre the Druid babe

as

be

is."

gazed
he

up

with
to

starry
her
sake
:

eyes

at

the
will
to

white-haired
be

chanted

"Many
heroes
ment

Jealous of
For
sons

your

face, 0 flame of heauty ; for

is harm In i?iyour your

your

shall go and and You death

exile.
on

there

face fate,

it will

the

of kings. shedding of
apart
to

bring baiiishchild, are beautiful

a

wounds
"

and ill-doings,
a

blood.

will have Deirdre."

"

littlegrave Lady

yourself;you
Translation.

will be

tale

of

wonder

for

ever,

Gregory's

As of and

Conor
was

commanded,
left then
to

Deirdre,
her
sent

the for
a

little

"

babe

destiny,"
a

with
was

mother with

only

month with

day,
the

and

nurse

and

Cathbad
and Here
more

Druid

lonely island, thickly wooded,

sort

only
she

accessible grew She in she all into had

manner

by

of

causeway and from and

some

at

low

tide.

maidenhood,
instruction of

each

day

became in
seem ligion re-

fair.
and

Cathbad it would of that

wisdom,
from him
see

as

though
power

also

learned

tical mysfrom

that

enabled

her

to

things

hidden

human
"

eyes.

Tell
the

me,"
stars,

one

day
the and

she

asked

her

teacher,
the

"

who the

made

firmament
me

above,
"

earth,

flowers,

both

thee

310

BOOK answered

OF

IMYTHS
"

And alas
!
no

Cathbad
man can

God.

But

who

God

is,

say."
an

Then

Deirdre,
from the the

impetuous
hand far of
out

child, seized
broke
"

the it

druidi-

cal and

staff

Cathbad,
on

in

two,
bad Cath-

flung
!
"

pieces
"

the

water.

Ah,
dim

she

cried,
all your

there Druid

shall

come

One charms his

in the
are

future

for

whom Then

spellsand hang
he
at

naught."
and child the
a

seeing
down the she his

Cathbad

head,
the
to

tear

trickle

face, for

knew

that

spoke
friend
man's

truth,
whom

child, grieved loved,

threw kisses

giving pain
arms

her
strove

about comfort
sent
one

the him. from

old

neck, and
As
to

by

her

to

Deirdre her the

grew

older, Conor
any queen

his

court

educate her the

in all that

should in
one our

know.

They really
who

called
means

Lavarcam,
and that
or

which,
she in
was

tongue,

Gossip,
to
a

of

royal
had

blood

belonged
to
a

class

those

days

been

trained
was

be

chroniclers,
woman,

story-tellers. The
she
came

Lavarcam
at

clever

and child she

marvelled
to

the
at

wondrous her

beauty

of the

teach, and

equally

marvellous One
pass been its upon there
raven,

mind. winter Deirdre for had

snow.
a man

day,
saw

when

the
on

snow

lay deep,
snow a

it

came

to

that slain neck the

were

lying

the red

calf that

that
ran

had from

her

food.
a

The black

blood
raven

brought
And who

swooping
Deirdre said
:

down
"

to

Lavarcam hair of its of the

If

had

the
snow,

blackness and
to

of that cheeks
as

skin
as

of blood

the

whiteness stains

red I

the my

that

whiteness,

him

should

give

heart."

DEIRDRE

311

And
"

Lavarcam,
I know
are

without whose

thought,
skin
as

made

answer

One

is whiter the and blood

than that
as

the stained the

snow,

whose
snow,

cheeks and He and

ruddy
hair

the

whose has

is black of the

glossy
blue
men

raven's

wing.
head
"

eyes

darkest

of

the

sky,

and

shoulders
what asked ?
"

is he be

above the
"

all the
name

of Erin."
man,

And

will

of whence

that is

cam Lavarwhat

? his

"

Deirdre.

And

he, and

degree
And

Lavarcam
was

made
one

answer

that three
sons

he of
sons

of

whom
a

she

spoke
lord

Naoise, Alba,
who and had
^

of the these

Usna,
were

great

of

that been in the

three
at

mighty military

champions
school Then
none

trained Isle
"

the

famed

at

Sgathaig
said

of

Skye.
love
To

Deirdre
son

My

shall
him

be
shall

given
it

to

but

Naoise,

of

Usna.

belong

forever."
From that and

day

forward,

Naoise

held

kingship

over

the

thoughts
And when had and the

dreams Lavarcam into

to

of Deirdre.
saw

how of of
a

deep
the
means

her

careless

words

sunk tried harm

the

heart

maiden,

she which she

grew
to

afraid,
undo

think in her

by

which,

thoughtlessness,

had

wrought.
Now Conor and that should he took had the led look her
^

made
nurse

law

that

none

but pass and

Cathbad,

Lavarcam,
the but forest

of

Deirdre

should

through
that
none

to

her

hiding-place,
her his until wife. his

they
and

upon for
Now

own

eyes
as

beheld

her

But

Lavarcam

Dunskaith.

312

BOOK

OF

IVIYTHS

one

day
her

came

from eager

seeing Deirdre, questions

about

and

from

listening
she clad
met
a

to

many

Naoise,
and

swineherd,

rough
deer, and

in

looks with

and
him

speech,
two to

in

the

pelt

of of

rough
her

men fellows, bondmind her the

a

the

Ultonians,
Thus and she

and bade
to

quick
follow

there into the of

a

came

plan.
forest

them

forbidden

there hear
were
none

remain,
bark
walk

by
of

side
and

well, until
cry the and shadow Then of
a

they

should

the
to

fox
on

the

jay.

Then

they
to

slowly

through
meet,
of the

woods,
still

speaking
silence

whom

they might
were

keeping

when

they

again

out

of the

trees.

Lavarcam
come

sped
her
to

back

to

Deirdre

and
of the

begged
woods.

her
In
soon a

to

with

enjoy

the

beauty
from of
at
a

little,Lavarcam
the cry of
a

strayed jay
and the

away bark

her fox the

charge, and
were

heard,
that had

and
came

while
so

Deirdre close
back and and
a

still

marvelled

sounds
Nor
came

together, Lavarcam
minute before walked
were

returned. three
men

she the

been
trees

through
to

slowly
Deirdre
never
seen

past,
hidden.

close

where

Lavarcam
"

have
"

men

so

near

before,"
the these forest
men,

said have who

Deirdre.
I
seen
no

Only
very
to

from far eyes made

"

the away. ?
"

outskirts

of
are

them

Who

bring
And

joy

my

Lavarcam
and Ainle

"

answer

These

are

Naoise,

Ardan,
But

the

three hard

sons

of Usna."

Deirdre
were

looked in her

at

Lavarcam,

and

scorn

and

laughter
"

merry

eyes.

Then

shall

I have

speech

with

Naoise,

Ardan,

and

DEIRDRE

313

Ainle,"
she the had

she

said, and

ere

Lavarcam
trees

could

stop

her,

flitted

through

the

by
the such
was

path
men.

amongst

fern, and
And made the

stood

suddenly
hinds,
that the

before

three

rough
very
at
sure

seeing
Deirdre round

perfect
one

ness, loveli-

of

the

sidhe
mouths

and of

stared

her

with

eyes

and

gaping

wondering
For
a

terror. moment

Deirdre of Usna stood them

no

gazed
"

at

them.

Then

"

Ai'e And

ye

the when she

Sons

she

asked.

they
lashed

like with and of

a

stocks,
her

frightened
until the

and the

stupid,
swineherd truth very
to

mockery,
out

could this
most

more,

blurted
all silver Deirdre
"

whole

beautiful

the

world.

Then,
words thee

gently,
the

like

pearls

from

string, the
"

fell from

rowan-red

lips of
she
a

I blame thou

not,
know thee

poor that
to

swineherd,"
I
one

said,
true

and I

that would

mayst
fain ask

deem

thee for eyes born before

man,

do

thing
the
was

me."
of in had the herd and
met

And

when
a

the knew

eyes

of

Deirdre,
of which
"

soul
never

him,
dreamed.
to

he

things

he I
can

If he

do
"

one

thing
and

please thee,
pay for

that it with

will my

do,"
life.

said.

Aye,
my said
:

gladly

Thenceforth Deirdre of Usna."

once more

life is thine."
"

And the

I would

fain

see

Naoise,

one

of

Sons
And

the

swineherd

said

"

3Iy

life

is

thine."
Then

Deirdre,

seeing
^

in

his

eyes

very

beautiful

Fairies.

314

BOOK
kissed

OF
the

IVIYTHS swineherd his weather-

thing, stooped
beaten,
"

and

on

tanned

forehead. she of him that I bid

Go, then,"
dream and

said,

"

to

Naoise.

Tell
and think

him

that

I,
all
an

Deirdre,
the hour

all the him the

night
meet
me

of him

day,

here

to-morrow

before The

the

setting of
watched then he

sun." her
on

swineherd

flit his with

into
way,

the

shadows the kiss

of

the

trees,

and that had

went

through
the

snowy that

woods,
Deirdre

might
him.

pay

his life for

given
was

Sorely puzzled
Deirdre
had
morrow,

Lavarcam told and

to

over

the
a

doings
of what On

of

that

day,

for

Deirdre
her left her
as

her

not

word

passed
when

between she she

the go drew that her three the all

swineherd. back
near

the of

to

the

court

King
where

Conor,
he that

saw,

she

Emain
over

INIacha,
thing some-

stayed, lay
on

black the
snow.

wings
At

flapped approach

there

rose

three she with then

was
saw

ravens,

three their

kites, and
prey
was

hoodie-crows,
of him. the

and

that

body
over

swineherd Yet and

even

gaping
he still looked
a

spear-wounds happy.
on

He

had

died

laughing,
had of he

there

smile and
rumour

his when of

lips. Faithfully
he had

delivered

his of and
true

message,

spoken
had

the

beauty
the
to

Deirdre,
the the my

his

speech
men

reached him

king,
make
for it of of

spears words life."

sea

of he

Conor's had said

had Deirdre
was

enabled
"

to

I will pay

with that

In of

this blood

way that

shed
was

the

first blood the love

great

spilt for

Deirdre, the
From

Beauty
the

of the

World.

where

swineherd

lay,

Lavarcam

went

to

DEIRDRfe
the the camp of of
to

315

the the
come

Sons love
to

of that the

Usna,
Deirdre

and

to

Naoise

she and

told
selled coun-

story
him

bore where

him,
she who
was

place
And of
a

hidden,
had
seen

and how

behold
even a

her

beauty.
clod
race

Naoise,
hind for

rough
of
a

could her

achieve dear

the

noble
his

chivalry
throb

of

kings
"

sake, felt
he said
to

heart

within

him.

will come,"

Lavarcam,

Days
Naoise
heard
trees.
one a

passed,
must
come

and
to

Deirdre
her
at

waited,
last. And

very
one

sure

that she the

day

song Three

of

magical
sung
a

sweetness

coming
and
cast
a

through
as

voices

the

song,
to

it

was

though
men.

of the voice the

sidhe of

played

harp

spell upon
of that

The like the the hearts

Ainle, youngest
upper the

of

the the

Sons

Usna,
of
was

was

sweet

strings of
and the

harp,

Ardan like the dre Deirand

as

strings in strings
of

middle,

voice
can

of Naoise

whose

deep
and
move

resonance

play

upon Then

warriors that
to

them the voice

to

tears.

knew she

she
as

heard
a

of her

her

beloved,
Even Sons of

sped

him

bird
was

speeds

to

mate.

Lavarcam

had but
no

told words

her had

Naoise,
been able

eldest
to

of the

of the

Usna,

tell Naoise

beauty
"

of Deirdre.
was as

It

though
woman

a came

sudden from She of the

flood the
was

of

sunshine
more

burst

forth

in

that any white

place.
dream that
was

For he had like with

thicket clad
on

beautiful saffron the her robe

sea,

than
over

ever

dreamed.

in

the

shining
bands of

sun

foam and
over

of

and

this
was

was

claspt

great

yellow gold,
sprays

shoulders
into
see

the

rippling
fire, and
like
two

flood made blue

of her
a

hair, the
before

of the

which which

lightened
he could

delicate her eyes

mist

him,

in

pools

wherein

purple

shadows

dreamed." Fiona Macleod.

316

BOOK

OF

iMYTHS
"

From dre above

that every and

moment

Naoise

gave and

his their It

love souls
was

to

Deirrushed them of

other
one

creature,"
for
evermore.

together
the that
as

were

for

beginning
love from

of

perfect love,
very have first been of

and
moment

so

sure

were

they
it seemed another. when

the
must

that

though they
Of that love

born the
was

loving
anger the
was

one

they talked,
destined

of Conor love best of for who

he

knew

that

his

bride how wrath

Naoise,
Deirdre

and
to

together they
escape for from the

planned
furious

it

of the

king

desired

her

his
a

own.

Of

sudden,

the that the ?

"

hands

of

Naoise
his

gripped
side, and
down the

the drove

ironit

pointed
into
"

javelin
where wolf

hung
snow

by

place
Is it
a

weighed
Deirdre.
"

bracken.

cried

And
or

Naoise

made where
a

answer man

Either

dead
thou

man,

the

mark
the when
a

of

has

lain

hidden

wilt

find

under And

bracken."

they

went

to

look
a

they found,
man
was

like

the

clap
and

of

hare, the
beside

mark the
a

of where

had

lain

hidden,
in
the

close there

javelin

that

driven

ground
Then
set
a

lay

wooden-hilted
"

knife.
I knew with that
me

said
on

Naoise
my

Well
Come

Conor
now,

would

spy may

tracks. thee forever." heart

Deirdre,

else

I lose

And
was

with
be her

glad

Deirdre took To

went

with
to

him his Ainle and

who thers broand their

to

lord, and
his gave
were

Naoise

her

where

awaited Ardan

coming.
their full of

Deirdre,

both

swiftly they

lifelong allegiance forebodings

for

love, but

her

and

for

DEIRDRfi
Naoise
because

317

of

the

certain

wrath

of

Conor,

the

king.
Then for
rest

said
dear

Naoise I
am

"

Although

harm in

should

come,

her

sake

willing to
Ainle
made

live

disgrace
"Of

for

the

of my And

days."
Ardan and
answer : a tainty, cer-

evil will be of be go
a

it,yet though there

be, thou
be alive.

shalt

not

under with

disgrace
her who
to

as

long

as

we

shall

We
in

will Erin

another
not

country.
us

There

is not

king
Then

will did and

bid Sons

welcome." decide of Alba and

to to
cross

the

of Usna
own

the
a

Sea

of

Moyle,

in their That

land

find

happy
took three

sanctuary.
three times And times

night they fled,

three three back red knew And Beinn
to

with

them

fifty men,
and

times times where

fifty women,

fifty horses,
when

fifty greyhounds.
they
had the had their blue Conor round
a

they

looked
saw

dwelling, they sky

had Erin black
as

flames that first

against
the

deep
of

of

the

night, and begun.

to set

vengeance travelled then had

men a

already
from

they

Essa

Etair,^ and
Deirdre
as

in

great

galley they

sail, and
sea-birds

heart
at

light
the she blue

the

white-winged
oars

the

pulled
song,
saw

long
leaned

and
on

sang

together
arm

rowing
and

and the

the

strong

of into
on

Naoise

coast-line
In the of

of Erin

fading
of

nothingness.
the
eastern

bay

Aros,

shores

of

the

island
but For

^lull, they

found

their
from

first
a

resting-place,
lord
to

there the

they

feared of
Hill

treachery
Deirdre
of
were

of

Appin.
evil

starry eyes
1

swift
Bay.

discern

The

Howth,

at

Dublin

318

BOOK

OF

IMYTHS

that

the fared

eyes

of

the

Sons until

of

Usna reached

could the

not

see.

Tlius

they
of

onward

they

great

sea-loch
its head

Etive, with mist,

hills around above wait and

it, and
it and like
to

Ben
a

Cruachan,
watchman
over

in

towering
Time,
silent
to to

placed
the

there of

by

watch

people
should

those

hills

lonely glens Eternity.

of the home Falls three of

until

Time

give place Joy they

was came was

his

brother.
hearts
to

in the back

Sons their
was

of Usna fathers. still the

when Usna

the the
"

dead, but
"

beyond

of Lora he had

great

dun and

^the

vitrified
who

fort

which
follow
a

built

for

himself

for those For Deirdre

was

should then

him. time of dear of the and love allowed

were

began
but and of had

perfect happiness.
to

Naoise
the
one

her of in

heart,

very each

her three

also vied

were

brothers another thrice when

Naoise,
their

with

acts

tender
no

loving
for

service.
and
joiced re-

Their

fifty vassals
their the

Alba,
to

lord, Naoise,
Sons them of Usna and

them

return
none

to to

Erin, but
come

glad

to

have of

between of

their Soon

serving
she and
came

Deirdre,
to

the

queen each of
at

their

hearts.
each for the had At

know

well

little

bay,

beach,
Sons
been

each

little
not

lonely always
went

glen
stay

Loch the

Etive,
dun which the had

of Usna their

did

father's, but spots

at
on

a-hunting
of Etive

up

loch.

various

the

shores

they
for

camping
a

places, and
sunny the bower. waterfall

Dail-an-eas^

they
On

built
a

Deirdre
bank

sloping

above with
of the

they

built

the

little nest, thatched

1

the

royal
: now

fern of the
Dalness.

mountains,

Dale

Waterfall

DEIRDRfi
the red

319

clay
of

of the

pools, and
There of the she

with could clear

soft

feathers

from
to

the the

breasts
murmur

birds.

sit and
water
over

listen the

and

drip splash
silver

mossy-

boulders, the
see

of the of the

salmon
loch. and

in When

the

dark the the

pools, and
summer sun

the hot

distant
on

was

the would

bog myrtle
lull her red and
to

heather,
in

hum

of

the

wild the

bees

sleep, and golden

and

autumn,
rowan

when berries
see

bracken
red
as

grew

the eyes

grew

Deirdre's
up

lips,her
among and

keen the would The of the

would boulders the of the

the the

stags gi-azing high

mist-crowned
of the the

grey
warn
crow

of

mountains,

brothers grouse, swish

sport awaiting
of

them. bark

belling

stags,

the

hill-fox, the
song of of the

of the the

great wings

of the

golden eagle, the

the these
were

birds,
wind
to

lilt of

running
birches whom mein
na

water,
"

complaining things
dear.
"
"

through
Deirdre,
''Is heartsweet
verse,

the
to tu

all

made

music

all

things
shut
so runs

Bear
"
"

agha''
a

The
an

tenderness

of

Deirdre

line

in

old, old
as

Gaelic
as

and that

it is
the

always
old Oea would up

of

her

tenderness

well

her

beauty

speak.
hunt the red deer up in with Naoise the

Sometimes
and clouds when

she

his
to

brothers,
the
was

the

lonely glens,
tops, and

through
the

silent weary, her home

mountain
her upon three

evening,
would

she

loyal worshippers
bucklers. and angry and the in when the

proudly
So angry
came

bear

their

the heart
to

happy
of of

days

passed
yet
of

away,
more

Erin

the

Conor the
came

grew

tidings
Sons of of

him Rumour

happiness
to

Deirdre that

Usna.

him

king

Alba

320

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

had
to

planned
take
Sons in

to

come

against Naoise,
his wife, but
and Deirdre that
a

to
ere

slay him,
he could

and
come

Deirdre
of their Naoise
on

for

that had

the north

Usna

sailed

yet
land
on

further of his

galley,and
ruled Loch
as

there, in the
And
not

mother,

king.
and Loch

only
Loch all

Loch

Etive, but
Loch

Awe

Fyne,
and of Usna

Striven,

Ard,

Loch

Long,
fame

Loch of the of of
a

Lomond Sons

along

the and

sea-loch
the wonder And there
came

coast, the
of the
ever

spread,
of until
women.

beauty
hatred his mind

Deirdre, fairest
Conor grew, of evil

the into

one

day
his

plan
be

by

which

burning
He heroes done
content.

thirst

for revenge

might
a

handsomely
feast,
at

assuaged.
all the he had
were
"

made,
of them As the

therefore,
Red Branch

great
were

which Wlien if

present.
asked them

every
one

honour,
"

he

they
!

man

Well

content

indeed

swered an-

they.
"

And the

that

is what of fair

am

not," said the

he told them

king.
that with north
to

Then him

with it
was

guile

words the

great
the of

sorrow

that Isles and

three whole

heroes,
of
not

whose and

deeds
west

Western Alba his

were

the

the be

ringing,
at

should board

numbered and

amongst
and the
"

friends, sit
the

his

in peace other

amity,
of

fight for
Red Branch.

Ultonians

like

all the

heroes

They

took

from
"

me

the
even

one

who I
can

would

have

been if

my

wife," he
would these

said,

yet

that

forgive, and
my welcome

they
At the

return

to

Erin, glad would

there Branch
was

be."

words Red

great
and

rejoicing amongst
who

lords

of the

all those

listened,

DEIRDRE

321

and

Conor,
shall named the

glad
go
to

at

heart, said,

"

My

three from

best their

cham"

pions
and he

bring
of Rossa and fetch

them

back

exile,"
and

Conall
son

the

Victorious,
the asked Red. him of

Cuchulainn,
Then

Fergus,
called if he

secretly he
he would do

Conall
were

to sent

him
to

what

the
were

Sons

Usna,
when

and, in spite

of his
the that

safe-conduct,
of the such

they

slain And

they
made
to

reached
answer

land

Ultonians.
a

Conall
come

should

shameful
own

thing
all the
to

pass

he

would
he
sent

slay with
for

his

hand and
scorn,

traitor him young be

dogs.
the

Then
same

Cuchulainn,
in angry himself such
a

put

question, and,
that
even

the
not

hero safe

replied
from
to

Conor
were

would deed of

his be

vengeance

black

treachery

performed.
"

Well

did and

know
was

thou

didst

bear

me

no

love,"'

said

Conor,
He called
answer

black

his brow. and

to

for that

Fergus then,
were

Fergus,
be such
a

sore

troubled,

made

there sacred gave

to

betrayal, the

king
Alba

alone

would Conor

be

held

from

his vengeance. command with him

to

Then
as

gladly

Fergus
fetch back

go

ta

his
and

emissary, and
Deirdre
of that when the old with thou but shall because
a was

the

three-

brothers
"

Beautiful.

Thy
And them

name

Iloneymouth,"
thou have
canst

he

said,
them

"

so

I know Erin.
send

well

guile
shalt

bring
the

to

returned
at

with

them,
of

forward,
Borrach he

stay
have
to

thyself warning
and

house

Borrach.

of

thy coming."
to
was

This of the

said,

Fergus
or

all the

other

Red

Branch,

geasa,

pledge,

sacrosanct^
X

322

A well he knew

BOOK
that
never

OF

MYTHS had
an

And geasa feast.

Fergus
refuse

as

one

of
to

his
a

that

he

would

invitation

Next

day Fergus
the Red
,

and
set
on

his
out

two

sons,

Ulann

the the

Fair
dun

and

Buinne
Sons

in

their

galley for

of the The

of Usna before

Loch

Etive.

day

their

hurried

flight from
chess in of their

Erin, Ainle
dun and with the

and

Ardan the

had

been The

playing
board

Conor,
chessmen

king.
were

was

fair
in

ivory,

of

red-gold, wrought
the of any

strange devices.
in
was

It had

come

from
memory

mysterious living man,

East and

years
one

far

yond be-

the dearest Ardan

of the and

of

Conor's off the of

possessions.
chess-board that
was

Thus,
with the

when

Ainle

carried
the the loss

them

in their

flight,
the that

after

Dcirdre,

loss that
came

gave pass

king
as

greatest
and
waves
as

bitterness.
were

Now

it

to

Naoise little

Deirdre of the

sitting in
Etive of

front up

of their
on

dun,
weed, sea-

the

Loch

lapping

the and from

yellow
chess woods grew
"

hair

Deirdre, far below,

heard the
a

ing playthe

at

this

board,
the shore

they
where

shout and

down

by

hazels

birches

thick.
That is the

voice

of

man

of Erin

"

said

Naoise,

and

stopped
But

in his game

to

listen.

Deirdre of
a

said, very
of

quickly

"

Not

so

It is the

voice Yet
own

Gael
she

Alba."
that then she
was

so

spoke
even

might

try

to

deceive
the

her
black

heart,
of and

that
an

chilled
Then when

by
came

shadow

approaching
a

evil. And

another

shout,

yet

third.

they

heard

the

DEIRDRE third

323^
left of in their

shout, there
all knew the harbour she Erin had that in
a

was

no

doubt for that

minds,
the
son

for of
to

they
Rossa
the

the

voice And

Fergus,
hastened confessed that it

Red.
to

when

Ardan

down
to
was a

greet him,
at

Deirdre
own

Naoise voice

why
from
"

refused she

first to

heard.

saw

dream from

last

night,"

she

said,

"

three

birds
three with

that

flew

hither in away

Emain

Macha,
The

carrying they
left

sips of honey
us,

their
three said

beaks.

honey

but And

took

sips of
"

blood."

Naoise from Deirdre with

Wliat

then,
?
"

best

beloved,

dost

thou

read And

this said

dream
"

of thine I read of that

Fergus
but

comes

from

Conor

honeyed
words

words

peace,

behind

his

treacherous As

lies death." Ardan

and where

they spake,
up and
were

Fergus
the

and

his

following
and the

climbed
heather
as

the
sweet

height
fern

bog-myrtle
their firm
sweetest

yielded
their
before them

incense

they
And

wounded

under
stood he the

tread. and

when of the her

Fergus
heart,
and but

Deirdre of that the

Naoise,
message, them in

the and Erin that

man

told

Conor's awaited

of

peace would

glory
to

if
he Then

they

listen

words

of

welcome

brought.
said
meet

Naoise the thou

"

am

ready."
of

But

his

eyes

dared
"

not

sea-blue that my

eyes

Deirdre, his queen.

is
one

Knowest

pledge

of

honour

"

asked
"

Fergus.
I know in it

well," said

Naoise.
was

So

joyous feasting

that

night spent,

and

only

324

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

over

the
come,

heart of
woe

of Deirdre

hung

that

black

cloud

of

sorrow

to

unspeakable.

When Loch

the

golden
and the

dawn

crept

over

the birds silver

sea.

blue
of

hills of
the
sea

Etive,
and

white-winged
cried
set

swooped galley
And

dived Sons

and of Usna

in
out

the
to
a

waters,

the

of the

Deirdre,
to

over

whom sang
a

hung
song
at

doom

she
:

had

not

the

courage

name,

parting

The

Lay

of

Deirdre

"

Beloved

land, that
with I

Eastern

land,

Alba,
0 But that

its wonders.

might
I go

not

depart
Naoise.

from

it,

that

with

Beloved
Beloved Beloved And

is

Dunfidgha
Dun above

and

Dun
;
^

Fin

the
is

them
;

Innisdraighende
Dun

beloved

Suibhne,^

Coillchuan
Where Too With

! O

Coillchuan

! ! resort my
;

Ainnle

would,
was

alas

short, I deem,
Ainnle
in

then Alban.

stay

Oirir

Glenlaidhe 1 used
to

!^

Glenlaidhe
its

!
murmur

sleep by
flesh
in

soothing
boar and

Fish, and
Was my

of wild

badger.

repast
! O

Glenlaidhe.

Glenmasan

Glenmasan fair
its

High

its

herbs,
the

boughs.
of
our

Solitary was
On grassy

place

repose

Invermasan.

Inistrynich.
*

Dun of

Sween.

Glen

Lug.

At

the

head

Holy

Loch, Argyllshire.

DEIRDR1"
Gleneitche
There
was

325

!^

Gleneitche my
on

! home.

raised
its woods
sun

earliest

Beautiful When the

rising,
on

struck !^ O

Gleneitche.
Urchain of smooth !

Glen
It Not Than
was

Urchain the
more

Glen

straight glen

ridges.

joyful was
in

man

of his age

Naoise

Glen O

Urchain.

Glendaruadh

!^ each
voice
man

Glendaruadh

My
Sweet

love

of its inheritance. of the

the the

cuckoo,

on

bending bough.

On

hill above
is

Glendaruadh.
and
its

Beloved
Beloved O But that that I

Draighen
water not

sounding
pure the !

shore

is the

o'er the

sand.

might
I go

depart
my

from

east.

with

beloved

Translated

hy

W.

F.

Skene,

LL.D.

Thus

they

fared

across

the Ardan song of

grey-green

sea

betwixt

Alba heard

and
the

Erin, and
words the of

when the

and

Ainle
on

and
their

Naoise
hearts from

Deirdre,
of
an

also descended which

At
no

strange
could
save

sorrow

evil

thing

courage

them. RathUn

Ballycastle, opposite
on

Island,

where bears

rock
the

the

shore Sons And

a

(" Carraig
of

Uisneach

")
and
out

still

name

of the landed. when

a

Usna,

Fergus
were

the of

returned

exiles the

scarcely
messenger ale
at

they
to

sight of

shore
to

came

Fergus, bidding
Borrach. hand all dared it the
'

him

feast

of well

the in

dun
was

of

Then of Conor
over

Fergus, knowing
and anger that and with
even

that
was

this

the

treachery

meant,
But

reddened

with break he

shame.

yet

he
to

not

his geasa,
^

although by holding
^

honour
Glendaruel.

Glen

Etive.

Glenurchy.

326

BOOK

OF
brothers

MYTHS

had

pledged
that therefore the feast of

to

the

three
was

for

their

safe-conduct
the and

and
He
to

Deirdre gave
at

dragged
his of
sons

through
for
escort

mire.
went

them dun truth

the

Borrach,
she

full v/ell told

him

knowing
that that

that he had Etive She and

Deirdre had sold

spoke
his the
ever

when The

sadly

honour. heart the

to

gloomy
ere

forebodings
had

assailed
grew

of

Deirdre
as

they
went

left Loch

stronger
let them

they
to
some

southwards.

begged
there

Naoise wait them of and of

go

place

of

safety
and

until and

Fergus
go

had

fulfilled his geasa

them
to

could
But
own

rejoin
the Sons

with in

Emain

Macha. of

Usna,

strong

the of
at

knowledge
the

their
word
tinued con-

strength,
Conor
on

simply

trustful

pledged
fears, and

of

and

Fergus, laughed
Dreams
her
snow.

her

their

way.

of

dread
eyes She in

portent haunted
her
saw

her

sleep, and
like

by daytime
in the
over

white
a

face of

looked blood and heads could

"

violets

cloud of

always
all of them shorn

hanging
she

the and

beautiful the
no

Sons

Usna,
their words

saw,

Illann
Yet fate

Fair, with

off, gory

and

awful. His
we

pleading
him
on.

prevail upon
To Emain "To do

Naoise.

drove
my be

Macha
other fear did welcome heroes And of

must

go, would none."

at

beloved,"
to

he that

said.
we

than
we

this have

show

have Thus

fear, and
at

last

they

arrive

Emain them
was

Macha,
word
to

and the

with house that chosen and

courteous

Conor the Red

sent

that be

of

the

Branch the

theirs
had

night.
for

although lodgment

place
all

the the

king

their

confirmed the

intuitions

forebodings of Deirdre,

evening

was

spent

by

in

DEIRDRE

327

good cheer,
from had Red her said old
"

and

Deirdre

had

the

joy
For

of
to

welcome

there

friend I

Lavarcam. have
me

Lavarcam
the House if the
most

Conor
of the

would
and

thee

go

to

Branch has

bring
or

back

tidings

beauty
beautiful

of Deirdre of all women." And

as
a

waned,

if she

is still the

when

Lavarcam

saw

her
with knew and of for

whom her that that any her

she husband

had

loved
at

little of

child, playing chess

the

board the
more

ivory
of

and

gold,

she

love
she
man

had
was or

made
now woman

beauty

Deirdre
than
was

blossom,
the it words

beautiful
tell. when
so

could

Nor she

possible
in the

to

be of

tool

for

Conor
and

looked

starry
of that queen
came

eyes the

Deirdre,
of

she and dreams

poured
the

forth
of who

warning
knew
the there of

treachery
was

Conor,
in the
And

Sons
of her

Usna
was

there of
to

truth heartSc eyes of

on

their the

even

as

Lavarcam such birth.

as

ceased that

Deirdre the

vision of her

Cathbad

the

Druid

night
"

see

three torches
names

torches
are

quenched
the the because Three
names

this

night/'
of

she Valour

said. among And

"

And the
more

these

three and

Torches of the be the Red

Gael,
bitter

their

are

Sons

of Usna. shall and blood

still is this

sorrow,

that itself

Branch

ultimately
fall this

perish through
way and that
as

it, and
the

Uladh

overthrown,
"

whirled

rains

of winter."

Fiona

Macleod.

Then

Lavarcam
at

went

her and
had
no

way,

and
Conor

returned
that the of be

to

the
cruel

palace
winds

Emain
snows

Macha of she Alba

was

told
robbed
more

and

Deirdre

all her desired.

loveliness,
But Naoise

so

that

thing
she

to

had

said

to

Deirdre

when

foretold

his

328

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

doom

"

Better
to

to

die

for Hved

thee without have

and

for

thy

deathless of thee

beauty
and

than

have and

knowledge
that heard
some

thy love,"
the in the face the evil of

it may

been she and For had

memory

of

Deirdre,
of

when

these

words,

dwelt
into gane Conor had

eyes heart

Lavarcam

put quick suspicion

when saved and of Lavarcam her three
"

of the

king.
that whose the she

had

forth, well
sent
a

pleased
"

darling,
brothers that he

spy

man

father sword
or

fallen
see

in battle Deirdre And

under and

Naoise

might
of

confirm

contradict
reached the Sons doors
a

the the of

report
house Usna dows winupper

Lavarcam. the been

were

when he

this
found

man

of had

Red

Branch,

that for

put

on

their

guard,
he

all the
to

and

barred.
and

Thus in.

climbed

narrow

window
the

peered
of

There,
and

lying

on

the

couches,
were

chess-board
and
as

ivory
So

gold

between
were

them,
that that

Naoise
were

Deirdre. deathless

beautiful
and
as

they,

they
last of

the

gods,

they played

game love of
a

of that

their

lives, they spoke together in low

like the

voices hands
see

sounded

melody
was

of

harp

in the
to

master

player.
with the

Deirdre eyes that

the
on

first her gaze

the

peering
ISIo word follow

face

gloated

loveliness. of Naoise

said her
own,

she, but
even

silently made
as

the
a

he

held

golden
as a

chessman
stone

in
a

his

hand,

pondering
chessman with
was

move.

Swift

from

sling the
the way agon}^

hurled, and

the

man

fell back found

to

ground
to

his ^lacha

eyeball smashed,
as

and

his with he

Emain and for

best lust

he for

could, shaking
revenge. of the
most

snarling
the

with the

Vividly

painted

king

picture

beautiful

DEIRDRfi
woman on

329

earth

as

she the

played
rage when of

at

the

chess-board that had that

that dered smoulNaoise

he

held

so

dear, and
since Deirdre like that

Conor he

ever

day

learned up

had With upon the

stolen
a

from that
to
to
come

him,
of
a

flamed wounded with him and

into

madness. called of

bellow

bull, he
to to

the Red

Ultonians

the

House

Branch,
it with for
a

burn

it
save

down,

slay
who

all those
was

within be saved

the
more

sword,
cruel

only Deirdre,

to

fate.

In the
brothers the break.
waves

House and the

of the
two

Red
sons

Branch,
of that

Deirdre heard
storm

and the
was

the

three of
to

Fergus
the

shouts about the

Ultonians

and calm themselves

to

knew
as

But,
beat

rocks in

against
sat

which whose

angry

vain,

those And

portion
and Ainle At the

at

dawn

was

be

ci-uel death. hands that the

Naoise tremble. of back called

played chess,
first

with

did

not
son

onslaught,

Buinne the

Red,

Fergus,
the
to

sallied

forth, quenched
with

flames, and
But
a

drove Conor

Ultonians

great
and

slaughter.
offered
son

him

to

parley

him
a

bribe

of

land,

and
went

Buinne,
over

treacherous the enemy. did

of

treacherous Illann
to

father,
the

to

His what many

ere

brother,
he could

Fair,

filled He army At and

with
went

shame,

make the his

amends.

forth, and
before death Ardan and

hundreds death

of

besieging loyal
the hand.

fell his first game, their kissed the

him,
the and

stayed

Ultonians then their

came

again

fired

house,
for the
a

Ainle sword

left their blades the

a

chess with of

fiercer of He

glutted

blood

enemies.

Last and

turn

Naoise.
out

Deirdre,

drank

drink, and

went

against

330

BOOK

OF

INIYTHS

men

of

Conor,

and

where his

his brothers sword. the heart of Usna he very

sent

had

slain hundreds,

thousand
Then that
save

fell before fear

came

into the

of

Conor,
no man

for

he

saw forevail, prethe the Red

against by
was

Sons Thus then

on a

could Cathbad and

magic.
even

for

Druid,
old
man

who
was

near

death,
House

carried which

litter to flames
were

the

of the and

Branch,
which And the Sons the

from dead Conor of in of

the in

leaping,

before

lay
Usna

heaps.
him
to

besought
ere

help

him

to

subdue every raised

they
So the in

should his

have

slain

Ultonian
a

the spears with

land.

by

magic
But

Cathbad

hedge

round Deirdre

house. their forth

Naoisc,

Ardan,

and their

Ainlc,

centre,
from

sheltered the the

by

shields, burst
and
cut
a

suddenly
for

blazing hedge

house,
as

way

themselves
green toll wheat. of

through
And,
lives them.
a

though
they
who

they
took would

sheared
a

laughing
the Ul-

aloud,
tonians the of So

terrible have his in

from Then like

were

withstood
power, the
ears

again
noise there.
was no

Druid many

put forth
waters
was

and of
arose

noise all who

that

the

suddenly
of

the escape

magic
for

flood the and in

there

chance

Sons Naoise
her

of

Usna.

Higher
on

it his

mounted,

ever

higher,
smiled

held
as

Deirdre
the
water
come,

shoulder, past
flood had found
water

and middle.

up Then

eyes
as

rose

his

suddenly
well with

it had the

the who

abated,
sheltered

and
on a

all

was

Ultonians Sons of

risingground. entrapped
Conor,
in

But
a

the
morass

Usna the
at

themselves
had

where

been.

seeing

them

in

his

hands

DEIRDRE

331

last, bade
for shame

some
no

of

his

warriors would

go go,

and and

take it
was

them.
a man

But from

Ultonian walked sunk Ardan

Norway
they
first !
" "

who

along deep
as

dry spit
green
near,

of

land
"

to

where
me

stood,
called the the

in he

the drew who

bog.
sword my

Slay
in

hand. may

am

youngest,
tides of fate

and,
!
"

knows,

death

change
And
to
"

Ainle the

also

craved But
to

that

death
out

might
his
own

be

dealt

him The
"

first.

Naoise
the
son

held

sword,

Retaliator," Mannanan,
he
one

executioner. of it
we

the
"

Lir,
strike stand

gave my here

me

my

good

sword,"
and
me

said. blow the

With
as

dear like of
us

brothers three know

trees

only
soil. of hard
a

planted grief
because of
out

in

Then

shall the
man

none

the And

and it

shame
was

seeing
for any of

other
to

beheaded."

disobey
Norseman

the

mand com-

Naoise,
hand for of

king

men,

the But

reached
sprang from
man

his

the

sword. and he the

Deirdre have her of the

the
ere

shoulder he struck. he

Naoise

would threw heads

killed

the

Roughly
shore off

aside, and
three

with

one

blow

greatest

heroes For

of Alba.
a

little silence had

while before

there the the into

at

was

great
of the
a

stillness
storm.

there,
And noble

like
then

the

coming
end of

all who
of Usna

beheld broke

fair

and

Sons
Conor

great
the

lamentation. he
a

Only wrought.

stood

silent, gazing
the

havoc

had
man

To

Cuchulainn,
Deirdre

mighty

champion,
him

good

and her
to

true,
the

fled, and
of life that

begged
she

to

protect

for her.

little span

knew

yet remained

332

BOOK

OF

MYTHS
head blood of and the the Naoise from

And

with and

him

she

went

to

where

the

lay,
the that

tenderly
of

she

cleansed

it from

stains
was

strife
as a

and

stress, and

smoothed and kissed it

hair cold
her

black
and

raven's And

wing,
as

lips again
white chanted lament

again.
as
a

she

held
a

against

breast,
for that

mother her

holds
and

little his

child, she brothers,

a

Naoise,
still lives

heart,

for

in the

language
and better chivalrous than

of the

Gael.

''

Is it honour

that word of

ye
a

love^ brave
base be

Ultonians truth
?

Or Of In

is the
a

king

noble

surety ye
the

must

glad,

who

have best

basely slain
of your

honour

slaying

three

noblest

and

brotherhood.

Let Let

now

my my

beauty beauty
I it be

that be

set

all this
as

warring
a

aflame,
that loved
is

now

quenched
it, here,
still

torch my the

spent

"

For
A

here

shall shall

quench

where

one

lies,
of death."

torch

for him

through
Fiona

darkness

Macleod's

Translation.

Then,
three

at

the
were

bidding dug
made in

of

Cuchulainn,
the than

the but

Ultonian,
the grave when

graves
was

for

brothers,
the

of
he

Naoise
Was
on

wider

others, and
with him
to

placed
his

it, standing
Deirdre and of
as

upright,
stood

his and him of

head held
the

placed
him love rob Death that Branch when in

shoulders,
arms,

by

her
was

white theirs And

murmured which
not

that them.

and

Death
to
were

itself could

even

she

spoke

him,

merciful
At

took
same

her, and
hour
a

together they
cry
was

buried.
"

terrible Uladh

heard JJladh

The
"

Bed and the

perisheth!
he had
so

passeth !
the

passeth !
of

spoken,

soul

Cathbad

Druid

passed

away.

tiHK

Hf^LU

AeiAl;N"ii

Hbri

BkliAaT

DEIRDRfi

333

To

the

land

of

the

Ultonians

there

came

on

the

morrow

mighty
Emain

host,

and

the

Red

Branch

was

wiped
and

out

for

ever.

Macha

was

cast

into

ruins,

Conor

died

in

madness

of

sorrow.

And

still,

in

that

land
and

of

Erin

where

she

died,

still

in

the

lonely

cleuchs

glens,
Etive,

and

up she

the

mist-hung
her
truest

mountain

sides

of

Loch

where

knew

happiness,
the

we

can

sometimes

almost

hear

the

wind

ing sighis
...

lament

"

Deirdre

the

beautiful

is

dead

dead!"

"

I I

hear

voice

crying,
its

crying,
weary cry

crying
time

is

it

the mind

wind
?

hear,

crying

old

out

of

The Dust

gr'ey
on

wind her

weeps,

the dust

grey
on

wind

iveeps, the grey

the

grey wind

wind

weeps

breast,

her

eyes,

rveeps."
Fiona Macleod.

INDEX

Acheron,

37 71

Archilochus, Ard, 121,

122,
123

223 320

Achilles, Acrisius, Adam, Adonis,

208 220

Loch, 312,
330,

105,

Ardan, 329,

315,
331

316,

317,

322,

323,

325,

178,

192,

202,

203,

205,

206,

207,

Arethusa,

100,

101,

102,

103,

104

Argo, Library,
299, 36, 300,
90. 172 306

39 39

Advocates'

Argonauts,
305

Aed,

290,

304,
106,

Argos, 145, 146,

186

105,

122, 154,

128

^gean -ffigean
^olus,

Sea,

121,

Aristaeus,
160

155,

156,

157,

158,

159,

Islands,
144 88

Aristophanes, Argyllshire,
Arnold, 315, 316, 317, 322,
324

169

^sculapius, ^sop,
Ainle, 330, Ainnle, Aix,
287 169

Matthew,
317

228,

239,

240

313,
331 324

325,

329,

Aros, Artemis, Arthur, Aschere,

26,

27 268

King,
256

Aix-la-Chapelle, Ajax,
Alba,
320,
71

287

Asgard,
Asia,
135

230,

231,

235,

239,

240,

242

295,
321,

299,
322,
324

307,

311,

317,
331

318,

319,

Atalanta,

71,

72, 73,

74,

76, 84,

78, 85, 112,

79,
86, 115,

80,
87,

81 88,

325,

327,

Athene,
107,

Pallas,
;08, 109,

3, 4, 83, 110,

Alban,
Alexander

Oirir,
the

111,

120,

Great, 103,
75 128 104

} S5

182

Alpheus,
AlthEea,

102,
69, 71,

Athens, Atlas,
Aiide

181, 114,
the

182

115,

117

Amphion, Anapus,
Andromeda,

124,
101

Fair,
20,
21 220 320

282,

287

Aurora,

119,
Michael,
245 236

120,
203

123

Australia,
Awe.

Angelo, Angrbotha, Aphrodite,

56, 202, 60,

Loch,

Anglo-Saxon,

Bacchantes, 13, 63,

205, 14,
64, 206

40

5, 61,

15, 65,

42,
66,

46,

47, 49,
81,

Bacchus,

40,
234

136,

138

62, 204,

67, 79,

Baldrsbrit,
Baldur, 233,

203, 5,

234,

235,
243

236,

237,

238,

239,

Apollo,
28,
94,

16,
32,

18,
42,

19,
43, 98, 132,

20,

21, 49,
125,
139,

22,
91,

24,
92,

27, 93, 127,

141,

240,

241,242,
325

29, 95,

44,

45,

Ballycastle,
Bann,
301

96,

97,

101,

126,

129,
142, 188,

130, 145,

131, 164,

133,

140,
186,

Bartholomew,

88 Naismcs

165,
192,
11 19

173,
267

185,

187,

Bavi^re, Belvidere,
Ben Ben

de,
11

272

190,191,

Apollo,
318 317 295

Apollo Apollo,

Belvidere, Phoebus,

Cruachan, Etair,

Appin,317
Arachne, Arcadia, Arcadian, 82,
71,
75
334

Benmullet, 83, 84, 85,

86,

88,

89

Beowulf, 251, 252, 260,

229, 253, 261,

244, 254,

245, 255,

246, 256,
264,

249, 257,
265

250,
258,

77,78,

197,211

259,

262,

263,

INDEX

335

Beowulf's

Barrow,
245

264

Beowulfesby,
Bertha,

Clytie, 189 Cocytus, 59, 63, 64, 104, 115, 167, 207
Coillchuan,
324

269, 271, 272 Bion, 206 Blancandrin, 268, 274 Blaye,

287 the

Colophon,
Conall, Conn, Conor, 327, 328,
321

83, 86, 87
307

Conchubar, Red, 289, 290, 291, 296, 301

290,

Bodb

295, 299, 304, 305

304

Boreas, 212 Borrach, 321, 325, 326 Cliff, 244, 245 Bowlby Red, 307, 308, 320, 321, Branch, 829,330,331,332,333 2G7 Breton, 229, 255, 260 Brisingamen, Britain, 244, 268 Brittany, Brocken,
267 233 E.

Connaught,

309,310, 311, 307,308, 317, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 333 244 Copenhagen, Cordova, 268, 274 Corinth, Cruachan, 192, 193
183

313, 316, 325, 326,

Crete, 182,
Cuchulainn,

Ben,

318

321, 331, 332

Browning,
Buinne the 10

B., 209, 218 Red, 322, 329

Byron,

Calliope, Calvary,
Calvinism,
216

32

Cyane, 163 Cyclades, 107 Cyncus, 24 Cynthian, 126 Cyprus, 11, 13, 60, 194, 202,
Cyrene, 155, 156,
206 157

204

215

Cytherea,

Calydon, 69, 70, 71,78 Hunt, 69, 72, 76 Calydonian Campbell, Tbos., 266
Carlyle, Thos., 215, 216, 266 307 Alexander, Carmichael, Carraig Uisneach,
123 325

Cytherian
D^DALUS, Dail-an-eas, Dalness,318 Danae,
Danaides,

shores, 203
181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 187,188
318

105, 106,
35

107,

121

Carricknarone,

299, 230

Cassiopeia,

Castor, 71 Cathbad, 307, 309, 310, 311, Mt., 8 Caucasus, Celts, 289, 306

Dane, 233, 248, 250, 257, 259 Danjsl;, 250. 251, 256 ", 327,"a^0;,332 Danf.e; 16', ': "' "'
.

..

"

'

'.'^'j.

'.

"JDapl-Cne;45,;4?."44
J)^r};hoQl, 306 iake, 3D-irX^ra-: IDas'ejit;5.3s D^avid, 27,2.
,

Cepheus,
Cerberus,

123 34

i^'l
'

293,

295,

296, 297

'^

Ceyx, 144, 152, 153

145,
of the

146,
Red

147,

148,

15Q,
;

lo},
;
"
" '

I/ay,'2
Decca,
Deirdre,

'

"

'..'

Champions
Chanson de 2

Branch,
266

307','30S

DearslaiV,.3i9
304

Roland,
266,

Chaos,
272,

Dedannans,

289, 291, 297, 301

306, 307, 316, 310, 309, 311, 308, 317, 318. 319,320, 326,

Charlemagne,
273,

274,

268, 269, 270, 271, 275, 276, 277, 280, 281,

267,

282, 286, 287 Charles, King, 282

Charon,

37, 38
117 208

824, 325, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333 Delos, 172, 186 Demeter, Denmark. 84,
162,

312,314,315, 321, 322, 323,

327, 328,

Chemmis, Chinese, Christian,

Cimmerian

165,

166, 167,

168

245, 251 290, 291 293 Lough,

272,

275, 295,

303

Derg, Lough,
Derravaragh,

Christianity, 215,
Circe, 226 Claros, 145 Clio, 129

227, 232 148 Mountains,

223 Winged, Destiny, The Diana, II., 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 43, 70, 72, 73, 75, 76, 90, 97, 99, 101, 103, 116, 125, 126, 127, 128, 130, 164, 173, 175,

Clymene,

16, 17, 18, 24

190, 198, 200,

203, 204,

210

336
26

BOOK

OF

IVIYTHS

Diana

Vernon,

Faust,
272,

216

Douzeperes,

268, 269,

274, 275, 277,

282, 283, 286, 287

Fechin, St., 222 Felim, 307, 308, 309 Fensalir,

238

Draighen, 325 Druid, 307, 309, 310, 327, 330,

Druid's runes, 294 45 295

332

Druids,

326, 329 Ficra, 290, 295, 299, 304. 305 Finola, 290, 292, 293, 294, 298. 299, 300,

Fergus,

321, 322, 323, 325,

Dryden, Dryope,
Dublin

301,
Fiori

303,

304,

305 103

210, 211 Bay,

317 324

Maggio,

Firedrake, Fleece,

Dunfidgha,
Dun

261, 262, 263, 264 Golden, 39, 70

124 282 286

Fin, 324 311 Dunskaith,

Dun Dun Suibhne, 324 324

Florence,
France,
Franks, 284,
285

Fontarabian,

Sween,

266, 275, 278, 279, 280, 282, 267, 273, 276, 277, 279, 280
227,

Durendala,

276,

Freya,
210

229, 230, 231,

255

232,

233, 235,

238, 239,

Echo, 174. 175, 176, 177. 178, 306 Edinburgh, 193 39, 117. Egypt, Egyptian, 217 Egyptians, 117
Emain 333

Friday, 277
Frieslanders,
260

Frigga, 228 Furies, 35, 194,

327.

196

Macha,
243

314,

323,

326,

328,

Gabkiel,
Gael,
300,

286

306, 307, 322,

332

Emerson,

Endymion, England,
Enna,
104

26, 28, 29, 30

344

Gaelic, 319 234 Galahad,

Galatea,

Ganelon, Gautier,

Epaphos, 16, 17, 21 2, 5, 6, 7 Epimethus, Epirus, 70 Erdgeist, 216

Erebus,
2
. r

13, 14, 15 272, 273, 274, 275,276, Sir, 277, 282

326

277, 287

Geasa,
Germanic

language,
233 325

244

Germany,
, " ^ " . ' ""

Glendaruadh,
24 '"
,
'

Eridamus, Erin,
289,

'' '" ",,'

325 Gletida;rael,

290,

295,

22i

"2^8,.id%
319,
^
;

301.

Gkneicotie, Gl"alaidhe,
GLeSimasan,
Glecmasan :

325 324 324

308, 311, 317, 302,307, 322, 323, 325, 333 Erris, 295 Eros, 2, 42, 47, 48, 51, 53, 62, 66, 67, 91, 202, 203 Essa, 317 Etair, Ben,
317 120

320,.32-l.
:
.

.,.'',,,;'",:
54^ 58, 57, 58.'."' -.i -"" 'J cc*"'c "' :
' c

MS.,
325

306

Gknorchv,

'C-QaT,:SL,224:

Goethe,
Golden

216

Fleece,
134,

39, 70
135

Ethiopia, 118, 119, Ethiopians, 23

Etive,

Gordias,

Gorgons,
123

113,

114, 115,

116,

120, 121,

Glen,

325

Etive,
333

Loch,
103

318.

320,

322,

324,

326,

Goths,
265

248, 249.

250, 252, 253, 260, 264,

Etna, 101,
Euboean

Gothland,
122 Graeje 112

249, 250, 252, 260 26, 71,

100,

Sea,
87 289

Eumenides,

194

Greece, Greek,

72,

74,
289

154,

192,

193.

Europa, Europe,
Eurydice,
40,

210, 223, 229, 234,

128, 160
215 307

31,

82,

33,

34,

36, 37, 38,39,

296

Greeks,
Green

115, 159
290,
2;il

3, Islands,

Eva, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295,

Eve, Evunos,

Gregory,
Grendel, 257.

Lady,

307, 309
253,

91, 92, 93,

94

247, 24S, 250, 258, 259, 260, 262

254,

256,

INDEX

337
Jason, 39, 70, 71, 73 216 Jerusalem, 272 Jonathan, Jove, 4, 25, 49, 64

Hades,

34, 35, 36, 39, 65, 67, 167, 194 birds. 153 Halcyon 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 150, Halcyone, 151, 152,153
1l'4 260 266 278

Hamlet, Hardred,

Joyce,
Judas,
Julius

305 274

Hastings,

Caesar, 261 146, 148, 150

210

Hauteclaire,

Juno,

Hecate, 164, 205 Heine, 220, 228, 226 Hel, 236, 239, 240, 241 Heliades, 24
Hellas,
217 218 144

Jupiter, 8, 95,
Keats,
129,
lOB 303,

180

Keos,
Kemoc,

304, 305 105, 232

Hellenistic,

Kingsley, Charles,
La
DON,

Henry

VI, King,

Heorot, 246, 248, 251, 256 Hera, 169, 170, 175 De, 208 Heredia,
Hermes,

200 27 232

Lang, Andrew, Langobarden,

211

5, 111,112,
239,
4 Garden x37 144 240

116, 120, 210,

Hermoder, Hesiod,

Larguen, 304, 305 Larissa, 122

Latmos,

Mount,
125,

27, 30

Hesperides,
117, 118,

of

the, 113,

114, 116,

Latona,
172

126,

127, 128, 169, 170, 171, 312, 313, 314, 315,

Hesperus,

Lavarcam, 327, 328

310, 311,
186

Hlidskialf, 231 Hodur, 238, 239

Lebynthos,
210 317

Holy
Homeric

Loch,

824

Hymns,
Hillof,
246,

Leinster, Book Lethe, 149

Leto, 248,
169 41 116

of, 300

Howth,

Hrothgar,

247,

250, 251,
133

254,

Libetlera,

255, 256, 257

129, 130, 131, 132, Hyacinthus, Hyde, Dr. Douglas, 307 Hygeia, 88 Hygelac. 248, 260

Libya, 23, Libyan, 39 Light, 2

Liguria, 24 Lllith, 220
Lir,

Hyleus, Hymen. IBYCUS,

74 33

192, 194, 195, 196 Icarus, 181, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188 Ice Giants, 230 185 Ida, Mount, Idas, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 97, 98, 99 Idmon, 83, Fair, 322, 326, 329 Ingelow, Jean, 167 Inis Glora, 295, 301. 302, 303, 304 Inis Rea, 302
Illann
the

290, 291, 292, 289, 293, 294. 297, 298, SOO, 301, 302, 303, 305 Loki, 234, 236, 237, 238, 239, 242 232 Lombardy. Lomond, Loch, 320
London

296,

Bridge, Long Loch, 320 Longbeards, 232

221

Longfellow,
Lora,
Falls

234.

241, 243, 244

of, 318

Lorelei, 220, 223, 224, 225 Love, 2 Lowell, 10, 38

Luna, 27 170

Inistrynich,

324 324

Innisdraighende,
Invermasan, Ionia, 145, 147
Ionian 324

Lycia,

93, 94 Lycormas, Lydia, 83, 88, 128 Lyra,

41 101

Sea,

217

Ireland,
Ivros

289, 306 295, 301

Lysimeleia,
MACLEOD, 301, 306,

Iris, 148, 149 Domnann, Ixion, 35 Fiona, 31, 197, 218, 219, 223, 307, 315, 332, 333
Y

338

BOOK

OF

MYTHS

Madonna,

227 267

Norseman,
Norsemen,
North

331

Mahommed,
Mannanan,

228,

229,
295

234

292, 331

Channel,

Marpessa,
98, 99

90, 91, 92, 93, 94,

267

95, 96, 97,

North North

Cape,
233,

260

Sea, 244
331

Marsiglio,
281

Norway,
268, 272, 274, 275, 279,
227

Marsile, 267,

280,

Odin,

Mary, Virgin, Mayo, 295

Meander,
Meath,
183

228, 236, 237

319

229,

230,

231,

232,

234,

235,

Odysseus,
Oea,
293

221, 226

West, 108,
69

Medusa, 116,120

110,

111,

112,

113,

115,

Oeneus, 69, 70 Oise, 214, 215

Olifant, 276, 280, 284, 285 Oliver, 272, 277, 278, 280, 281, 282, 283,
287

Meleager,
80

70, 72, 74, 75, 7G,

77,

78,

Michael, St., 286

Midas,
142,

Olivier, 272, 277, 278, 280, 281, 282, 283,

137, 138, 139, 141,
287

134, 135, 136,

143, 198, 210 Milanion, 79, 80, 81 Milesians,

297

Mile, 10 Milon, 269, 271

Olympians, 6, 9, 60, 112, 129, 180, 211 Olympus, 3, 4, 5, 24, 45, 40, 49, 07, 68, 86, 95, 105, 108, 122, 12G, 135, 140, 155, 166, 171, 185, 187, 191, 203, 207,
210, 211

Milton, 8, 38,
Minos,
182,

217

Olympus,
Orion's

183, 188 Montjoie, 279, 281 Moore, Thos., 289

Mount, Belt, 228

31,

130

Orpheus,
39,

32,

33, 34, 35, 36,

37, 38,

159, 210

Morgue, 221 Morpheus, 149, 150, 151 Morris, William, 49, 50, 58, 68, 115 Lewis, 29, 67, 165, 168, 202, 207
Moschus,
Mount 87

Orphics, 39, 40, 41 Ortygia, 100, 104 Otuel, Sir, 288

Ovid, 25, 45, 86, 197

Olympus,
214

41, 81

Pactolus,

Mowgli,
Movie,

289,
317 304

295, 298,

301, 317

Mull,
Muses,

83, 138 Pagan, 285 215, 216 Paganism, Pallas Athene, 3, 83, 84,
111,115, Palodes, 217
110, Pan,
120

107, 108, 109,

Munster,

Musset,

41, 129 De, 218 250, 251

25 de

Nageling, Naides,
Naismes

59, 63, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 215, 216

Pandora,
Baviere, 313,
272

Pantheism,

Nanna,
Naoise,

235, 241 311, 312, 315, 316, 317, 324,326, 327, 328, 176, 177, 178, 179,
314,

Paphian, 206 Paphos, 15, 203

Pares,
223 Parthenian

318, 320,322, 323, 329,330,331,332

Hill, 71
302

Narcissus,
180

174,

175,

Patrick, St., 295,

Paxse, 217

Nelson,

100

Neptune, 93, 94, 99 Nereids, 188 Nestor, 71, 72 Nibelungs, 224 Niflheim, 230, 237, 239 Niobe, 124, 125, 120, 127, Norman, 233, 266

Paynim, Peleus,

280,
71

283

Penens, 42, 43, 44, 45 Perdrix, 182 Perseus,

128

112, 113, 114, 115, 121, 122, 123

105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 116, 117, 118, 120, 80, 161, 164, 165, 167

Persephone,

INDEX

339

Phaeton, Phineus, Phoebus,

Phoebus

16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24,

96 120 194

25

Rowland,

282 288

Phillips, Stephen, Phlegethon,

129

Runcyvale, Sackville,
19

Lady

Margaret,

197
^

Apollo, 18,
120

Phoenicians,

Phrygia,
Pied

134, 135,
71

136, 142

Saeland, 244, 265 Samos, 107, 186 160 Samson, Saracens, 267, 274, 280, 282,

276,

277,

278,

279,

Piper, 212

283, 285, 286

267,
272

Pirithons,

Saragossa,
Saxon, 233 Scandinavia, Scotland, Scott, Sir 115,

Pitys, 210, 212 Pleiades, 27, 90

227,
306

245

Plemmgrium, Plexippus,
Pluto,

101 71

220,

Walter,

26, 282
246

23, 35, 36, 37, 38, 64, 80, 103,

Scyld Scefing, 245,

Seine, 221 Selene, 27, 210

120, 162, 163, 165, 166, 167, 210 Pollux, 71 106, 107, 109, 110, 121 Polydectes,
210 Pomona, Poseidon, 146, 172, 186,

Seriphos, 106, 109, 120,

Seumas,
218,
223

121

192, 222

Praxiteles,

124

Sgathaig, 311 Shakespeare, 81,

261

124,

134,

192,

204,

223,

Prometheus,

Proserpine,

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10 35, 36, 64, 65, 66, 161, 162,

Shannon,
Shee

290 301

163, 165, 166, 167, 192 Proteus, 100, 157, 158, 159 Psyche, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 210

Sharp, William,
Finaha,

289,
161

290, 296, 302 162, 163, 167, 186,

Shelley, 9, 104,
Sicily,
188

36, 100,
136 106

104,

Purgatorio, 16 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, Pygmalion, Pyrenees, 275 Quail
Eachael, Island,
128 266 101

Silenus,
102

Simonides,

Sipylus, Mount,
Sirens, 226

128

Sisyplus,
Skene,
W.

35

F., 307
311

Rainschevaux,

Skye, Isleof, Sleipnir, 236

Socrates, Somnus, of, 307, 308,
153

Raphael,
Rathlin Red

St., 286

Island, 325 Branch, Champions

332,333
House 331

148, 149, 150

320,321,
Red

Spain, 267 Spartan, 129

Spenser, 88 Striven, Loch, Styx, 19, 63, 64 233 Sweden, Swedes,
249 74 320

Branch,

of, 327, 328, 329, 330

Retaliator, The, Rheims, Bishop Rhine, Roland,

274, 224, 225
240

of, 272

Ringhorn,

266.

267,

269, 278,

270,

271, 272, 273, 280,

281, 282,

Swinburne,

276, 277,

279,

Sylvan Synge,

deities, 214
J. M., 307

283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288 266 RoUant,

Roman Roman de

Rose,

266 267

Empire,
27 266

Syracuse, 100, 101 Syria, 216 Syrinx, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201,
Taenarus,
34

210

Romans, Roncevall,

Roncevalles, 282, 286

Eossa Bound
the

267, 274, 275, 276, 277, 321, 323

268

281,

Taillefer, 266 Taillekin,

295

Red,

Talus,

182

Table,

Tantalus,

35, 124

340
Telamon,

A
71, 73
216

BOOK

OF

IMYTHS

Tennyson, 27, 154, Termagaunt, 267

Thames,
Thamus,
221 217

Theban, 124 Thebes, 124, 125, 126 Theseus, 71 Thessalv, 144, 146, 147, 152 Thrace,'32, 33, 38, 39
Tiberias,
216

Valhalla, 228, 267 Vali, 237 Vandals, 231 Vatican, 11 Veillantif 276, 2S2 Venus, 11, 26, 202 Vernon, Diana, 26 Versailles, 11
,

Virgil,194
Vulcan, Wage,
4

Titan, 8, 9, 35 Titans, 2, 4, 117, 124 Toxeus, 71 Trachine, 150

Triton.
100 288

266

264 Wagmund, Walpurgis Night,

233

Wessex, 244 Westminster,

221

Tussypere, Turpin, 266, 277, 279, 280, 282, 283, 284,

287

Whitby, 244 Wiglaf, 263,

William the

264

Tvmolus,

83, 87
86

Winged
Wolf

Conqueror, 266 Destiny, The, 223

258, 260, 262, 263

Tyrian,
Uffizzi

Winilers, 231, 232

Woman,

Palace, 124 307, 313, 320, 329, 330, 331,

W. B., 307 Yeats, Yorkshire, 244, 265

Ulster, 307

Ultonians,
332. 333

Uluadh, 332 Ulva, 222 Urchain.Glen,

Usna,
Sons

325

Zeus, 3, 4, 8, 9, 22, 24, 30, 34, 86, 95, 105, 106, 107, 112, 120, 123. 124, 166, 169, 170, 172, 202, 206

of, 306, 311, 312, 313, 315, 317,318,319,320, 321, 322, 324, 325, 326, 327,328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333

Zephyr, 129 Zephyrus, 51, 54, 59, 71, 103, 131, 133,
180

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by Ballantyne,
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Hanson London

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