human
Can you write me a poem about battoni circe in the style of José Hernández?
assistant
Sure, here's a poem about battoni circe in the style of José Hernández:
  The World's Great Epics Told in Story
_Legends of the Middle Ages_, etc.
With Sixteen Illustrations from the Masters of Painting
utterance.
So it is to such sources as these race-narratives that all
To find the original story-expression of a nation's myths, its
legends, and its heroic creations is a high joy--a face-to-face
Pierian waters.
direct comparison with any other, with a resultant light, both
Odin Bids Farewell to Brunhild before He Surrounds Her by a
From the painting by Th. Pixis
Oedipus Solving the Sphinx's Riddle
From the painting by Ingres
From the painting by Battoni
Circe and Ulysses' Companions Turned into Swine
From the painting by Cortona
From the painting by L.F. Guesnet
From an illustration by R. Galli
From the painting by Nicolas Poussin
The Body of Elaine on its Way to King Arthur's Palace
From the painting by George Frederick Watts
The Heralds Summon Lucifer's Host to a Council at Pandemonium
From the painting by Th. Pixis
From the painting by Correggio
From a Calcutta print
The Monk Breaks into the Robbers' House to Rescue White Aster
"It is in this vast, dim region of myth and legend the
sources of the literature of modern times are hidden; and it
is only by returning to them, by constant remembrance that
they drain a vast region of vital human experience, that the
origin and early direction of that literature can be
recalled."--Hamilton Wright Mabie.
immortal work.
There are almost as many definitions of an epic and rules for its
composed.
Many of the ancient epics are so voluminous that even one of them
precluded all save the scantiest quotations.
The main object of this volume consists in outlining clearly and
sculptors, and musicians ever since art began.
The Little Iliad, whose authorship is ascribed to sundry poets,
Next in sequence of events comes the Odyssey of Homer (of which a
descendants.
Another sequel, or addition to the Odyssey, is found in the
Another great series of Greek poems is the Theban Cycle, which
demi-gods or heroes.
The principal burlesque epic in Greek, the Bactrachomyomachia, or
Shortly after his arrival at Sparta and during a brief absence of
_Book I._ After invoking the Muse to aid him sing the wrath of
Nor will the god's awaken'd fury cease,
But plagues shall spread, and funeral fires increase,
Till the great king, without a ransom paid,
To her own Chrysa send the black-eyed maid.
inextinguishable laughter of the gods by his awkward limp.
As on some mountain, through the lofty grove
The crackling flames ascend and blaze above;
The fires expanding, as the winds arise,
Shoot their long beams and kindle half the skies:
So from the polish'd arms and brazen shields
A gleamy splendor flash'd along the fields.
warriors, most conspicuous among whom are his brother Paris, and
seducer, Menelaus rushes forward to attack Paris, who, terrified,
attendants, Helen seeks the place whence Priam and his ancient
These, when the Spartan queen approach'd the tower,
In secret own'd resistless beauty's power:
They cried, "No wonder such celestial charms
For nine long years have set the world in arms;
What winning grace! what majestic mien!
She moves a goddess and she looks a queen!"
_Book IV._ The gods on Mount Olympus, who have witnessed all, now
gaining the advantage, Apollo spurs the Trojans to new efforts by
The sire of gods and men superior smiled,
And, calling Venus, thus address'd his child:
"Not these, O daughter, are thy proper cares,
Thee milder arts befit, and softer wars;
Sweet smiles are thine, and kind endearing charms;
To Mars and Pallas leave the deeds of arms."
(whose brazen tones have become proverbial), directs the Greek
although Jupiter sternly rebukes his son, he takes such prompt
_Book VI._ Meanwhile the battle rages, and in the midst of broken
Then Hector himself rushes to the palace, where, refusing all
Thus having spoke, the illustrious chief of Troy
Stretch'd his fond arms to clasp the lovely boy.
The babe clung crying to his nurse's breast,
Seared at the dazzling helm and nodding crest.
With secret pleasure each fond parent smiled
And Hector hasted to relieve his child,
The glittering terrors from his brows unbound,
And placed the beaming helmet on the ground;
Then kiss'd the child, and, lifting high in air,
Thus to the gods preferr'd a father's prayer:
"O thou! whose glory fills the ethereal throne,
And all ye deathless powers! protect my son!
Grant him, like me, to purchase just renown,
To guard the Trojans, to defend the crown,
Against his country's foes the war to wage,
And rise the Hector of the future age!
So when triumphant from successful toils
Of heroes slain he bears the reeking spoils,
Whole hosts may hail him with deserved acclaim,
And say, 'This chief transcends his father's fame:'
While pleased amidst the general shouts of Troy,
His mother's conscious heart o'erflows with joy."
In his elation Ajax offers thanks to Jupiter before attending a
Trojans debate whether it would not be wise to apologize for the
_Book X._ Exhausted by the day's efforts, most of the Greeks have
Menelaus, arouses Nestor, Ulysses, and Diomedes to inspect their
Old Nestor first perceived the approaching sound,
Bespeaking thus the Grecian peers around:
"Methinks the noise of trampling steeds I hear,
Thickening this way, and gathering on my ear;
Perhaps some horses of the Trojan breed
(So may, ye gods! my pious hopes succeed)
The great Tydides and Ulysses bear,
Return'd triumphant with this prize of war."
Then with his sceptre, that the deep controls,
He touched the chiefs and steel'd their manly souls:
Strength, not their own, the touch divine imparts,
Prompts their light limbs, and swells their daring hearts.
Then, as a falcon from the rocky height,
Her quarry seen, impetuous at the sight,
Forth-springing instant, darts herself from high,
Shoots on the wing, and skims along the sky:
Such, and so swift, the power of ocean flew;
The wide horizon shut him from their view.
helmet off the Greek hero's head, leaving him thus exposed to his
_Book XVII._ On seeing Patroclus fall, Menelaus rushes forward to
caressed them.
Having unharnessed their steeds, the Trojans assemble to consider
Pleased to think the Greeks will have the help of this champion,
Agamemnon humbly apologizes for the past, proffering gifts and a
With unabated rage--"So let it be!
Portents and prodigies are lost on me.
I know my fate: to die, to see no more
My much-loved parents and my native shore--
Enough--when heaven ordains, I sink in night:
Now perish Troy!" He said, and rush'd to fight.
There are vivid descriptions of sundry encounters, including one
assuring him Hector will soon lie lifeless at his feet.
He ceased; wide conflagration blazing round;
The bubbled waters yield a hissing sound.
As when the flames beneath a cauldron rise,
To melt the fat of some rich sacrifice,
Amid the fierce embrace of circling fires
The waters foam, the heavy smoke aspires:
So boils the imprison'd flood, forbid to flow,
And choked with vapors feels his bottom glow.
innumerable victims are to be sacrificed to satisfy his friend's
These words soft pity in the chief inspire,
Touch'd with the dear remembrance of his sire.
Then with his hand (as prostrate still he lay)
The old man's cheek he gently turn'd away.
Now each by turns indulged the gush of woe;
And now the mingled tides together flow:
This low on earth, that gently bending o'er;
A father one, and one a son deplore:
But great Achilles different passions rend,
And now his sire he mourns, and now his friend.
The infectious softness through the heroes ran
One universal solemn shower began;
They bore as heroes, but they felt as man.
All Troy then moves to Priam's court again,
A solemn, silent, melancholy train:
Assembled there, from pious toil they rest,
And sadly shared the last sepulchral feast.
Such honors Ilion to her hero paid,
And peaceful slept the mighty Hector's shade.
obedience with this decree, Pallas (Minerva) dons golden
sandals--which permit her to flit with equal ease over land and
_Book II._ With dawn, Telemachus rises and betakes himself to the
"The work she plied; but, studious of delay,
By night reversed the labors of the day.
While thrice the sun his annual journey made,
The conscious lamp the midnight fraud survey'd;
Unheard, unseen, three years her arts prevail:
The fourth, her maid unfolds the amazing tale.
We saw as unperceived we took our stand,
The backward labors of her faithless hand"
possible conceal his departure from Penelope for twelve days.
Meantime, in the guise of Telemachus, Minerva scours the town to
secure skilful oarsmen, and at sunset has a vessel ready to sail.
errand. In return, Nestor mentions the deaths of Patroclus and
Achilles, the taking of Troy, and the Greeks' departure from its
Agamemnon, slain on his arrival at Mycenae by his faithless wife
While Nestor recounts these tales, day declines, so he invites
Soothed by "nepenthe," all retire to rest, and when morning dawns
further promised that Menelaus should never die, stating that, as
Meantime the suitors in Ulysses' palace entertain themselves with
vision, in which her sister assures her Telemachus will soon be
leaves and sinks into an exhausted sleep.
Close to the cliff with both his hands he clung,
And stuck adherent, and suspended hung;
Till the huge surge roll'd off; then backward sweep
The refluent tides, and plunge him in the deep.
And when the polypus, from forth his cave
Torn with full force, reluctant beats the wave,
His ragged claws are stuck with stones and sands;
So the rough rock had shagg'd Ulysses' hands.
And now had perish'd, whelm'd beneath the main,
The unhappy man; e'en fate had been in vain;
But all-subduing Pallas lent her power,
And prudence saved him in the needful hour.
_Book VI._ While Ulysses is thus sleeping, Minerva, in a dream
admonishes Nausicaa, daughter of the Phaeacian king, to wash her
washing place, departs with her maids for the shore.
The clothes washed and hung out to dry, the princess and her
maidens, and addresses them from afar. Convinced he is, as he
retiring to rest.
The projected festive meal is well under way when the bard begins
All the Phaeacians now present gifts to the stranger, who finds
comrades, and the sack of Troy begins! Because the stranger guest
Touch'd at the song, Ulysses straight resign'd
To soft affliction all his manly mind:
Before his eyes the purple vest he drew,
Industrious to conceal the falling dew:
But when the music paused, he ceased to shed
The flowing tear, and raised his drooping head:
And, lifting to the gods a goblet crown'd,
He pour'd a pure libation to the ground.
"Sudden I stir the embers, and inspire
With animating breath the seeds of fire;
Each drooping spirit with bold words repair,
And urge my train the dreadful deed to dare.
The stake now glow'd beneath the burning bed
(Green as it was) and sparkled fiery red.
Then forth the vengeful instrument I bring;
With beating hearts my fellows form a ring.
Urged by some present god, they swift let fall
The pointed torment on his visual ball.
Myself above them from a rising ground
Guide the sharp stake, and twirl it round and round.
As when a shipwright stands his workmen o'er,
Who ply the wimble, some huge beam to bore;
Urged on all hands it nimbly spins about,
The grain deep-piercing till it scoops it out;
In his broad eye so whirls the fiery wood;
From the pierced pupil spouts the boiling blood;
Singed are his brows; the scorching lids grow black;
The jelly bubbles, and the fibres crack."
punished by the gods and left him to his plight!
When morning came, the groaning Cyclops rolled aside the rock,
standing beside it with arms outstretched to catch his prisoners
The master ram at last approach'd the gate,
Charged with his wool and with Ulysses' fate.
Him, while he pass'd, the monster blind bespoke:
"What makes my ram the lag of all the flock?
First thou wert wont to crop the flowery mead,
First to the field and river's bank to lead,
And first with stately step at evening hour
Thy fleecy fellows usher to their bower.
Now far the last, with pensive pace and slow
Thou movest, as conscious of thy master's woe!
Seest thou these lids that now unfold in vain,
(The deed of Noman and his wicked train?)
Oh! didst thou feel for thy afflicted lord,
And would but fate the power of speech afford;
Soon might'st thou tell me where in secret here
Swung round and round and dash'd from rock to rock,
His batter'd brains should on the pavement smoke.
No ease, no pleasure my sad heart receives,
While such a monster as vile Noman lives."
seized by his crew to open the bottle, whence the captive winds
"They said: and (oh cursed fate!) the thongs unbound!
The gushing tempest sweeps the ocean round;
Snatch'd in the whirl, the hurried navy flew,
The ocean widen'd and the shores withdrew.
Roused from my fatal sleep, I long debate
If still to live, or desperate plunge to fate;
Thus doubting, prostrate on the deck I lay,
Till all the coward thoughts of death gave way."
Milk newly press'd, the sacred flour of wheat,
And honey fresh, and Pramnian wines the treat:
But venom'd was the bread, and mix'd the bowl,
With drugs of force to darken all the soul:
Soon in the luscious feast themselves they lost,
And drank oblivion of their native coast.
Instant her circling wand the goddess waves,
To hogs transforms them, and the sty receives.
No more was seen the human form divine;
Head, face, and members, bristle into swine:
Still cursed with sense, their minds remain alone,
And their own voice affrights them when they groan.
wonted forms! The terrified Circe not only complied, but detained
peacefully among his own people. His conversation with Tiresias
"Talk not of ruling in this dolorous gloom,
Nor think vain words (he cried) can ease my doom.
Rather I'd choose laboriously to bear
A weight of woes and breathe the vital air,
A slave to some poor hind that toils for bread,
Than reign the sceptered monarch of the dead."
_Book XII._ There Ulysses buried his dead companion and, after
describing his visit to Hades, begged his hostess' permission to
"Thus the sweet charmers warbled o'er the main;
My soul takes wing to meet the heavenly strain;
I give the sign, and struggle to be free:
Swift row my mates, and shoot along the sea;
New chains they add, and rapid urge the way,
Till, dying off, the distant sounds decay:
Then scudding swiftly from the dangerous ground,
The deafen'd ears unlock'd, the chains unbound."
Not daring describe to his companions the threatened horrors of
supply their larder by hunting and fishing, began to suffer from
_Book XIII._ Having finished this account of his ten years'
Neptune, discovering they had taken his enemy home, struck their
complaining that the greedy suitors deplete his herds. This old
instructions, lands near the swineherd's hut.
Telemachus is overjoyed to learn who he really is. The first
_Book XVII._ At daybreak Telemachus hastens back to the palace,
He knew his lord;--he knew, and strove to meet;
In vain he strove to crawl and kiss his feet;
Yet (all he could) his tail, his ears, his eyes,
Salute his master and confess his joys.
Soft pity touch'd the mighty master's soul:
Adown his cheek a tear unbidden stole;
Stole unperceived: he turn'd his head, and dried
The drop humane.
Humbly making the rounds of the tables like the beggar he seems,
Ulysses, whose strength arouses the suitors' admiration. Then, in
Deep o'er his knee inseam'd, remain'd the scar:
Which noted token of the woodland war
When Euryclea found, the ablution ceased;
Down dropp'd the leg, from her slack hand released:
The mingled fluids from the base redound;
The vase reclining floats the floor around!
Smiles dew'd with tears the pleasing strife express'd
Of grief, and joy, alternate in her breast.
Her fluttering words in melting murmurs died;
At length abrupt--"My son!--my king!" she cried.
Her nap ended, Penelope resumes her conversation with the beggar,
strength and courage in his veins. At dawn Ulysses is awakened by
ensure its pliancy.
efforts to bend the bow, and, when the last has tried and failed,
Then fierce the hero o'er the threshold strode;
Stript of his rags, he blazed out like a god.
Full in their face the lifted bow he bore,
And quiver'd deaths, a formidable store;
Before his feet the rattling shower he threw,
And thus, terrific, to the suitor-crew:
"One venturous game this hand hath won to-day;
Another, princes! yet remains to play:
Another mark our arrow must attain.
Phoebus, assist! nor be the labor vain."
Swift as the word the parting arrow sings;
And bears thy fate, Antinous, on its wings.
Wretch that he was, of unprophetic soul!
High in his hands he rear'd the golden bowl:
E'en then to drain it lengthen'd out his breath;
Changed to the deep, the bitter draught of death!
For fate who fear'd amidst a feastful band?
And fate to numbers, by a single hand?
Full through his throat Ulysses' weapon pass'd,
And pierced his neck. He falls, and breathes his last.
Grimly announcing his second arrow will reach a different goal by
_Book XXIII._ The old nurse has meantime had the privilege of
Cyllenius now to Pluto's dreary reign
Conveys the dead, a lamentable train!
The golden wand, that causes sleep to fly,
Or in soft slumber seals the wakeful eye,
That drives the ghosts to realms of night or day,
Points out the long uncomfortable way.
Trembling the spectres glide, and plaintive vent
Thin hollow screams, along the deep descent.
As in the cavern of some rifty den,
Where flock nocturnal bats and birds obscene,
Cluster'd they hang, till at some sudden shock,
They move, and murmurs run through all the rock:
So cowering fled the sable heaps of ghosts;
And such a scream fill'd all the dismal coasts.
There they overhear Ajax giving Achilles a minute account of his
funeral,--the grandest ever seen,--and when questioned describe
Penelope's stratagem in regard to the Web and to Ulysses' bow.
Smit with the signs which all his doubts explain,
His heart within him melts; his knees sustain
Their feeble weight no more; his arms alone
Support him, round the loved Ulysses thrown:
He faints, he sinks, with mighty joys oppress'd:
Ulysses clasps him to his eager breast.
To celebrate their reunion, a banquet is held, which permits the
translation.]
translations or imitations of the best Greek writings. There have
composing an epic of some thirty-five books, which are lost.
"From Troy's fair stock shall Caesar rise,
The limits of whose victories
Are ocean, of his fame the skies."
Carthage. In return Aeneas gave the strange huntress his name,
embrace her, promptly disappeared.
nestled in Dido's arms and stealthily effaced from her heart all
traces of her former husband's face, filling it instead with a
Greeks' hands, the slave (Sinon) replied that if they removed the
He strains his strength their knots to tear,
While gore and slime his fillets smear,
And to the unregardful skies
Sends up his agonizing cries.
On seeing this, the horror-struck Trojans immediately concluded
released the captive Greeks from the wooden steed, and, joined by
Ah see! the Priameian fair,
Cassandra, by her streaming hair
Is dragged from Pallas' shrine,
Her wild eyes raised to Heaven in vain--
Her eyes, alas! for cord and chain
Her tender hands confine.
"Then, while I dewed with tears my cheek
And strove a thousand things to speak,
She melted into night:
Thrice I essayed her neck to clasp:
Thrice the vain semblance mocked my grasp,
As wind or slumber light."
"But ere your town with walls ye fence,
Fierce famine, retribution dread
For this your murderous violence,
Shall make you eat your boards for bread."
overtaken by the terrible tempest which had driven his vessels to
So King Aeneas told his tale
While all beside were still,
Rehearsed the fortunes of his sail
And fate's mysterious will:
Then to its close his legend brought
And gladly took the rest he sought.
Thus divinely ordered to leave, Aeneas dares not disobey, but,
"This lock to Dis I bear away
And free you from your load of clay:"
So shears the lock: the vital heats
Disperse, and breath in air retreats.
chariot races, and the boxing and archery matches.
Drepanum, taking with him only those who are willing to share his
Before he leaves, his father's ghost appears to him, bidding him,
When Aeneas leaves Drepanum on the next day, his mother pleads so
"One life alone shall glut the wave;
One head shall fall the rest to save."
besought her not to baffle him by writing on oak leaves, and was
departed souls, where he saw innumerable shades. Although he
inquire for Anchises. The visitors were immediately directed to a
This account of the glories and vicissitudes of his race takes
"Hail, auspicious land!" he cries,
"So long from Fate my due!
All hail, ye Trojan deities,
To Trojan fortunes true!
At length we rest, no more to roam.
Here is our country, here our home."
command of Pallas, son of the king. He then assists at a great
_Book IX._ Meantime, obedient to Turnus' orders, the Rutules have
foreigners' camp so furiously that the Trojans gladly accept the
"Was it this, ah me,
I followed over land and sea?
O slay me, Rutules! if ye know
A mother's love, on me bestow
The tempest of your spears!
Or thou, great Thunderer, pity take,
And whelm me 'neath the Stygian lake,
Since otherwise I may not break
This life of bitter tears!"
To preserve Turnus from the deadly blows of the real Aeneas, Juno
"One boon (if vanquished foe may crave
The victor's grace) I ask--a grave.
My wrathful subjects round me wait:
Protect me from their savage hate,
And let me in the tomb enjoy
The presence of my slaughtered boy."
ambassadors for a twelve-days truce, during which both parties
"Go: my last charge to Turnus tell,
To haste with succor, and repel
The Trojans from the town--farewell."
She spoke, and speaking, dropped her rein,
Perforce descending to the plain.
Then by degrees she slips away
From all that heavy load of clay:
Her languid neck, her drowsy head
She droops to earth, of vigor sped:
She lets her martial weapons go:
The indignant soul flies down below.
"Let Latium prosper as she will,
Their thrones let Alban monarchs fill;
Let Rome be glorious on the earth,
The centre of Italian worth;
But fallen Troy be fallen still,
The nation and the name."
"What! in my friend's dear spoils arrayed
To me for mercy sue?
'Tis Pallas, Pallas guides the blade:
From your cursed blood his injured shade
Thus takes atonement due."
Thus as he spoke, his sword he drave
With fierce and fiery blow
Through the broad breast before him spread:
The stalwart limbs grow cold and dead:
One groan the indignant spirit gave,
Then sought the shades below.
In their earliest form these Chansons de Geste were invariably in
There are three great groups or cycles of French epics: first the
synopsis follows. Other remarkable examples of this cycle are
treatment is furnished by Les Quatre Fils d'Aymon.
The second group, or cycle of Brittany, animated by a chivalrous
One of the best samples of the domestic epic in this cycle is the
Enfances de Godefroi, Antioche, and Tudela's Song of the Crusade
against the Albigenses.
Next comes la Henriade, also by Voltaire, a half bombastic, half
_Introduction._ The earliest and greatest of the French epics, or
The king, our Emperor Carlemaine,
Hath been for seven full years in Spain.
From highland to sea hath he won the land;
City was none might his arm withstand;
Keep and castle alike went down--
Save Saragossa the mountain town.
Ganelon converses with the Saracens, who express surprise that
"For whoso Roland to death shall bring,
From Karl his good right arm will wring,
The marvellous host will melt away,
No more shall he muster a like array."
Arriving in the presence of the Saracen king, Ganelon reports
Karl the Great hath wasted Spain,
Her cities sacked, her castles ta'en;
But now "My wars are done," he cried,
"And home to gentle France we ride."
_The Rear-guard and Roland Condemned to Death._ On the eve of his
"God be my judge," was the count's reply,
"If ever I thus my race belie.
But twenty thousand with me shall rest,
Bravest of all your Franks and best;
The mountain passes in safety tread,
While I breathe in life you have nought to dread."
High were the peaks, and the valleys deep,
The mountains wondrous dark and steep;
Sadly the Franks through the passes wound,
Fully fifteen leagues did their tread resound.
To their own great land they are drawing nigh,
And they look on the fields of Gascony.
They think of their homes and their manors there,
Their gentle spouses and damsels fair.
Is none but for pity the tear lets fall;
But the anguish of Karl is beyond them all.
His sister's son at the gates of Spain
Smites on his heart, and he weeps amain.
_The Pride of Roland._ Because the enemies' force so greatly
outnumbers theirs, Oliver suggests that Roland sound his horn to
"Roland, Roland, yet wind one blast!
Karl will hear ere the gorge be passed,
And the Franks return on their path full fast."
"I will not sound on mine ivory horn:
It shall never be spoken of me in scorn,
That for heathen felons one blast I blew;
I may not dishonor my lineage true.
But I will strike, ere this fight be o'er,
A thousand strokes and seven hundred more,
And my Durindana shall drip with gore.
Our Franks will bear them like vassals brave.
The Saracens flock but to find a grave."
_The Medley._ In the first ranks of the Saracens is a nephew of
At the last it brake; then he grasped in hand
His Durindana, his naked brand.
He smote Chernubles' helm upon,
Where, in the centre, carbuncles shone:
Down through his coif and his fell of hair,
Betwixt his eyes came the falchion bare,
Down through his plated harness fine,
Down through the Saracen's chest and chine,
Down through the saddle with gold inlaid,
Till sank in the living horse the blade,
Severed the spine where no joint was found,
And horse and rider lay dead on ground.
Now a wondrous storm o'er France hath passed,
With thunder-stroke and whirlwind's blast;
Rain unmeasured, and hail, there came,
Sharp and sudden the lightning's flame;
And an earthquake ran--the sooth I say,
From Besançon city to Wissant Bay;
From Saint Michael's Mount to thy shrine, Cologne,
House unrifted was there none.
And a darkness spread in the noontide high--
No light, save gleams from the cloven sky.
On all who saw came a mighty fear.
They said, "The end of the world is near."
Alas, they spake but with idle breath,--
'Tis the great lament for Roland's death.
_The Horn._ During the brief respite allowed them, Roland informs
With deadly travail, in stress and pain,
Count Roland sounded the mighty strain.
Forth from his mouth the bright blood sprang,
And his temples burst for the very pang.
On and onward was borne the blast,
Till Karl hath heard as the gorge he passed,
And Naimes and all his men of war.
"It is Roland's horn," said the Emperor,
"And, save in battle, he had not blown."
See Roland there on his charger swooned,
Olivier smitten with his death wound.
His eyes from bleeding are dimmed and dark,
Nor mortal, near or far, can mark;
And when his comrade beside him pressed,
Fiercely he smote on his golden crest;
Down to the nasal the helm he shred,
But passed no further, nor pierced his head.
Roland marvelled at such a blow,
And thus bespake him soft and low:
"Hast thou done it, my comrade, wittingly?
Roland who loves thee so dear, am I,
Thou hast no quarrel with me to seek."
Olivier answered, "I hear thee speak,
But I see thee not. God seeth thee.
Have I struck thee, brother? Forgive it me."
"I am not hurt, O Olivier;
And in sight of God, I forgive thee here."
Then each to other his head has laid,
And in love like this was their parting made.
_Charlemagne Approaches._ The last Frenchmen are fighting madly
beneath him sword and horn, so as to defend them dead as well as
alive! Then, having confessed his sins and recited a last prayer,
Roland feeleth his hour at hand;
On a knoll he lies towards the Spanish land.
With one hand beats he upon his breast:
"In thy sight, O God, be my sins confessed.
From my hour of birth, both the great and small,
Down to this day, I repent of all."
As his glove he raises to God on high,
Angels of heaven descend him nigh.
PART III. REPRISALS. Roland has barely breathed his last when
Charlemagne arrives on the battle-field and, gazing around him,
In the mead the Emperor made his bed,
With his mighty spear beside his head,
Nor will he doff his arms to-night,
But lies in his broidered hauberk white.
Laced is his helm, with gold inlaid.
Girt on Joyeuse, the peerless blade,
Which changes thirty times a day
The brightness of its varying ray.
pillage the town.
On discovering that Marsile has meantime died of his wound,
At Bordeaux, Charlemagne deposits upon the altar of St. Severin,
From Spain the emperor made retreat,
To Aix in France, his kingly seat;
And thither, to his halls, there came,
Alda, the fair-and gentle dame.
"Where is my Roland, sire," she cried,
"Who vowed to take me for his bride?"
O'er Karl the flood of sorrow swept;
He tore his beard, and loudly wept.
"Dear sister, gentle friend," he said,
"Thou seekest one who lieth dead:
I plight to thee my son instead,--
Louis, who lord of my realm shall be."
"Strange," she said, "seems this to me.
God and His angels forbid that I
Should live on earth if Roland die."
Pale grew her cheek--she sank amain,
Down at the feet of Carlemaine.
So died she. God receive her soul!
The Franks bewail her in grief and dole.
assertion, one of them even volunteering to meet the emperor's
Norman and Breton return again,
And with all the Franks aloud they cry,
That Gan a traitor's death shall die.
They bade be brought four stallions fleet;
Bound to them Ganelon, hands and feet:
Wild and swift was each savage steed,
And a mare was standing within the mead;
Four grooms impelled the coursers on,--
A fearful ending for Ganelon.
His every nerve was stretched and torn,
And the limbs of his body apart were borne;
The bright blood, springing from every vein,
Left on the herbage green its stain.
He dies a felon and recreant:
Never shall traitor his treason vaunt.
When the emperor's justice was satisfied,
His mighty wrath did awhile subside.
Queen Bramimonde was a Christian made.
The day passed on into night's dark shade;
As the king in his vaulted chamber lay,
Saint Gabriel came from God to say,
"Karl, thou shalt summon thine empire's host,
And march in haste to Bira's coast;
Unto Impha city relief to bring,
And succor Vivian, the Christian king.
The heathens in siege have the town essayed,
And the shattered Christians invoke thine aid."
Fain would Karl such task decline.
"God! what a life of toil is mine!"
He wept; his hoary beard he wrung.
Here ends the Song of Théroulde.
author's "Legends of the Middle Ages."]
O'Hagen's translation of the "Song of Roland."]
Who would list to the good lay
Gladness of the captive grey?
'Tis how two young lovers met,
Of the pains the lover bore
And the sorrow he outwore,
For the goodness and the grace,
Of his love, so fair of face.
Sweet the song, the story sweet,
There is no man hearkens it,
No man living 'neath the sun,
So outwearied, so foredone,
Sick and woful, worn and sad,
But is healèd, but is glad.
'Tis so sweet.
So say they, speak they, tell they the tale.
adopted daughter.
thought of her belonging to any one else is unendurable. This
tracking game, he is bent on seeking traces of his beloved.
Ere long Aucassin encounters an old charcoal-burner, to whom he
confides his loss, and who assures him such a sorrow is nothing
Biaucaire will soon find and separate them. To prevent such a
before him, clasping her tight and kissing her repeatedly as they
Aucassin the Franc, the fair,
Aucassin of yellow hair,
Gentle knight, and true lover,
From the forest doth he fare,
Holds his love before him there,
Kissing cheek, and chin, and eyes;
But she spake in sober wise,
"Aucassin, true love and fair,
To what land do we repair?"
"Sweet my love, I take no care,
Thou art with me everywhere!"
So they pass the woods and downs,
Pass the villages and towns,
Hills and dales and open land,
Came at dawn to the sea sand,
Lighted down upon the strand,
Beside the sea.
absence, he is now master of all he surveys.
prediction should be verified, Nicolette has little difficulty in
obtains some of her own clothes, and, thus restored to her wonted
Many years abode they there,
Many years in shade or sun,
In great gladness and delight.
Ne'er had Aucassin regret,
Nor his lady Nicolette.
Now my story all is done--
Said and sung!
Lang's version of "Aucassin and Nicolette."]
Literature was born in Spain only when the Christians began to
The Spaniards also boast of a thirteenth century poem of some
popularity had already begun to wane when Cervantes scotched all
Shortly after this Donna Ximena, daughter of Don Gomez, appeared
Delighted with this new accession of territory, Ferrando knighted
immediately took refuge.
On learning that his master has been slain, the Cid hastened to
satisfy the Cid, therefore, Alfonso and twelve of his men took a
alliance with them of his own free will.
"O thou that in a happy hour didst gird thee with the sword,
It is the order of the king; we dare not, O my lord!
Sealed with his royal seal hath come his letter to forbid
The Burgos folk to open door, or shelter thee, my Cid.
Our goods, our homes, our very eyes, in this are all at stake;
And small the gain to thee, though we meet ruin for thy sake.
Go, and God prosper thee in all that thou dost undertake."
The prayer was said, the mass was sung, they mounted to depart;
My Cid a moment stayed to press Ximena to his heart:
Ximena kissed his hand, as one distraught with grief was she:
He looked upon his daughters: "These to God I leave," said he;
"Unto our lady and to God, Father of all below;
He knows if we shall meet again:--and now, sirs, let us go."
As when the finger-nail from out the flesh is torn away,
Even so sharp to him and them the parting pang that day.
Then to his saddle sprang my Cid, and forth his vassals led;
But ever as he rode, to those behind he turned his head.
through wide-open gates.
No sooner did the Moors learn that the Cid had conquered this
winning so much booty that he was able to send thirty caparisoned
Alfonso that Rodrigo would shortly be pardoned and recalled.
constantly turning their heads to make sure that they were not
pursued.
He spurred his steed, but, as he rode, a backward glance he bent,
A thing, the world itself to win, my Cid would not have done:
No perfidy was ever found in him, the Perfect One.
Perceiving he was no longer in favor at court, the Cid haughtily
Meantime the Moors who had fled rejoined the Cid, and, when they
possession of it, the Cid termed him a traitor and swore he would
Meantime the people in the besieged city suffered so sorely from
unharmed. The Cid having consented to this proposal, the invading
distinguished knights.
stronghold.
As the Cid had vowed on leaving home never to cut his beard until
But lo! all armed from head to heel the Bishop Jerome shows;
He ever brings good fortune to my Cid where'er he goes.
"Mass have I said, and now I come to join you in the fray;
To strike a blow against the Moor in battle if I may,
And in the field win honor for my order and my hand.
It is for this that I am here, far from my native land.
Unto Valencia did I come to cast my lot with you,
All for the longing that I had to slay a Moor or two.
And so, in warlike guise I come, with blazoned shield, and lance,
Then send me to the front to do the bidding of my heart:
Grant me this favor that I ask, or else, my Cid, we part!"
murmur they could have done as well! The monarch also granted
But, three months after the ladies' arrival, fifty thousand Moors
although he had only four thousand men to oppose to their fifty
Alfonso, but awed and silenced the courtiers, among whom were the
promised they should marry as they wished.
When the bearers of the Cid's present, therefore, returned to
entertained them royally.
distinguished himself, the Cid complimented him after the battle,
Meantime the Infantes had met Alvar Fanez conveying to the king
another present, and, on being asked where were their wives,
ladies, but found nothing save traces of blood, which made them
suspect foul play. On discovering what had really happened to the
Alfonso summoned the Cortes, sending word to the Cid and to the
Infantes to appear before it at Toledo three months hence.
belittle. The day for the solemn session having dawned, the Cid
treachery used.
"So please your Grace! once more upon your clemency I call;
A grievance yet remains untold, the greatest grief of all.
Redress my combat they must yield; none other will I take.
How now, Infantes! what excuse, what answer do ye make?
Why have ye laid my heartstrings bare? In jest or earnest say,
Have I offended you? and I will make amends to-day.
"My daughters in your hands I placed the day that forth ye went,
And rich in wealth and honors from Valencia were ye sent.
Why did ye carry with you brides ye loved not, treacherous curs?
Why tear their flesh in Corpes wood with saddle-girths and spurs,
Had not the Cid forbidden his followers to speak until he granted
The marshals leave them face to face and from the lists are gone;
Each with his gaze intent and fixed upon his chosen foe,
Then with one impulse every spur is in the charger's side,
And earth itself is felt to shake beneath their furious stride;
The cowardly Infantes, having been defeated, publicly confessed
He who a noble lady wrongs and casts aside--may he
Meet like requital for his deeds, or worse, if worse there be.
Valencia the Great was glad, rejoiced at heart to see
The honoured champions of her lord return in victory.
descendants in due time sat upon the thrones of these realms.
And he that in a good hour was born, behold how he hath sped!
His daughters now to higher rank and greater honor wed:
Sought by Navarre and Aragon for queens his daughters twain;
And monarchs of his blood to-day upon the thrones of Spain.
triumph over the Moors even after life had departed.
Seeing Valencia abandoned, the Moors whom the Cid had established
And so his honor in the land grows greater day by day.
Upon the feast of Pentecost from life he passed away.
For him and all of us the Grace of Christ let us implore.
And here ye have the story of my Cid Campeador.
translation, of "The Cid" by Ormsby.]
Portuguese literature, owing to its late birth, shows little
Burgundian extraction, it borrowed its main ideas and literary
merits to keep their memory green.
During the sixteenth century, many versions of the prose epics or
Palmerina d'Inglaterra, being the most popular of all.
Later on Meneses composed, according to strict classic rules, a
passing popularity.
Portuguese history. Owing to its theme, this epic, which a great
engagement in the Strait of Gibraltar. Although he distinguished
possessed, except his poem, with which he swam ashore.
Camoëns' poem Os Lusiades, or the Lusitanians (i.e., Portuguese),
discoveries, are about to achieve the conquest of India.
_Book II._ The traitor pilot now steers toward Mombaça, where
meanwhile Bacchus has been plotting to secure the death of the
Now Gama's bands the quiv'ring trumpet blow,
Thick o'er the wave the crowding barges row,
The Moorish flags the curling waters sweep,
The Lusian mortars thunder o'er the deep;
Again the fiery roar heaven's concave tears,
The Moors astonished stop their wounded ears;
Again loud thunders rattle o'er the bay,
And clouds of smoke wide-rolling blot the day;
The captain's barge the gen'rous king ascends,
His arms the chief enfold, the captain bends
(A rev'rence to the scepter'd grandeur due):
In silent awe the monarch's wond'ring view
Is fix'd on Vasco's noble mien; the while
His thoughts with wonder weigh the hero's toil.
Esteem and friendship with his wonder rise,
And free to Gama all his kingdom lies.
"And now, O king," the kneeling Egas cries,
"Behold my perjured honor's sacrifice:
If such mean victims can atone thine ire,
Here let my wife, my babes, myself expire.
If gen'rous bosoms such revenge can take,
Here let them perish for the father's sake:
The guilty tongue, the guilty hands are these,
Nor let a common death thy wrath appease;
For us let all the rage of torture burn,
But to my prince, thy son, in friendship turn."
Touched by the patriotism and devotion of Moniz, the foe not only
The king, thus saved from vassalage by the devotion of Moniz, is
In tears she utter'd--as the frozen snow
Touch'd by the spring's mild ray, begins to flow,
So just began to melt his stubborn soul,
As mild-ray'd Pity o'er the tyrant stole;
But destiny forbade: with eager zeal
(Again pretended for the public weal),
Her fierce accusers urg'd her speedy doom;
Again dark rage diffus'd its horrid gloom
O'er stern Alonzo's brow: swift at the sign,
Their swords, unsheath'd, around her brandish'd shine.
O foul disgrace, of knighthood lasting stain,
By men of arms a helpless lady slain!
intervention of the queen. But, on ascending the throne when his
Cruel, Don Pedro waged war fierce against this monarch until he
surrendered the culprits, who, after being tortured, were put to
death.
Vasco da Gama also related how another king, Fernando, stole fair
_Book IV._ Rather than accept as queen a lady who had married a
Spanish prince,--who would probably unite their country with
Here as the monarch fix'd his wond'ring eyes,
Two hoary fathers from the streams arise;
Their aspect rustic, yet, a reverend grace
Appear'd majestic on their wrinkled face:
Their tawny beards uncomb'd, and sweepy long,
Adown their knees in shaggy ringlets hung;
From every lock the crystal drops distil,
And bathe their limbs, as in a trickling rill;
Gay wreaths of flowers, of fruitage and of boughs,
(Nameless in Europe), crown'd their furrow'd brows.
_Book V._ Such was the enthusiasm caused by this vision that many
had--as was customary--taken ten prisoners with him, whose death
"O'er the wild waves, as southward thus we stray,
Our port unknown, unknown the wat'ry way,
Each night we see, impress'd with solemn awe,
Our guiding stars and native skies withdraw,
In the wide void we lose their cheering beams,
Lower and lower still the pole-star gleams.
"Another pole-star rises o'er the wave:
Full to the south a shining cross appears,
Our heaving breasts the blissful omen cheers:
Seven radiant stars compose the hallow'd sign
That rose still higher o'er the wavy brine."
A journey of five months, diversified by tempests, electrical
difficult for them to escape.
"We saw a hideous phantom glare;
High and enormous o'er the flood he tower'd,
And 'thwart our way with sullen aspect lower'd:
An earthy paleness o'er his cheeks was spread,
Erect uprose his hairs of wither'd red;
Writhing to speak, his sable lips disclose,
Sharp and disjoin'd, his gnashing teeth's blue rows;
His haggard beard flow'd quiv'ring on the wind,
Revenge and horror in his mien combin'd;
His clouded front, by with'ring lightnings scar'd,
The inward anguish of his soul declar'd.
His red eyes, glowing from their dusky caves,
Shot livid fires: far echoing o'er the waves
His voice resounded, as the cavern'd shore
With hollow groan repeats the tempest's roar."
_Book VI._ In return for the hospitality enjoyed on board of the
minister. The interpreter, at Da Gama's request, then procures an
approach the Portuguese fleet, they are riddled with shot.
The Lusiad is so smoothly written, so harmonious, and so full of
similes that ever since Camoëns' day it has served as a model for
classic in Portuguese Literature.
allegorical Roman de la Rose.
considered the first true Italian poet of any note. The earliest
By the fifteenth century, and almost simultaneously with the
The next epic of note in Italian literature is Torquato Tasso's
Some of Ariosto's contemporaries also attempted the epic style,
Although no epics of great note were written thereafter, Alamanni
intolerably long and wearisome.
Spenser's.
_Introduction._ In the Middle Ages it was popularly believed that
stairways or bridges. In each of these nine circles are punished
sinners of a certain kind.
"Through me you pass into the city of woe:
Through me you pass into eternal pain:
Through me among the people lost for aye.
Justice the founder of my fabric moved:
To rear me was the task of power divine,
Supremest wisdom, and primeval love.
Before me things create were none, save things
Eternal, and eternal I endure.
All hope abandon, ye who enter here."
Unable to grasp its meaning, Dante begs Virgil to interpret, and
Passing through these spirits with downcast eyes, Dante reaches
earthquake shakes the whole region, and Dante swoons in terror.
For when before him comes the ill-fated soul,
It all confesses; and that judge severe
Of sins, considering what place in hell
Suits the transgression, with his tail so oft
Himself encircles, as degrees beneath
He dooms it to descend.
improvement.
tonsured polls, proving that monks themselves are not exempt from
neighbor, as soon as possible, that his son is still alive. Then,
_Canto XI._ The poets now approach a depression, whence arises a
On drawing near them, Chiron is amazed to perceive one of the
centaur explains that the victims more or less deeply immersed in
secretary to Frederick II, and that, having fallen into unmerited
creditors whose pursuit he tried to escape by killing himself.
slain by his thunder-bolt.
_Canto XV._ The high banks of the stream of tears protect our
_Canto XVI._ Reaching a spot where the stream they are following
"As one, who hath an ague fit so near,
His nails already are turn'd blue, and he
Quivers all o'er, if he but eye the shade;
Such was my cheer at hearing of his words.
But shame soon interposed her threat, who makes
The servant bold in presence of his lord.
I settled me upon those shoulders huge,
And would have said, but that the words to aid
My purpose came not, 'Look thou clasp me firm.'"
Then, bidding Dante hold fast so as not to fall, Virgil gives the
"Never ran water with such hurrying pace
Adown the tube to turn a land-mill's wheel,
When nearest it approaches to the spokes,
As then along that edge my master ran,
Carrying me in his bosom, as a child,
Not a companion."
"The other two
Look'd on, exclaiming, 'Ah! How dost thou change,
Agnello! See! thou art nor double now
Nor only one.' The two heads now became
One, and two figures blended in one form
Appear'd, where both were lost. Of the four lengths
Two arms were made: the belly and the chest,
The thighs and legs, into such members changed
As never eye hath seen."
advice to their fellow-creatures. Here Dante recognizes Diomedes,
mountain.
_Canto XXVII._ In the midst of another bed of flames, Dante next
discovers another culprit, to whom he gives the history of the
_Canto XXIX._ Gazing in a dazed way at the awful sights of this
awarded to magicians, alchemists, and other pretenders.
_Canto XXX._ Virgil now points out to Dante sundry impostors,
As with circling round
Of turrets, Montereggion crowns his walls;
E'en thus the shore, encompassing the abyss,
Was turreted with giants, half their length
Uprearing, horrible, whom Jove from heaven
Yet threatens, when his muttering thunder rolls.
"Yet in the abyss,
That Lucifer with Judas low ingulfs,
Lightly he placed us; nor, there leaning, stay'd;
But rose, as in a barque the stately mast."
_Canto XXXII._ Confessing that it is no easy task to describe the
Inferno, it is crowded with figures.
"A thousand visages
Then mark'd, I, which the keen and eager cold
Had shaped into a doggish grin; whence creeps
A shivering horror o'er me, at the thought
Of those frore shallows."
circle.
Famine-tower at Pisa, with two sons and two grandsons. Ugolino
"Thus having spoke,
Once more upon the wretched skull his teeth
He fasten'd like a mastiff's 'gainst the bone,
Firm and unyielding."
"If he were beautiful
As he is hideous now, and yet did dare
To scowl upon his Maker, well from him
May all our misery flow."
Then Dante describes Satan's three heads, one red, one yellow and
demon's shaggy sides painfully descends toward the centre of the
amazed to discover they are climbing up his leg. Then, through a
Explaining they are about to emerge at the antipodes of the spot
stars!
"By that hidden way
My guide and I did enter, to return
To the fair world: and heedless of repose
We climb'd, he first, I following his steps,
Till on our view the beautiful lights of heaven
Dawn'd through a circular opening in the cave:
Thence issuing we again beheld the stars."
_Canto II._ Against the whitening east they now behold a ghostly
Making a sign of the cross upon each passenger's brow, the angel
allows his charges to land, and vanishes at sunrise, just as the
"As a wild flock of pigeons, to their food
Collected, blade or tares, without their pride
Accustom'd, and in still and quiet sort,
If aught alarm them, suddenly desert
Their meal, assail'd by more important care;
So I that new-come troop beheld, the song
Deserting, hasten to the mountain's side,
As one who goes, yet, where he tends, knows not."
"As sheep, that step from forth their fold, by one,
Or pairs, or three at once; meanwhile the rest
Stand fearfully, bending the eye and nose
To ground, and what the foremost does, that do
The others, gathering round her if she stops,
Simple and quiet, nor the cause discern;
So saw I moving to advance the first,
Who of the fortunate crew were at the head,
Of modest mien, and graceful in their gait.
When they before me had beheld the light
From my right side fall broken on the ground,
So that the shadow reach'd the cave; they stopp'd,
And somewhat back retired: the same did all
Who follow'd, though unwitting of the cause."
probation.
grace." Such slothfulness irritates Virgil, who hurries Dante on,
_Canto VI._ Because Virgil moves on, Dante feels constrained to
follow, although the spirits continue to pluck at his mantle,
inquiring whence he comes. Virgil explains how, led by heavenly
Now was the hour that wakens fond desire
In men at sea, and melts their thoughtful heart
Who in the morn have bid sweet friends farewell,
And pilgrim newly on his road with love
Thrills, if he hear the vesper bell from far
That seems to mourn for the expiring day.
expectantly upward, and soon behold two green-clad angels, with
languishing there simply because of the prayers of his daughter
Giovanna, who has not forgotten him although his wife has married
"I saw not, nor can tell,
How those celestial falcons from their seat
Moved, but in motion each one well descried.
Hearing the air cut by their verdant plumes,
The serpent fled; and, to their stations, back
The angels up return'd with equal flight."
Virgil now assures him that, thanks to Santa Lucia (type of God's
Purgatory. Gazing at the high cliffs which encircle the mountain,
another gasps from time to time, "I can endure no more."
_Canto XI._ The oppressed spirits fervently pray for aid and
delivered, Virgil inquires of them where he can find means to
realizes he is talking to a miniature painter who claimed to be
without equal, and therefore has to do penance.
The noise
Of worldly fame is but a blast of wind,
That blows from diverse points, and shifts its name,
Shifting the point it blows from.
_Canto XIII._ The second ledge of purgatory, which they have now
reached, is faced with plain gray stone, and Virgil leads his
streams of penitential tears.
obliged to do penance for heartlessness. Marvelling that any one
should wander among them with eyes unclosed, she inquires by what
conquer'st," while he brushes aside the second _P ._, and thus
_Canto XVII._ Out of the vapors of anger--as dense as any Alpine
another sin scar from our poet's forehead.
whole mountain tremble beneath them and by hearing the spirits
exultantly cry "Glory to God!"
_Canto XXII._ The three bards are next led by an angel up another
Reverently listening to the conversation of his companions, Dante
skeleton spirits. Forese replies that he and his companions are
_Canto XXIV._ Escorting the three travellers on their way, Forese
_Canto XXV._ In single file the three poets continue their tramp,
"Behoved us, one by one, along the side,
That border'd on the void, to pass; and I
Fear'd on one hand the fire, on the other fear'd
Headlong to fall: when thus the instructor warn'd:
'Strict rein must in this place direct the eyes.
A little swerving and the way is lost.'"
examples of dissoluteness as Pasiphae, and the men who caused the
recognize many of his fellow-sufferers were he to point them out.
element which is to make him fit for Paradise.
"Till those bright eyes
With gladness come, which, weeping, made me haste
To succor thee, thou mayst or seat thee down
Or wander where thou wilt. Expect no more
Sanction of warning voice or sign from me,
Free of thine own arbitrament to choose.
Discreet, judicious. To distrust thy sense
Were henceforth error. I invest thee then
With crown and mitre, sovereign o'er thyself."
_Canto XXVIII._ Through the Garden of Eden Dante now strolls with
Beatrice comforts him, however, by promising to be his guide
hereafter, and gently reproaches him for the past until he casts
"O splendor!
O sacred light eternal! who is he,
So pale with musing in Pierian shades,
Or with that fount so lavishly imbued,
Whose spirit should not fail him in the essay
To represent thee such as thou didst seem,
When under cope of the still-chiming heaven
Thou gavest to open air thy charms reveal'd?"
_Canto XXXII._ Dante is still quenching a "ten-years thirst" by
_Canto XXXIII._ The seven Virtues having chanted a hymn, Beatrice
"She with those other spirits gently smiled;
Then answer'd with such gladness, that she seem'd
With love's first flame to glow: 'Brother! our will
Is, in composure, settled by the power
Of charity, who makes us will alone
What we possess, and nought beyond desire.'"
blameless in Heaven. Then, stating:
"Not seldom, brother, it hath, chanced for men
To do what they had gladly left undone;"
enabled to brave fire. Then she makes him see how truth alone can
kidnapping of the Sabines to his own day, laying stress on the
Dante's time. Next he explains that Mercury is inhabited by "good
planet of love--where Beatrice glows with increased beauty--are
innumerable souls "imperfect through excess of love," which are
grouped in constantly revolving circles. All at once one of these
_Canto XI._ St. Thomas Aquinas, in his conversation with Dante,
"Let not the people be too swift to judge;
As one who reckons on the blades in field,
Or e'er the crop be ripe. For I have seen
The thorn frown rudely all the winter long,
And after bear the rose upon its top;
And bark, that all her way across the sea
Ran straight and speedy, perish at the last
E'en in the haven's mouth."
_Canto XIV._ Proceeding from circle to circle, Dante and Beatrice
resurrection of the body. In words almost as eloquent as those
wherewith St. Gabriel transmitted his message to Mary, Solomon
complies.
"Long as the joy of Paradise shall last,
Our love shall shine around that raiment, bright
As fervent; fervent as, in vision, blest;
And that as far, in blessedness, exceeding,
As it hath grace, beyond its virtue, great.
Our shape, regarmented with glorious weeds
Of saintly flesh, must, being thus entire,
Show yet more gracious. Therefore shall increase
Whate'er, of light, gratuitous imparts
The Supreme Good; light, ministering aid,
The better to disclose his glory: whence,
The vision needs increasing, must increase
The fervor, which it kindles; and that too
The ray, that comes from it."
Cacciaguida, who assures him Florence proved happy as long as its
"Thou shalt leave each thing
Beloved most dearly: this is the first shaft
Shot from the bow of exile. Thou shalt prove
How salt the savor is of other's bread;
How hard the passage, to descend and climb
By other's stairs."
"For this, there only have been shown to thee,
Throughout these orbs, the mountain, and the deep,
Spirit, whom fame hath note of. For the mind
Of him, who hears, is loath to acquiesce
And fix its faith, unless the instance brought
Be palpable, and proof apparent urge."
(revolved by Dominations). Here the spirits of rulers famous for
fervently praying justice may indeed reign on earth as in heaven.
"The three nymphs,
Whom at the right wheel thou beheld'st advancing,
Were sponsors for him, more than thousand years
Before baptizing. O how far removed,
Predestination! is thy root from such
As see not the First Cause entire: and ye,
O mortal men! be wary how ye judge:
For we, who see our Maker, know not yet
The number of the chosen; and esteem
Such scantiness of knowledge our delight:
For all our good is, in that primal good,
Concentrate; and God's will and ours are one."
Thrones). This sphere is the abiding place of contemplative and
_Canto XXII._ Startled by a loud cry, Dante is reassured by St.
Damian's statement that no harm can befall him in heaven. Next
Benedict describes his life on earth and inveighs against the
corruption of the monks of Dante's time.
Christ, escorted by his Mother and by the Church triumphant. Too
Beatrice, St. James reveals he has been sent hither by Christ to
although she is close beside him.
"I turn'd, but ah! how trembled in my thought,
When, looking at my side again to see
Beatrice, I descried her not; although,
Not distant, on the happy coast she stood."
_Canto XXVI._ Dante now ascertains he has merely been temporarily
perceives a fourth spirit, in whom he recognizes Adam, father of
during that long space of time.
_Canto XXVII._ After listening enraptured to the melody of the
documents.
Here is the goal, whence motion on his race
Starts: motionless the centre, and the rest
All moved around.
multitudinous angels constantly revolving around a dazzling point
"So I my suit preferr'd:
And she, so distant, as appear'd, look'd down,
And smiled; then towards the eternal fountain turn'd."
love,--which so transcends all human expression that he declares
"what he saw was not for words to speak."
"will roll'd onward, like a wheel
In even motion, by the love impell'd,
That moves the sun in heaven and all the stars."
Cary's translation.]
Assuming that his auditors are familiar with the characters of
Boiardo's unfinished epic, Ariosto, picking up the thread of the
Orlando, coming up by chance, is gazing in admiration upon this
Angelica, unable to forget Rinaldo since she has partaken of the
Meanwhile the many knights enamoured with Angelica have gone to
In the course of this campaign these two knights meet with many
encounters, Rogero discovers that his antagonist is Bradamant--a
woman--and falls desperately in love with her.
Orlando's madness, and the third to the love of Rogero and
Bradamant,--Rogero, an ancestor of the Ferrara family (Ariosto's
patrons), being the real hero of his poem.
But, on their way to Vallombroso where this sacrament is to take
Meantime Astolfo has ridden off on the hippogriff to the earthly
whence only a few shreds are rescued by poets!
triumphs in many a fight.
Rogero. The courage shown by the bridegroom while at Belgrade has
Torquato Tasso, one of the three great Italian poets, was born at
without his consent.
Although Tasso contrived several times to escape from Ferrara, he
To the same warbling of fresh waters drew,
Arm'd, but unmhelm'd and unforeseen, a maid;
She was a pagan, and came thither too
To quench her thirst beneath the pleasant shade;
Her beautiful fair aspect, thus display'd,
He sees; admires; and, touch'd to transport, glows
With passion rushing to its fountain head,
The heart; 'tis strange how quick the feeling grows;
Scarce born, its power in him no cool calm medium knows.
Doom'd in tormenting fire to die, they lay
Hands on the maid; her arms with rough cords twining,
Rudely her mantle chaste they tear away,
And the white veil that o'er her droop'd declining:
This she endured in silence unrepining,
Yet her firm breast some virgin tremors shook;
And her warm cheek, Aurora's late outshining,
Waned into whiteness, and a color took,
Like that of the pale rose or lily of the brook.
image, Aladine questions the maiden, who denies it, insisting she
services in the coming war. Touched by each other's devotion, the
Restored to life and liberty, how blest,
How truly blest was young Olindo's fate!
For sweet Sophronia's blushes might attest,
That Love at length has touch'd her delicate
And generous bosom; from the stake in state
They to the altar pass; severely tried,
In doom and love already made his mate,
She now objects not to become his bride,
And grateful live with him who would for her have died.
"Know, then, that we have borne all this distress
By land and sea,--war, want, reverses--all!
To the sole end that we might gain access
To sacred Salem's venerable wall;
That we might free the Faithful from their thrall,
And win from God His blessing and reward:
From this no threats our spirit can appal,
For this no terms will be esteem'd too hard--
Life, honors, kingdoms lost, or dignity debarr'd."
Seeing them advance, the pagans make hasty preparations to oppose
From the topmost tier of Jerusalem's ramparts, the Sultan Aladine
intervene between her and Tancred.
Many people having died in the course of this action, a truce is
agreed upon so that both sides may bury their dead, and so, many
funerals are celebrated with all due pomp and ceremony. Next the
crusading force decides that siege-engines and towers will be
The duke, when thus his piety had paid
The fun'ral rites, and shed his duteous tears,
Sent all his skill'd mechanics to invade
The forest, guarded by a thousand spears;
Veil'd by low hills it stood, the growth of years,--
A Syrian shepherd pointed out the vale,
And thither brought the camp-artificers
To fabricate the engines doom'd to scale
The City's sacred towers and turn her people pale.
Christian camp, where, falling at Godfrey's feet, she proceeds to
But, although Godfrey himself is proof against all Armida's
All arts th' enchantress practised to beguile
Some new admirer in her well-spread snare;
Nor used with all, nor always the same wile,
But shaped to every taste her grace and air:
Here cloister'd is her eye's dark pupil, there
In full voluptuous languishment is roll'd;
Now these her kindness, those her anger bear,
Spurr'd on or check'd by bearing frank or cold,
As she perceived her slave was scrupulous or bold.
Argantes, who sallies forth to challenge the Christians, bidding
He noted not where the Circassian rear'd
His frightful face to the affronted skies,
But to the hill-top where his Love appear'd,
Turn'd, slack'ning his quick pace, his am'rous eyes,
Till he stood steadfast as a rock, all ice
Without, all glowing heat within;--the sight
To him was as the gates of Paradise;
And from his mind the mem'ry of the fight
Pass'd like a summer cloud, or dream at morning light.
One of the knights in his train, seeing he is not going to fight,
however, is nearly as brave as Tancred, so the battle rages until
_Canto VII._ To escape from her pursuers, Erminia flees into a
trackless forest, where, after wandering some time, she meets a
shepherd, who gives her an asylum in his hut. There she turns
_Canto VIII._ During this battle a great storm arises, and the
"Let Godfrey view once more, and smile to view
My second exile;--soon shall he again
See me in arms return'd, to vex anew
His haunted peace and never stable reign:
Yield I do not; eternal my disdain
Shall be as are my wrongs; though fires consume
My dust, immortal shall my hate remain;
And aye my naked ghost fresh wrath assume,
Through life a foe most fierce, but fiercer from the tomb!"
Ismeno shot the lock; and to the right
They climb'd a staircase, long untrod, to which
A feeble, glimm'ring, and malignant light
Stream'd from the ceiling through a window'd niche;
At length by corridors of loftier pitch
They sallied into day, and access had
To an illumined hall, large, round, and rich;
Where, sceptred, crown'd, and in dark purple clad,
Sad sat the pensive king amid his nobles sad.
Solyman, overhearing as he enters some of the nobles propose a
_Canto XI._ Meantime Godfrey of Bouillon, having buried his dead,
sumptuous banquet, where they were given a magic draught, which
"Friend! thou hast won; I pardon thee, and O
Forgive thou me! I fear not for this clay,
But my dark soul--pray for it, and bestow
The sacred rite that laves all stains away:"
Like dying hymns heard far at close of day,
Sounding I know not what in the sooth'd ear
Of sweetest sadness, the faint words make way
To his fierce heart, and, touch'd with grief sincere,
Streams from his pitying eye th' involuntary tear.
Clorinda's voice informs him he has wounded her again, he flees
_Canto XIV._ In a dream Godfrey is now admonished to proceed, and
Isles. The hermit then bestows upon them a golden wand which will
_Canto XV._ Hastening off to the sea-shore armed with this golden
wonderful garden.
These windings pass'd, the garden-gates unfold,
And the fair Eden meets their glad survey,--
Still waters, moving crystals, sands of gold,
Herbs, thousand flowers, rare shrubs, and mosses gray;
Sunshiny hillocks, shady vales; woods gay,
And grottoes gloomy, in one view combined,
Presented were; and what increased their play
Of pleasure at the prospect, was, to find
Nowhere the happy Art that had the whole design'd.
So natural seem'd each ornament and site,
So well was neatness mingled with neglect,
As though boon Nature for her own delight
Her mocker mock'd, till fancy's self was check'd;
The air, if nothing else there, is th' effect
Of magic, to the sound of whose soft flute
The blooms are born with which the trees are deck'd;
By flowers eternal lives th' eternal fruit,
This running richly ripe, while those but greenly shoot.
Then, peeping cautiously through the trees, they behold Rinaldo
idleness, that he springs to his feet and proposes to leave
immediately with his companions. They are about to depart without
_Canto XVIII._ Newly armed, Rinaldo now returns to the crusaders'
penetrate within its precincts, but, undeterred by all Armida's
enchantments, cuts down a tree, although, in hopes of staying his
assault on Jerusalem.
Then raised the Christians all their long loud shout
Of Victory, joyful, resonant, and high;
Their words the towers and temples lengthen out;
To the glad sound the mountains make reply:
Then the whole host pours in, not o'er the walls
Alone, but through the gates, which soon unclose,
Batter'd or burnt; and in wide ruin falls
Each strong defence that might their march oppose.
Rages the sword; and Death, the slaught'rer, goes
'Twixt Wo and Horror with gigantic tread,
From street to street; the blood in torrents flows,
And settles in lagoons, on all sides fed,
And swell'd with heaps on heaps of dying and of dead.
Meantime Armida, wavering between love and hate, tries to shoot
The Crusaders having completely defeated their foes and secured
Thus conquer'd Godfrey; and as yet there glow'd
A flush of glory in the fulgent West,
To the freed City, the once loved abode
Of Christ, the pious chief and armies press'd:
Arm'd as he was, and in his sanguine vest,
With all his knights in solemn cavalcade,
He reach'd the Temple; there, supremely bless'd,
Hung up his arms, his banner'd spoils display'd,
And at the sacred Tomb his vow'd devotions paid.
Switzerland, Germany west of the Rhine, Belgium, and the British
considered of much higher rank than those who merely recited
committed any works to writing previous to the introduction of
Christianity in their midst.
The Fennian or Oisianic poems and tales form another famous Irish
tarried so long in that country.
fragments so as to produce a real masterpiece, Macpherson--who
erroneously termed his work a translation--not only incurred the
sharpest criticism, but was branded as a plagiarist.
possessing epic qualities, wherein mention is made of some of the
Southern Wales, where many places are identified with him or his
court.
certainly had an incalculable formative influence on European
After thus tracing the Celtic germs and influence in English
literature, it becomes necessary to hark back to the time of the
Teutonic invasions, since English thought and speech, manners and
There are also the Legends of Havelock the Dane, of King Horn, of
Next come the epic poems of Cynewulf, Crist, Juliana, Elene, and
dividing his poem into fourteen cantos or fitts.
There is, besides, a very curious yet important legend cycle, in
With the Norman Conquest, French became the literary language of
chivalric ideals and aims.
To name all the poets who had a share in developing the Arthurian
The poet Keats, whose life was so short, left us a complete
Shelley, Keats' contemporary, wrote poems abounding in epic
passages,--"Alastor, or the Spirit of Solitude," "The Revolt of
Islam," "Adonais," and "Prometheus Unbound"; while Byron's epical
As the translator of the epical romances of "Amadis de Gaule" and
paraphrase the Cid.
Among Macaulay's writings the "Lays of Ancient Rome" have epic
Men are not able
Soothly to tell us, they in halls who reside,
Heroes under heaven, to what haven he hied.
Hrothgar, his descendant, constructed a magnificent hall, called
It burned in his spirit
To urge his folk to found a great building,
A mead-hall grander than men of the era
Ever had heard of, and in it to share
With young and old all of the blessings
The Lord had allowed him, save life and retainers.
The foamy-necked floater fanned by the breeze,
Likest a bird, glided the waters,
Till twenty and four hours thereafter
The twist-stemmed vessel had travelled such distance
That the sailing-men saw the sloping embankments,
The sea-cliffs gleaming, precipitous mountains,
Nesses enormous: they were nearing the limits
At the end of the ocean.
Then the brave-mooded hero bent to his slumber,
The pillow received the cheek of the noble;
And many a martial mere-thane attending
Sank to his slumber.
men--crunches his bones and greedily drinks his blood. Beowulf,
On learning of this loss on the morrow, Hrothgar is overcome with
Then he saw amid the war-gems a weapon of victory,
An ancient giant-sword, of edges a-doughty,
Glory of warriors: of weapons 'twas choicest,
Only 'twas larger than any man else was
Able to bear in the battle-encounter,
The good and splendid work of the giants.
He grasped then the sword-hilt, knight of Seyldings,
Bold and battle-grim, brandished his ring-sword,
Hopeless of living hotly he smote her,
That the fiend-woman's neck firmly it grappled,
Broke through her bone-joints, the bill fully pierced her
Fate-cursèd body, she fell to the ground then:
The hand sword was bloody, the hero exulted.
The brand was brilliant, brightly it glimmered,
Just as from heaven gem-like shineth
The torch of the firmament.
beholding their master again.
The sword-blade began then,
The blood having touched it, contracting and shrivelling
With battle-icicles; 'twas a wonderful marvel
That it melted entirely, likest to ice when
The Father unbindeth the bond of the frost and
Unwindeth the wave-bands, He who wieldeth dominion
Of times and of tides: a truth-firm Creator.
His task accomplished, Beowulf returns home, where he bestows the
Although Beowulf realizes he no longer enjoys youthful vigor, he,
Seeing his master about to be crushed to death, Wiglaf--one of
Beowulf's followers--now springs forward to aid him, thus causing
"Fare thou with haste now
To behold the hoard 'neath the hoar-grayish stone,
Well-lovèd Wiglaf, now the worm is a-lying,
Sore-wounded sleepeth, disseized of his treasure
Go thou in haste that treasures of old I
Gold-wealth may gaze on, together see lying
Having the heap of hoard-gems, to yield my
Life and the land-folk whom long I have governed."
Sure that the monster can no longer molest them, the rest of the
So lamented mourning the men of the Geats,
Fond-loving vassals the fall of their lord,
Said he was kindest of kings under heaven,
Gentlest of men, most winning of manner,
Friendliest to folk-troops and fondest of honor.
Sarras. The second circle included the stories of Arthur and
episode,--would require far more space than any one volume would
firesides.
Robert de Borron is said to be mainly responsible for the tale of
incontinency.
Vortigern, with the aid of the Saxon leaders Hengist and Horsa,
usurped his throne. Some time after, wishing to construct an
On consulting an astrologer, Vortigern was directed to anoint the
During his reign Arthur fought twelve memorable battles, and, not
arrangement.
Pendragon. This was a magic board around which none but virtuous
It was as supreme honor and mark of confidence that Arthur sent
Astolat,"--some of the later writers fancied there was only the
The other Elaine,--as Tennyson so beautifully relates, a dying of
unwittingly caused.
couple, Tristram and Iseult,  also claims our attention.
Cornwall. Then, while mourning for her beloved, this lady dies in
champion's slayer and enable her to avenge his death.
extreme--selects Tristram as his ambassador.
One day, while guarding their patient's slumbers, the ladies idly
untrue to her lover Tristram. The romances now give us stolen
husband to appear before the judges and clear herself from all
He too, when restored to his senses, visits Arthur's court, is
admitted to the Round Table, and joins in the Quest for the Holy
beyond the power of his wife's skill to cure, Tristram sends for
respective graves twined lovingly around each other.
Were any one patient enough to count the characters, duels, and
Broceliande, in Brittany, where she left him, spellbound in a
In this encounter all are slain on both sides, and Arthur, having
grievous wound, finds no one near to help or sustain him save Sir
received a farewell visit from Arthur and an assurance of his
forgiveness, before he rode into his last fight.
sternest knight to thy mortal foe that ever put spear in rest.'"
quarter-staff, Robin now proposed a shooting-match, and, his good
enticed the tinker to drink, and made him so drunk that he had no
The baffled sheriff now rode off to London to complain, but, when
feeling sure Robin would be among the competitors for the prize,
posted a number of men to watch for and arrest him. These sleuths
Determined to save Will from the gallows at any risk, Robin
immediately set out with four of his best men and let them mingle
More determined than ever to obtain revenge, the sheriff again
proclaimed an archery contest, which Robin shunned. Little John,
innocently followed him to the outlaws' camp. When brought thus
Weary of the same company, Robin once despatched his men into the
dejection, Sir Richard of the Lee explained that his son, having
Robin, ever ready to help the poor and sorrowful, bade the knight
Such was the value of the third set aside for the poor that Robin
neighboring fair, and, meeting three pretty girls with baskets of
Queen Eleanor, having heard endless merry tales about Robin Hood,
difficult for himself.
adventures.
office. While ostensibly fastening nooses around the three lads'
The angry sheriff, on perceiving Robin, who just then appeared,
knights, pages, and soldiers was viewed with delight by all the
forest in a monk's garb, a suggestion which so charmed the
Lion-hearted monarch that he started out on the morrow with seven
stranger's benefit, and, when he too shot at random, all loudly
occurred.
Just then Sir Richard's son rushed into the outlaw's camp,
turret-chamber, where he found poor Robin nearly gone.
Here underneath this little stone
None there was as he so good,
And people called him Robin Hood.
Such outlaws as he and his men
Will England never see again.
Gloriana grants his request, on condition that he will serve her
Vaulting on his war-steed, Georgos now rides off with Una and the
On seeing the exhaustion of her companion, Una realizes he will
require rest before undertaking further adventures, and therefore
They are riding along together amicably, when the knight plucks a
recognize her, nor does he mark her relief when she perceives her
inspires him with unspeakable horror.
provided they are pure, so the lion--the personification of
Courage--not only spares Una, but humbly licks her feet, and
They two have not proceeded far before they encounter
volunteers to go with her in search of the Red Cross Knight.
Those two have not ridden far together before they encounter a
journey. As they proceed, however, Una becoming aware that her
champion is not yet strong enough to do battle, conducts him to a
distinction, the Red Cross Knight objects that a ploughman's son
The next adventure in the Faerie Queene is that of Sir
Guyon,--personifying Temperance,--who is escorted everywhere by a
increasing his hoard. But, although sorely tempted, Sir Guyon
Mammon--who bitterly terms him a fool--abandons him.
vanishes, and, while the palmer is bending over the fainting Sir
suddenly draws near and attacks them. One giant, being without a
On landing, the travellers are surprised to encounter strange
pleasure.
One day, while wandering in the palace, she discovered in the
treasure-room a magic mirror, fashioned by Merlin for her father,
Early the next day, therefore, the two visited the magician, who,
Meantime, Prince Arthur and Sir Guyon, with their respective
fugitive had chosen, our heroes decided to part and ride along
befallen her. To comfort this faithful henchman, Prince Arthur
promised to go with him and rescue the unhappy damsel.
Barely were they out of reach when the beast rushed down to the
hadn't gone far, leading this reluctant captive, when he spied a
captive, and restore him to his senses proved short work for Sir
castle.
Scudamore donned his discarded armor and volunteered to guide
Undaunted by this information, Britomart pressed onward, and on
reaching the castle declared her intention to charge through the
Having thus disposed of her prize, Britomart rode off with her
deeply in love with Belphebe; but, deeming himself of too lowly
castle and tenderly nursed her back to health. It was only after
witnessing the joyful celebration of the long-postponed wedding
Sir Artegall, the noble champion of justice, or lord deputy of
Provided with a description of the armor and accoutrements of the
intangible things as truth and falsehood, right and wrong,
demonstrates that the charlatan's scales are false, and, after
convicting him of trickery, drowns him in the sea.
Radigonde, who in the midst of the encounter turns to flee. But
Britomart pursues her into her stronghold, whence she manages to
Sir Artegall and his faithful squire soon after see a maiden flee
proposes to assume the armor of one of the dead knights, and thus
personification of Philip the Second of Spain, the ruler of three
stronghold by a faithless steward (Alba). But, thanks to Arthur's
On the way thither Sir Artegall is beset by the hags Envy and
horseback was ill treating her when the youth came to her rescue.
Accompanied by this squire, who now wears the armor of the slain
knight, Sir Calidore journeys on, until he sees a knight sorely
wounded by the very man his new squire slew. They two convey this
The castle-owner, father of the distinguished wounded man, is so
On reaching his beloved Serena, Sir Calespine finds her so sorely
Sir Turpine now succeeds in persuading two knights to pursue and
spared his opponent, and decides that having overcome him once by
penalty Cupid has imposed upon the couple, he decides they are
Still pursuing the elusive Blatant Beast, Sir Calidore comes to a
To reward the bravery of Calidore, who has saved her from death,
In that hopeless and dark abode the captain of the brigands is
beginning to cast lustful glances upon Pastorella, when merchants
Being still in quest of the ever fleeing Blatant Beast, Calidore
conducts Pastorella to the castle of Belgard, whose master and
mistress are passing sad because they lost their only child in
It is during Pastorella's sojourn in this castle that the lady
discovers on her breast the birth-mark, which proves she is her
lasting pain, he casts his eyes about him, and, flames making the
companions will not fail him, and enriched by past experiences,
determines to continue disputing the mastery of heaven from the
"Seest thou yon dreary plain, forlorn and wild,
The seat of desolation, void of light,
Save what the glimmering of these livid flames
Casts pale and dreadful? Thither let us tend
From off the tossing of these fiery waves,
There rest, if any rest can harbor there,
And, reassembling our afflicted powers,
Consult how we may henceforth most offend
Our enemy; our own loss how repair;
How overcome this dire calamity;
What reinforcement we may gain from hope;
If not, what resolution from despair."
around the cope of hell before alighting at their master's feet.
To make their new quarters habitable, the fallen angels, under
preeminence. When he bids them suggest what they shall do, Moloch
piling up treasures.
All having been heard, the fallen angels decide, since it is
impossible again to face Michael's dreaded sword, they will adopt
applauded that ever since an overwhelming tumult has been termed
"Pandemonium," like Satan's hall.
incestuous union they two produced Death, whom even they cannot
mischievous revenge accursed in an accursed hour he hies."
fulness dwells of love divine," seeing man will be lost unless he
Thus said, he turned; and Satan, bowing low,
As to superior spirits is wont in heaven,
Where honor due and reverence none neglects,
Took leave, and toward the coast of earth beneath,
Down from the ecliptic, sped with hoped success,
Throws his steep flight in many an airy wheel,
Nor stayed, till on Niphates' top he lights.
_Book IV._ Wishing his voice were loud enough to warn our first
parents of coming woe and thus forestall the misfortunes ready to
After describing the wonders of Eden--which far surpass all fairy
disposal save the fruit of one tree. Thus Satan discovers the
nightfall are to patrol the boundaries of Paradise. While thus
engaged, Uriel comes glancing down through the evening air on a
_Book V._ Morning having dawned, Adam awakens refreshed, only to
transgressing, man should claim he had not been forewarned.
intelligible to finite mind, things which, even angels fail to
followers, Abdiel, refuses to believe his specious words. In his
From amidst them forth he passed,
Long way through hostile scorn, which he sustained
Superior, nor of violence feared aught;
And with retorted scorn his back he turned
On those proud towers to swift destruction doomed.
The Almighty, however, does not require Abdiel's warning, for the
_Book VI._ In spite of the speed with which he travels, Abdiel
After exchanging Homeric taunts, these two begin fighting, and
opponent, Michael attacks Moloch, while Uriel, Raphael and Abdiel
silence of that night, he also consults with his adherents how to
bottomless pit, sending after them peal after peal of thunder,
together with dazzling flashes of lightning, but mercifully
envying his happy state, is now plotting to seduce him from his
"But listen not to his temptations; warn
Thy weaker; let it profit thee to have heard
By terrible example the reward
Of disobedience; firm they might have stood,
Yet fell; remember, and fear to transgress."
In his turn, Adam entertains Raphael with a description of his
Book IX. The poet warns us there will be no more question of talk
"Confirmed then I resolve,
Adam shall share with me in bliss or woe:
So dear I love him, that with him all deaths
I could endure, without him live no life."
shudders, for Adam, although not deceived, yields to temptation
departs, promising to temper justice with mercy, so that God's
Escorted to the gates of heaven by the angelic host, the Redeemer
harsher air to which they are soon to be exposed.
hard," they fashion of stone and asphalt a broad highway from the
They have barely finished this causeway when Satan--still in the
anniversary of the temptation.
Almighty, which are ever just, and laud his Son as the destined
restorer of mankind. While they are thus employed, the Almighty
gathering up their prayers, presents them to the Father as the
first-fruits which have sprung from his mercy.
"See, Father, what first-fruits on earth are sprung
From thy implanted grace in man; these sighs
And prayers, which in this golden censer, mixed
With incense, I thy priest before thee bring,
Fruits of more pleasing savor, from thy seed
Sown with contrition in his heart, than those
Which his own hand, manuring all the trees
Of Paradise, could have produced, ere fallen
From innocence."
Night has brought some comfort, and Adam exclaims that, since the
entertainment Adam steps forward to receive him.
explaining he has enveloped Eve in slumbers, which will hold her
entranced while he reveals to Adam the earth's kingdoms and their
"Know I am sent
To show thee what shall come in future days
To thee and to thy offspring; good with bad
Expect to hear, supernal grace contending
With sinfulness of men; thereby to learn
True patience, and to temper joy with fear,
And pious sorrow, equally inured
By moderation either state to bear,
Prosperous or adverse: so shalt thou lead
Safest thy life, and best prepared endure
Thy mortal passage when it comes. Ascend
This hill; let Eve (for I have drenched her eyes)
Here sleep below, while thou to foresight wakest.
As once thou slept'st, while she to life was formed."
Not only does the angel name Abraham, but depicts his life, the
serpent's head, he will conquer Sin and Death. This promise fills
prophecy, but, when he inquires how the serpent can wound such a
Appear of respiration to the just,
And vengeance to the wicked, at return
Of him so lately promised to thy aid,
The woman's Seed, obscurely then foretold,
Now amplier known thy Saviour and thy Lord,
Last in the clouds from heaven to be revealed
In glory of the Father, to dissolve
Satan with his perverted world, then raise
From the conflagrant mass, purged and refined,
New heavens, new earth, ages of endless date
Founded in righteousness and peace and love,
To bring forth fruits, joy, and eternal bliss."
learned through angelic revelations. When they rejoin Eve, she
explains how God sent her a dream which has soothed her heart and
Providence only for their guide.
before,--when he winged his way through chaos to discover the new
So spake the eternal Father, and all Heaven
Admiring stood a space; then into hymns
Burst forth, and in celestial measures moved,
Circling the throne and singing, while the hand
Sung with the voice; and this the argument:
"Victory and triumph to the Son of God
Now entering his great duel, not of arms,
But to vanquish by wisdom hellish wiles.
The Father knows the Son; therefore secure
Ventures his filial virtue, though untried,
Against whate'er may tempt, whate'er seduce,
Allure, or terrify, or undermine.
Be frustrate, all ye stratagems of Hell,
And devilish machinations come to nought."
Although Christ realizes he has been sent into the wilderness by
"But, if thou be the Son of God, command
That out of these hard stones be made thee bread;
So shalt thou save thyself and us relieve
With food, whereof we wretched seldom taste."
"God hath now sent his living oracle
Into the world to teach his final will,
And sends his Spirit of truth henceforth to dwell
In pious hearts, an inward oracle
To all truth requisite for men to know."
Thus baffled, Satan vanishes into "thin air diffused," and night
Thus Mary pondering oft, and oft to mind
Recalling what remarkably had passed
Since first her salutation heard, with thoughts
Meekly composed awaited fulfilling.
averring that the female sex possesses so many wiles that even
Transferring us again to the solitude, the poet describes how our
intervention. Then Satan exhibits the wonderful banquet he has
prepared, inviting Christ to partake of it; but the Son of God
Joseph the carpenter. But, although Satan offers to bestow vast
Undeterred by these checks, Satan changes his theme, and reminds
"Who best
Can suffer, best can do; best reign, who first
Well hath obeyed; just trial ere I merit
My exaltation without change or end."
Then, turning upon his interlocutor, Christ inquires why he is so
Babylonia, and Persia,--of whose histories he gives a brief
_Book IV._ With all the persistency of his kind, Satan refuses to
"Know, therefore, when my season comes to sit
On David's throne, it shall be like a tree
Spreading and overshadowing all the earth,
Or as a stone that shall to pieces dash
All monarchies besides throughout the world,
And of my kingdom there shall be no end:
Means there shall be to this, but what the means
Is not for thee to know nor me to tell."
"However, many books,
Wise men have said, are wearisome: who reads
Incessantly, and to his reading brings not
A spirit and judgment equal or superior
(And what he brings, what needs he elsewhere seek?),
Uncertain and unsettled still remains,
Beep versed in books and shallow in himself,
Crude or intoxicate, collecting toys
And trifles for choice matters, worth a sponge;
As children gathering pebbles on the shore."
foreshadowings of what he will have to undergo. In spite of this,
Thus they the Son of God, our Saviour meek,
Sung victor, and from heavenly feast refreshed
Brought on his way with joy; he unobserved
Home to his mother's private house returned.
The Hildebrandslied relates how Hildebrand, after spending thirty
avoiding the tragic note struck in Sorab and Rustem (p. 410).
worshipped!
Still not all the Teutonic epics are of pagan origin, for in the
In the third period "the crusades revived the epic memories of
In the Langobardian cycle also is the tale of "Rother," supposed
The greatest of all the German epics is undoubtedly the
Among the Minnesingers of greatest note are Walther von der
Vogelweide, Wolfram von Eschenbach, and later, when their
fifteenth century by Kaspar von der Rhön, while the Abenteuerbuch
In the second part of the thirteenth century artificiality and
Walther von der Vogelweide. The poem is divided into thirty-nine
A dream was dreamt by Kriemhild the virtuous and the gay,
How a wild young falcon she train'd for many a day,
Till two fierce eagles tore it; to her there could not be
In all the world such sorrow as this perforce to see.
The gorgeous feast it lasted till the seventh day was o'er;
Siegelind the wealthy did as they did of yore;
She won for valiant Siegfried the hearts of young and old
When for his sake among them she shower'd the ruddy gold.
prisoner monarchs in his train. The messenger who announces
_5th Adventure._ After describing the tournament held at Worms in
Now went she forth, the loveliest, as forth the morning goes
From misty clouds out-beaming; then all his weary woes
Left him, in heart who bore her, and so, long time, had done.
He saw there stately standing the fair, the peerless one.
_7th Adventure._ Gazing out of her window, Brunhild perceives the
Gunther's stirrup when they land, and to learn it is the king of
"He must cast the stone beyond me, and after it must leap,
Then with me shoot the javelin; too quick a pace you keep;
Stop and awhile consider, and reckon well the cost,"
The warrioress made answer, "ere life and fame be lost."
Said he, "Off with the buckler and give it me to bear,
Now, what I shall advise thee, mark with thy closest care.
Be it thine to make the gestures, and mine the work to do."
Glad man was then king Gunther, when he his helpmate knew.
Said he, "Nay, gentle Siegfried, do but this journey take,
Not for my sake only, but for my sister's sake.
You'll oblige fair Kriemhild in this as well as me."
When so implor'd was Siegfried, ready at once was he.
_10th Adventure._ Not only does Siegfried receive the fair lady's
acknowledges herself beaten. Although fancying she is yielding to
leaving Gunther to reap the benefit of his victory, for Brunhild,
None urged the matter further, except that Hagen still
Kept ever prompting Gunther the guiltless blood to spill;
Saying, that, if Siegfried perish'd, his death to him would bring
_15th Adventure._ A cunning plan is now devised by Hagen whereby
"So now I'll tell the secret, dear friend, alone to thee
(For thou, I doubt not, cousin, will keep thy faith with me),
Where sword may pierce my darling, and death sit on the thrust,
See, in thy truth and honor how full, how firm my trust!"
quenching his thirst. But, when he, in his turn, stoops over the
E'en to the death though wounded, he hurl'd it with such power
That the whirling buckler scatter'd wide a shower
Full gladly had the warrior ta'en vengeance with that stroke.
villainy while following the body back to Worms.
husband's slayer.
It is a mighty marvel, which oft e'en now we spy,
That, when the blood-stain'd murderer comes to the murder'd nigh,
And thus could each beholder the guilt of Hagen tell.
Meanwhile sat misproud Brunhild in haughtiness uncheck'd;
Of Kriemhild's tears and sorrows her it nothing reck'd.
She pitied not the mourner; she stoop'd not to the low.
Soon Kriemhild took full vengeance, and woe repaid with woe.
proposal, but Hagen rejoins that should she secure such powerful
Then swore to her Sir Rudiger and all his knightly train
To serve her ever truly, and all her rights maintain,
Nor e'er of her due honors scant her in Etzel's land.
Thereto gave the good margrave th' assurance of his hand.
Then thought the faithful mourner, "with such a host of friends
Now the poor lonely widow may work her secret ends,
Nor care for what reflections the world on her may cast.
What if my lost beloved I may revenge at last?"
retains, Kriemhild starts out for Hungary.
That you perforce may perish in Etzel's bloody land.
Whoever rideth thither, Death has he close at hand."
_25th Adventure._ Dismissed with the old queen's blessing, the
Rudiger on their way.
Then had the bride and bridegroom within a ring to stand,
For such was then the custom; a merry stripling band
Encircled the fair couple, and gaz'd on them their fill,
And thought the while as idly as think young people still.
This ceremony over, Rudiger prepares to guide the Burgundians to
_28th Adventure._ So patent are Kriemhild's evil intentions, that
_29th Adventure._ Although the three royal brothers accompany
"Tell me now, friend Volker, will you stand me by,
If these men of Kriemhild's would my mettle try?
Show me, if you love me, faithful friend and true!
And when you need my service I'll do as much for you."
inoffensive, unsuspicious old man--cordially bids them welcome.
"Be stirring, brother Hagen, you're sitting all too long.
To you and God in heaven our deadly strait I plain;
Yeomen and knights together lie in their quarters slain."
'Twas well for the Burgundians that vaulted was the roof;
This was, in all their danger, the more to their behoof.
Only about the windows from fire they suffer'd sore.
_37th Adventure._ Having failed in this third attempt, Kriemhild
brothers, and Rudiger slay each other.
_38th Adventure._ A new batch of corpses having been flung down
stairs, such a lament arises among the Huns that Dietrich of Bern
"Fair and noble Kriemhild," thus Sir Dietrich spake,
"Spare this captive warrior who full amends will make
For all his past transgressions; him here in bonds you see;
Revenge not on the fetter'd th' offences of the free."
statement, Kriemhild, whose cruelty now knows no bounds, orders
Gunther--her last brother--slain, and herself carries his head to
Hildebrand the aged, fierce on Kriemhild sprung;
To the death he smote her as his sword he swung.
Sudden and remorseless he his wrath did wreak.
What could then avail her her fearful thrilling shriek!
It is, therefore, in the presence of her corpse that Dietrich and
"'Tis more than I can tell you what afterward befell,
Save that there was weeping for friends belov'd so well
Knights and squires, dames and damsels, were seen lamenting all.
So here I end my story. This is the Nibelungers' Fall."
principal Holy Grail legends will be given here. Although all the
enchanter Merlin would in time make a similar table, where a
descendant of Brons would have the honor of occupying this "Siege
mounted guard over the treasure.
Spain,--whither he was safely led by a guiding cloud.
thither by miraculous means--erected a marvellous temple, whose
Parzival now left his mother,--who died of grief,--went to court
(meeting sundry adventures on the way), and there asked to be
knighted. He was told, however, he must first procure a horse and
unveiled it, uttering the while heart-rending groans.
unconscious fault. Once more he arrived at the castle, once more
Another legend claims that his son Lohengrin, ordered by the Holy
The versions of the Holy Grail Story of which Galahad is hero run
The young champion, thus completely equipped, rode off and next
arrived at the enchanted Castle of the Holy Grail. There he saw
wanting, solemnly vowed to return to the castle and atone for his
But meantime the enchanted Castle had vanished, and Galahad, the
Champion of Purity,--whose red color he always wears,--travelled
Once more Galahad rides through the world, and this time he again
priceless treasure away from the Enchanted Castle, where it is no
present home of the Holy Grail, which had already sojourned there
Galahad and his companions Sir Percival and Sir Bors. They two,
however, not being perfectly pure, cannot clearly distinguish the
Galahad can hang up his sword and shield and take his well-earned
unanimously elect Galahad their next ruler.
When he died, the Holy Grail, which had been piously guarded in
Having heard the depositions of the Wolf, the Dog, the Cat, the
chicken-yard in the guise of a monk.
received a beating and lost one eye.
His woful report decides the king to send Grimbart the Badger to
summon his nephew to court. Reynard receives this emissary most
In some versions of the tale Reynard further avenges himself by
The different Scandinavian dialects formed but one language until
partly historical and partly mythical themes, which were composed
geographical isolation and to the long winters, these people were
eleventh-century collection of thirty-three poems on mythical and
Many of the old sagas have been preserved in more or less perfect
including sagas on historical themes, such as the Egilssaga, the
Eyrbyggjasaga, the Njalssaga, the Laxdaelasaga, and the already
mentioned Heimskringla.
finest saga in this group is the Gunnlaugssaga.
Norway also possesses a rich fund of folk tales, which have been
"Now let the man among you whose heart and hand may shift
To pluck it from the oak-wood e'en take it for my gift.
Although conscious that Odin had been in their midst, Volsung
although Signy loyally warned her kinsmen that her husband was
devoured one of these helpless men. Closely watched by her cruel
When Siggier sent to investigate as usual the next morning, his
With a youthful helper whom nothing could daunt, Sigmund, after
And then King Siggier's roof-tree upheaved for its utmost fall,
A sign for many people on the land of the Goths it lay,
Sleipnir), from a neighboring stud.
sea-goddess' infallible net.
"For men a curse thou bearest: entangled in my gold,
Amid my woe abideth another woe untold.
Two brethren and a father, eight kings my grief shall slay;
And the hearts of queens shall be broken, and their eyes shall
loathe the day.
Lo, how the wilderness blossoms! Lo, how the lonely lands
Are waving with the harvest that fell from my gathering hands!"
Scorning this prediction, Loki hastened to the rescue of his
serpent ring of gold, to cover it and thus complete the required
ransom.
Properly mounted and armed, Sigurd was guided by Regin to the
This advice being too pertinent to be scorned, Sigurd faithfully
Then he set the ring on her finger and once, if ne'er again,
Should remember not his longing, should cast his love away,
Remembering dead desire but as night remembereth day."
No sooner has this potion been quaffed than our hero, utterly
Meantime, although Gunnar had secured the wife he coveted, he was
"I pray thee a prayer, the last word in the world I speak,
That ye bear me forth to Sigurd and the hand my hand would seek;
But ere ye leave us sleeping, draw his Wrath from out the sheath,
When once in one bed together we twain were laid alone:
How then when the flames flare upward may I be left behind?
How then may the road he wendeth be hard for my feet to find?
presence.
"Thou all-rich King of the Eastlands, e'en such a man might I be
That I might utter a word, and the heart should be glad in thee,
And I should live and be sorry: for I, I only am left
Ye have heard of Sigurd aforetime, how the foes of God he slew;
Ye have heard of the Cloudy People, and the dimming of the day,
And the latter world's confusion, and Sigurd gone away;
therefore from Russian antiquity and from popular legends.
Novgorod, and a third belonging to the later Moscow period. The
principal hero of many of the Russian folk tales, and of the epic
Mastered by desire impulsive,
By a mighty inward urging,
I am ready now for singing,
Ready to begin the chanting
Of our nation's ancient folk-song
Handed down from by-gone ages,
In my mouth the words are melting,
From my lips the tones are gliding,
From my tongue they wish to hasten;
When my willing teeth are parted,
When my ready mouth is opened,
Songs of ancient wit and wisdom
Hasten from me not unwilling.
The proem then invites all people to listen to legends of by-gone
_Rune II._ After living alone for some time on this promontory or
collected by a Northland maiden to make enchanted arrows for a
magician, and the soil it overshadowed immediately began to bear
vegetation of sundry kinds.
directions in the main, Wainamoinen allowed the birch to stand,
declaring there must be some place where the cuckoo and the eagle
"Therefore I have left the birch-tree,
Left the birch-tree only growing,
Home for thee for joyful singing.
Call thou here, O sweet-voiced cuckoo,
Sing thou here from throat of velvet,
Sing thou here with voice of silver,
Sing the cuckoo's golden flute-notes;
Call at morning, call at evening,
Call within the hour of noontide,
For the better growth of forests,
For the ripening of the barley,
For the richness of the Northland,
challenge the "ancient minstrel" to a singing contest. In vain
The defeated bard now returns to Lapland, and on arriving there
Although decked in these magnificent adornments, the girl wanders
attractions for her and she is not anxious to become an old man's
"Listen, all ye mothers, listen,
Learn from me a tale of wisdom:
Never urge unwilling daughters
From the dwellings of their fathers,
To the bridegrooms that they love not,
Not as I, inhuman mother,
Drove away my lovely Aino,
Fairest daughter of the Northland."
_Rune V._ The news of Aino's death travels swiftly southward, and
"Take for thee a life companion
From the honest homes of Suomi,
One of Northland's honest daughters;
She will charm thee with her sweetness,
Make thee happy through her goodness,
Form perfection, manners easy,
Every step and movement graceful,
Full of wit and good behavior,
Honor to thy home and kindred."
insists her son has merely brought woe upon the earth.
_Rune X and XI._ Wainamoinen now hastens back to Kalevala and
"I will forge for thee the Sampo,
Hammer thee the lid in colors,
From the tips of white-swan feathers,
From the milk of greatest virtue,
From a single grain of barley,
From the finest wool of lambkins,
Since I forged the arch of heaven,
Forged the air a concave cover,
Ere the earth had a beginning."
The sorceress is so pleased with the Sampo--by means of which she
_Runes XIII and XIV._ Lemminkainen now asks Louhi for her second
_Rune XV._ After vainly awaiting Lemminkainen's return, his aged
Hastening back to the blacksmith Ilmarinen, the frantic mother
accidentally falls into the huge maw and is swallowed alive. But,
colossus, thus causing him such keen discomfort that the monster
Thus the ancient Wainamoinen
Built the boat with magic only,
And with magic launched his vessel,
Using not the hand to touch it,
Using not the foot to move it,
Using not the knee to turn it,
Using nothing to propel it.
Thus the third task was completed,
For the hostess of Pohyola,
Sitting on the arch of heaven,
On the bow of many colors.
serpent-field of Hades, bring back from that place the Tuoni-bear
_Rune XXV._ The bride and bridegroom are next warmly welcomed by
_Rune XXVI._ Meanwhile Lemminkainen, angry because he alone has
proved neglectful toward one of them, a spinster, who curses him,
_Runes XXXI, XXXII, and XXXIII._ During this time a slave,
"Canst not fathom love maternal,
Canst not smother her affection;
Bitterly I'll mourn thy downfall,
I would weep if thou shouldst perish,
Shouldst thou leave my race forever;
I would weep in court or cabin,
Sprinkle all these fields with tear-drops,
Weep great rivers to the ocean,
Weep to melt the snows of Northland,
Make the hillocks green with weeping,
Weep at morning, weep at evening,
Weep three years in bitter sorrow
O'er the death of Kullerwoinen!"
watch-dog--the only living creature left him. During this strange
"If the child is not well nurtured,
Is not rocked and led uprightly,
Though he grow to years of manhood,
Bear a strong and shapely body,
He will never know discretion,
Never eat the bread of honor,
Never drink the cup of wisdom."
finally changes her into a sea-gull.
"I have changed the hateful virgin
To a sea-gull on the ocean;
Now she calls above the waters,
Screeches from the ocean-islands,
On the rocks she calls and murmurs,
Vainly calling for a suitor."
All of Northland stopped and listened.
Every creature in the forest,
All the beasts that haunt the woodlands,
On their nimble feet came bounding,
Came to listen to his playing,
Came to hear his songs of joyance.
Gathered Wainamoinen's tear-drops
From the blue sea's pebbly bottom,
From the deep, pellucid waters;
Brought them to the great magician,
Beautifully formed and colored,
Glistening in the silver sunshine,
Glimmering in the golden moonlight,
Many-colored as the rainbow,
Fitting ornaments for heroes,
This the origin of sea-pearls
And the blue-duck's beauteous plumage.
Wainamoinen starts out in quest of sun and moon, and, by changing
multitude of snakes. Although Wainamoinen slays these keepers, he
"Greetings to thee, Sun of fortune;
Greetings to thee, Moon of good-luck;
Welcome sunshine, welcome moonlight;
Golden is the dawn of morning!
Free art thou, O Sun of silver,
Free again, O Moon beloved,
As the sacred cuckoo's singing,
As the ring-dove's liquid cooing.
Rise, thou silver Sun, each morning,
Source of light and life hereafter,
Bring us daily joyful greetings,
Fill our homes with peace and plenty,
That our sowing, fishing, hunting,
May be prospered by thy coming.
Travel on thy daily journey,
Let the Moon be ever with thee;
Glide along thy way rejoicing,
End thy journeyings in slumber;
Rest at evening in the ocean,
When thy daily cares have ended,
To the good of all thy people,
To the pleasure of Wainola,
Mariatta, child of beauty,
Virgin-mother of the Northland,
Straightway seeks her babe in Swamp-land,
Finds him in the reeds and rushes;
Takes the young child on her bosom
To the dwelling of her father.
wondrous songs.
Thus the ancient Wainamoinen,
In his copper-banded vessel,
Left his tribe in Kalevala,
Sailing o'er the rolling billows,
Sailing through the azure vapors,
Sailing through the dusk of evening,
Sailing to the fiery sunset,
To the higher-landed regions,
To the lower verge of heaven;
Quickly gained the far horizon,
Gained the purple-colored harbor,
There his bark he firmly anchored,
Rested in his boat of copper;
But he left his harp of magic,
Left his songs and wisdom-sayings,
To the lasting joy of Suomi.
The poem concludes with an epilogue, wherein the bard declares it
"Nature was my only teacher,
Woods and waters my instructors."
No political division boasts of a greater mixture of races and
languages than the Austro-Hungarian empire, whose literature is
Milutinovitch wrote a Servian epic, while Mazuranie and Bogovitch
servant before his assembled council as a perfect man. "The
Adversary," Satan, now dramatically presents himself, and, when
Unaware of the Heavenly council or of the fact that he is being
"The long caravan marches across the monotonous deserts, when the
The most ancient pre-Islamic poems were written in golden ink,
suspended in the Kaaba at Mecca, and are known in Arabia as the
"necklace of pearls."
Throughout the East, professional story-tellers still spend their
massacres. The eldest, who becomes the king's wife, begs that her
Arabic also boasts a romance of chivalry entitled "Romance of
We know that Persian monarchs made sundry attempts to collect the
"What no tide
Shall ever wash away, what men
Unborn shall read o'er ocean wide."
Having accomplished all these wonderful things, Jemshid became so
"If life hath any charm for thee,
The brains of men their food must be."
Zohak, "the Serpent King," as he is now invariably called, was
purpose during the next thousand years, the realm was sorely
depopulated.
The serpents still on human brains were fed,
And every day two youthful victims bled;
The sword, still ready, thirsting still to strike,
Warrior and slave were sacrificed alike.
dragons, the second advanced recklessly, without thinking of
"No human being of this earth could give to such a monster birth,
It was only when Zal was about eight years old that his father
suddenly realized he had committed a deadly sin, and was
"Having watched thee with fondness by day and by night,
And supplied all thy wants with a mother's delight,
Oh, forget not thy nurse--still be faithful to me,
And my heart will be ever devoted to thee."
The royal parents, on discovering these clandestine meetings,
Loud neighed the steeds, and their resounding hoofs
Shook the deep caverns of the earth; the dust
Rose up in clouds and hid the azure heavens.--
Bright beamed the swords, and in that carnage wide,
Blood flowed like water.
satisfied with the extent of his realm, undertook to conquer
"And mark me, that untravelled man
Who never saw Mazinderan
And all the charms its bowers possess,
Has never tasted happiness."
On hearing his master propose such a conquest, Zal vainly
remonstrated, but the foolish monarch set out, and on arriving in
"Oh, Rakush, why so thoughtless grown
To fight a lion thus alone?
For had it been thy fate to bleed
And not thy foe, O gallant steed!
How could thy master have conveyed
His helm, and battle-axe, and blade,
Why didst thou fail to give the alarm,
And save thyself from chance of harm,
By neighing loudly in my ear?
But, though thy bold heart knows no fear,
From such unwise exploits refrain
Nor try a lion's strength again."
In front of this cave Rustem found an array of demons, and, after
Having thus earned the title of "champion of the world," Rustem
temptingly above and ahead of them.
"Listen, my child, and you shall hear
Of the wondrous love of a maiden dear
For a mighty warrior, the pride of his day
Who loved, and married, and rode away,
For this is the romance of Rustem."
In the course of this war young Sorab met with many adventures,
challenged the Persians to a single fight, for he was anxious to
"Come then, hear now, and grant me what I ask.
Let the two armies rest to-day; but I
Will challenge forth the bravest Persian lords
To meet me, man to man: If I prevail,
Rustum will surely hear it; if I fall--
Old man, the dead need no one, claim no kin.
Dim is the rumor of a common fight,
Where host meets host, and many names are sunk;
But of a single combat fame speaks clear."
premonition that this was Rustem. The father, too, seized by a
And then he turned and sternly spake aloud,--
"Rise! wherefore dost thou vainly question thus
Of Rustum? I am here whom thou hast called
By challenge forth; make good thy vaunt, or yield!
Is it with Rustum only thou wouldst fight?
Rash boy, men look on Rustum's face, and flee!
For well I know, that did great Rustum stand
Before thy face this day, and were revealed,
There would be then no talk of fighting more."
He spoke; and Sohrab kindled at his taunts,
And he too drew his sword; at once they rushed
Together, as two eagles on one prey
Come rushing down together from the clouds,
One from the east, one from the west; their skulls
Dashed with a clang together, and a din
Rose, such as that the sinewy woodcutters
Make often in the forest's heart at morn,
Of hewing axes, crashing trees,--such blows
Rustum and Sohrab on each other hailed.
"But that belovèd name unnerved my arm,--
That name, and something, I confess, in thee,
Which troubles all my heart, and made my shield
Fall; and thy spear transfixed an unarmed foe.
And now thou boastest, and insult'st my fate.
But hear thou this, fierce man, tremble to hear:
The mighty Rustum shall avenge my death!
My father, whom I seek through all the world,
He shall avenge my death, and punish thee!"
It was that griffin which of old reared Zal,
Rustum's great father, whom they left to die,
A helpless babe, among the rocks;
Him that kind creature found, and reared, and loved;
Then Rustum took it for his glorious sign.
Not only did broken-hearted Rustem hang over his dying son in
speechless grief, but the steed Rakush wept bitter tears over the
And awe fell on both the hosts,
When they saw Rustum's grief; and Ruksh, the horse,
With his head bowing to the ground, and mane
Sweeping the dust, came near, and in mute woe
First to the one, then to the other, moved
His head, as if inquiring what their grief
Might mean; and from his dark compassionate eyes,
The big warm tears rolled down and caked the sand.
Not daring to remain at his father's court, this young prince
Kai-Khosrau, who, duly instructed by his protector, returned such
This young prince, having attained manhood, led a rebellion so
And not a trace was left behind,
And not a dimple on the wave;
All sought, but sought in vain, to find
The spot which proved Kai-Khosrau's grave.
moment came. Thanks to their aid and to the fact that he began by
Shah-Nameh are from Champeon's translation.]
centre, and also of the deluge.
narrate the events of each epic."
"Praise to Válmikí, bird of charming song,
Who mounts on Poesy's sublimest spray,
And sweetly sings with accents clear and strong
Rama, aye Rama, in his deathless lay."
The poem opens with a description of the ancient city of Ayodhya
In by-gone ages built and planned
By sainted Manu's princely hand,
Imperial seat! her walls extend
Twelve measured leagues from end to end;
Three in width, from side to side
With square and palace beautified.
Her gates at even distance stand,
Her ample roads are wisely planned.
Right glorious is her royal street,
Where streams allay her dust and heat.
On level ground in even row
Her houses rise in goodly show.
Terrace and palace, arch and gate
The queenly city decorate.
High are her ramparts, strong and vast,
By ways at even distance passed,
With circling moat both deep and wide,
And store of weapons fortified.
extended over a period of nine thousand years,--during which his
people had enjoyed such prosperity that it is known as the Age of
"One only way I find
To slay this fiend of evil mind.
He prayed me once his life to guard
From demon, god, and heavenly bard,
And spirits of the earth and air,
And I, consenting, heard his prayer.
But the proud giant in his scorn
Recked not of man of woman born;
None else may take his life away
And only man the fiend can slay."
At Brahma's request, Vishnu not only consented to become man, but
These four princes grew up in the most promising fashion, Rama in
"And armed with these, beyond a doubt,
Shall Rama put those fiends to rout."
For sin and stain were banished thence,
By the sweet river's influence.
The wedding of Rama and Sita was honored by the presence of both
bridegroom:
"A faithful wife, most blest is she,
And as thy shade will follow thee."
As some wild elephant who tries
To soothe his consort as she lies
Struck by the hunter's venomed dart,
So the great king, disturbed in heart,
Strove with soft hand and fond caress
To soothe his darling queen's distress,
And in his love addressed with sighs
The lady of the lotus eyes.
viceroy in his brother's stead. In vain the old king pleaded; the
"The orders of my sire," he cried,
"My will shall ne'er oppose:
I follow still, whate'er betide,
The path which duty shows."
"With thee is heaven, where'er the spot;
Each place is hell where thou are not."
"Then in the dusk I heard the sound of gurgling water;
Was heard, and a poor hermit's son fell pierced and bleeding in
the stream."
Before dying this lad implored his slayer to hasten back to the
The Indian poet now favors us with a wonderful description of the
On rocky heights beside the way
And lofty trees with blossoms gay;
And streamlets running fair and fast,
The royal youths and Sita passed.
The exiles, wandering thus in single file, finally arrived at
coming for some affectionate purpose. Greeting Bharata kindly,
"Many a blessing yet will spring
From banished Rama's wanderings."
Meantime life in the hermitage continues its peaceful course, the
One of the female demons finally becomes so anxious to win Rama's
description of her matchless charms has fired his imagination.
Like streamlet in the winter frost,
The glory of her lilies lost.
With leafy tears the sad trees wept
As a wild wind their branches swept.
Mourned bird and deer; and every flower
Drooped fainting round the lovely bower.
The sylvan deities had fled
The spot where all the light was dead.
In spite of the fact that she has already been some time in the
"My cooks shall mince thy limbs with steel
And serve thee for my morning meal."
When Sita is left alone, Hanuman, in the guise of a tiny monkey,
serving as a torch.
As earth with fervent heat will glow
When comes her final overthrow;
From gate to gate, from court to spire,
Proud Lanka was one blaze of fire,
And every headland, rock, and bay
Shone bright a hundred leagues away!
expedition.
unsurmountable obstacle between them and their goal. In answer to
Although many of Rama's adherents have perished in battle, he now
Soft from celestial minstrels came
The sound of music and acclaim;
Soft, fresh and cool, a rising breeze
Brought odors from the heavenly trees;
And, ravishing the sight and smell,
A wondrous rain of blossoms fell;
And voices breathed round Reghu's son,
"Champion of gods, well done, well done."
enter a fierce fire, whence the god of the flames bears her out
unharmed, and restores her to her husband, declaring that, as her
She ceased and, fearless to the last,
Within the flames' wild fury passed.
Twenty years have passed since Rama repudiated his wife, when he
He shall be
From every sin and blemish free:
Whoever reads the saving strain,
With all his kin the heavens shall gain.
Recite ye this heroic song
In tranquil shades where sages throng;
Recite it where the good resort,
In lowly home and royal court.
We are told besides that--
As long as mountain ranges stand
And rivers flow upon the earth,
So long will this Ramayana
Survive upon the lips of men.
degrees and at the end of several centuries.
Bharata, the real founder of the principal Indian dynasty, is so
famous a character, that the Hindus often designate their whole
clandestine marriage. But, after a short time, the bridegroom
departed, leaving his bride a ring as a pledge of his troth.
declared this curse would be annulled when her husband beheld his
Sakuntala, whom he discovered in the jungle, watching her boy
To comfort himself for the loss of his first wife, the king now
step-brother to marry, Bhishma sent him to a Bride's Choice
Neither of these youths being deemed perfect enough to represent
properly the royal race, Vyasa announced he would pay the widows
With these the monarch withdrew to the Himalayas to spend his
bucklers, closely watched by Drona, who pronounced his favorite
Arjuna, the third Pandav, the finest athlete ever seen.
Mighty sword and ample buckler, ponderous mace the princes wield,
With ponderous mace they waged the daring fight.
As for a tender mate two rival elephants
Engage in frantic fury, so the youths
Encountered, and amidst the rapid sphere
Of fire their whirling weapons clashing wove
Their persons vanished from the anxious eye.
Still more and more incensed their combat grew,
And life hung doubtful on the desperate conflict;
With awe the crowd beheld the fierce encounter
And amidst hope and fear suspended tossed,
Like ocean shaken by conflicting winds.
Human mother never bore her, human bosom never fed,
From the altar sprang the maiden who some prince will wed!
withdraw, but a few determined to risk all in hopes of obtaining
He grasped the ponderous weapon in his hand
And with one vigorous effort braced the string.
Quickly the shafts were aimed and swiftly they flew;
The mark fell pierced; a shout of victory
Rang through the vast arena; from the sky
Garlands of flowers crowned the hero's head,
Ten thousand fluttering scarfs waved in the air,
And drum and trumpet sounded forth his triumph.
possession of the fair Draupadi, and publicly stripped her of her
Meantime his four brothers and Draupadi had undertaken pious
The sons of Pandu marked the coming storm
And swift arrayed their force. The chief divine
And Arjuna at the king's request
Raised in the van the ape-emblazoned banner,
The host's conducting star, the guiding light
That cheered the bravest heart, and as it swept
The air, it warmed each breast with martial fires.
Throughout the war the Pandav forces were directed by the same
general, but their opponents had four. A moment after the first
And ever and anon the thunder roared,
And angry lightnings flashed across the gloom,
Or blazing meteors fearful shot to earth.
Regardless of these awful signs, the chiefs
Pressed on to mutual slaughter, and the peal
Of shouting hosts commingling shook the world.
Darker grew the gloomy midnight, and the princes went their way;
On his bed of pointed arrows, Bhishma lone and dying lay.
Said Yudhishthir: "Lordly tusker, Aswathaman named, is dead;"
The poor father, who heard only a small part of the sentence--the
Although the fighting had hitherto invariably ceased at sunset,
darkness on the seventeenth day failed to check the fury of the
Pious rites are due to foemen and to friends and kinsmen slain,
Then, no one being there to dispute it, he took possession of the
Wishing to govern wisely, the eldest Pandav sought the wounded
general, Bhishma,--who still lay on his arrowy bed in the
The new king's mind was, however, so continually haunted by the
horrors of the great battle-field that, hoping to find relief, he
Victor of a hundred battles, Arjun bent his homeward way,
Following still the sacred charger free to wander as it may,
Strolling minstrels to Yudhishthir spake of the returning steed,
Spake of Arjun wending homeward with the victor's crown of meed.
husbands beyond the tomb.
"These and other mighty warriors, in the earthly battle slain,
By their valor and their virtue walk the bright ethereal plain!
Let them strive by kindly action, gentle speech, endurance long,
Brighter life and holier future unto sons of men belong!"
Having found life a tragedy of sorrow, the eldest Pandav, after
accomplish their union with the infinite."
Then the high-minded sons of Pandu and the noble Draupadi
Roamed onward, fasting, with their faces toward the east; their
hearts
Yearning for union with the Infinite, bent on abandonment
Of worldly things.
And by degrees they reached the briny sea;
They reached the northern region and beheld with heaven-aspiring
hearts
The mighty mountain Himavat. Beyond its lofty peak they passed
Toward a sea of sand, and saw at last the rocky Meru, king
Of mountains. As with eager steps they hastened on, their souls
intent
On union with the Eternal, Draupadi lost hold of her high hope,
And faltering fell upon the earth.
Thus during this toilsome journey, one by one fell, never to rise
verified, leaving the eldest Pandav alone with his dog.
Straight as he spoke, brightly great Indra smiled,
Vanished the hound, and in its stead stood there,
The lord of death and justice, Dharma's self.
swords. Along this frightful road the Pandav toiled, with cut and
brothers, who, thanks to his unselfishness, had been rescued from
The grandson of Arjuna reigned at Hastinapur until he died of a
informed the ascetic, _with a smile_, that the dissolution of the
The romantic story of Nala and Damayanti was told to comfort the
princess choose one of them as a spouse.
"Yet I see a way of refuge--'tis a blameless way, O king;
Whence no sin to thee, O rajah,--may by any chance arise.
Thou, O noblest of all mortals--and the gods by Indra led,
Come and enter in together--where the Swayembara meets;
Then will I, before the presence--of the guardians of the world,
And the birds above him hovering--thus in human accents spake,
Naked as they saw him standing--on the earth, and sad, and lone:
The queen-mother, looking over the battlements of her palace and
through dicing, and volunteers to serve the rani, provided she is
Before she had been there very long, however, her father sends
Then, thanks to his new skill in dicing, Nala recovers all he has
princess began to travel from court to court inspecting all the
But Savitri replied:
"Once falls a heritage; once a maid yields
Her maidenhood; once doth a father say,
'Choose, I abide thy choice.' These three things done,
Are done forever. Be my prince to live
A year, or many years; be he so great
As Narada hath said, or less than this;
Once have I chosen him, and choose not twice:
My heart resolved, my mouth hath spoken it,
My hand shall execute;--this is my mind!"
consent; so hand in hand she passed with her husband through the
tropical woods.
With that the gloomy god fitted his noose,
And forced forth from the prince the soul of him--
Subtile, a thumb in length--which being reft,
Breath stayed, blood stopped, the body's grace was gone,
And all life's warmth to stony coldness turned.
Then, binding it, the Silent Presence bore
Satyavan's soul away toward the South.
But the little wife, instead of staying with the corpse, followed
father-in-law so, for the way he had to tread was long and dark.
anything thou wilt and it shall be thine."
Noticing this time that he made no reservation, Savitri joyfully
"Adieu, great God!" She took the soul,
No bigger than the human thumb,
And running swift, soon reached her goal,
She lifted it with eager hands
And as before, when he expired,
She placed the head upon the bands
That bound her breast, which hope new fired,
And which alternate rose and fell;
Then placed his soul upon his heart,
Whence like a bee it found its cell,
And lo, he woke with sudden start!
His breath came low at first, then deep,
With an unquiet look he gazed,
As one awakening from a sleep,
Wholly bewildered and amazed.
A romantic tale, which passes as an epic in both countries, was
The first canto opens with an exquisite description of an autumn
Here the steep path winds with a swift ascent
Toward the summit:--the long grass that grew
In tufts upon the slopes, shrivelled and dry,
Lay dead upon her path;--hushed was the voice
Of the blithe chafers.--Only sable night
Yawned threatening from the vale.
"'Tis clear she comes of noble family:
Her eyebrows are as twin half-moons: her hair
Lies on her snowy temples, like a cloud:
In charm of form she ranks with Sishih's self,
That pearl of loveliness, the Chinese Helen."
Taking his visitor gently by the hand, he leads her into the
suddenly interrupted by the outbreak of war. Her home sacked and
As the stream
Flows to the sea and nevermore returns,
So ebbed and ebbed her life. I cannot tell
What in those days I suffered. Nature's self
Seemed to be mourning with me, for the breeze
Of Autumn breathed its last, and as it died
The vesper-bell from yonder village pealed
A requiem o'er my mother. Thus she died,
But dead yet lives--for, ever, face and form,
She stands before my eyes; and in my ears
I ever seem to hear her loving voice,
Speaking as in the days when, strict and kind,
She taught me household lore,--in all a mother.
Now the red dawn had tipped the mountain-tops,
And birds, awaking, peered from out their nests,
To greet the day with strains of matin joy;
The while, the moon's pale sickle, silver white,
Fading away, sunk in the western sky.
Clear was the air and cloudless, save the mists
That rolled in waves upon the mountain-tops.
Or crept along the gullies.
Skirting the trunks of mighty trees, stealing beneath whispering
Ne'er visits with his parting rays at eve,
But all is gloom and silence save the cry
Of some belated bird that wakes the night.
Having brought their prisoner safely into this den, the robbers
"Sit you down,
And let us hear your skill; for I do swear
That, if you hesitate, then with this sword
I'll cut you into bits and give your flesh
To yonder noisy crows. Mark well my words."
So proficient is our little maiden on this instrument, that her
that he had not immediately told White Aster who he was.
Much then my spirit fought against itself,
Wishing to tell my name and welcome you,
My long-lost sister: but false shame forbade
And kept my mouth tight closed.
adopted, giving her the name of the blossoms around her.
"Once," she said,
"Ere morn had scarce begun to dawn, I went
To worship at the temple: as I passed
Through the churchyard 'twixt rows of gravestones hoar,
And blooming white chrysanthemums, I heard
The piteous wailing of a little child.
Which following, I found, amidst the flowers,
A fair young child with crimson-mouthing lips
And fresh soft cheek--a veritable gem.
I took it as a gift that Buddha sent
As guerdon of my faith, and brought it up
As my own child, to be my husband's joy
And mine: and, as I found thee couched
Amidst white-blooming asters, I named thee
White Aster in memorial of the day."
river, climbs up on the high bridge, whence she intends to fling
Aster's wondering eyes rest upon the recluse, who ever since he
escaped from the brigand's clutches has vainly been seeking her
everywhere. He declares they shall never part again and tenderly
"I spared her life;
And she, in turn, seeing my sorry plight,
Cried to me from the rocks, and showed the way
To flee from certain death."
The early European settlers found so many material obstacles to
sufficiently prove:
Then might you hear them rend and tear
The air with their outcries;
The hideous noise of their sad voice
Ascendant to the skies.
They wring their hands, their caitiff hands,
And gnash their teeth for terror;
They cry, they roar, for anguish sore,
And gnaw their tongue for horror.
But get away without delay;
Christ pities not your cry;
Depart to hell, there may you yell
And roar eternally.
nature or a bit of genuine poetry." This enormous mass of verse
includes Trumbull's burlesque epic, McFingal (1782), a work so
A thief ne'er felt the halter draw
With good opinion of the law.
The second epic of this period is Timothy Dwight's "Conquest of
Canaan" in eleven books, and the third Barlow's "Columbiad." The
reading it all the way through. Still, it contains passages not
without merit, as the following lines prove:
Long on the deep the mists of morning lay,
Then rose, revealing, as they rolled away,
Half-circling hills, whose everlasting woods
Sweep with their sable skirts the shadowy floods:
And say, when all, to holy transport given,
Embraced and wept as at the gates of Heaven,
When one and all of us, repentant, ran,
And, on our faces, blessed the wondrous man:
Say, was I then deceived, or from the skies
Burst on my ear seraphic harmonies?
"Glory to God!" unnumbered voices sung:
"Glory to God!" the vales and mountains rang.
Voices that hailed Creation's primal morn,
And to the shepherds sung a Saviour born.
Slowly, bare-headed, through the surf we bore
The sacred cross, and, kneeling, kissed the shore.
'But what a scene was there? Nymphs of romance,
Youths graceful as the Fawn, with eager glance,
Spring from the glades, and down the alleys peep,
Then headlong rush, bounding from steep to steep,
And clap their hands, exclaiming as they run,
"Come and behold the Children of the Sun!"
It is, however, Longfellow, America's most popular poet, who has
Thus departed Hiawatha,
In the glory of the sunset,
In the purple mists of evening,
To the regions of the home-wind,
Of the Northwest-wind Keewaydin,
To the kingdom of Ponemah,
To the land of the Hereafter!
The next poem, which some authorities consider Longfellow's
vouchsafed enchanting descriptions of places and people, and
forests, drifting along the great rivers, and revelling in the
Only along the shore of the mournful and misty Atlantic
Linger a few Acadian peasants, whose fathers from exile
Wandered back to their native land to die in its bosom.
In the fisherman's cot the wheel and the loom are still busy;
While from its rocky caverns the deep-voiced, neighboring ocean