PROEM.

Gay Gods and Merry MortalsPROEM.

Gay Gods and Merry Mortals

SOMEancient tales of Pagan daysThe author of this book relatesExplaining how in divers waysThe gods displayed their human traits;And how they oft in other yearsSet human beings by the ears.Belike these rhymes recall to youThe jingles of the poet Saxe;The poet here is Saxon, too,And so must needs relate his factsIn such a way that they are clearAnd suited to the Saxon ear.Some anecdotes which Homer toldYou’ll miss in this; but reader, prayConsider, what was good of oldWould never pass the mails to-day.And hence this history belatedHas been—well, slightly expurgated.

SOMEancient tales of Pagan daysThe author of this book relatesExplaining how in divers waysThe gods displayed their human traits;And how they oft in other yearsSet human beings by the ears.Belike these rhymes recall to youThe jingles of the poet Saxe;The poet here is Saxon, too,And so must needs relate his factsIn such a way that they are clearAnd suited to the Saxon ear.Some anecdotes which Homer toldYou’ll miss in this; but reader, prayConsider, what was good of oldWould never pass the mails to-day.And hence this history belatedHas been—well, slightly expurgated.

SOMEancient tales of Pagan daysThe author of this book relatesExplaining how in divers waysThe gods displayed their human traits;And how they oft in other yearsSet human beings by the ears.

SOMEancient tales of Pagan days

The author of this book relates

Explaining how in divers ways

The gods displayed their human traits;

And how they oft in other years

Set human beings by the ears.

Belike these rhymes recall to youThe jingles of the poet Saxe;The poet here is Saxon, too,And so must needs relate his factsIn such a way that they are clearAnd suited to the Saxon ear.

Belike these rhymes recall to you

The jingles of the poet Saxe;

The poet here is Saxon, too,

And so must needs relate his facts

In such a way that they are clear

And suited to the Saxon ear.

Some anecdotes which Homer toldYou’ll miss in this; but reader, prayConsider, what was good of oldWould never pass the mails to-day.And hence this history belatedHas been—well, slightly expurgated.

Some anecdotes which Homer told

You’ll miss in this; but reader, pray

Consider, what was good of old

Would never pass the mails to-day.

And hence this history belated

Has been—well, slightly expurgated.


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