Ancient Epic Poem. '^ ISl 



splendid imagery in the celestial niachinc|iy of 

 the 42pic, what is there left of worth in it, if it 

 aid none of the rich sympathies of the heart, 

 whiclvare the principal feast that it looks for 

 in the various exhibitioRs of the poetic muse ? 

 -^'^Ut it' is^afewiicl?* charge against the offi 

 cious intcrjx>sition of the heathen deities in the 

 ancient epic, that it annihilates man, or sinks 

 him into comparative insignificance, and thus 

 destroys, or chills that sympathy, which is the 

 attractive charm of historic poetry. 

 ^J'The heroism of fellow man, derived from 

 the resources of human nature,' is- always 

 an interesting object; but its impression is 

 weakened, inasmuch as we refer it to the in 

 terposition of a supernatural agent, especially 

 of such contemptible agents, as are the heathen' 

 deities, in whom we behold nothing but 

 power, stimulated by no moral or generous 

 impulse, directed to no wise or good end. Our 

 sympathy with the man is defeated, for the 

 man is not in sight, he is to us no more than 

 the vehicle ; nor can we sympathise with the 

 real agent, for he is removed beyond the field 

 of human sympathy ; nor do we behold in him 

 that dignity of character, which renders his 

 interposition desirable, or interesting. I'he 

 disgraceful character of their gods. casts a dark' 

 ^hade over every scene, in which they are in - 



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