SPRINGS. 61 



The characteristic flavor and suggestion of these 

 Idyls is like pure spring water. This is, perhaps, 

 why the modern reader is apt to be disappointed in 

 them when he takes them up for the first time. They 

 appear minor and literal and tasteless, as does most 

 ancient poetry ; but it is mainly because we have got 

 to the fountain head, and have come in contact with 

 a mind that has been but little shaped by artificial 

 indoor influences. The stream of literature is now 

 much fuller and broader than it was in ancient times, 

 with currents and counter-currents, and diverse and 

 curious phases ; but the primitive sources seem far 

 behind us, and for the refreshment of simple spring 

 water in art we must still go back to Greek poetry. 



