THE HORSE AS AN EPIC CHARACTER 



Now, while playing his part on this great stage, the 

 epic hero, who surpasses us in courage, strength, and 

 endurance, is helped in many ways denied us. In the 

 first place, not merely is he aided by the counsels and 

 armed assistance of his king, his comrades, and his 

 people, but all nature follows his career with eager 

 interest. She heralds his birth with terrific demonstra- 

 tions, flashes lightning, hurls thunderbolts, causes the 

 earth to rock from side to side, and on the whole 

 behaves in such a startling fashion that the people, and 

 above all the troubled parents, regard the child with 

 very mingled feelings, and are uncertain whether to 

 cherish or to expose him. In a quieter but far more 

 effectual manner she accompanies and assists him dur- 

 ing his arduous lifetime. Seldom can the epic hero be 

 said to be alone, for, though leagues of plains and 

 mountains may separate him from his comrades, he has 

 the fellowship of the trees of the forest, the mountain 

 peaks, the winds, the clouds, stars, moon, and sun — 

 all of which in articulate human words cheer him and 

 give him timely warning and advice. The Bulgarian 

 and Servian heroes, who do a tremendous amount of 

 letter writing, have at their disposal a remarkably 

 efficient postal service conducted by the Httle birds, 

 who answer calls promptly, deliver the letters with the 

 greatest dispatch, and faithfully bring back the answer 

 if one is required. Should nature for any reason be at 

 all tardy in lending her assistance, the hero often is able 

 to force her to do his will. At his bidding utter darkness 



