PREFACE 



forget my nameless informants both among landward 

 men and among them that go down to the sea in 

 ships, TOtcrtV re daXdcrcria epya fMejxrjXev, with whom, as 

 occasion served, I have held illuminating converse. 



Lastly, I would express my thanks, sincerely but 

 briefly — for gratitude lies not in the much predication 

 of it — to Mr. William Maxwell, Managing Director 

 of Messrs. R. & R. Clark, to their accomphshed 

 Reader, and to the rest of their Staff, whose patience 

 I have often tried, but never exhausted ; for indeed 

 it seems to be inexhaustible. 



A. W. M. 



TO OPPIAN, COLLUTHUS, TRYPHIODORUS 



Farewell awhile ! who somewhile dwelt with me 



In sunny days and sullen, good and ill, 

 Discoursing still your measured minstrelsy, 



Legends of lowly daring, craft, and skiU, 

 Lore of dead men which yet hath power to thrUl 



Spirits attuned to Nature's mystery. 

 Things secret of the everlasting hill 



And precious things of the eternal sea. 



In other mood ye sang of him who chose 



For Beauty's Crown the Daughter of the Foam, 

 Mistook for gain what proved his bitter loss 

 And prelude to an Iliad of woes — 



Won Helen from her happy Spartan home 

 And drenched with blood the soil of Ilios. 



A. W. M. 



