rustic peace, the superiority of Homer is decisive--while in those of war and tumult it may be thought, perhaps, that the Hesiodic poet has more than once the advantage." 258 "This legend is one of the most pregnant and characteristic in the Grecian Mythology; it explains, according to the religious ideas familiar to the old epic poets, both the distinguishing attributes and the endless toil and endurances of Heracles, the most renowned subjugator of all the semi-divine personages worshipped by the Hellenes,--a being of irresistible force, and especially beloved by Zeus, yet condemned constantly to labour for others and to obey the commands of a worthless and cowardly persecutor. His recompense is reserved to the close of his career, when his afflicting trials are brought to a close: he is then admitted to the godhead, and receives in marriage Hebe."--Grote, vol. i. p. 128. 259 --_Ambrosia._ "The blue-eyed maid, In ev'ry breast new vigour to infuse. Brings nectar temper'd with ambrosial dews." Merrick's Tryphiodorus, vi. 249. 260 "Hell is naked before him, and destruction hath no covering. He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing. He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them." Job xxvi. 6-8. 261 "Swift from his throne the infernal monarch ran, All pale and trembling, lest the race of man, Slain by Jove's wrath, and led by Hermes' rod, Should fill (a countless throng!) his dark abode." Merrick's Tryphiodorus, vi. 769, sqq. 262 These words seem to imply the old belief, that the Fates might be delayed, but never wholly set aside. 263 It was anciently believed that it was dangerous, if not fatal, to behold a deity. See Exod. xx