I need not, however, enumerate difficulties, which, if they are overcome, need no apology; and, if they are not, deserve none. The greatest and most obvious, the strict observance of the "Maxima reverentia," will, and must always remain, crucial. In this, at least, I trust I have succeeded, in whatever else I may have failed. These stories were begun for one who was very dear to me, and who was their first and best critic; and I shall be glad if what was begun, in hope, for him should be of use to others. R. E. F. NOTE.--Quantity is marked in proper names, when necessary, at their first occurrence. CONTENTS. PAGE SATURN 1 JUPITER AND JUNO: PART I.--THE GODS AND THE GIANTS 6 PART II.--THE FIRST MAN; OR, THE STORY OF PROMETHEUS AND PANDORA 11 PART III.--THE GREAT FLOOD; OR, THE STORY OF DEUCALION 18 APOLLO: PART I.--THE STORIES OF LATONA AND NIOBE 24 PART II.--THE FLAYED PIPER; OR, THE STORY OF MARSYAS 28 PART III.--TOO MUCH GOLD; OR, THE FIRST STORY OF MIDAS 33 PART IV.--THE CRITIC; OR, THE SECOND STORY OF MIDAS 40 PART V.--SOME FLOWER STORIES: I.--THE LAUREL 44 II.--THE HYACINTH 47 III.--THE SUNFLOWER 49 IV.--THE NARCISSUS 52 PART VI.--PRESUMPTION; OR, THE STORY OF PHAËTHON 57 DIANA; AND THE STORY OF ORION 62 MINERVA; OR, WISDOM 69 VENUS: PART I.--THE GOD OF FIRE 72 PART II.--LOVE AND THE SOUL; OR, THE STORY OF CUPID AND PSYCHE 80 MERCURY AND IRIS 105 NEPTUNE 109 HADES: PART I.--THE KING AND QUEEN OF THE DEAD 115 PART II.--THE KINGDOM 122 PART III.--ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE 129 PART IV.--THE MAN WHO NEVER DIED 134 THE ADVENTURES OF PERSEUS 137 THE GOLDEN FLEECE 162 A LOST SECRET 185 THE CHAMPION OF ATHENS 194 THE HERO OF HEROES: PART I.--THE ORACLE 210