It remains for me to record my obligations to a number of friends who have generously responded to my requests for information or criticism on various points. In particular I must mention Miss A. C. Paues, Mr A. B. Cook, Dr W. H. R. Rivers, Mr S. A. Cook, Professor J. W. H. Atkins, Professor A. Mawer, Mr E. H. Minns and Mr F. W. Green. Above all I am indebted to Mr E. C. Quiggin and Mr F. G. M. Beck, who have most kindly read through a considerable part of the book in proof and several chapters even in manuscript. It is scarcely necessary to add that in the sections dealing with Celtic history and poetry Mr Quiggin's criticism has been of the greatest value to me. My thanks are due, further, to my pupils, Mr C. A. Scutt, of Clare College, and Mr Bruce Dickins, of Magdalene College, for similar kind services in the proofs of the later chapters. From the staff of the University Library--in particular I must mention Mr A. Rogers and Mr O. Johnson--I have received the same unfailing and courteous attention as in the past. Lastly, I have to thank the Syndics of the University Press for undertaking the publication of the book and the staff for the efficient and obliging way in which the printing and corrections have been carried out. H. M. C. _December, 1911._ CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I. THE EARLY NARRATIVE POETRY OF THE TEUTONIC PEOPLES 1 II. THE HEROIC AGE OF THE TEUTONIC PEOPLES 19 III. SCENE AND NATIONALITY IN THE HEROIC STORIES 30 IV. THE ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF THE HEROIC POEMS 41 V. THE POETRY AND MINSTRELSY OF EARLY TIMES 77 VI. SUPERNATURAL ELEMENTS IN THE HEROIC STORIES 110 VII. MYTHICAL ELEMENTS IN THE HEROIC POEMS 131 VIII. THE USE OF FICTION IN THE HEROIC POEMS 151 IX. THE HEROIC AGE OF GREECE 168 X. THE HOMERIC POEMS 193 XI. EARLY GREEK POETRY AND MINSTRELSY 221 XII. SUPERNATURAL ELEMENTS IN THE HOMERIC POEMS 249 XIII. MYTH IN THE HOMERIC POEMS 263 XIV. FICTION IN THE HOMERIC POEMS 292 XV. THE COMMON CHARACTERISTICS OF TEUTONIC AND GREEK HEROIC POETRY 320 XVI. SOCIETY IN THE HEROIC AGE 344 XVII. GOVERNMENT IN THE HEROIC AGE 366 XVIII. RELIGION IN THE HEROIC AGE 393 XIX. THE CAUSES AND ANTECEDENT CONDITIONS OF THE HEROIC AGE 432 NOTES.