amas of Wagner. Any understanding of English civilization
would be similarly incomplete without the semi-historic figure of King
Arthur, glorified through the accumulated legends of the Middle Ages
and made to live again in the melodic idylls of the great Victorian
laureate. And so one might go on. In many ways the mythology and
folklore of a country are a truer index to the life of its people than
any of the pages of actual history; for through these channels the
imagination and the heart speak. All the chronicles of rulers and
governing bodies are as dust in comparison.

The imagination of the ancients had few if any bounds, and even
Athens in the height of her intellectual glory accepted the fabulous
tales of gods and half-gods. Today we read and wonder. But the child,
who in his brief lifetime must live over in part at least the history
of the whole race, delights in the myths and legends which made his
ancestors admire or tremble. They are naturally not so real to him as
they were to his forefathers; yet they open up a rich and gorgeous
wonderland, without excursions into which every child must grow up the
poorer in mind and spirit.

To the children of America, wherever they may be, this book is
dedicated. It is sure to bring enjoyment, because its stories have
stood the test of time.

CONTENTS

PAGE

PROMETHEUS THE FRIEND OF MAN 7

THE LABORS OF HERCULES 11
_From the German of Gustav Schwab._

DEUCALION AND PYRRHA 29
_From the German of Gustav Schwab._

THESEUS AND THE CENTAUR 33
_From the German of Gustav Schwab._

NIOBE 37
_From the German of Gustav Schwab._

THE GORGON'S HEAD 41
_From Hawthorne's "Wonder Book."_

THE GOLDEN FLEECE 67
_From Hawthorne's "Tanglewood Tales."_

THE CYCLOPS 106
_From Church's "Stories from Homer."_

OEDIPUS AND THE SPHINX 116
_Adapted from Church's "Stories from Greek Tragedians."_

ANTIGONE, A FAITHFUL DAUGHTER AND SISTER 118
_Adapted fro