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HOMER. THE EPIC POETS.. 69the heroes. They formed a separate class in society ;butthey stood on an equal footing with the heroes, and are considered as belonging to them. 1 The gift of song came tothem from the gods ; it is the Muse, or Jove himself, whoinspires them and teaches them what they should 2sing.As this representation continually recurs, it is probable thattheir poetic effusions were often extemporaneous. At leastthis seems in many cases hardly to admit of a doubt. Ulysses proposes to Demodocus the subject of his song; 3 andthe bard, like the modern improvisator!, commences hisWestrains under the influence of the sudden inspiration.would by no means be understood to assert, that there werenone but extemporaneous productions. Certain songs verynaturally became favourites, and were kept alive in themouths of the poets whilst;an infinite number, which werebut the offspringof the moment, died awayat their birth.But an abundance of songs was needed a variety was required, and the charm of novelty even then enforced itsclaims. 4 For novel lays attract our ravished ears ;But old the mind with inattention hears.The voice was always accompanied by some instrument.The bard was provided with a harp, on which he played aprelude, 5 to elevate and inspirehis mind, and with whichhe accompanied the song when begun. His voice probablypreserved a medium between singing and recitation; thewords, and not the melody, were regarded by the listeners ;hence it was necessary for him to remain intelligibleto all.In countries where nothing similar is found, it is difficult torepresent such scenes to the mind but;whoever has had anopportunity of listening to the improvisator! of Italy, caneasily form an idea of Demodocus and Phemius.However imperfect our ideas of the earliest heroic songsmay remain after all which the poet has told us, the following positions may be inferred from it. First : Thesingers were at the same time poets ; they sang their ownworks ;there is no trace of their having sung those of others.Farther : their songs were poured forth from the inspiration1Od. viii. 483. Demodocus himself is here called a Hero.2 Od. viii. 73, i. 348. * Od. viii. 492, etc., a leading passage.4Od. i. 352,5th/a/3aX\