Village books

Homer's position, in fact, as regards divine interference
is the very opposite of David's. David writes, "Put not your trust
in princes nor in any child of man; there is no sure help but from
the Lord." With Homer it is, "Put not your trust in Jove neither in
any omen from heaven; there is but one good omen--to fight for one's
country. Fortune favours the brave; heaven helps those who help
themselves."
The god who comes off best is Vulcan, the lame, hobbling, old
blacksmith, who is the laughing-stock of all the others, and whose
exquisitely graceful skilful workmanship forms such an effective
contrast to the uncouth exterior of the workman. Him, as a man of
genius and an artist, and furthermore as a somewhat despised artist,
Homer treats, if with playfulness, still with respect, in spite of
the fact that circumstances have thrown him more on the side of the
Greeks than of the Trojans, with whom I understand Homer's
sympathies mainly to lie.
The poet either dislikes music or is at best insensible to it.


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