THE DECLINE AND FALL

374

chap. The immortality so vainly promised by the

__^_priests, was in some degree conferred by the

The bards. bards. That singular order of men has mostdeservedly attracted the notice of all who haveattempted to investigate the antiquities of theCelts, the Scandinavians, and the Germans .Their genius and character, as well as the rever-ence paid to their important office, have beensufficiently illustrated. But we cannot so easilyexpress, or even conceive, the enthusiasm ofarms and glory which they kindled in the breastof their audience. Among a polished people, ataste for poetry is rather an amusement of thefancy, than a passion of the soul. And yet,when in calm retirement we peruse the combatsdescribed by Homer or Tasso, we are insensiblyseduced by the fiction, and feel a momentaryglow of martial ardour. But how faint, howcold is the sensation which a peaceful mind canreceive from solitary study ! It was in the hourof battle, or in the feast of victory, that the bardscelebrated the glory of heroes of ancient days,the ancestors of those warlike chieftians who list-ened with transport to their artless but animat-ed strains. The view of arms and of dangerheightened the effect of the military song; andthe passions which it tended to excite, the desireof fame, and the contempt of death, were thehabitual sentiments of a German mind. b

Such was the situation, and such were the

b See Tacit. Germ. c. 3. Diodor. Sicnl. 1. v. Strabo, 1. iv, p. 197.The classical reader may remember the rank of Deinodocus in the

Phmacian