NOTE 5.--THE CHOICE OF HERACLES. Page 61.
This moral lesson is, of course, of much later date than that of our story. It is the invention of the Greek sophist Prodicus, who was a contemporary of Socrates.
NOTE 6.--MELEAGER. Page 68.
Readers of the "Story of Roland" will readily recognize several points of resemblance between the legend of Meleager's childhood and the story of Ogier the Dane. It is, indeed, probable that very much of the latter is simply a medieval adaptation of the former.--See also the account of the three Norns in The Story of Siegfried.
NOTE 7.--THE DEATH OF ASCLEPIUS. Page 91.
The story of Balder, as related in the Norse mythology, has many points of resemblance to that of Asclepius. Balder, although a being of a higher grade than Asclepius, was the friend and benefactor of mankind. He was slain through the jealousy of the evil one: his death was bewailed by all living beings, birds, beasts, trees, and plants.--See The Story of Siegfried.
NOTE 8.--PARIS AND ŒNONE. Page 109.
A very beautiful version of this story is to be found in Tennyson's poem entitled "Œnone." It will well repay reading.
NOTE 9.--THE SWINEHERD'S STORY. Page 119.
This story was afterwards related to Odysseus under very different circumstances. The curious reader is referred to the Odyssey, Book XV., 390-485.