THE METAMORPHOSES OF PUBLIUS OVIDIUS NASO

PREFACE.
To the student of the Classics, an early acquaintance with My
thology is indispensable. This is more readily secured by the
direct study of the fables themselves, than by any other method.
As the Metamorphoses of Ovid present the mythological fictions of
Greece and Rome in a connected and attractive form, their study
has always appeared to me to be of the first importance.
That their use may be extensive, I have therefore prepared an
edition of the work, in which I have omitted the fables that were
gross in tlicir character, and have expurgated from others any lines
that were objectionable on account of indelicacy. This, however,
does not break the chain of connection between the stories, nor mar
the narrative of the fables introduced.
To render the study of the Metamorphoses profitable and pleas
ing, I have prefixed to each fable an analysis and explanation,
which will be found of service to the student. Since many of the
fables are corrupt traditions of Scriptural truths, I have traced
them back to the great fount of purity, the Biblical record, and
have given in the notes the parallel passages from the sacred
volume. The extracts from modern authors, while they illustrate
the text, will give the student a taste for general reading. The
questions which accompany each fable, are a summary of the text
and the notes thereon, and will insure a thorough understanding of
the spirit of the fable.
The Metamorphoses are intended to be read after Caesar's Com
mentaries ; hence, in many instances, the partial Ordo which I have
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