If epic poetry is a definite species, the sagas do not fall within it.

The first epics were intended for recitation; the literary epic is meant to be read.

It seems difficult, sometimes, to believe that there was a time when sentiments now become habitual, sentiments that imply not only the original imperative of conduct, but the original metaphysic of living, were by no means altogether habitual.

But the gravest difficulty, and perhaps the most important, in poetry meant solely for recitation, is the difficulty of achieving verbal beauty, or rather of making verbal beauty tell.

Poetry is the work of poets, not of peoples or communities; artistic creation can never be anything but the production of an individual mind.

For the stage displays the first vigorous expression, as the natural thing and without conspicuous restraint, of private individuality.

The world knows of a vast stock of epic material scattered up and down the nations; sometimes its artistic value is as extraordinary as its archaeological interest, but not always.