If Epic Poetry Is A Definite Species,

Epic Poetry Exhibits Life In Some Great Symbolic Attitude. It Cannot Strictly Be Said To Symbolize Life Itself, But Always Some Manner Of Life.

The Epic Poet Collaborates With The Spirit Of His Time In The Composition Of His Work. That Is, If He Is Successful; The Time May Refuse To Work With Him, But He May Not Refuse To Work With His Time.

It Is More Difficult To Keep The Attention Of Hearers Than Of Readers.

The First Epics Were Intended For Recitation; The Literary Epic Is Meant To Be Read.

No Poet Will Ever Take The Written Word As A Substitute For The Spoken Word; He Knows That It Is On The Spoken Word, And The Spoken Word Only, That His Art Is Founded.