a short lyrical poem containing a vivid expression of the feelings of the poet in moments of high excitement. Among the Greeks and Romans the ode (οδός, a song) was intended to be sung, and was usually accompanied by some musical instrument, especially the lyre. Hence the expression "lyric poetry," of which the earliest forms seem to have been the ode. The most celebrated classical odes are those of Pindar, Anacreon, and Horace, which are still recognised by the moderns as models in that species of poetical composition. In the modern use of the word, however, the ode differs, on the one hand, from the song, by greater length and variety, and by not being necessarily adapted to music; and, on the other, from the ballad, by generally excluding narrative, and limiting its range exclusively to the expression of feeling or passion on a given subject. In English literature the odes of Dryden, Gray, and Collins are much esteemed. (See Poetry.)

Odeipore, a raj of British India, under the jurisdiction of the political agent for the S.W. frontier of Bengal; N. Lat. (of centre) 22° 40', E. Long. 83° 23'; area 2306 square miles. This territory was forfeited to the British government on account of the systematic crimes of the rajah, and the want of direct heirs. The annual revenue is estimated at L1,500. Pop. 133,000. The chief town is Odeipore, 183 miles S. of Benares, and 320 W. of Calcutta.

Odénathus, a famous prince of Palmyra, and husband of the celebrated Zenobia. (See Palmyra.)

Odense, a seaport-town of Denmark, capital of the island of Funen, on the N. bank of the Odense-Aue, a small stream flowing into the fiord of the same name, 88 miles W. by S. of Copenhagen. It is one of the oldest places in Denmark, and is said to have been founded by Odin, whose grave is shown about a quarter of a mile to the N. of the town. The cathedral, in the Gothic style, founded by Canute IV, in 1080, and completed in 1301, is one of the finest ecclesiastical buildings in Denmark, and contains the tombs of several Danish kings. There are here also an old episcopal palace, a royal palace, a town-hall, several schools, a theatre, two public libraries, an hospital, &c. The manufactories of the place consist of breweries, distilleries, iron-foundries, and woollen mills; and some trade is carried on, which is facilitated by several harbours near the town. Pop. (1851) 11,122.

Odenswald, a range of mountains of Western Germany, in Hesse-Darmstadt, stretching northwards from Heidelberg to Darmstadt. Its length is about 45 miles; and the highest point is the Katzenbuckel, 2300 feet above the sea. The western slopes consist of granite and gneiss, and the eastern of sandstone. The higher elevations are well wooded, and the lower regions cultivated. Several remains of Roman forts exist here.