THE SELECTED FROM THE BEST SONGS AND LYRICAL BY FRANCIS T. PALGRAVE LATE PROFESSOR OF POETRY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD REVISED AND ENLARGED MACMILLAN AND CO., LIMITED ST. MARTIN'S STREET, LONDON COPYRIGHT. Golden Treasury Edition, Reprinted, October, November and December, 1861, 1862, 1863, 1865, 1870, 1872, 1874, 1875. 1877, 1878, 1885, 1881, 1882. May and August. 1883, 1884, 1885, 1886, 1887, 18 8, 1890. Second Edition, 1891. Reprinted, 1892, 1894, 1896 (twice), 1897, 1898, 1900, 1901, 1902 (twice), 1903, 1904 (twice), 1905 (twice), 1906, 1908, 1911, 1913, 1916, 1918, 1919. Crown 8vo Edition, 1890. Cheap Edition, January, 1905. Reprinted, February and September, 1905. January, July, and October, 1906, January and October, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1911, 1913, 1915, 1917, 1918, 1920. Large Paper Edition (215. net), Fcap. 4to, 1890. ΤΟ ALFRED TENNYSON POET LAUREATE THIS book in its progress has recalled often to my memory a man with whose friendship we were once honoured, to whom no region of English Literature was unfamiliar, and who, whilst rich in all the noble gifts of Nature, was most eminently distinguished by the noblest and the rarest,-just judgment and highhearted patriotism. It would have been hence a peculiar pleasure and pride to dedicate what I have endeavoured to make a true national Anthology of three centuries to Henry Hallam. But he is beyond the reach of any human tokens of love and reverence, and I desire therefore to place before it a name united with his by associations which, while Poetry retains her hold on the minds of Englishmen, are not likely to be forgotten. Your encouragement, given while traversing the wild scenery of Treryn Dinas, led me to begin the work; and it has been completed under your advice and assistance. For the favour now asked I have thus a second reason and to this I may add, the homage which is your right as Poet, and the gratitude due to a Friend, whose regard I rate at no common value. 2414 Permit me then to inscribe to yourself a book which, I hope, may be found by many a lifelong fountain of innocent and exalted pleasure; a source of animation to friends when they meet; and able to sweeten solitude itself with best society,-with the companionship of the wise and the good, with the beauty which the eye cannot see, and the music only heard in silence. If this Collection proves a storehouse of delight to Labour and to Poverty,-if it teaches those indifferent to the Poets to love them, and those who love them to love them more, the aim and the desire entertained in framing it will be fully accomplished. F.T.P. MAY: 1861 PREFACE THIS little Collection differs, it is believed, from others in the attempt made to include in it all the best original Lyrical pieces and Songs in our language (save a very few regretfully omitted on account of length), by writer not living, and none beside the best. Many familiar verses will hence be met with; many also which should be familiar :-the Editor will regard as his fittest readers those who love Poetry so well, that he can offer them nothing not already known and valued. The Editor is acquainted with no strict and exhaustive definition of Lyrical Poetry; but he has found the task of practical decision increase in clearness and in facility as he advanced with the work, whilst keeping in view a few simple principles. Lyrical has been here held essentially to imply that each Poem shall turn on some single thought, feeling, or situation. In accordance with this, narrative, descriptive, and didactic poems,-unless accompanied by rapidity of movement, brevity, and the colouring of human passion,-have been excluded. Humourous poetry, except in the very unfrequent instances where a truly poetical tone pervades the whole, with what is strictly personal, occasional, and religious, has been considered foreign to the idea of the book. verse and the ten-syllable couplet, with all pieces markedly dramatic, have been rejected as alien from what is commonly understood by Song, and rarely conforming to Lyrical conditions in treatment. it is not anticipated, nor is it possible, that all readers shall think the line accurately drawn. Some poems, as Gray's Elegy, the Allegro and Penseroso, Wordsworth's Ruth or Campbell's Lord Ullin, might be claimed with perhaps equal justice for a narrative or descriptive selection: whilst with reference especially to Ballads and Sonnets, the Editor can only state that he has taken his utmost pains to decide without caprice or partiality. Blank But 74 |