AMGOTLIA) Sweet recreation barr'd, what doth ensue, Shakspere-Comedy of Errors, Act V., Sc. 1. Copyright, 1884, by PRATT Manufacturing COMPANY To the READER. COURTEOUS READER: HY grateful reception of our for mer collection hath induced us to a second essay of the same nature; and, as we are confident it will be found in no wise inferiour to the former in worth, so we assure ourselves it shall at least equal it in its fortunate acceptation. It being our design rather 8 to make such a collection as shall please all Complexions, Ages, and Constitutions of either Sexes, than to gratify our vanity by a display of learning, there will be found here poems of all kinds, pastoral, lyric, convivial, grave, and gay, but none to offend any. To gather these poems, for many of which we have gone to the original sources, has been a long undertaking; but if only this little book, which we now present to thee, shall make good its claim to being An Antidote Against Melancholy, though to but one of its readers, we shall feel that our labour has been sufficiently rewarded. We have of purpose kept the number of these, our selections, within small compass, preferring to serve up these delicates by frugal messes, as aiming at thy satisfaction, not satiety. But our design being more upon thy judgment than thy patience, more to delight thee than to detain thee by a tedious (and we fear seldom-read) epistle, we will draw the curtain that shuts from thy view what we have prepared; first, however, acknowledging our obligation to HENRY HOLT & Co., CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS, and WHITE, STOKES & ALLEN for courtesies extended during the compilation of this work. Finally, there remains but the pleasant duty of returning grateful thanks for thy patronage in the past, and of wishing thee a Merrie Christmas. Thy much obliged, and Most obedient servants, The Publishers. |