Preface. THIS little volume is intended to contain lovepoems of a pure and elevated character, and those alone. Poems of jealousy, remorse, and hopeless longing and regret are omitted, and this rule excludes a very large number of well-known and sometimes very fine poems. I have not left out such as treat of the sorrow of absence and similar trials; but I have wished to make the book, as a whole, inspire cheerfulness and hope, and not sadness. It contains sonnets of Shakespeare and Mrs. Browning, songs of Lovelace and Burns, and poetry by Tennyson, Coventry Patmore, and many other less-known singers. Some specimens are given of the ingenious and melodious versification of the younger English poets, such as Payne and Munby. It gives me pleasure to express my thanks to the authors who have kindly permitted me to make use of their poems for this purpose. I would especially 41 X 10 4 4 mention the Rev. James Freeman Clarke, for the liberal selections he has allowed me to make from "Exotics," a volume of translations from the French and German; and Mr. Richard Watson Gilder, to whom I am indebted for several sonnets, etc., from "The New Day." I have also to thank Messrs. Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Messrs. Roberts Brothers, and Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons, for giving me leave to take copyrighted poems. November, 1881. M. W. T. IN this new edition about fifty pages have been added. This has enabled me to include a number of poems which were excluded before for want of room, and to add some which have appeared since the first edition was printed. May, 1892. M. W. T. ANGELO, MICHAEL (1474-1563). Yes! Hope may with my strong Desire keep Pace The Might of one fair Face sublimes my Love. Pure and True and Tender Annie Laurie Oh, I'm wat, wat 209 131 156 169 198 205 Love took me softly by the Hand 174 181 BRONTË, CHARLOTTE (Mrs. NICHOLLS) (1816-1855). Song, from "Jane Eyre" BROWNING, Mrs. ELIZABETH BARRETT (1809-1861). Sonnets from the Portuguese : 163 163 164 164 165 165 166 167 55 63 64 69 Go from me - Yet I feel that I shall stand How do I love thee? Let me count the Ways. . BROWNING, ROBERT, (1812-1890). |