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PREFACE.

There are wide differences in the fame of the poems here collected, as well as in their merits. Some are familiar to everybody who reads poetry at all; others find reputation and perpetuity only with particular classes. A few, like those of Bishop Berkeley and Michael Barry have Leen saved from oblivion by a single happy line or quatra 1; while the richness and perfection of many leave us in worder that their authors produced no more. If critical judgment in such matters is worth anything when opposed to a popular verdict, some of these authors have written better poems for no reward at all, than those which have given them fame. However this may be, the present volume is intended to represent p pular rather than cri ical taste, and to include all the poems in the language which fairly come under its title, excepting only these numerous ano ymous ballads belonging to the early centuries of our literature, which are preserved in Percy's and other collections. In cases of doubt, I have generally dec'd.d in favor of insertion. It is

not expected that any one reader will prize all the poems here brought together; if each finds what he looks for, no one need be offended because the volume also includes some which he could have spared.

Thanks are due to living writers represented, for permission to use their poems. In but one instance was this refused, though in two or three cases their address could not be obtained.

The poems are arranged nearly, if not exactly, in chronological order. Where any special history attaches to them, it will generally be found in the Notes at the end of the book. R. J.

New York, August 1, 1877.

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