THE GOLDEN TREASURY OF THE BEST SONGS AND LYRICAL POEMS IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE SELECTED AND ARRANGED WITH NOTES BY FRANCIS TURNER PALGRAVE TOGETHER WITH ONE HUNDRED ADDITIONAL POEMS (TO THE END OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY) HENRY FROWDE OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS LONDON, NEW YORK, TORONTO AND MELBOURNE TO 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 judgement 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, whilst 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. Permit me then to inscribe to yourself a book |