other advantage, which I have had in view in anticipating a possible use of these volumes in colleges and schools and by private students. It will enable the reader to follow, without effort, the development of the various forms of verse, and to see how a ballad or a lyric or a sonnet of the sixteenth century differs from one of the nineteenth. As far as possible, the date of the publication of each poem has been printed with the author's name. When the date of composition is widely different from that of publication it has also been added; such dates are printed in italics.

Within the main divisions, the poems have been grouped in a rather loose way, according to their subjects; and within these minor groups again, a chronological order has been generally followed. Thus it will be found, unless I am mistaken, that one can read on from poem to poem without serious discord, and with a certain continuity of interest and feeling.

The amount of verse taken from the British poets is, of course, much greater than that which comes from the American poets. The reason is plain. In the former case there are four centuries of poetry to choose from, and in the latter case less than a hundred years. But unless these volumes altogether fail in their purpose, one result of reading them will be a clearer understanding and a deeper sense of the vital relationship of that which is best, that which is permanent, in British and in American verse. They are not sepa

rate growths. They are the two main branches of a great and spreading tree. The elder branch is far larger, and has borne far more fruit, than the younger. But the difference is one of degree and not of kind; and the years to come may lessen even that.

Meantime it is certain that the loftiest thoughts and imaginings, the deepest and noblest feelings, the finest hopes, and the fairest dreams of all

"Who speak the tongue

That Shakspeare spake; the faith and morals hold
Which Milton held",

are embodied in the masterpieces of English poetry, of which a goodly number are brought together in these little volumes. Carry one of them in your pocket, and you will not lack good comradeship, and elevating discourse, and music by the way.

HENRY VAN DYKE.