The Golden Treasury. Various

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СКАЧАТЬ sequence, however, rather fits a collection aiming at instruction than at pleasure, and the wisdom which comes through pleasure:—within each book the pieces have therefore been arranged in gradations of feeling or subject. And it is hoped that the contents of this Anthology will thus be found to present a certain unity, 'as episodes,' in the noble language of Shelley, 'to that great Poem which all poets, like the co-operating thoughts of one great mind, have built up since the beginning of the world.'

      As he closes his long survey, the Editor trusts he may add without egotism, that he has found the vague general verdict of popular Fame more just than those have thought, who, with too severe a criticism, would confine judgments on Poetry to 'the selected few of many generations.' Not many appear to have gained reputation without some gift or performance that, in due degree, deserved it: and if no verses by certain writers who show less strength than sweetness, or more thought than mastery of expression, are printed in this volume, it should not be imagined that they have been excluded without much hesitation and regret,—far less that they have been slighted. Throughout this vast and pathetic array of Singers now silent, few have been honoured with the name Poet, and have not possessed a skill in words, a sympathy with beauty, a tenderness of feeling, or seriousness in reflection, which render their works, although never perhaps attaining that loftier and finer excellence here required,—better worth reading than much of what fills the scanty hours that most men spare for self-improvement, or for pleasure in any of its more elevated and permanent forms.—And if this be true of even mediocre poetry, for how much more are we indebted to the best! Like the fabled fountain of the Azores, but with a more various power, the magic of this Art can confer on each period of life its appropriate blessing: on early years Experience, on maturity Calm, on age, Youthfulness. Poetry gives treasures 'more golden than gold,' leading us in higher and healthier ways than those of the world, and interpreting to us the lessons of Nature. But she speaks best for herself. Her true accents, if the plan has been executed with success, may be heard throughout the following pages:—wherever the Poets of England are honoured, wherever the dominant language of the world is spoken, it is hoped that they will find fit audience.

      1861

      Some poems, especially in Book I, have been added:—either on better acquaintance;—in deference to critical suggestions;—or unknown to the Editor when first gathering his harvest. For aid in these after-gleanings he is specially indebted to the excellent reprints of rare early verse given us by Dr. Hannah, Dr. Grosart, Mr. Arber, Mr. Bullen, and others,—and (in regard to the additions of 1883) to the advice of that distinguished Friend, by whom the final choice has been so largely guided. The text has also been carefully revised from authoritative sources. It has still seemed best, for many reasons, to retain the original limit by which the selection was confined to those then no longer living. But the editor hopes that, so far as in him lies, a complete and definitive collection of our best Lyrics, to the central year of this fast-closing century, is now offered.

      1883-1890-1891

      The Golden Treasury

      Book First

       Table of Contents

I

      SPRING

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      Spring, the sweet Spring, is the year's pleasant king;

       Then blooms each thing, then maids dance in a ring,

       Cold doth not sting, the pretty birds do sing,

       Cuckoo, jug-jug, pu-we, to-witta-woo!

      The palm and may make country houses gay,

       Lambs frisk and play, the shepherds pipe all day,

       And we hear aye birds tune this merry lay,

       Cuckoo, jug-jug, pu-we, to-witta-woo.

      The fields breathe sweet, the daisies kiss our feet,

       Young lovers meet, old wives a-sunning sit,

       In every street these tunes our ears do greet,

       Cuckoo, jug-jug, pu-we, to-witta-woo!

       Spring! the sweet Spring!

      T. Nash.

II

      THE FAIRY LIFE

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1

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      Where the bee sucks, there suck I:

       In a cowslip's bell I lie;

       There I couch, when owls do cry:

       On the bat's back I do fly

       After summer merrily.

       Merrily, merrily, shall I live now,

       Under the blossom that hangs on the bough!

III

       Table of Contents

2

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      Come unto these yellow sands,

       And then take hands:

       Courtsied when you have, and kiss'd

       The wild waves whist,

       Foot it featly here and there;

       And, sweet Sprites, the burthen bear.

       Hark, hark!

       Bow-bow.

       The watch-dogs bark:

       Bow-wow.

       Hark, hark! I hear

       The strain of strutting chanticleer

       Cry, Cock-a-diddle-dow!

      W. Shakespeare

IV

      SUMMONS TO LOVE

       Table of Contents

      Phoebus, arise!

       And paint the sable skies

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