IN making this collection of Early English Poems, the Editor has endeavoured to choose such pieces as best exemplify the character of the Authors' works; and, at the same time, show the various classes of poetry which have been popular in preceding ages. Where it has been possible, he has generally chosen a complete poem, but occasionally, as in the case of SPENSER'S "Faerie Queene," he has preferred to give an extract from a well-known work. A Companion Series, consisting of Favourite English Poems of Modern Times, was published some months since. The two volumes now present a sketch of English Poetry from the time of Chaucer to the present day. ST. JOHN'S WOOD, November, 1862. b |