Transcriber's Note:
The source of the Greek quote and its meaning are from the 1914 edition.
THE
GOLDEN TREASURY
SELECTED FROM THE BEST SONGS AND LYRICAL
POEMS IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
AND ARRANGED WITH NOTES
BY
FRANCIS T. PALGRAVE
LATE PROFESSOR OF POETRY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
REVISED AND ENLARGED
London
MACMILLAN AND CO., Limited
NEW YORK: THE MACMILLAN COMPANY
1902
TO
ALFRED TENNYSON
POET LAUREATE
This book in its progress has recalled often to my memory a man withwhose friendship we were once honoured, to whom no region of EnglishLiterature was unfamiliar, and who, whilst rich in all the noble giftsof Nature, was most eminently distinguished by the noblest and therarest,—just judgment and high-hearted patriotism. It would have beenhence a peculiar pleasure and pride to dedicate what I haveendeavoured to make a true national Anthology of three centuries toHenry Hallam. But he is beyond the reach of any human tokens of loveand reverence; and I desire therefore to place before it a name unitedwith his by associations which, while Poetry retains her hold on theminds of Englishmen, are not likely to be forgotten.
Your encouragement, given while traversing the wild scenery of TrerynDinas, led me to begin the work; and it has been completed under youradvice and assistance. For the favour now asked I have thus a secondreason: 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 commonvalue.
Permit me then to inscribe to yourself a book which, I hope, may befound by many a lifelong fountain of innocent and exalted pleasure; asource of animation to friends when they meet; and able to sweetensolitude itself with best society,—with the companionship of the wiseand the good, with the beauty which the eye cannot see, and the musiconly heard in silence. If this Collection proves a store-house ofdelight to Labour and to Poverty,—if it teaches those indifferent tothe Poets to love them, and those who love them to love them more, theaim and the desire entertained in framing it will be fullyaccomplished.
F.T.P.
May: 1861
PREFACE
This little Collection differs, it is believed, from others in theattempt made to include in it all the best original Lyrical pieces andSongs in our language (save a very few regretfully omitted on accountof length), by writers not living,—and none beside the best. Manyfamiliar verses will hence be met with; many also which should befamiliar:—the Editor will regard as his fittest readers those wholove Poetry so well, that he can offer them nothing not already knownand valued.
The Editor is acquainted with no strict and exhaustive definition ofLyrical Poetry; but he has found the task of practical decisionincrease in clearness and in facility as he advanced with the work,whilst keeping in view a few simple principles. Lyrical has been hereheld essentially to imply that each Poem shall turn on some singlethought, feeling, or situation. In accordance with this, narrative,