Harper's cyclopædia of British and American poetry

Preface

Poets have multiplied during the present century as at no previous period. Never was the accomplishment of verse so general as now. "Weren't we in the luck of it," said Scott to Moore, "to have come before all this talent was at work?" If the remark was apt in their dav, how much more so is it at the present time ! Works in verse, tliat M'ould have made a reputation a century ago, fall now almost unnoticed from the press. It is hard for the most diligent critic to keep pace with the fertility of our poets. The present compiler had despaired of doing this long before he had .proceeded far in his labors. The consequence is that there liave been omissions for which no better reason can bo given than that they were unavoidable. An apology under such circumstances would bo out of place.

It cannot be overlooked, too, that much of the best poetry of recent times has been .the product of feminine genius. The progress of women in enlarging the sphere of tfieir occupations, and competing with the employments of the stronger sex, is represented in no department of intellectual work more signally than in verse. Ever}- month new poetry, far above mediocrity, if not of really superior quality, is sent forth.

This is a sign to be welcomed. True poetry, like the religious prompting itself, springs from the emotional side of man's complex nature, and is ever in harmony with his highest intuitions and aspirations. It cannot be poetry if it conflict with these. Its cultivation, therefore, apart from all calculations of profit or of reputation — since few can now realize their dream of fame — must always be an elevating pursuit. There are some great truths for the expression of which the speculative understanding is less fitted than that which is the issue of right feelings and noble impulses. That poets have not always practised what they have preached, only shows how hard it is for a man to act up to his best ideals.

It is profoundly true that poetry is to be found nowhere, unless we liave it within us. Here, as throughout all nature and all art, we receive but what we give. And so it is that great poets like Goethe — of whom it was said that his praise of some of the younger poets of his day was " a brevet of mediocrity " — often detect in what

PREFACE.

may strike an inferior judge as commonplace, sometliing to which the broad poetical nature may respond.

In poetry, as in other forms of art, tastes must differ widely, not only among different persons, but among the same persons at different periods of their lives. The youth, in whose estimate the verse of Byron once had the highest place, often finds liimself, as he grows older, transferring his affections to Coleridge or Wordsworth. Then, too, it frequently happens that our fondness for a certain j^oeni may lie unconsciously in some early association with it, or in the fact that it was admired by some one near and dear to us. "We shut our eyes to minor flaws, and are "pleased we know not why and care not wherefore," — wholly regardless of the critic's shrug or even the grammarian's objection. All, then, that the compiler can do is, while admitting largely what he may regard as best and highest, to remember still that in the exercise of his individual taste he must not arbitrarily rule out the representation of any legitimate style or topic. Some of our best humorous poems, like Thackeray's " Ballad of Bouillabaisse," have in them an element of pathos M'hicli redeems their character as poetry.

There are many minor poets who, by some felicity of subject or of treatment, have produced one successful piece, but never repeated the achievement. Like the boy who shot an arrow through a ring, but would not make a second trial lest he should fail, they have been constrained to rest their fame on the one little waif by which they have been made known. This class, and such anonymous writers as have produced pieces that the world does not allow to become obsolete, are largely represented in the present volume; and our Index of First Lines will be found a convenient concordance for the discovery of many a poem which everybody remembers, but few know where to find.

In the introductor}' notices of poets, in reference to the most distinguished, the aim has been to condense, or to sum up briefly, the most interesting incidents of their lives, and the choicest characteristics of their writings. In doing this, occasional forms of expression, not designated by quotation-marks, have been adopted, with alteration or abridgment, from biographer or critic; but credit has been given in cases of any importance. Original matter has been largely introduced; but, inasmuch as the license of a compiler has been used to enrich the work with all that is most apt in the way of facts and of criticism, whether new or old, no pretensions to nniform originality in these respects are made. t^ o

'■ • LpES bAEGENT.

Boston, Dreemher, 1880.

PUBLISHER'S NOTE.

The concluding pages of this volume were put in type only a few days before the genial and cultured editor passed away from the scene of his labors. It was the crowning work of a life devoted to literature. Projected several years ago, it engrossed Mr. Sargent's thoughts and time almost to the very last day of his life, and every page passed under his careful supervision. Although lie did not live to see it published, he had the pleasure of putting the final touches to it, and of knowing that his work was finished.

Mr. Sargent was eminently fitted for the preparation of a work of this kind. Few men possessed a wider or more profound knowledge of English literature, and liis judgment was clear, acute, and discriminating. lie designed tliis volume especially for household use; and he could have desired no kindlier remembrance than that associated with the innocent pleasure and refining influence it will carry to many a domestic

fireside.

Harper it BKOTnj:Rs.

Franklin Square, New York, Febnmry 22, 1881.'

iin^de:x of ^xjthohs,

W^ITH CONTEjSTTS.

Adams, John Quincy. r*GE

To a Beicaved Mother 535

Adams, Sarah Flower.

Nuaier, my God, to Thee 608

The World may Change (from Schiller) 609

Thy Will, not Miue OOa

Addison, Joseph.

Hymn 137

Ode from the Nineteenth Psalm 1-8

Paraphrase on Psalm sxiii 128

Cato's Soliloquy on the Immortality of the Soul. 139 Ode : How are Thy Servants Blest 139

Aiken, Berkeley.

Uncrowned Kings 553

Ainslie, Hew.

Sighings for the Sea-side 441

The Ingle-side 443

Aird, Marion Paul.

Far, Far Away 733

Aird, Thomas.

The Swallow 580

Akeuside, Mark.

The Soul's Tendencies to the Infinite 186

The High-born Soul 187

Mind, the Fount of Beauty 187

The Ascent of Being 187

Through Nature up to Nature's God 188

Akin, Mary Elizabeth.

Psalm cxxxvii .568

Alden, Henry M.

The Ancient " Lady of Sorrow" 881

Aldrich, James.

A Death-bed 691

To One Far Away 691

Aldrich, Thomas Bailey.

Lines on Brownell 773

Piscataqua River 867

Before the Rain 868

After the Rain 868

Aldrich, Thomas Bailey. page

Unsung 868

Sounet 868

Alexander, Mrs. Cecil Frances.

The Burial of Moses 836

Alexander, Joseph Addison.

The Power of Short Words 667

Alexander, William.

Waves and Leaves 797

Jacob's Ladder 797

Alford, Henry.

A Memory 693

Alison, Richard.

Hope 32

Cherry-ripe 22

Allen, Elizabeth Akers.

RocU Me to Sleep 8.50

Till Death 8.50

Allingham, William.

Sing 825

The Touchstone 835

Autumnal Sounet 835

Allston, Washington.

Sonnet on Coleridge 350

America to Great Britain 3.50

Anonymous and Miscellaneous Poems of the 15th and 16th Centuries.

Chevy Chase 63

Sir Patrick Spens 65

Give Place, Tou Ladyes All 66

Tak' Your Auld Cloak About Ye 67

The Heir of Linne 68

The Nut-brown Maide 71

Sir John Barleycorn 75

Truth's Integrity 75

The Twa Sisters o' Binnorie 76

Dowie Dens o' Yarrow 78

Robin Hood's Rescue of Will Stutly 79

Begone, Dull Care 80

Man's Mortality, by Simon Wastell 81

Robin Hood and Allin-a-Dale 81

IXDEX OF AUTHORS, WITH COXTIUXTS.

Anonymous and Miscellaneous— Cunfi'nHfd. page

^Vul y, Willy S3

Love Me Little, Love Me Long 83

True Loveliuess 84

Lines by One in the Tower, by Cliidiock Tychbom 84

Honnie George Campbell 84

Silent Music, by Tlioraas Cumptou 85

Tlie Jleavenly Jerusalem 85

Helen of Kirk(*BueU 86

Anonymous and Miscellaneous Poems of the ■17th and 18th Centuries.

The Lincolniliire Poaeher

The Twa Corbies

Still Water, by Thomas D'Urley

The Jovial Beggars, by Richard Brome

Harvest-home Song

Time's Cure

" When Shall We Three Meet Again ?"

God Save the King

Winifreda

Why Should We Quarrel for Riches

The Fairy Queene

The Maiden's Choice, by Henry Fielding

The White Rose

From Merciless Invaders

Willie's Visit to Melville Castle

Our Gude-man

Jock o' Hazelgreen

Love Not Me for Comely Grace

How Stands the Glass Around ?

Ye Gentlemen of England

Annie Laurie, by Douglas of Fingland

The Soldier's Glee

England's Vote for a Free Election

Anonymous and Miscellaneous Poems of the

18th and 19th Centuries.

Merry May tlie Keel Row

Oh Saw Ye the Lass ?

The Pauper's Drive, by Thomas Noel

Sonnet: December Morning, by Anna Seward...

Song of Birth

Song of Death

Young Airly

Love's Remonstrance, by James Kenney

Sonnet ; Comparison

The Crocus's Soliloquy, by Miss H. F. Gould

The Managing Mamma

A Riddle on the Letter H, by Miss Catherine M.

Fanshawe

Sweet Tyrant, Love, by James Thomson

The End of the Drought

Three Kisses of rarcwell

The Sailor's Consolation, by William Pitt

Where is He ':' by Henry Xrele

Heaving of the Lead

Coming Through the Rye

Oh ! Say Not Woman's Heart is Bought, by

Thomas Love Peacock

Love and Age, by Thomas Love Peacock

Go, Sit by the Summer Sea

534 .534 534

Anonymous and Miscellaneous— Condniierf. page To a Bereaved Mother, by John Quincy Adams.. 535

Again 535

Never Despair 536

My Philosophy 536

Progress 536

Reliqui* 537

Faith 537

Genius 537

Deirdre's Farewell to Alba 538

The Mystery of Life, by John Gambold 538

Fame (from the German of Schiller) 539

The Clown's Song 539

The Song of the Forge 540

Sunrise Comes To-morrow 540

Where Are Ye ? 541

Come, Sunshine, Come ! (from the French of

Charles Vincent) 543

When the Grass Shall Cover Me 543

Battle Hymn and Farewell to Life (from the German of Theodore Korner) .542

The Going of My Bride 543

Erin, by Dr. Willinra Drennan 543

The Swans of Wilton 544

Hymn to the Stars 544

Summer Days 545

With a Rose in Her Hair 545

A Huudrcd Years to Come, by William G. Brown. 546

Lines on a Skeleton ' 546

Sonnet: The Seen and the Unseen 546

Thou Wilt Never Grow Old, by Mrs. Howarth... &t7

Happiest Days 547

I Am the Lord ; I Change Not, by Arrali Leigh.' .547

Invocation of Earth to Morning 548

Ode to Washington, by Mrs. A. B. Stockton .549

Requiescam, by Mrs. Robert S. Howland 549

The Departed Good, by Isaac Williams 549

A Spring Song, by Edward Youl 550

My Treasures 550

"I Would Not Live Alway," by Rev. William

Augustus Muhlenberg 5.51

The Beautiful, by E. H. Burrington 551

The Joy of Incompleteness 552

Uncrowned Kings, by Berkeley Aiken 553

Wonderland, by Cradoek Newton 5.52

Alischicvous Woman, by "The Ettrick Sliepherd." 5.53 The Water-drinker, by Edward Johnson, M.D. .. 553

Glenlogie 554

The Place to Die,'by Michael Joseph Barry 554

To My Wife, by William Smith 555

Love and Absence, by James Ashcroft Noble 5.55

Dreams 5.55

Epigram, by S. T. Coleridge .5.55

The First Spring Day, by John Todhunter .5.56

Unbelief 556

On a Virtuous Young Gentlewoman Who Died

Suddenly, by William Cartwriglit 556

The Way, by William S. Shurtleff 556

Anster, John.

The Fairy Child 442

The Days of Youth (from Goethe) 442

The Soul of Eloquence (from Goethe) 443

IXDEX OF AUTHORS, WITH CONTENTS.

Armstrong, Edmund.

From Darkness to Light ,

Arnold, Edwin.

After Deatli in Arabia

A Ma Future

PAGE

. 913

Arnold, George.

In the Dark

Cui Bono ?

A Summer Longius .

Arnold, Mattheiv.

Lines on Byron

Self-Depcndence

A Wish

Dr. Arnold

Austerity of Poetry. .

858 858 859

394 783

Askew, Anne.

From "The Figlit of Faith".

Aubanel, Theodore.

Tliirteen (translated by Miss Harriet W. Preston).

Austin, Arthur Williams.

From " The Greek Anthology "

Austin, Mrs. Sarah.

The Passage (from the German of Uhland) .

Ayton, Sir Robert.

On Woman's Inconstancy

Aytoun, "William Edmondstoune.

The Old Scottish Cavalier

Bailey, Philip James.

Love, the End of Created Being.

Thoughts from "Festus"

Ballantine, James.

Its Ain Drap o' Dew.

Baillie, Joanna.

Fame

Ballou, Maturin M.

Flowers

Banim, John.

Soggarth Aroon

From "Damon and Pythias," Act V.

Barbauld, Anna Letitia.

Lile

Lines written at the Age of Eighty-three Years

Wliat do the Futures Speak of ?

The Death of the Virtuous

The L^uknown God

For Easter Sunday

734 735

266 266

504 505

236 236 227 227 327 228

Barbour, John.

Freedom

PAGE

. 3

Barham, Richard Harris.

The Jackdaw of Rheims 405

Song 407

Barker, David.

The Covered Bridge ! 743

The Under Dog in the Fight «.- 743

Barker, James Nelson.

Little Red Riding-IIood 373

Barlow, Joel.

From "The Hasty Pudding" ^6

Barnard, Lady Anne.

Auld Robin Gray 336

Barnes, William.

Plorata Veris Lachrymis 673

Sonnet : Rural Nature 673

Barr, Mary A.

White Poppies 939

Out of tlie Deep 939

A Harvest-homo 939

Barr, Matthias.

God's Flowers 848

Only a Baby Small 848

Barry, Michael Joseph.

The Place to Die 554

Barton, Bernard.

To a Grandmother 368

Farewell 369

A Winter Niglit 369

Bates, Charlotte Fiske.

Satislied 923

After reading Longfellow's "Morituri Salutamns." 923

Woodbines in October 923

Evil Thought 933

The Power of Music 923

Sonnet : To C. F 923

Tlie Telephone 934

Hopes and Memories 924

Baxter, Richard.

Thy Will Be Done.

Bayly, Thomas Haynes.

The Soldier's Tear 501

I'd be a Butterfly 503

She Wore a Wreath of Roses 503

The Premature White Hat 503

Beattie, James.

Nature and Her Votary 218

Life and Immortality 219

IXDEX OF A UTHOBS, WITH CONTENTS.

Beattie, James. 1'*°=

Moruiug Melodies 219

Arraigameut of Providence 320

Beaumont and Fletcher.

Mchmclioly 46

Coesar's Lamentation ovei- Pompey's Head 40

Song from " Valentinian " 47

On the Tombs in Westminster Abbey, by Francis

Beaumont 47

Invocation to Sleep 47

Song from " Rollo, Dulie of Normandy " 47

From "The Humorous Lieutenant" 47

From "Tlie Maid's Tragedy" 4«

From " The Custom of the Country " 48

Beddoes, Thomas Lovell.

To Sea !

Beers, Mrs. Ethel Lynn.

The Piclietguard

Beers, Henry Augustin.

Psyche

Car^amon

Bell, Henry Glassford.

From "Tlie End"

Cadzow

Bello, Emilio (Spanish\ Meeting (translated by Mrs. Conant).

Bennett, William Cox.

A May-day Song

<.»30 930

609 609

Beranger, Pierre Jean de (French).

Popular Recollections of Bonaparte (translated by Francis Mahony) 599

Berkeley, George.

Verses on the Prospect of Planting Arts and Learning in America 139

Bethune, George Washington.

It is not Death to Die 610

Sonnet, introducing " Lays," etc 610

Blackie, John Stuart.

The Hope of the Heterodox

Beautiful World

To the Memory of Sydney Dobell.

Blair, Robert.

Death of the Strong Man

Blake, William.

Night

The Tiger

On Another's Sorrow