elegance, will be gratefully received, and properly attended to. It were, perhaps, to be wifhed, that the collection could have commenced at an earlyer period; but the editor is fufficiently familiar with the poetical productions of preceding centuries to pronounce with confidence, that no compofition of a moderate length is to be found, prior to the year 1500, which would be thought to deserve a place in these volumes; the nicety of the present age being ill disposed to make the neceffary allowances for the uncouth diction and homely sentiments of former times. Nor will any perfon be forward to rescue fuch things from oblivion, while the attempt exposes him to the malignant and ruffian-like attacks of fome hackney scribbler or perfonal enemy, through the medium of one or other of two periodical publications, in which the moft illiberal abufe is vented under colour of impartial criticism, and both the literary and moral character of every man who wishes to make his peculiar ftudies contribute to the information or amusement of society are at the mercy of a conceited pedant, or dark and cowardly affaffin. The editor, at the fame time, by no means flatters himself, that either the omiffion of what is obfcure and unintelligible, or the insertion of every thing elegant and refined, will be sufficient to protect these volumes from the rancorous malice and envenomed flander of the reviewing critic. He appeals, however, from the partial cenfures of a mercenary and ma÷ levolent individual, to the judgement and candour of a generous and difcerning public, whose approbation is propofed as the fole reward of his difinterested labours. It ought to be mentioned, in justice to the prefent compilation, that it was made many years ago: nor should it, perhaps, if it could, be concealed that the idea originated from a fight of the elegant French fong-book, intitled L'ANTHOLOGIE FRANÇOISE. CONTENTS, AND AUTHORITIES. THE lover complaineth of the unkindness of bis love. By Sir Thomas Wyatt. From "Poems of Henry Howard, earl of Surrey, &c." 1717 Prifoner in Windfor, he recounteth his pleasure there paffed. By Henry Howard, earl of Surrey. From the fame authority Defcription and praise of his love Geraldine. By the fame. From the fame authority Eclogue. By Edmund Spenfer. From his “ Works,” 1611 Page On his mistress, the queen of Bohemia. By Sir Henry Wotton, kt. From "Reliquia Wottoniana," 1685 18 Upon the death of Sir Albert Mortons wife. By To his fon, Vincent Corbet. By Richard Corbet, The flory of Phoebus and Daphne applied. By Edmund Waller, efq. From his " Poems," 1645, On my lady Ifabella playing on the lute. By the 31 L'Allegro. By John Milton. From his "Poems,” 1673, compared with the edition of 1645 Lycidas. By the fame. From the fame authori- ties; collated also with the first edition in the "obfequies to the memorie of mr. Edward Sonnet. By the fame. From the " Poems," 1673 Mifcellaneous thoughts. By Samuel Butler. From To Althea, from prison. By Richard Lovelace, efq. From "Lucafta: Epodes," &c. 1649 - 72 The waiting maid. By Abraham Cowley, efq. The nymph complaining for the lofs of her fawn. By Andrew Marvell, efq. From "Miscellany .72 |