PREFACE

TO THE FIRST EDITION OF 1897

THIS Volume comprises all the verses written by me during the last thirty years which in my opinion seem worthy of preservation. Even with these it is possible that I have occasionally been more indulgent to a personal memory than attentive to a critical instinct. But I am fully conscious of the limitations of the result attained, and the motto on my title-page is sincere. Let me here complete it:

1897

"mihi parva locuto Sufficit in vestras sæpe redire manus.”

AUSTIN DOBSON

PREFACE

TO THE SEVENTH EDITION OF 1907

To the fifth edition of 1902 was added a selection from a little volume entitled Carmina Votiva, printed for private circulation in July, 1901. In the sixth edition of 1905 the notes-especially those to the Ballad of Beau Brocade extended.

1907

were

AUSTIN DOBSON

To you I sing, whom towns immure,
And bonds of toil hold fast and sure ;—
To you across whose aching sight
Come woodlands bathed in April light,
And dreams of pastime premature.

And you, O Sad, who still endure
Some wound that only Time can cure,—
To you, in watches of the night,—
To you I sing!

But most to you with eyelids pure,
Scarce witting yet of love or lure ; —
To you, with bird-like glances bright,
Half-paused to speak, half-poised in flight;—-
O English Girl, divine, demure,

Το του I singl

"le ne puis tenir registre de ma vie par mes actions; fortune les met trop bas: ie le tiens par mes fantasies."

-MONTAIGNE.

Too low my lot for lofty deed:
I pipe but fancies on a reed.