PR 4606 AI The rights of translation and of reproduction are reserved Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & Co. 90*95 MAPYAADEINERSITY BAR 9 1994 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: "mihi parva locuto Sufficit in vestras sæpe redire manus.” 1897 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. were 1907 AUSTIN DOBSON To you I sing, whom towns immure, And you, O Sad, who still endure But most to you with eyelids pure, -- To you, with bird-like glances bright, Half-paused to speak, half-poised in flight;-O English Girl, divine, demure, To YOU I sing! |