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 with bird-like glances bright,
you,
Half-paused to speak, half-poised in flight ;--
O English Girl, divine, demure,

Το του I sing!

"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.