OLD FAVOURITES

FROM THE

ELDER POETS

WITH

A FEW NEWER FRIENDS

A SELECTION

BY

MATILDA SHARPE

BIBLIOTHECA

MAR 181

BODLEIANE

WILLIAMS AND NORGATE

14, HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN, LONDON
AND 20, SOUTH FREDERICK STREET, EDINBURGH

LONDON:

PRINTED BY WOODFALL AND KINDER,

MILFORD LANE, STRAND, W.C.

DEDICATED

TO ALL LOVERS OF POETRY,

AND ESPECIALLY

THE YOUNG GENERATION,

TO HELP STORE THEIR MEMORIES FROM THE TREASURES OF THE PAST.

AND MAY THE POETS' WORDS OF WIT AND WISDOM REFINE THEIR TASTE AND ENNOBLE THEIR HEARTS.

PREFACE.

THE

HE plan of this little volume is to give poetry of all kinds-grave and gay, grand and playful, songs and psalms-trying to give the choicest of each which, indeed, are always to be found among those best known.

Where the pieces have been shortened, it is generally with full purpose of taking the best lines, but sometimes only for shortness' sake, and the small space the only apology.

Dots mark wherever lines are omitted.

Making a collection of poetry is one of the pleasantest of tasks-keeping it long on hand, gathering in from far and near, adding and casting out again; while, as the collection swells, it grows to be your heart's delight!

Think of the privilege of being able to pick among the most famous and best, and choose what seems of greatest value, storing together grand thoughts and moving words that raise and charm the mind, gathering after the plan of the dainty bee in his search for honey.

32, HIGHBURY PLACE,

December, 1880.