solemn, plunges into laughter: it is in an especial sense the verse of society. When society ceases to be simple it becomes sceptical. Nor are we utterly to condemn this sceptical temper as a sign of corruption. It is assumed in self-defence, and becomes a necessity of rapid conversation. When society becomes refined, it begins to dread the exhibition of strong feeling, no matter whether real or simulated. If real, it disturbs the level of conversation and of manners—if simulated, so much the worse. In such an atmosphere, emotion takes refuge in jest, and passion hides itself in scepticism of passion: we are not going to wear our hearts upon our sleeves, rather than that we shall pretend to have no heart at all; and if, perchance, a bit of it should peep out, we shall hide it again as quickly as possible, and laugh at the exposure as a good joke. . . . In the poets who represent this social mood there is a delicious piquancy, and the way they play at bo-peep with their feelings makes them a class by themselves."

Suckling and Herrick, Swift and Prior, Cowper, Landor, and Thomas Moore, and Praed and Thackeray, may be considered the representative men in this branch of literature.

Unfortunately, the copyright of Mr. Thackeray's poems has become the property of his publishers, and they have declined to allow any extracts from his works to be printed here; but the Editor has given a list in the Table of Contents of those pieces of vers de société by which he thinks Mr. Thackeray will hereafter be honourably remembered.

Thanks are due to the other proprietors of the respective copyright pieces, for their courtesy and liberality in allowing their insertion.

This collection has been arranged more or less chronologically, but, to give it variety, the works of contemporary writers have been mixed, and where two authors have written on the same subject, though at different epochs, it has been thought interesting to bring them side by side. For this reason the epitaphs, epigrams, political squibs, and convivial pieces, &c., have been kept together, and occur at intervals throughout the volume.

The collection has been restricted to the writings of deceased authors, and as this kind of metrical composition is little cultivated at the present day, the Editor hopes that his book will not much suffer in consequence, although at the same time he regrets that the rule which he has laid down prevents his giving specimens from the writings of Messrs. Browning and Tennyson, of Lord Houghton, of Messrs. C. S. Calverly, George Cayley, Mortimer Collins, and Planché, and of Dr. O. W. Holmes, the American poet, and perhaps the best living writer of this species of verse; and of some others who have written anonymously.

Much difficulty has been encountered in fixing the correct reading of several of the poems, which varies in different collections; and wherever the Editor has felt a doubt about the authorship of a poem, he has preferred leaving the question open.

He has taken great care to make the selection as complete as possible, still he trusts to the indulgence of his readers for any omissions or errors which it may exhibit.

FREDERICK LOCKER.

LYRA ELEGANTIARUM.

I.

TO MISTRESS MARGARET HUSSEY.

MERRY Margaret,

As Midsummer flower,

Gentle as falcon,

Or hawk of the tower;

With solace and gladness,

Much mirth and no madness,

All good and no badness;

So joyously,

So maidenly,

So womanly,
Her demeaning,
In everything,
Far, far passing,
That I can indite,
Or suffice to write
Of merry Margaret,
As Midsummer flower,
Gentle as falcon

Or hawk of the tower;
As patient and as still,
And as full of good will,
As fair Isiphil,
Coliander,

Sweet Pomander,

Good Cassander;

Steadfast of thought,

Well made, well wrought.
Far may be sought,

B

Ere you can find
So courteous, so kind,
As merry Margaret
This Midsummer flower,
Gentle as falcon,

Or hawk of the tower.

John Skelton.

II.

THE ONE HE WOULD LOVE.

A FACE that should content me wondrous well
Should not be fat, but lovely to behold;

Of lively look, all grief for to repel

With right good grace, so would I that it should Speak without words, such words as none can tell; Her tress also should be of crisped gold.

With wit, and these, perchance, I might be tried,
And knit again with knot that should not slide.
Sir Thomas Wyat.

III.

THE SERENADE.

"WHO is it that this dark night

Underneath my window plaineth?"—

It is one who from thy sight

Being (ah!) exiled, disdaineth

Every other vulgar light.

"Why, alas! and are you he?

Are not yet these fancies changed?
Dear, when you find change in me,
Though from me you be estranged,
Let my change to ruin be.

"What if you new beauties see?

Will not they stir new affection?".

I will think they pictures be
(Image-like of saint perfection)
Poorly counterfeiting thee.