Page . . 320 • 147 P MULMAN, HENRY HART. ] Character of True Valour, 212 MILNES, RICHARD MONCKTON. 2 Milton, John. Glory, 23 The Garden of Eden, The Genius of the Wood 37 20 : MITFORD, MARY RUSSEL, KNOWLES, HERBERT. Moir, D. M. 300 The Days of Creation, 176 The Field of the World, 266 Instruction, • 267 The Pelican Island, 396 397 • 37 • 291 • 292 • 118 • 278 LANDON, LETITIA ELIZABETH. MONTGOMERY, ROBERT. 137 The Omnipresence of the 148 Amelioration and the Future, MOORE, THOMAS. The Glory of God in Creation, 121 My Birth-day, 277 182 The Approaching Storm, 404 . • 183 . Humble and Unnoticed Virtue, 251 Mason, WILLIAM. Immortality, 78 NEELE, HENRY, Hymns for Children, 136 MASSINGER, PHILIP. The Condition of Kings Hu- NICOLL, ROBERT. man, 215 Death, 158 MERRICK, JAMES. NORTON, CAROLINÉ. The Providence of God, 71 An Emblem of Life, . . 326 . 260 . . . 234 . 178 • 187 All Creatures called on to Human Life, The Gap of Dunloe, Killarney, 414 Hymn of the Hebrew Maid, . 105 Consolations of Religion to Mountain Scenery, 189 Theron, or the Praise of Rural Description of Cleopatra sail- The Scotch Emigrant's Noon- The Shepherd's Home, · 247 • 437 SOUTHEY, CAROLINE. Lines composed the night be- I weep, but not Rebellious fore his execution, 4 Tears, 160 The Pilgrimage, 4 The Mariner's Hymn, 161 I Pas . 272 273 • 202 . A Mountain Landscape, . 401 WHITE, HENRY KIRKE. A Hymn for Family Worship, 124 Instability of Human Glory,' 282 Happiness of a Couptry Life, 356 Scene between May and June, 386 Influence of Natural Objects, 349 The Charms of a Country Life, 423 An Address to the Deity, 56 Man's Mortality, 9 The Death of a Good Man an incentive to Virtue, 57 Watts, ALARIC A. The Emptiness of Riches, 230 A Remonstrance, 292 Retirement of Country Life, 201 SELECTIONS FROM THE BRITISH POETS. VOLUME I. SACRED. EARLIER POETS, FROM CHAUCER TO COWPER. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. Pity religion has so seldom found, It has been deemed proper to assign the first division in the plan of this work to Sacred Poetry, Many arguments might be adduced, and supported by the highest authorities, to prove that poetry is never more nobly employed than when it infuses into the mind a spirit of piety, and elevates the thoughts of man to his Maker. It is not intended, however, in these preliminary observations, to enter upon a defence of Sacred Poetry, or to describe the important benefits which have been conferred on the cause of religion and morality by the most eminent contributors to this department of our literature. A few remarks may, nevertheless, be necessary to explain the principal objects which have been kept in view in making the selections for this part of the present volume. It will be observed, that many of them have been taken from the early poets commencing with CHAUCER, and that some of the most brilliant extract 3 are the productions of writers who flourished during the age of Queen Elizabeth—“ an age," as the eloquent Hazlitt observes,“ distinguished beyond, perhaps, any other in our history by a number of great men, famous in different ways, and whose names have come down to us wit 2 unblemished honors,"* In all ages of onr literary history it has been remarked, that almost every author of distinction among the British Poets, has devoted his talents, on particular occasions, to render poetry the handmaid of religion. Hence it is, that there are few of our great writers who have not, at some period during their lives, composed verses of a devotional character, * Hazlitt's “Lectures on the Li:erature of the Age of Elizabeth." VOL. I. although their works may not generally be remarkable for their religion tendency, nor specially designed to promote pious objects. This observ tion applies with equal force to the greater number of our modern poet from whose writings we have taken some of the best specimens of serioz poetry. Many of these effusions, though not strictly entitled to the appe lation of Sacred, combine genuine poetic taste with the purest religiou sentiment, and are eminently fitted to inspire devotional feelings. Ou old English literature is peculiarly rich in poetry of this description; an it was for these reasons considered advisable to insert a numerous clas of extracts which are decidedly religious in their tendency. It is many years ago since WARTON, TYRWHITT, Ritson, Bishop Percy ELLIS, HEADLEY, and other men of learning, had the merit of calling pub lic attention to the treasures of our ancient English poetry. At a period still more recent, the exquisite taste of CAMPBELL, the critical knowledge of Souther, the research of HALLAM, and of other modern authors, have rescued from oblivion some of the most valuable contributions to our old poetical literature. These eminent critics have not, however, attempted to give anything like a complete history of English Sacred Poetry, or a biographical account of the many pious and distinguished men who have excelled in its cultivation. This important department of literature is now no longer neglected. It has been recently investigated by scholars possessing the requisite erudition, industry, and taste. Of these the first in rank and merit is Mr. Robert Aris WILLMOTT, of Trinity College, Cambridge, who published, in 1839, the “Lives of the English Sacred Poets,” with specimens of their writings. Many of the most beautiful pieces inserted in this work are taken from that valuable collection, and quotations are given from Mr. WILLMOTT's criticisms, distinguished for their elegance of style, judgment, and impartiality. This gentleman was preceded in his labours by the Rev. R. CATTERMOLE, who published, in 1836, two volumes, entitled “ Specimens of Sacred Poetry of the Seventeenth Century," with an introductory essay and critical remarks. This interesting work contains some of the richest and most varied productions of the Sacred muse. A still more modern collection of pieces, in this department of literature, has been brought out in two volumes, by J. W. PARKER, the well-known publisher in London, under the name of “ Gems of Sacred Poetry”— "-an appellation which they justly merit. It may, perhaps, be urged as one ground of objection to the following pieces, that they are generally, especially those extracted from the old writers, of too difficult a character, and suited only to the instruction of those readers whose poetical tastes are in some degree cultivated. The Collection of Sacred Poetry already published by the Commissioners of National Education, is designed for children of tender years. In the present compilation, therefore, is embodied poetry of a higher order, and adapted generally to a more advanced class of pupils. No piece has been introduced that is not imbued with a religious spirit, untinctured by sectarian peculiarities, and calculated by its pure and elevating tendency to make a lasting impression upon the mind and heart. The main object of this collection, and especially of that important portion of it appropriated to poetry of a devotional character, will be fully attained, if it |
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