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Notes to the Poems.

No. 1.-Page 3.

From the Romance of the Scarlet Leaf and other Poems (1865). The author describes it as having been "suggested by a Sketch of E. Jones's." It has been set to music by M. Blumenthal. Mr. Aïdé himself is well known as one of the most versatile of our living writers, having been successful alike as poet, novelist, and dramatist. He is also a musical composer.

No. 2.-Page 5.

From Now and Then (1876); a collection of miscellaneous verse by Mr. Ashe, whose poetry has generally an old-fashioned quaintness about it which is very delightful. See also Nos. 33, 44, and 58.

No. 3.-Page 6.

From Harold (1876), act i., scene 2, where it is sung by Edith. It is a worthy addition to the long and splendid roll of Mr. Tennyson's songs, which, like those of Shakespeare and Shelley, may be said to be "set" to their own music.

No. 4.-Page 7.

From Searching the Net (1873).

This poem, in

some passages, reminds one of the fine old lyric,

beginning

"Over the mountains

And over the waves,

in which the following lines occur:

"Some think to lose him

By having him confined,
And some do suppose him,
Poor thing, to be blind;
But if ne'er so close ye wall him,
Do the best that you may,
Blind Love, if so ye call him,
Will find out his way."

Mr. Warren's poetry may be said to belong, in style and tone, to the Swinburnian school, but has nevertheless a distinct note of its own. There are some very happy passages in "Love gives all Away."

No. 5.-Page 10.

This originally appeared in the Cornhill Magazine, and may be compared with Miss Rossetti's lines, An End:

"Love, strong as Death, is dead;

Come, let us make his bed

Among the dying flowers:

A green turf at his head;

And a stone at his feet,
Whereon we may sit

In the quiet evening hours."

Mr. Austin has a decidedly original lyrical faculty, which he has exercised admirably in this and No. 46. His longer poems are noticeable for their lofty aim and well-sustained power.

No. 6-Page 11.

From Poems and Romances (1869). Mr. Simcox may be described as another disciple of Mr. Swinburne, also with a distinct "note" of his own, to save him from the charge of imitation.

No. 7.-Page 12.

From one of Mr. Edwin Arnold's earlier volumes. Compare the idea running through it with the wellknown lines of Longfellow :

"No one is so accursed by fate,

No one so utterly desolate,

But some heart, though unknown,
Responds unto his own."

The idea itself, of course, is as old as Plato.

No. 8.-Page 13.

From Flower and Thorn (1877). This, as well as No. 42, by the same writer, has an airy grace not very frequent in the works of Transatlantic writers. Mr. Aldrich deserves to be better known in this. country than he is.

No. 9.-Page 14.

This poem, which first appeared in Scribner's

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