FOREWORD
                        .A
THE compiler of this little volume acknowledges
     that he is content to push the scenery for those
who have played, and are playing the role of per-
formers. He merely appears upon the stage to
announce that there has been said a great deal
concerning his subject, and that, because of this, he
feels justified in attempting this anthology. Further,
the renown of the old Commonwealth that has
elicited so much comment-favorable and unfavor-
able-seems to warrant what appears between the
covers of this book. In view of this, and bearing in
mind the nature of an anthology, the compiler trusts
that he is not dealing with material not germane to
his purpose.
   Some of the verse herein may call forth unfav-
orable criticism. The "dear public," that enfant
terrible of all literati, may propound its eternal ques-
tion, L'ouvrage, est-il bon, ou est-il mauvais There
may be those who will say, "Does the theme justify
the pains" As to the unfavorable criticism that
some of the verse may elicit, let the gentle reader be
reminded that the compiler of an anthology must,
with certain restrictions, take things as he finds them;
that all of his selections can not be of the highest



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