PREFACE.

THI

HIS Collection of Songs has been made in the hope that it may prove acceptable to the Workers of England, to those who cannot themselves spend much time in searching out books, or much money in buying them. Work is a beautiful and noble thing, but yet it needs much strength and much patience; and you who toil day after day in one ceaseless round, in field or mine, in shop or factory, on cab or engine, with spade or shuttle, with pen or needle, with the mind or the machine,— you know well how the dust of life will cling to you, how heat and cold alike assail you, how sickness and weariness often hinder you, or the monotony of your calling oppresses you. And so to help you through all this, you want all the happy and good and pure thoughts put into your minds that can possibly be-you want books to read, in your hours of recreation, that will fill them with these kind of thoughts, and pleasant songs that will echo in your hearts when you are tired and weary or toiling hard at your daily task. You want this kind of music to cheer you on in the battle of life, just as the soldiers need their drums and fifes and buglecall to cheer them on to the deadly combat and the field of glory.

As regards the arrangement of this little work I would say a few words. Naturally the 'Songs of Love and Home' have the first place and are linked together, for we speak here only of the love that lasts, of love that is brave and pure-dwelling enshrined in the sweet sanctuaries of heart and home. After 'Songs for the Children' we come to 'Sacred Songs,' and by no unnatural transition, for 'out of the mouth of babes' has been perfected the praise of many lives, and many a home has been purified by the presence or the memory of a little child. Next come 'Working Songs,' for the best and truest work will ever spring from the happiest and most Christian home-and it has been my object to show that every occupation, even though merely manual, has a poetry and beauty all its own. After 'Songs of Town and Country,' I have placed 'Flower Songs,' the love of flowers being so wide and universal, whether in country cottage or stifling London court. Next we have songs

concerning sailors and soldiers, and songs expressive of loyalty and patriotism both in those who leave their native shores and those who stay. In the Ballads I have not sought to dissever the heroic and the domestic, knowing well that the courage of the true hero is often best displayed in the simple discharge of duty, and in the unconscious heroism of daily life.

In conclusion I would hope that these songs, chosen from many sources, may bring some brightness to English homes, may encourage some in love of home and country, in love of work and duty, and in all those feelings and actions which should make our nation brave and simple, and pure and free.

I have here to acknowledge—and I do so gratefully—much kind help, both from authors and publishers. I am specially indebted to Mr. Charles Mackay, whose kind liberality placed at my disposal so many of his beautiful and spirited poems; to the author of 'John Halifax;' to Miss C. Rossetti; to the Hon. Mrs. Norton; to Mrs. Dobell, for three poems by the late Mr. Dobell, and for extracts from Home Wounded;' to the Rev. G. Moultrie, for the poem at p. 41 ('Moultrie's Poems,' 2 vols. Macmillan); to Mrs. Monsell, for the use of several touching songs by the late Rev. J. B. Monsell; and to the author of 'Lays for the Little Ones' (A. Marryat), for several children's songs from that charming little collection, and for three unpublished poems. My cordial thanks are also due to others who have kindly given me original poems for this work; of such there are twenty-five, including translations. I have also to thank Messrs. Parker for three poems by Bishop Cleveland Coxe, two verses of Keble's, and a poem from 'The Inner Life;' Mr. W. Hamilton, of Glasgow, for several pieces from his delightful 'Union School-Song Garland;' the Ladies' Sanitary Association (Messrs. Jarrold & Sons), for permission to use some of the Household Verses on Health and Happiness,' a book which should be in every English home; Messrs. Novello, Chappell, Knott, and many others; and the Compilers of Hymns Ancient and Modern,' for the use of Hymn 370.

If I have unwittingly infringed any copyright I trust that the object of the work may plead my excuse; and that whatever mistake I may have made, I may be informed of it, that it may be apologised for and rectified.

HONINGTON HALL, SHIPSTON-ON-Stour.

M. E. T.

Songs of Love and Home.

B

True love is but a humble thing,

And hath its food served up in earthen ware;

It is a thing to walk with, hand in hand,

Through the every-dayness of this work-day world,

A simple, fireside thing, whose quiet smile

Can warm earth's poorest hovel to a home.'-LOWELL.

SONGS OF LOVE AND HOME.

MY TRUE-LOVE.

My true-love hath my heart, and I have his,
By just exchange one to the other given :
I hold his dear, and mine he cannot miss,
There never was a better bargain driven :

My true-love hath my heart, and I have his.

His heart in me keeps him and me in one,
My heart in him his thoughts and senses guides:
He loves my heart, for once it was his own,

I cherish his because in me it bides:

My true-love hath my heart, and I have his.
SIR PHILIP SIDNEY.

WHAT IS LOVE?

My heart, I would enquire,
What then is Love? Say on!
'Two souls that flow together,
Two hearts that beat in one!'

And say, from whence Love cometh?
'She comes, and she is there.'
And say, how Love departeth?
'True Love departeth ne'er.'

And when is Love the purest?
'When least of self she knows.'
And when is Love the deepest?
'When she in stillness grows.'