amuse them, it also contains much, the full excellence of which it will be long before most of them are able to understand. The application of the above test has excluded nearly all verse written expressly for children, and most of the poetry written about children for grown people. Hence, the absence of several well-known pieces, which some persons who examine this volume may be surprised at not finding in it. I have taken the liberty of omitting portions of a few poems, which would else have been too long or otherwise unsuitable for the collection; and, in a very few instances, I have ventured to substitute a word or a phrase, when that of the author has made the piece in which it occurs unfit for children's reading. The abbreviations I have been compelled to make in the "Ancient Mariner," in order to bring that poem within the limits of this collection, are so considerable as to require particular mention and apology. December, 1861 COVENTRY PATMOKE. A perilous life, and sad as life may be. A wonder stranger ne'er was known 76 329 165 19 20 32 159 Attend all ye who list to hear our noble England's praise 70 Did you hear of the curate who mounted his mare Do you ask what the birds say? The sparrow, the dove. Faintly as tolls the evening chime PAGE 304 3 81 Fair daffodils, we weep to see. 207 Full fathom five thy father lies 57 Gentlefolks, in my time, I've made many a rhyme. 149 Good-bye, good-bye to Suminer 106 I sprang to the stirrup, and Joris and he 38 In the hollow tree in the grey old tower 107 226 Lady Alice was sitting in her bower window. PAGE 220 339 320 Little white Lily Lord Thomas he was a bold forester. 238 258 Mary-Ann was alone with her baby in arms 30 'Now, woman, why without your veil?' 296 O sing unto my roundelay O then, I see, Queen Mab hath been with you Oh, hear a pensive prisoner's prayer Oh, to be in England. Oh! what's the matter? what's the matter Old stories tell how Hercules On his morning rounds the master 239 261 26 273 262 13 116 88 127 292 264 On the green banks of Shannon when Sheelah was nigh. 243 Once on a time a rustic dame. 147 Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and Our bugles sang truce, for the night cloud had lower'd Spring, the sweet Spring, is the year's pleasant king. 223 The Assyrian came down like the wolf on the fold 328 The fox and the cat, as they travell'd one day 251 away' The stream was as smooth as glass, we said, 'Arise and let's The summer and autumn had been so wet 84 133 The warm sun is failing, the bleak wind is wailing 190 There was an old woman, as I've heard tell 338 There was three kings into the East. 27 There were three jovial Welshmen 337 There's that old hag Moll Brown, look, see, just past 335 |