PUBLISHER'S NOTE

THE

HE only selection from the poems of Swinburne hitherto available in England, was one made by Watts-Dunton in 1887. It consisted of pieces that appealed especially to his personal taste, and omitted many that have been recognized as among the best the poet ever wrote. It was not broadly characteristic of Swinburne's many moods and variety of subjects, and it gave an impression of the nature of his genius which criticism has not confirmed.

The publisher feels that the time has arrived when a new selection more representative of Swinburne should be provided, and he hopes that Mr. Gosse and Mr. Wise, who have edited this volume, will be found to have satisfied the reasonable requirements of all Swinburne lovers, also that their selection will prove so attractive to new readers that it will lead them to the completer editions of his works.

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