ADVERTISEMENT. THE Editor of this small Poetical Miscellany hopes, that among the numerous volumes of Sacred Poetry, the one now presented to the Public, will not be deemed unworthy of attention. That it might have been more complete and correct, he is fully aware; yet some indulgence may be extended to the execution of the work, when it is considered how scarce and difficult of access are many of the productions, and even the entire Works of some of the early English Poets. No stronger instance could be given of the rarity of this branch of English literature than the fact, that it would be hopeless to endeavour to collect sufficient materials for a more perfect History of English Poetry, without the assistance of Mr. Heber's library: indeed it might be said that the chief dependance of a writer on this subject, except for what still remains in manuscript, must be founded on that single and matchless collection. The number of Poets from whose works extracts are here given, is inferior by about a third part to that which the catalogue of Mr. Ellis presents, but it must be recollected that the present Editor was con fined entirely to the selection of Poems connected with sacred sub. jects and religious feeling, while the former ranged uncontrolled over the whole field of English Poetry. At the same time, the names of some Poets will be found in this volume, that are omitted by Mr. Ellis, and from whose writings no previous specimens have been presented the public. Of the Verses that accompany the extracts, the Editor can only say, that the materials which he collected, having been extended as far as was consistent with the proposed plan of the work, his own Poem has not occupied a space that would have been otherwise filled: nor, he trusts, will it be found in its subject, inconsistent with the general design and scope of the volume. BENHALL, May 1, 1826. |