Page:Fugitive Poetry 1600-1878.djvu/7



assigning myself the task of compiling the present volume of Fugitive Poetry, I was not unaware of the difficulty attendant on such an undertaking, to wit, the certainty of the liability to err repeating itself at every step, from so many pieces having been published anonymously whose authors are now known, and the probability of compilers setting down as anonymous pieces whose authors were unknown to them.

Although I have used all care and inquiry to clear doubt and avoid error, in so far as they presented themselves, I am constrained to remark that I should not be surprised to hear that a few pieces are included into this collection whose authors are known to some, or whose authorships may yet be claimed. It is possible that such a work as the present could be in a great measure perfected, although beyond the power of one person to accomplish, and I will therefore be glad to hear from any one who may discover in the present collection any piece whose authorship is known.

I take the present opportunity to return thanks to friends who have rendered me assistance in collecting, and also to those Editors and Publishers who have readily granted permission to include in this selection pieces from their compilations, &c., that are held as copyright; but, should any have been inserted, either by accident, or through ignorance, in respect of which permission ought to have been obtained, I trust that this will serve as an apology for the oversight or omission, and that their like generosity will be extended towards me.

From Fugitive Prose I have made a few extracts and selections, which, I trust, will be an acceptable supplement. J. C. H.