Early English Poets. THE COMPLETE POEMS OF SIR JOHN DAVIES. EDITED, WITH Memorial-Introduction and Motes, BY THE REV. ALEXANDER B. GROSART. IN TWO VOLUMES.—VOL. I. London: CHATTO AND WINDUS, PICCADILLY.^ 1876. LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SIR, Το THE RIGHT HONOURABLE W. EWART GLADSTONE, M.P., &c., &c. I had the honour to place in your hands the complete Poems of SIR JOHN DAVIES in the Fuller Worthies' Library. In now publishing these Poems for a wider circle of readers and students, I re-dedicate them to you. That I should have wished (and wish) to inscribe the Works of a man famous as a prescient and practical Statesman, as a philosophic Thinker, as an Orator, as a Lawyer, and as a Poet, to you, is extremely natural; for in you, Sir,-in common with all Great Britain and Europe, and America,—I recognize his equal, and England's foremost living name, in nearly every department wherein the elder distinguished himself; while transfiguring and ennobling all, is your conscience-ruled and stainless Christian life. That you gave me permission so to do, with appreciative and kindly words, adds to my pleasure. Trusting that my fresh 'labour of love' (for which 'love of labour' has been necessary) on this Worthy may meet your continued approval, I I am, Sir, With high regard and gratitude, Yours faithfully and truly, ALEXANDER B. GROSART. a |