English Lyric Poetry (1500 - 1700). With an Introduction by Frederic Ives
Carpenter. (Blackie and Son.)—Even in these days, when the book-market is flooded with volumes of extracts giving the best of the English literature of the past, this excellent addition to an excellent series deserves notice and commendation. The period embraced in it is a very considerable one, covering two centuries. But the names of the leading authors who can be claimed as having earned distinction as lyric poets during these centuries are tolerably well known,—such as Shakespeare and Milton, Robert Herrick and Ben Jenson, Sidney and Sedley, Quarles and Rochester, Drayton and Dryden. Mr. Carpenter makes an admirable guide over this tolerably familiar ground. The notes, literary and biographical, which he prefixes to the selections from the different authors are notable for concise- ness. His introduction is also a sound, if not specially brilliant, piece of criticism, tracing with great clearness the connection between the lyrical impulse and performance of particular periods and the national history. This volume makes a very handy book of reference.
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