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PREFACE |
VII |
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ers and to the love songs of Moore and the mystical imaginings of the poets of the modern revival, there is always a sense of spontaneousness left on the mind of the reader; action, sentiment and feeling have ever been the pulsating notes of Irish poetry as they have always been the dominant features of the Irish character, shaping and moulding the destinies of the race.
No collection of Irish songs and lyrics would be complete without some examples of the convivial songs, which had their vogue in the genial days of Lever, Lover and Moore. The fashion which gave them birth has passed away and there are many features of it which it would be well to forget, but it represents a distinct period in the national life and a character and spirit of the people which is as permanent as its hills and its valleys, its rivers and its bogs.
But no lengthy disquisition on the characteristics and history of Irish poetry need be attempted here. More competent authorities have dealt with the subject in its many and varied aspects and the poetry of Ireland by common consent now holds a high and distinguished place among the literatures of the world.
An anthology loses half its value unless it be also a work of ready reference, hence the plan has been adopted of arranging the contents of this volume alphabetically, according to the names of the authors and the translators from the Gaelic, anonymous poetry |
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