POEMS
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OTHE NOBLEST OF HER SEXTHE AUTHOR OF“THE DRAMA OF EXILE”—TOMISS ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNINGOF ENGLAND_I DEDICATE THIS VOLUME_WITH THE MOST ENTHUSIASTIC ADMIRATION AND WITHTHE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM1845 E.A.P. PREFACE These trifles are collected and republished chiefly with a view to theirredemption from the many improvements to which they have been subjectedwhile going at random the “rounds of the press.” I am naturally anxiousthat what I have written should circulate as I wrote it, if it circulateat all. In defence of my own taste, nevertheless, it is incumbent upon meto say that I think nothing in this volume of much value to the public, orvery creditable to myself. Events not to be controlled have prevented mefrom making, at any time, any serious effort in what, under happiercircumstances, would have been the field of my choice. With me poetry hasbeen not a purpose, but a passion; and the passions should be held inreverence: they must not-they can not at will be excited, with an eye tothe paltry compensations, or the more paltry commendations, of man-kind.
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