Of the Elizabethan amatory verses only a small portion has been transmitted to us. That which possessed least literary merit did not long survive, and, no doubt, some of considerable merit has been lost too. The best has been preserved. Selections from these, arranged in chronological order, appear in this anthology. Richard Tottel printed his "Miscellany" in 1557. It is to this work, and to Richard Edwards' "Paradise of Dainty Devices," issued nineteen years later, that much of the best poetical literature of the sixteenth century has come down to us. The first-named passed through eight editions during thirty years: the last issue being dated 1587. From the amatory verses produced by seventy-one writers during the reign of Henry the Eighth and down to those of the early Georges one hundred and thirteen appear in this love anthology. The limitation of space prevents further biographical particulars being given than the years of birth and death, which will be found in the Table of Contents. As writers do not always agree in this respect, "The Dictionary of National Biography" has been taken as the authority. Whatever labour has been bestowed on the preparation of this anthology has not been in bulking it out to its present dimensions, but rather in keeping it within the prescribed limits; and, at the same time, furnishing these best examples of the love verses of the numerous authors who have been requisitioned for the purpose of this volume of "Tudor and Stuart Love Songs." J. P. B. CONTENTS. Page Sir Thomas Wyatt (1503-1542). The lost heart 1 The lover's appeal 2 Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey (1517?-1547). A sonnet--"Love that liveth," etc. 3 A vow to love faithfully 4 Anon., _circa_ 1530. My sweet sweeting 5 George Turberville (1540?-1610?). The lover to his lady 6 Master George: his sonnet 7 Turberville's answer and distich 8 Edward Vere, Earl of Oxford (1550-1604). The shepherd's commendation of his nymph 9 A renunciation 11 Barnaby Googe (?) (1535?-1594). The complaint of Harpalus 12 George Gascoigne (1525-1577). A strange passion of a lover 14 Sir Edward Dyer ( -1607). To Phyllis, the fair shepherdess 16 George Peele (1558?-1596-1597?). The enamoured shepherd 17 Sir Walter Raleigh (1552?-1618). His love admits no rival 18 The shepherd's description of love 20 The shepherdess' reply 22 Fulke Greville, Lord Brooke (1554-1628). Love for love 24 John Lyly (1554?-1606). Cupid and Campaspe: Apelles' song 26