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  A TREASURY OF
  CANADIAN VERSE




  For English natures, freemen, friends,
  Thy brothers and immortal souls.

                       _--Love thou thy Land._




[Illustration: Title Page]

  A TREASURY

  OF

  CANADIAN VERSE

  WITH BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL
  NOTES

  SELECTED AND EDITED BY

  THEODORE H. RAND

  D.C.L.

  AUTHOR OF

  'AT MINES BASIN AND OTHER POEMS'

  [Illustration: Decoration]

  NEW YORK: E. P. DUTTON & CO.
  LONDON: J. M. DENT & CO.

  1900




_All rights reserved_




  THIS ANTHOLOGY OF ENGLISH-CANADIAN VERSE

  IS INSCRIBED WITH AFFECTIONATE ADMIRATION

  TO

  LOUIS FRÉCHETTE

  LL.D., F.R.S. CAN.

  C.M.G.

  THE LAMARTINE OF CANADA




PREFACE


To one opening this book for the first time, it may be permissible
to say that the verse included in the volume does not treat solely
nor chiefly of Canadian themes. While Canadian environment and life
necessarily supply the note of inspiration and impart its timbre and
accent, the thought and emotion are of wide range, and seek response in
the universal heart.

The practical energies of the Canadian people are abundantly attested
by extensive systems of railways and canals, a wide commerce, systems
of free public education in the several provinces and territories,
liberal facilities for the higher education of men and women, and an
enterprising and influential press. Thirty-two years have passed since
the organization of the Dominion of Canada. These years have witnessed
great progress in civil and social institutions, and no unworthy
beginning of an adequate development of the illimitable material
resources of Canada's vast domain. It is noteworthy, as marking the
quality of life of the people, that from the earliest settlement of
the several provinces there have not been wanting public evidences of
the presence of the scientific and literary spirit. The latter has
expressed itself both in prose and verse, and in these recent years
there is an increased activity in literary production commensurate with
the expanding life of Canada.

It has been my purpose to present worthy specimens of English-Canadian
verse, selected from the entire field of our history. Such a
collection should be of interest, not only to Canadians, but to all
English-speaking peoples. Here are reflected the singular loveliness
of our evanescent spring, the glow and luxuriant life of our hasting
summer, the sensuous glory of our autumn, and the tingle of our frosty
air and the white winter's cheer. Every form and aspect of natural
beauty is, in some degree, caught and expressed--sometimes in homely,
sometimes in classical phrase; often with striking simplicity, and
generally with much purity of thought and an authentic note. A sane
and wholesome spirit is characteristic of the verse, and its spiritual
quality seems to me to be of a high order. The sympathetic reader will
notice a marked pictorial use of nature in some of the specimens given,
as well as a sensuous delight in nature itself, depicted, as it is,
with true feeling and not infrequently with an almost flawless art. He
will notice also that nature is often humanized, and tenderness, love
and pity, and the subtle problems of man's life and existence, are
enshrined in original and poetic similitudes to the melody of haunting
music. Nor are there altogether wanting instances of that insight
and vision which beholds the phenomenal and cosmic with rapt wonder
as awesome beauty-gleams, radiant symbols, or sublime manifestations
of the immanent and loving One in whom all things consist. Great
personalities, high achievement, and noble character, also, have
inspired Canadian song. From the earliest to the latest singer, a
glowing devotion to native land and a loyal and loving reverence
for our gracious Sovereign are characteristic notes. If it should
appear that the abundant verse inspired by these latter motives is
insufficiently represented in this anthology, it may suffice to say
that such verse is already widely known and is not by any means the
highest product of the Canadian muse. Room has been made for the less
hackneyed and richer inspirations of our poets--the virgin freshness
and promise of our country; the life and deeds of men everywhere; the
yearnings of the individual soul; and the aspirations of a people after
the noblest and the divinest. These, with domestic loves, have kindled
our singers to beautiful expression that demands a wider appreciation,
as supplying sustenance and stimulus essential to fulness of national
and imperial life. It will be observed that not only in recent verse,
but also in that of nearly fifty years ago, Canadian poets have given
expression to Anglo-centric conceptions and aspirations, divining with
poetic insight the coming good.

While the selections have been carefully made, it will be apparent that
some verse has been included whose chief claim to recognition is found
in local and popular associations. It should also be said that much
popular verse has been excluded, in order that the volume be kept of
usable form and size. It did not fall within the plan of this anthology
to include sacred and devotional lyrics, otherwise not a few hymns must
have found a place, notably Joseph Scriven's "What a Friend we have in