This is a volume of inspirational poems. Its purpose is to bring men
courage and resolution, to cheer them, to fire them with new confidence
when they grow dispirited, to strengthen their faith that THINGS CAN BE
DONE. It is better for this purpose than the entire works of any one
poet, for it takes the cream of many and has greater diversity than any
one writer can show.
It is made up chiefly of very recent poems--not such as were written for
anthologies of poetical "gems," but such as speak directly to the heart,
always in very simple language, often in the phrases of shop or office
or street. Included, however, with the poems of the day are a few of the
fine old pieces that have been of comfort to men through the ages.
Besides the poems themselves, the volume contains helps to their
understanding and enjoyment. The pieces are introduced by short
comments; these serve the same purpose as the strain played by the
pianist before the singer begins to sing; they create a mood, give a
point of view, throw light on the meaning of what follows. Also the
lives of the authors are briefly summarized; this is in answer to our
natural interest in the writer of a poem we like, and in the case of
living poets it brings together facts hardly to be found anywhere else.
Finally, the book is not one to be read and then cast aside. It is to be
kept as a constant companion and an unfailing recourse in weariness or
gloom. Human companions are not always in the mood to cheer us, and may
talk upon themes we dislike. But this book will converse or be silent,
it is never out of sorts or discouraged, and so far from being wed to
some single topic, it will speak to us at any time on any subject we
desire.
To many authors and publishers acknowledgment is due for generous
permission to use copyright material.