_Primavera: Poems, by Four Authors. Oxford:
Published by B. H. Blackwell, Broad Street.
MDCCCXC._ (Fcap 8vo, pp. 43.)
Such is the title of a little 'book of verses' that at the time
found favour in the eyes of a few discerning critics, and then,
apparently, was forgotten. As originally issued its dark brown
paper wrapper was adorned with a simple but effective woodcut
design by Mr. Selwyn Image, which we have reproduced on our first
half-title. Even more fortunate has been the discovery of a
signed review in the pages of the _Academy_ for August 9, 1890,
by the late John Addington Symonds. As a preface nothing could be
better. And in this connexion the lines which we prefix from
Guarini are also singularly appropriate. For these songs of Youth
are still worth while; they thrill and fill us as of yesterday
with their haunting sense of vanished love, of
'Joy, whose hand is ever at his lips
Bidding adieu.'
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