DEDICATION.
TO MY MOTHER.
On your heart, my beloved mother, I would lay this offering;—because from the inflowing of your nature all poetry of mine has its source, so that these lays, whether embodying the light, sweet dreams of the girl, or the fervor and aspiration of the woman, are in spirit more yours than my own;—because from you come my joy in the beautiful, and my faith in the good;—because in your great love I have found the strength and repose and the fulness of life.
I say this in simple words, and few,—for the reason that heart-throbs can hardly be set to music, and that I could not well say more, were all my soul poured out in song.
Grace.
