Roses of Paestum by Edward McCurdy, Foreward from The Bibelot, Volume X, Number VII, a reprint of Poetry and Prose for Book Lovers, chosen in part from scarce editions and sources not generally known, rare poetry, rare prose, free online text, e-book, 20th century English literature, online text, free e-book, on www.elfinspell.com (Bibelot10RosesPreface)

From The Bibelot, A Reprint of Poetry and Prose for Book Lovers, chosen in part from scarce editions and sources not generally known, Volume X, Number VII, Testimonial Edition, Edited and Originally Published by Thomas B. Mosher, Portland, Maine; Wm. Wise & Co.; New York; 1904; p. 198.

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“ONE cannot refrain from quoting in full Mr. McCurdy’s brief foreword:

TO THE READER BY WAY OF PREFACE.

These essays treat of Italy and the mediæval spirit, — and Italy is a wayward sovereign, and her beauty leads a man far afield.

Let me say — now that the work is done in such measure as I am able — that my purpose was to trace the mediæval spirit in deed and dream by considering some of its imaginative activities, — its questings of the ideal in art, in faith, in love, and in fantasies of things more visionary than these.

They were the roses of mediæval beauty that I set out to gather, and therefore the leaves are named of the Paestan roses because these also were of seed of Greece and bloomed in Italy.

Now that the leaves are all placed together I know that they are but wind-flowers. Some day I hope to gather of the roses of the garden.

VII. ROSES OF PAESTUM BY EDWARD MCCURDY.

TO THE READER BY WAY OF PREFACE.

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