PREFACE.
The Introduction (§ III. Editorial) gives all the information that seemed to be required as to our reproduction of these Poems of Richard Barnfield—this, the spelling of his last title-page (1605) and of his Will, preferably to Barnefeild and other variations, being adopted—now for the first time collected; but, inasmuch as for the mere nothing of biographic fact hitherto furnished concerning him, we have the satisfaction of pretty fully elucidating and illustrating his Life (§ I. Biographical), it must be permitted us to thank here various friends who have greatly aided us in the task of love. Foremost among these is Miss C. S. Burne, Loynton Hall, Newport, Shropshire, whose indefatigable intelligence in exploring every available source of information cannot be sufficiently commended. Hearty acknowledgments are similarly due to the Incumbents of St. Michael's, Stone (Rev. Eldred Woodland, M.A.), and of Norbury (Rev. Thomas Burne, M.A.), and Colonel Chester of Bermondsey, for communication of Register entries and other items. To the Rev. W. E. Buckley, M.A., of Middleton Cheney, Banbury, I am indebted for the use of
