Page:The seven great hymns of the mediaeval church - 1902.djvu/16

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Introduction

three times its preſent ſize; but after traveling around the circle of theſe years I ſtop very nearly where I began, for I am now of the opinion that the preſent edition, with the alterations and additions which it embodies, does about all for the reader in the way of expoſition, either of the general subject or of the ſeveral hymns, which it is poſſible for me to do.

During this lapſe of years there have been three books publiſhed which ſhould be brought to the attention of any perſon who may be intereſted in early religious poetry. The firſt is the "Chriſt in Song" of Dr. Schaff. This is not limited to mediæval times, but on the contrary contains a wealth of the beſt hymns of all times and lands. In it will be found many tranſlations of mediæval hymns with Dr. Schaff's annotations—the annotations of one of the moſt learned and judicious commentators who ever touched the ſubject. The ſecond is a ſmall volume of mediæval hymns with tranſlations and notes by the late Eraſtus C. Benedict, a member of the New York bar. Its title is "The Hymn of Hildebert." The third is the "Chriſtian Life and Song" of Mrs. Charles,

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