My chief aim, however, will show itself to have been the mediating towards an intelligent and cordial sympathy betwixt my readers and the writers from whom I have quoted. In this I have some confidence of success.

Heartily do I throw this my small pebble at the head of the great
Sabbath-breaker Schism.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION.

CHAPTER I. SACRED LYRICS OF THE THIRTEENTH CENTURY.
CHAPTER II. THE MIRACLE PLAYS, AND OTHER POEMS OF THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY.
CHAPTER III. THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY.
CHAPTER IV. INTRODUCTION TO THE ELIZABETHAN ERA.
CHAPTER V. SPENSER AND HIS FRIENDS.
CHAPTER VI. LORD BACON AND HIS COEVALS.