INTRODUCTION.
HE Handefull of pleasant delites &c. was one of the popular Song Books of the first half of Queen Elizabeth's reign. The present text is that of a late impression of this Collection; which probably had already been reprinted more than once during the eighteen years which had now elapsed since its first appearance.
It is a Song Book rather than a Book of Poetry: so that had it originally appeared in 1596 instead of 1566 A.D. , it would probably have been issued with the music: but at the time of its actual first publication, the London printers had not yet progressed sufficiently in their art to issue secular Songs with musical score.
Richard Jones, one of the minor publishers of his day, specially addicted himself to the production of ballads. This little book was originally made up of some of the more favourite songs that he had published &c.; with the natural variations or additions in subsequent impressions.
The principle of selection in the present text seems chiefly to have consisted in the exclusion of all poems on religious subjects, political affairs or distinguished persons; and also of all others on the monstrosities or wonderments of the hour to the description of which so many of the early Elizabethan ballads were devoted. In effect, to produce an
