Excerpt from Soul Songs, Vol. 1 Poetry, speaking generally, is that portion of a nation's literature that is cast; in the metrical forms of language. Speaking particularly it is that portion of the general product that is so marked by truth, seriousness, greatness, power, exaltation, passion, beauty, music or any other noble quality as gives it an appeal to and influence over the cultivated Spirits of humanity. In some few cases a single quality in a very high degree and on a base of fair intelligence will meet the ideal and make it acceptable and pre served. In most cases the best poetry will be a com bination of noble qualities all existing in a greater or less degree of excellence. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.