PREFACE THE lamented death of Professor E. R. Ruggles, late Professor of German at Dartmouth College, interrupted his work upon a book of German lyrics and ballads for the use of English-speaking students. By the kindness of Mrs. Ruggles all the material collected by her husband was given to the present editor, to whom the publishers had entrusted the task anew. Especial care has been taken to offer a pure and complete text of each poem. The book consists of three parts, graded according to the maturity demanded of the student. Within each part the selections, beginning with those of narrative, objective character, form a cycle, each poem helping to shed light on those associated with it. There has been no hesitation in drawing upon any sources which might make the collection more useful. If the names of all friends who have generously assisted were printed here, the list would be inconveniently long, and it would be hardly practicable to enumerate the books which have been found helpful. In criticism free use has been made of the valuable works of R. M. Meyer, Biese, Hewett, Harris, Eugen Wolff, Winchester, and Ziegler. In bringing to its close a work which has been one of the greatest interest and pleasure, and which is in |