Lyrics of love, from Shakespeare to Tennyson, selected and arranged, with notes, by W.D. Adams

Published in the late 19th century, this anthology reflects the Victorian era's fascination with poetic compilation and the curation of romantic literature. W.D. Adams, a prolific editor and literary scholar of the period, sought to synthesize the most significant expressions of love from the Elizabethan age through the contemporary works of the Victorian poets. The volume served as an accessible academic bridge, intended for both the refined reader and those interested in the evolution of lyrical themes across several centuries of English literature.

The editorial philosophy behind the collection favored a traditionalist approach, emphasizing the continuity of romantic sentiment despite the shifting stylistic trends of the time. Adams’s inclusion of extensive notes provided the intellectual framework that defined many collections of this era, aiming to situate Tennyson’s structured, meditative verse alongside the more exuberant, rhythmic compositions of Shakespeare. While the collection was received as a standard reference for domestic libraries, it remains primarily noted today as a testament to the rigorous, exhaustive nature of Victorian literary arrangement.