PREFACE. 
In the present age of utilitarianism, it seems 
almost audacious to come before the public with 
an offering better suited to the days when a 
token-flower from lady’s hand was the richest 
reward of minstrel song, or knightly exploit. 
But however changed may be the tone which 
now echoes from the world’s great heart, there 
are some chords in human nature that must 
ever vibrate to the soft and gentle touch of 
affection. The crown of violets, which was the 
poet’s meed in the days of Clemence Isaure, was 
but a type of the sweet thoughts his song can 
still awaken J and the device which the warrior 
bore on his stainless shield, was only a symbol 
of the high-toned nature which still influences 
earth’s nobler spirits. The age of knight-errant¬ 
ry has long since passed away, but chivalry, in 
all its highest and holiest influences, still exists, 
and can never be lost to the world, while woman 
is true to her own sweet nature, and man for¬ 
gets not his duties toward her, and the privi¬ 
leges they involve. 
