Summary:
"Patriotic Song" by Arthur Stanley is an anthology of patriotic poetry from the British Empire, compiled in the early 20th century. The collection selects poems that celebrate themes of love for country and national pride, spanning from the defeat of the Spanish Armada to the death of Queen Victoria. It features works that capture wartime sentiments and the essence of patriotism, aiming to invoke a sense of shared identity among Englishmen, Scots, Irish, and Welsh. The opening of "Patriotic Song" presents the editor’s preface and the introduction, where Stanley outlines his goal of creating a representative collection of poems that embody the spirit of patriotism, embracing a broad definition to include various regions of the Empire. He acknowledges the dual nature of patriotism—both in warfare and in daily life—and sets the tone for the anthology to encompass energetic and heartfelt expressions that elevate the shared heritage of the British people. The beginning also emphasizes the significance of song as a unifying force for nations, hinting at a rich tapestry of poetic contributions that will follow. (This is an automatically generated summary.)