Introductory note on Tacitus (Volume 33, Harvard Classics)

Tacitus, the historian, visited the virile German tribes in their primitive homes on the banks of the Rhine He was surprised to learn that the men so active and eager in war lolled in indolence during the intervals between. (Volume 33, Harvard Classics)

Introductory note on Robert Burns (Volume 6, Harvard Classics)

"But I, the Queen of a' Scotland, maun lie in prison strang." Burns sings of poor Mary bound by chains, yearning for the day when flowers would "bloom on her peaceful grave." (Volume 6, Harvard Classics)

Mary, Queen of Scots, beheaded Feb. 8, 1587.

Introductory note on Samuel Johnson (Wikipedia)

Johnson was not always a conventional guest. Graciously treated, he responded in like manner, but offended, Johnson could wield a pen dripping with vitriol. (Volume 39, Harvard Classics)

Samuel Johnson writes to Lord Chesterfield, Feb. 7, 1755.

Introductory note on Christopher Marlowe (Volume 46, Harvard Classics)

"The reluctant pangs of abdicating royalty in 'Edward' furnished hints which Shakespeare scarcely improved in his 'Richard the Second,' and the death scene of Marlowe's King moves to pity and terror." -CHARLES LAMB. (Volume 46, Harvard Classics)

Christopher Marlowe born Feb. 6, 1564.

Introductory note on The Thousand and One Nights (Volume 16, Harvard Classics)

Trapped in a valley filled with huge diamonds guarded by venomous serpents, Sindibad devised a clever means of escaping with many of the glittering jewels. (Volume 16, Harvard Classics)