The editors of this anthology aren't coming out and telling you you shouldn't read that way, but they're not exactly encouraging it either. Anthologies are, by nature, focal points for tough editorial decisions. Also reduced in scope are songs. On the upside, we have more contributions from women and writers at the geographical margins. Latin verse is given deserved attention.
Popular verse is welcomed into the fold.
It is a fuller picture of the poetic landscape, true enough, but it's unfortunate that some of the best poetry of the age is a no show, because it didn't quite fit. An attempt has even been made to present the texts true to the Renaissance originals, with less editorial tampering. This helps portray the English language as a vital, dynamic, diverse language. The lack of standardized spelling is going to make rough going for novices, though, and might adversely push them away. The Preface to the volume is a wretchedly written rationalization for the aims of the project and the editorial choices made within.