15 MARCH 1884, Page 15

POETRY.

THE ROSE AND THE POPPY.

"STAND apart," said the Rose, "and taint not The sweetness I throw on the air; What art thou to Man, that thou claimest His garden with me to share P "I soothe him with beauty and odours, I recall the loved one's face ; I am Love's own chosen emblem, The painter's symbol of grace.

." But thou, in thy sickly whiteness, Or hue of blood fresh spent,— What halt thou to offer the Master, That he should forgive thy scent P"

"I bring," said the Poppy, yawning, " The gift man longs to possess, That he racks the world in seeking,— I bring him forgetfulness.

Canst thou cancel pain with thy beauty, O Rose ! with the prickly thorn ? -I can, and therefore the Maker Chose me to grow with the corn." W.