POETRY.

THREE SONNETS.

I.—AFTER THE TITANS.

ENGLAND, in good Victoria's latter reign,

Two potent councillors by turns have led, Little alike in build of heart or head,

Yet owning this resemblance,—that the twain Are visibly of Britain's ancient strain,

Sprung of the lineage of her stalwart dead, Strong ;Ws and massive, such as England bred In the brave day that cometh not again.

To these succeeds another, newer race, Men light and slight, on narrower scale designed, Offspring and image of the change we trace

In art, arms, action, manners, morals, mind,—

The burly oak departing, in its place The lissom willow, swaying to the wind.

IL—PEACE AND WAR.

The sleek sea, gorged and sated, basking lies ; The cruel creature fawns and blinks and purrs ; And almost we forget what fangs are hers, And trust for once her emerald-golden eyes ; Though haply on the morrow she shall rise And summon her infernal ministers, And charge her everlasting barriers, With wild white fingers snatching at the skies.

So, betwixt Peace and War, man's life is cast Yet bath he dreamed of perfect Peace at last Shepherding all the nations ev'n as sheep The inconstant, moody ocean shall as soon, At the cold dictates of the bloodless moon,

Swear an eternity of halcyon sleep.

III.—TO A FRIEND, UNITING ANTIQUARIAN TASTES WITH PROGRESSIVE POLITICS.

True lover of the Past, who dost not scorn

To give good heed to what the Future saith,—

Drinking the air of two worlds at a breath,.

Thou livest not alone in thoughts outworn, But ever helpest the new time be born,

Though with a sigh for the old order's death

As clouds that crown the night that perisheth Aid in the high solemnities of morn.

Guests of the ages, at To-morrow's door Why shrink we P The long track behind us lies; The lamps gleam and the music throbs before, Bidding us enter : and I count him wise, Who loves so well Man's noble memories He needs must love Man's nobler hopes yet more.

WILLIAM WATSON..