POETRY.

TO GLADYS, A CHILD.

Flashed the bright sign, strove

Sweetest, when first you laid Large issue found ;

Your band in mine. Clouds of my effluent love Self-centred, lonely, proud, I dwelt apart; And anguish unavowed Consumed my heart.

Of knowledge ease I sought From rankling pain, Through windy voids of thought Soaring in vain.

Where ancient wisdom knew No charm for tears, You exorhised them, you With your seven years.

'Twas down the orchard walk Beneath green bowers I found you deep in talk With gathered flowers.

Listless at first I gazed, When lo ! there passed Fire through me, and amazed I loved at last.

I turned, for all my words 'Mid loveless things, Long caged like captive birds, Had lost their wings; And how should words essay,

That -wingless were, The high celestial way

To a child's ear?

Then, as with yearnings fond I faltered still, Some breeze from worlds beyond Unthroned my will. Fan through the Stygian shade Pent thoughts that chafed and Folded you round.

Lost seemed my frame and strewn Through sunlit air, And all my being grown One general prayer.

Till through some finer sense Given to such end, You by God's providence Knew me your friend.

The love no words betrayed swift to divine, You came and shyly laid Your hand in mine.

Like sins from soul reborn Fell from me then My false 'affected scorn, My hate of men.

Once more I seemed a boy.

My eyes grew moist, And with abiding joy My soul rejoiced.

Not when dear friends grew cold, Too sorely tried;

Not wben the love of old Passed from my side; Not when the lights of hope Sank one by cne, And this poor misanthrope Brooded alone; Not when with tears I prayed Came the bright sign, But, sweet, when first you laid Your hand in mine.

0. M. D.