POETRY.
LEAL SOUVENIR!
[WORDS UNDER A PORTRAIT IN THE NEW WING OF THE NATIONAL GALLERY, BY JOHN VAN EYCK.]
Is it a friend who is painted here, Rugged of feature, and homely of dress?
Did he inspire such a lea! souvenir, All those years back on the banks of the Lease ?
Was he a friend as a friend should be,—
Loyal alike in praise, and in blame,— Prone to be silent, yet prompt to foresee Every call upon friendship's name ?
Was he so steadfast that no one could e'er, E'en for a moment, his constancy doubt?
Honest and faithful—so just and so fair—
His whisper meant more than another man's shout? It was ages ago; and mankind, we are told, Has since become selfish, and hard, and austere ; Yet I think it were strange, if 'twixt friends, new and old, We did not own, too, just one leal souvenir !
H. A. DUFF.
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