10 DECEMBER 1910, Page 18

POETRY.

DAVID AND WINSTON ; OR, THE POISONOUS FRUIT.

(A CAUTIONARY TALE )

As David and his sister Winny Were walking through a shady spinney, They saw some berries, fiery red, That hung around and overhead.

The Passion-flower it is, you know, Which bears the fruit that glitters so: They ate their fill, and gave the rest To all the boys they liked the best.

But-when their greedy feast was done, They found they could no longer run : Our little friends were sick inside, And many of the party died.

Alas ! had David understood That Passion-fruit is seldom good, He might be still with sister Winny A-walking through that shady spinney.

HENRY NEWBOLT.