12 DECEMBER 1952, Page 14

Classical Symphony

Harlequin and the hunchbacked blackamoor Grimace by the silent ivory balustrade, A vine-leaf blows across the marble floor, A web- of shadow mottles the smoo9i facade.

Out of the arbour shuffles Pantaloon, A capering gibbon dancing by his side, His spidery shadow tossed by the icy moon Mocks at the marble's quietness and pride.

Then far, in the forest's dark green velvet shade, A horn proclaims the stag is bayed and falls. With the measured pace of time, up the yellowed glade A huntsman rides, and from his bronze horse calls.

A huntsman, but his face is white and still, And under the tricorn hollow, dead his eye, The last grimace tortures the ivory skull, And after him like ghosts the lost leaves fly.

MARGARET STANLEY-WRENCH.''