12 MAY 1933, Page 17

Poetry

Dr. Johnson

TliE band went by, and lie grew sad to hear.

Once only did Sweet music rouse in him, Who made confession of a stubborn ear, Concordance and reverberations dim.

Now, it may be, in realms where seraphim Make joy to last with twang of golden strings, And voices in full blast of deathless hymn, Deep-noted harmonies and loud he sings.

Stern moralist ! so deeply at the springs Of wisdom hadst thou drunk, that when a course Thus through thy soul's defective openings Was given to pleasures, of new light the source, This earthly state, acceptable to us, To thy large vie* seemed dark its Erebus.

ROMILLY Joux.