14 NOVEMBER 1885, Page 14

POETRY.

THE BIRD AND THE SHADOW.

AFTER THE PERSIA.N.

THROUGH the blue heaven, with sunlight on its wings, The free bird flies and sings ; Beneath upon the ground its shadow plays In endless, aimless maze.

0 fool, who only seest the shadow blurred, And not the bright-winged bird !

And all the years, thine arrows, squanderest On such insensate quest !

0 lift, though it be late, thine earth-dimmed eyes, Where on the darkening skies Still flash the white wings !—If one shaft remain, With that thou mayst attain ! F. W. B.