14 NOVEMBER 1885, Page 14

THE MADONNA DI SAN SISTO.

MOTHER! what means that rapt and wondering gaze ?

Hear'st thou, from out the heaven encircling thee, The cherub-bands with liquid harmony "Ave Maria" quiring to thy praise ?

Or, piercing through the darkness and the haze, With awe-struck intuition canst thou see Thy Babe, grown man, go forth from Galilee To lead Death captive in the coming days P Nay, rather through thine ecstasy appears A wistful yearning, as of one resigned To greatness, who, God.bidden, leaves behind Sweet dreams of far-off uneventful years,

And, yielding Him she loves for humankind,

Treads dry-eyed downwards to the Vale of Tears !

HERBERT B. GARROTh.