15 NOVEMBER 1884, Page 13

POETRY.

HENRY FAWCETT.

0 STRENUOUS spirit, darkling hast thou shined !

0 light unto thy country, who bast lent Eyes to the dim hope of the ignorant !

Why the great form of Justice standeth blind Thou dost make plain. From thy immured mind Thou, as from prison-walls, thy voice haat sent Forceful for faculty's enfranchisement, And free commerce of sympathies that bind Men into nations ; even thy harsh divorce From the familiar gossip of the eyes Moved thee to speed sweet human intercourse By art's most swift and kindly embassies: So didst thou bless all life, thyself being free Of faction, that last bond of liberty.