15 NOVEMBER 1935, Page 13

Four Epigrams

Mother of Ten

LESSONED in a godly school Phoebe lived her life by rule, And, obedient, learned to dread Grave no more than marriage bed.

In a Country House

STRANGER, pray, for in this bed More than death possessed the dead More than maidenhood was lost : I that tell you am a ghost.

An Invalid

My pain and I ran up the hill Of sleep, and I outran my pain.

Old friend, if you could chase me still, I'd wait for you; I'd not complain.

A Holy Man A PRIEST in black, a cardinal in flame, He drew large cheques upon the Holy Name, And, when he came to Heaven's accountancy, Found them all waiting for him, marked R.D.

L. A. G. STRONG.