17 MARCH 1883, Page 15

POETRY.

TEAR AND SMILE.

"WHAT are you ?" said a tear,

To a smile playing near.

"With a flickering shimmer, You transiently glimmer On the meaningless features of mirth ; But you nothing express Of the anguish and stress That make up man's portion on earth."

"You are rather severe," Said the smite to the tear.

"For as day, to shine bright, Needs a background of night, So grief must be bordered with gladness; And the light of a smile, More than once in a while, Helps a tear to unbosom its sadness:'

jOsErlI DAWSON.