18 OCTOBER 1873, Page 15

POETRY.

THE GREEK POETS.

LOVING the Beautiful, they asked no more,

But found in Nature's outward form the soul Which filled all space, and harmonised the whole ; In them the wisdom gleaned from Nature's lore Infused a vital energy ; the store From whence they drew conferred no paltry dole, They quaffed large draughts from Beauty's flowing bowl The ancient woods, the rock-resounding shore, The clear blue heavens, and the stars of night, Revealed deep meaning to each listening sense, And filled it with divine intelligence, Till earth seemed circled with celestial light ; Thus, calmed and strengthened by a thought intense.

They stood supreme in loveliness and might.

Joust DENNIS.