19 SEPTEMBER 1896, Page 17

POETRY.

A REPLY.

TO A. H., WHO ASKED IF SHE SHOULD "BRING ME ANY BOOKS OR COMFORTS."] BRING me the book whose pages teach

The fortitude the stoics preach; Bring me the tome within whose scope There lies the quickening of dead hope; Bring me the comfort of a mind That good in every ill can find; And of a heart that is content With its desire's relinquishment.

ELLA FULLER MAITLAND.