21 FEBRUARY 1920, Page 14

POETRY.

A PRIVATE AUDIENCE.

SNOW-MANTIS') Queen, whose unveiled majesty

Once more my toil o'erpays, and with sweet fruit Fresh from the Tree of Life bids Beauty ply My resting soul, hold me in rapture mute Till I have felt the will divine in thee Urging the burns to fret thy strength away,

That man may win a hairsbreadth o'er the sea, A moment sooner greet the promised day.

And when night comes, shall what has loved thee lie

'Heath the relentless plain across the west

Where shadow-stricken hopes escape to die P Some part of me, still clinging to thy breast Shall share thy sacrifice, till sinless morn

End thy long labour in a world reborn. B. L. G. I.