POETRY.
A STAR-FANCY FOR A CHILD WREN summer nights are warm and dry, The Scorpion with his flamilig eye, Down in the South as twilight grows, Watches the lily and the rose.
He sees the poppies and the stocks, The sunflowers and the hollyhocks ; Though all the trees are thick and green, With his red eye he looks between.
But when the nights begin to freeze, Eastwards behind the naked trees Orion lifts his head to spy Those stars that in the garden lie.
The Scorpion told him how they grew, Purple and pink and white and blue ; So night by night Orion goes To find the lily and the rose.
Night after night you see him stride Across the South at Christmastide : Though all the fields are white with snow He watches for those stars to blow.
But when 'tis near his time to rest, Leaning his head towards the west, When April nights are sharp and clear, He sees those garden-stars appear.
For just before he sinks from sight He sees the borders strown with light, And looking back across the hills Beholds the shining daffodils.
G. FORRESTER SCOTT (" John Halsham ").
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