22 MARCH 1919, Page 14

POETRY.

THE IfASTER-MARINER.

(From the Life at "The White House," Rouen.)

I surr Odysseus yester-year In an old Town of Normandie, Wiry and walnut-faced and lean, Grey with the salt scud of the sea.

Outside a Cali by the stream We splashed black wine upon the board, While throtigh.his tale-tide running free The full storm wind of Homer roared; The sea-scourge of Euroelyclon, Prince, pirate, priest, and mutineer; Blood-gotten gold and merchandise

Cheap-bought, far-fetched, and sold in fear;

Laestrygous of the Gilbert Isles; Sirens who sing by Onhi.

And Polypheme, a 'Frisco crimp All on the coast of Barbary.

"Charybdis (all her hundred heads With lightning armed) is free to roam," He said, "and whelms you at a touch.

Crew, keel, and freight in fire and foam, And Scylla hunting now at large (A V-shaped ripple long and loan About a tiny moving rod)

Still takes her toll of death unseen."

So ending as the maddened stars In wine-dark skies began to dance He praised Penelope (of Leith) And several Nausicaas in France.

J. Kisser-Angus.