24 FEBRUARY 1894, Page 16

POETRY.

THE DIVINE IN THE COMMONPLACR AT the moment that Fate had set apart For their meeting, they met; and from heart to heart. A bond of sympathy straightway grew, And one they became, who till then were two.

Had you asked his friends to tell you aught Of the kind of fellow the girl had " caught,"— One would have called him "an honest soul,'.'' Another, " a very good sort on the whole," And all would assure you the man had. naught Of hidden depths, and they couldn't conceive (" But you can't account for a woman's whim ! ") Whatever the girl could see in him.

Her friends would have answered much the same Of the girl henceforward to bear his name : " A plain, little, inoffensive thing, Lucky to win a wedding-ring; Pleasant enough, but tame as tame ;" And try as they might they couldn't perceive

(" But a man's such a turnabout character!

Whatever her husband could see in her.

Such would have been the wise world's speech ;- While love transfigured each for each, And she' was his soul's mysterious star, And he her wonderful Avatar. E. V. L.