24 MARCH 1888, Page 14

POETRY.

SPRING.

VIDEO MELIOKA.

BLACKTHORN white, and willow green,

Calm delight of beauty seen,—

In between, with hidden might, Breaks a flash of the unseen, Breaks the vision infinite, As breaks the night Some meteor bright,— A moment's sheen, A vanished light !

"Earth so fair, can Heaven exceed it?

Flashed some vision P Wherefore heed it Why not rest ?

It was a dream, That moment's gleam."

Yet answered in this throbbing breast !

Yes, once again Superb return To fields forlorn The boons of Spring ; For us in vain, Except they bring To hearts that burn A deeper pain, The sudden sting That bids them yearn For the unborn, The perfect gain.

Boar's Head Hill, near Oxford. E. P. F.