25 DECEMBER 1915, Page 17

POETRY.

THE RED CHRISTMAS.

(" In these days even our wedding boas ring with a sombre and minted sound." —XL dtiQuan, In the Speaker's Library, November 25th, 1015.] 0 TAKE away the mistletoe And bring the holly berry, For all the lads are gone away And all the girls look sad to-day, There's no one left with them to play, And only birds and babes and things unknowing Dare be merry. Then take away the mistletoe And bring the holly berry.

But 0,h its leaves are fresh and green, Why bring the holly berry ? Because it wears the red, red hue, The colour to the season true, When war must have his tribute due, And only birds and babes and things unknowing Can be merry.

So take away the mistletoe, Yet keep the holly berry.

And shall we never see again Aught but the holly berry ?

Yes, after sacrifice sublime, When rings some later Christmas elf me, When dawns the now and better time, Not only birds and babes and things unknowing Shall be merry, But you shall see the mistletoe Twined with the holly berry. W. H. Dn. rmx.