25 NOVEMBER 1893, Page 15

POETRY.

WHAT DOEST THOU HERE ?

RETHOUGHT upon a time that, led astray By fondlconceit of my own worthiness, Scorning a world which God still deigns to bless, Like the great Prophet of an earlier day, Heedless of duty in a cave I lay : Had I not borne me bravely in the stress ?

But all seemed vain, and here oompanionless, Beaten to the knees, I held despair at bay.

Courage, faint heart by passion's whirlwind rent, On this unstable earth forbidden its choice, And through the furnace of affliction sent ;— Not in the wind, nor in the earthquake's throe, Nor in the fire was God ; yet well I trow, After the fire shall come a still small voice. After the fire shall come a still small voice. H. T, R.