26 APRIL 1924, Page 17

POETRY.

SPADE AND SWORD.

WHAT lovely dark, blue flames, 0 Spade, Shine in thy steel so bright :

See how the shadows smoke and play :

How thou hast laboured, year by year, To reach this silver day.

But thou, poor shining Sword, must wait

Till sloth and idleness Can tell the world that splendid story : Nothing but rust, a bloodless rust,

Shall cover thee with glory.

W. H. DAVIE&