27 DECEMBER 1884, Page 15

POETRY.

CRADLED in the arms of slumber Athens lay at dead of night ; I alone my vigils keeping, watched the lamp's unsteady light Burning in my silent chamber with a dim and fitful flame,

my senses slowly left me, and at last oblivion came. But in dreams the Sacred Legion I beheld before me stand ; Saw my brother, my Demetrius, chief of that heroic band.

Pale as death he seemed, my brother, while in stern unfaltering mood Round him his undaunted Legion, closely gathered round him stood ; Chosen youths of Greece, in beauty as in bravery the first, Worthy sons of those who erst At Thermopylm contended 'neath Leonidas' command : Thus I saw him, my Demetrius, chief of that heroic band. As I gazed, methought upon me he upturned his dimming eye, Recognised me and embraced me, saying, " Brother, I must die !"

Then he bared his gleaming falchion and alone, but undismayed, Ran to charge the mounted myriads, trusting to his single blade.

1* Our correspondent does not understand Sootchmen. The worthy magistrate was thinking of the pains of Hell, not of his possible power of sentencing a dead man.—Bn. Spectator.] And the Legion charged behind him, by avenging fury fanned : Thus I saw him, my Demetrius, chief of that heroic band.

All the ridges of the hills were covered by the Othman hordes, All the valley swayed and quivered, bristling with unnumbered swords; I could see them, see their myriads, filling every copse and hollow, And I heard a clarion voice that shouted, " Gallant comrades, follow, Follow me, and charge the foemen ; fear not steel nor blazing brand !"

'Twas my brother, my Demetrius, chief of that heroic band.

And I saw him rush upon them, dealing death at every blow ; Saw him smite and saw him smitten, falling, rising, falling low. Then methought I ran to aid him, heard him say with faltering voice, " I am dying, dying early, yet I grieve not, nay, rejoice ; In the glorious cause of Freedom I at least have raised my hand."

Weltering in thy blood, Demetrius, thy familiar form I scanned.

Dragatzim ! in ancient ages scant renown was on thee shed, Now about thy meadows hover shadows of the mighty dead ; Boast henceforth : " I was a witness of the thrice-illustrious fray ; In my vales the new Three Hundred, Spartans of a later day, Shed the last drop of their life-blood to redeem the fatherland, And I saw the young Demetrius, chief of that heroic band!"

CIIARLES L. GRAVES.