27 JUNE 1931, Page 13

Poetry

Traigh Road

TIIE old man talking to himself beside the sea

Lost in his fierce, proud dreams, Heeds not, nay, scarcely sees the graceless three Jeering and grinning there to hide their own Smallness of soul, which ecstasy Must put to shame. He seems King of a strayed, mad army : high and lone In mind, though spied upon.

Yes, yes, old man !

IT WAS SO ! We are witness, you and L From Ardnamurchan here to Yucatan Nothing so grand and fine, Nothing so proud and high

Lives in the seven lands, moves in the oceans nine,

As that you celebrate with lips awry,

As that with rolling eye

You see upstanding from your foundered youth.

Let the fools grin, and fling them back their lie ; You have the truth. L. A. G. STRONG.