27 OCTOBER 1888, Page 15

AUTUMN, 1888.

SPRING, long awaited, blossomed but to fleet,

For hardly had she from their moaning won The winds to melody, and coaxed the sun To tinge with emerald the trembling wheat, Than Summer, envious of a spell so sweet, And all the sudden wonder it had done, Dissolved the dream of joy at last begun; Then stole not e'er again from her retreat.

But, ah ! the solace wrought by Autumn's smile For Summer's ban of tearfulness and blight !

Almost it seemed as tho' from her exile Spring, in atonement for too swift a flight,

Red ventured back on earth, to make awhile

A golden resurrection of delight.

WILLIAM TOYNBEE.