30 APRIL 1887, Page 14

APRIL WITH RAIN.—A SEQUEL.

CAME April, and beneath her feet the cloud Broke into song upon our silent bills ; Primroses wakened, thirsty daffodils Tossed up their golden cups, a merry crowd Then visibly beneath his cold grey shroud Helvellyn moved to hear the cuckoo-thrills Make echo down the valley ; danced the rills,. The Greta sounded glad, Lodore was loud.

For joy the lambs leapt whitely thro' the grass, With jewels of the sloe the hedge was pearled, And golden shone the collefoot in the lane ; No foot, no heart, but did the merrier pass, For April's tears had wrought another world Wherein was life and laughter after pain.

H. D. R..