3 DECEMBER 1937, Page 13

A BLESSING WHEN with life's woe night haunts the sleepless

eyes How deep a blessing in the heart may rise On the happy, the beautiful, the good, the wise.

The poor, the outcast, knave, child, stranger, fool— Need no commending to the merciful ; But, in a world grieved, ugly, wicked or dull, Who could the starry influence surmise What praises ardent enough could prayer devise For the happy, the beautiful, the good, the wise ?

WALTER DE LA MARE.