"THE SPARROWS' FRIEND" WE have received the following verses from
a correspondent in Mexico. Many of our readers will no doubt remember the Sparrows' Friend or Schoolmaster, who was found drowned at the beginning of this year. This is the only tribute to him, in verse, that we have yet seen, and we are glad to print it.
ALGERNON VALENTINE FOUND DROWNED' IN THE THAMES EARLY IN 1927.
Near Hyde Park Corner there was wont to stand A little old man—a magician—whose wand Was love ; and ever when he came in sight The questing sparrOws stayed their quick-winged flight, Or destruction ceased on the pulsing spear Of Springtime's eldest flower, first to rear Crocus head of tender white or gleaming gold ; Joying they flocked to greet him, full bold To perch upon him, bright eyes, inquisitive, Seeking the crumbs he never failed to give ; Or in demure rows on the railings to wait, Close sitting side by side—mate by mate ; Or fluttering—hovering—expectant- Utterly saucy, merry, or arrogant.
The little old man his birds among
Was a well-known sight to London's throng, For did snow or sun greet the silver beard, Faithful ever the " Sparrows' Friend " appeared : Happy, absorbed in his task of love was he, As their hundreds enveloped him lovingly.
But now in vain the sparrows wait ; the sands From the glass of life have run ; the golden strands Have slipped their mooring, and now no more The sparrows to their names respond ; and sore The hearts that loved him. 0 darting sparrows Had you no balm for that kind heart's sorrows ? Didst wait upon him, his last hour to befriend, As cold the Thames closed o'er his lonely end ? O sparrows, say you held a requiem—
Or raised o'er him your grateful, farewell hymn I
44
NAI CRICHTON O'FIFB.
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