POETRY. •
CROSSING THE FERRY. [Piton THE GERMAN OF MILANO.] (Ueber diesen Strom ear Jahren ONCE before, in days that never Come again, I pass'd this river ; Now as then the weir is streaming, Sunset on the castle gleaming.
Comrades twain across the ferry This same barge with me did carry; Au! a friend, of soul paternal, And a young heart, hopeful, vernal.
Low and still the elder's lying, Still in life-toil, still in dying; But our hero, our young wonder, Pass'd in battle and in thunder.
So, when days of bliss departed I remember, heavy-hearted, Seem I like a thing forsaken; Friend on friend the grave has taken.
Yet true friendship's interlacing Is when spirits meet embracing; Spirit-love those old hours lighted ; Spirits—we are still united!
Boatman, take a threefold guerdon, Measured gladly to thy burthen ; Close beside me, nearer never, Spirits twain have cross'd the river.
H. C. Gr. Mounn, Bishop of Durham.
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