13 FEBRUARY 1932, Page 13

Poetry

A Valentine

PYGMALION made his Galatea beautiful, And loved the beauty he himself had fashioned. Bachelor-king till then, he grew so pitiful, Clasped the cold stone so helplessly impassionci.

That Aphrodite gave the statue life, • And he was glad and took her for his wife.

Thereafter, I believe, yet more amazed at her - Knowing the virtue of her human worth That filled the palace courts with love—he gazed at her, Oblivious of the miracle of her birth ; Even as I, learning you more and more, See and am speechless, clasp you and adore.

Jou!: Ll!cNELL,