13 SEPTEMBER 1879, Page 16

POETRY.

BARREN DAYS.

WHAT of these barren days, which bring no flowers To gladden with fair tints and odours sweet, No fruits, that with their virgin bloom entreat Kisses from rose-red lips, that in dim bowers Pout with a thirsty longing ? Summer showers Softly but vainly fall about my feet ; The :lir is languid with the summer beat, That warms in vain,—what of these barren hours P I know not ; I can wait, nor haste to know ; The daily vision serves the daily need.

It may be, some revealing hour shall show That while my sad, sick heart did iuly bleed, Because no blossom came nor fruit did grow, Au angel hand. had sowed celestial seed.

JAMES ASHCROFT NOBLE.