POETRY.

THE ROMANY SWAY, I wren I were a gipsy free To dance beneath the rowan tree, To wade in. waters cool and sweet Or press the thyme with naked feet.

I wish_ I wore a scarlet gown And ran upon the windy down

To gather mushrooms in the dew, Sloes and whortleberries blue, Hips and haws and hazels brown, For selling in the narrow town,

Where every wide-eyed child would cry—.

" There goes a gipsy passing by! "

And run to buy my wares of me And wish. that he were half as free.

Then with Jiome tea to fill my can Far out a sight of any man

I'd light ray fire and sit and sup

And watch the smoke climb up awl up s

The smoke upon its stairleas way To greet the pine-tree tops and say—.

" Those are your boughs that burn so well."

I'd gather bracken from the dell

To make a pillow for my head, And every time I turned in bed Between my eyelid and my cheek The stars should play at hide-and-seek.

Or if the moon of dreams were high, I'd be a gipsy that could fly To visit with the honey-bee,

Or chase the swallow o'er the sea;

And in the early morning dark I'd rise beyond the boldest lark,

And holding to some angel's frock, I'd enter heaven, and never knock ;

And once inside they'd let me stay, For all would take my part and sarms

"'Tis but .a little gipsy free, Let be, good doorkeeper, let be !"

AMU BlINESTON.