18 JUNE 1870, Page 17

POETRY.

A MEETING.

ONE hour, 'mid laughter and festal light, A look, a softly spoken word : The next, ere dayspring hath mastered night, The short dry speech of sword to sword.

With morn comes ending of sport and strife, And daily wont bears rule again ; But one hath passed from the paths of life, And one hath fled the face of men.