1 AUGUST 1908, Page 16

POETRY.

A PARTING WORD.

" KING, Lords, and Commons," so you style

The free Republic of this Isle,—

One from the democratic West, Of late your kindly treated guest, Would say his word of gratefulness, And debts of centuries confess.

A host of us can claim no trace Of bloodship with your English race ; But stronger than all ties of blood Is spiritual fatherhood.

You gave our speech, religion, law;

You first our great ideals saw ; Your Bible, Shakespeare, Parliament,

Shape life upon our continent.

So, for the old and rich bequest, Our gratitude abides confessed, And, for all recent courtesy, Accept this simple word from me.

CAMERON MANN,

Bishop of North Dakota.