4 AUGUST 1928, Page 10

Poetry

To Ceres

TOUCH with thy wand my jewels, I beseech,

That in their stead more luscious fruits may come, Let every opal swell into a peach, Make every amethyst a purple plum ; Let clustered sapphires hang upon the vine, To oranges the glowing topaz turn, As ripe greengages let my emeralds shine, As cherries let my flashing rubies bum ; Hide in a nut each milk-white pearl ; like seeds Let the bright diamonds from their pods unfold, To strings of lemons change my amber beads, To oats my silver, and to wheat my gold ; So to devour my wealth shall not fear, Knowing such riches grow anew each year.

CICELY BOAS