ELIM

(Exodus xv. 27.)

PALM-TREES and wells they found of yore.

Who-that Egyptian bondage o'erHad sight betimes of feathering green, Of lengthened shadows, and between, The cool, deep-garnered water-store.

Dear, dear is Rest by sea and shore:
But dearest to the travel-sore,

Whose camping-place not yet has been
Palm-trees and wells!

For such we plead. Shall we ignore
The long Procession of the Poor,

Still faring through the night-wind keen,
With faltering steps, to the Unseen ?—
Nay let us seek for these once more
Palm-trees and wells!

1909.

COLLABORATION: AN ECLOGUE

"Alternis dicetis: amant alterna Camenae.”—VIRG.

SCENE. A Seat on the Thames Embankment.

BROWN.

BLACK.

(BROWN has fair hair, displays a velvet coat, Pince-nez on nose, and wisp about his throat; BLACK is stiff-bearded, sturdy, brown of boot, Wears Harris tweeds, and smokes a brier-root.)

Br. I cannot rhyme, yet feel poetic throes.
Bl. Rhymes I can manage. But my taste is prose.
Br. A happy thought! Supposing we combine?
I'll find the subject,

Bl.
And I'll cap the line.
Br. Let me premise that, whether blank or not,
Verse should be rhythmical at any rate.
Bl. I don't object. But it must "touch the spot";
And not be "precious" or "alembicate."

Br. Begin then, Muse,-begin the lofty Song!
Bl. In plainer English,-"Roll the ball along!"
Br. "Life is a Dream "- -as Calderon has said-
Bl. And ought to know, for he has long been dead.
Br. A perilous Journey to a Goal unknown-
Bl. Unless you have some income of your own.

Br. Love is a Need, in Natures incomplete-
Bl. Platonic rubbish!—and a mere conceit.
Br. A gilded Apple, bitter to the Core-

Bl. Also, a metaphor much heard before.

Br. But Love the Need and Life the Dream exist— Bl. Though-as abstractions-neither would be missed.

Br. And even Sentiment, Affection's Priest-
Bl. Is but an entrée in the daily feast.
Br. An entrée, yes,-and often overlooked-
Bl. Provided that your standing-dish be cooked.
Br. Provided, too, you banish Thought and Care-
Bl. Both needless extras in a bill of fare.

Br. That makes four verses. Only, your replies
Have more of crambo than of consequence.
Bl. They have, of course. No Pegasus that flies
Can soar when handicapped by Common-

sense.

Br. Which makes another. Underneath the lamp, I'll write them down

Bl.

And I'll provide the stamp. Br. "The stamp!" For what? You think some

Magazine ?

Bl. Why not?

That is precisely what I mean.

(So said, so done. We find them here and guess They must forthwith have posted that MS. :— Each Bard believing, as they both retired,

That what he spoke, would be the more admired.)

1909.

ENTENTE CORDIALE

OW side by side curvet and prance

NOW

The flower of England and of France, Tried champions, comrades leal and true, Resolved, in all, to dare and do,Whom pen and pencil serve for lance.

"Knights of the Joyous Countenance!"In wit, skill, gaiety, romance,

Who shall to-day contend with you,
Now side by side?

Salut, MESSIRES! May no mischance
To this fair bond bring severance!

Salut! Salut! Red, White and Blue ;-
Salut! to our grim Lion too,

Who laughs to see the lines advance
Now side by side!

1909.