We wander far by east and west.

In the homestead, homely thought; At my work I ramble not; If from home chance draw me wide, Half-seen Una sits beside.

In my house and garden-plot, Though beloved, I miss her not; But one I seek in foreign places, One face explore in foreign faces.

At home a deeper thought may light The inward sky with chrysolite, And I greet from far the ray, Aurora of a dearer day.

But if upon the seas I sail, Or trundle on the glowing rail, I am but a thought of hers, Loveliest of travellers.

So the gentle poet’s name To foreign parts is blown by fame; Seek him in his native town, He is hidden and unknown.

LETTERS.

Every day brings a ship, Every ship brings a word; Well for those who have no fear, Looking seaward well assured That the word the vessel brings Is the word they wish to hear.

RUBIES.

They brought me rubies from the mine, And held them to the sun; I said, they are drops of frozen wine From Eden’s vats that run.

I looked again,—I thought them hearts Of friends to friends unknown; Tides that should warm each neighbouring life Are locked in sparkling stone.

But fire to thaw that ruddy snow, To break enchanted ice, And give love’s scarlet tides to flow,—  When shall that sun arise?

MERLIN’S SONG.

Of Merlin wise I learned a song,— Sing it low or sing it loud, It is mightier than the strong, And punishes the proud. I sing it to the surging crowd,— Good men it will calm and cheer, Bad men it will chain and cage. In the heart of the music peals a strain Which only angels hear; Whether it waken joy or rage, Hushed myriads hark in vain, Yet they who hear it shed their age, And take their youth again.

THE TEST. (Musa loquitur.)

I hung my verses in the wind, Time and tide their faults may find. All were winnowed through and through, Five lines lasted sound and true; Five were smelted in a pot Than the South more fierce and hot; These the siroc could not melt, Fire their fiercer 

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