Joy to be thine amid these pleasant plains,

Know'st thou not, child, what surely coming pains

Await thee, for that eager heart's annoy?

Misunderstanding, disappointment, tears,

Wronged love, spoiled hope, mistrust and ageing fears,

Eternal longing for one perfect friend,

And unavailing wishes without end?"

Mr. Cripps alone permits his Muse a gravely jocund note in his "Seasons' Comfort." He, too, of the four fellow-versifiers shows the greater aptitude for experiments, though it may perhaps be felt that his touch is nowhere quite so sure, nor his artistic feeling so direct as theirs.

[xii]

[xii]

It is difficult to lay the critic's hand lightly enough upon poems like these, or to make it clear what particular attraction they possess. With all the charm of rathe spring-flowers, they suggest the possibilities of varied personality not yet accentuated in the authors. Let us hope that the four Muses of the four friends will not, like the primroses,

"die unmarried ere they can behold

Bright Phœbus in his strength,"

but that we shall profit by their summer-songs, while ever remaining grateful for their Primavera.

john addington symonds.

john addington symonds.

August, 1890.

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