From Boscombe Head full flop, boys, Goes brow, bay, bay and tray, Tray and three on top, boys! A boat! a boat! the Weirmen float, And after him go racing; But see! to shore he heads once more, His foes with fury facing. And back, back! he hurls the pack, Or heaves them, neck and crop, boys, Till now, now, down goes brow, Bay, tray, and three on top, boys! Yet only five of all the hive That set on foot the sport, boys, Rode straight and true the whole hunt thro' And mingled at the mort, boys! Now name, name those sons of fame, Who'll match them nearer and farther? Jim Scarlett, Bissett, and Basset were there, With Parson Jack Russell and Arthur. ----A. P. Graves. THE SONG OF THE GHOST |When all were dreaming but Pastheen Power, A light came streaming beneath her bower, A heavy foot at her door delayed, A heavy hand on the latch was laid. "Now who dare venture at this dark hour, Unbid to enter my maiden bower?" "Dear Pastheen, open the door to me, And your true lover you'll surely see." "My true lover, so tall and brave, Lives exiled over the angry wave." "Your true love's body lies on the bier, His faithful spirit is with you here." [Illustration: 0313] "His look was cheerful, his voice was gay; Your speech is fearful, your face is grey; And sad and sunken your eye of blue, But Patrick, Patrick, alas!'tis you." Ere dawn was breaking she heard below The two cocks shaking their wings to crow. "O hush you, hush you, both red and grey, Or you will hurry my love away. "O hush your crowing, both grey and red, Or he'll be going to join the dead; O cease from calling his ghost to mould, And I'll come crowning your combs with gold." When all were dreaming but Pastheen Power, A light went streaming from out her bower, And on the morrow when they awoke, They knew that sorrow her heart had broke. ---A. P. Graves. A SEA STORY |Silence.--A while ago Shrieks went up piercingly; But now is the ship gone down; Good ship, well manned, was she. There's a raft that's a chance of life for one, This day upon the sea. A chance for one of two; Young, strong, are he and he, Just in the manhood prime, The comelier, verily, For the wrestle with wind and weather and wave, In the life upon the sea. One of them has a wife And little children three; Two that can toddle and lisp; And a suckling on the knee. Naked they'll go and hunger sore, If he be lost at sea. One has a dream of home, A dream that well may be; He never has breathed it yet; She never has known it, she: But some one will be sick at heart, If he be lost at sea. "Wife and kids and home!"-- Wife, kids nor home has he!-- "Give us a chance, Bill!" Then, "All right, Jem!" Quietly A man gives up his life for a man, This day upon the sea. ----E. H. Hickey.