THE PROPHECY OF MERLIN AND OTHER POEMS. BY JOHN READE. MONTREAL: PUBLISHED BY DAWSON BROTHERS. 1870. Entered according to Act of Parliament, in the year 1870, by JOHN READE, in the Office of the Minister of Agriculture. MONTREAL: PRINTED BY THE MONTREAL PRINTING AND PUBLISHING CO. “O living friends that love me! O dear ones gone above me! Careless of other fame, I leave to you my name. * * * * Sweeter than any sung My songs that found no tongue; Nobler than any fact My wish that failed of act.” J. G. WHITTIER. CONTENTS. PAGE The Prophecy of Merlin 3 Devenish 29 Kings of Men 31 Vashti 32 Shakspere 38 Spring 45 In Memoriam 48 Winter 54 Per Noctem Plurima Volvens 55 Balaam 59 Good Night 69 Winter Sunshine 72 Christus Salvator 73 Who hath Begotten the Drops of Dew? 74 Thalatta! Thalatta! 76 Rizpah 78 Natalie 81 The Fenian Raid (June, ’66) 84 Humanum est Errare 86 Sing me the Songs I Love 87 In Memoriam--T. D. McGee 89 Killynoogan 92 What Can I Do? 98 Hastings 99 The Naughty Boy 103 Rosa 106 Jubal 108