This planet must seem a queer place, Jack,
To your poor little limited mind;

For I fancy you never can trace, Jack,
The reasons for half that you find.

You're not bothered with questions like us, Jack,
About forces and morals and laws;

And you never get worried or fuss, Jack,
When you cannot discover a cause.

But you go your own little way, Jack,
With a wag of the tail for a friend;
And in spite of our talk, I dare say, Jack,
That we don't do much more in the end.

66

UNDER THE PINES.

'LIFE is sad," says the wind in the pines

To the still soul listening,

While the pale, pale day declines

Like a white bird on the wing.

"Life is sad," says the quiet earth
Under the churchyard wall,

Where the spring flowers have their birth
And the autumn leaflets fall.

"Life is sad," say the daisies that blow there And stretch out their heads to the sun;

"Life is sad," say the poor hearts that go there To weep when the day's work is done.

"Life is sad," from below, from on high, From forest and meadow and tree, From the clouds that drift over the sky

And the days that die into the sea.

Then up and be brave with thy sorrow,
Like a man with his face to the blast;
Not from hope of the joys of to-morrow,
Nor rest when the warfare is past;

But strong that weak souls may grow strong,
That men may take heart by the way,

Till the heavens break forth with the song
That will herald eternal day.

1887.

AN ODE.

WHAT boots it to be great?

To live in royal state

And feast with kings,
Since now all things

One doom await ?

What boots it to be fair?

Sweet eyes and golden hair,

And youthful bloom,

Since in the tomb

All foulness there?

To live in royal state

That is not to be great;

Sweet eyes and golden hair

That is not to be fair.

What is it to be great?

Content with thine estate;

To serve thy God and King

In everything

That is it to be great.

What is it to be fair?

Sweet modesty to wear;

To keep thine honour sure,

Thy bosom pure

That is it to be fair.

Much boots it to be great,

Much boots it to be fair.

LONDON, 1883.