The sky is shrivelled and shred; The stairs are too steep, boys, I'm not used to kiss, boys; You may lay me where she is, boys, 'Tis a poor world, this, boys, And Tommy's dead. [A SISTER to F. E. Smedley. Author of Nina, 1861; Twice Lost, and other Prose Tales, 1863 Linnet's Trial, 1864; A Mere Story, 1869; Other Folks' Lives, 1869; Lays and Bal lads from English History, 1858; Poems, 1868; Two Dramatic Poems, 1874. Her reputation as a poet rests chiefly upon her shorter poems.] Up all the shining heights he prayed For that poor Shadow in the cold! Still came the word, "Not ours to aid; We cannot make the doors unfold.” But that poor Shadow, still outside, And all the souls went up and cried, ADELAIDE ANNE PROCTER. [BORN at London, Oct. 30, 1825: daughter of Bryan Waller Procter (Barry Cornwall). Her first contributions to Household Words, under the name "Mary Berwick,' were in 1853, to which periodical she became a regular contributor. She also wrote for Cornhill and Grad Words. Her Poems, Legends, and Lyrics, were published in two volumes, 1858 and 1860. Died at London, Feb. 2, 1864. Her works were reissued in 1865, with an introduction by Charles Dickens.] A LOST CHORD. SEATED one day at the organ, I was weary and ill at ease, And my fingers wandered idly Over the noisy keys. I do not know what I was playing, It flooded the crimson twilight, With a touch of infinite calm. It quieted pain and sorrow, It seemed the harmonious echo From our discordant life. It linked all perplexed meanings I have sought, but I seek it vainly, That came from the soul of the organ, It may be that Death's bright angel DINAH MARIA MULOCK (CRAIK). 1826-1887. [BORN at Stoke-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, in 1826. Published her first novel, The Ogilvies, in 1849, followed by numerous others, among which John Halifax, Gentleman, 1857, is the most noted. In 1864 she obtained a literary pension of 60 a year, and in 1865 was married to Mr. George Lillie Craik, a nephew of the literary historian of the same name.] Of babyhood's royal dignities: O the day when thou goest a wooing, When those beautiful lips 'gin suing, Sittest love-glorified. Rule kindly, Up from thy sweet mouth-up to thy GERALD MASSEY. 1828 [BORN at Tring, in Herefordshire, May 29, 1828. He received a scanty education at the British and National schools. At the age of fifteen he went to London, and served as an errandboy. His first volume, Poems and Chansons, was published about 1846. In 1849 he published Voices of Freedom, and Lyrics of Love. The Ballad of Babe Christabel, and other Poems, appeared in 1855; Craigerook Castle and Other Poems, in 1856; Havelock's March and Other Poems, in 1861. His latest work is A Tale of Eternity and Other Poems, 1869. In 1873 he made a lecturing tour in the United States.] O, LAY THY HAND IN MINE, DEAR! O, LAY thy hand in mine, dear! But Time hath brought no sign, dear, 'Tis long, long since our new love But age enricheth true love, And lay thy cheek to mine, dear, And take thy rest; Mine arms around thee twine, dear, A many cares are pressing On this dear head; But Sorrow's hands in blessing O, lean thy life on mine, dear! Thou wert a winsome vine, dear, And songbirds flown, |