THE EVER-GERMAN RHINE

(de Becker.)

No ! France shall ne'er obtain thee,

Thou noble German Rhine, Though thirsting to regain thee

Her eagles scream: « Thou'rt mine. »

No! ne'er while grandly flowing

'Tween thy strong banks so green ; Whilst one youth, fear unknowing,

Who sails on thee, is seen.

No ! France shall ne'er possess thee.

Thou fair, thou German Rhine, So long as free hearts bless thee.

And drink thy matchless wine — Ne'er while thy mighty water.

Thy rocks eternal laves, The rout of France has taught her

That Germans ne'er were slaves.

No ! France shall ne'er surround thee,

Thou loved, thou German Rhine, While warriors brave around thee

With women dear are thine; While on thy banks still hover

Our bard's enchanting strains — Ne'er till thy depths close over

The last man's lifeblood stains.

TO MY LOST LOVE (Author Unknown)

I crossed a Norman porch with feelings tender,

I paced the stones which pilgrims feet had trod,

I passed between the pillars tall and slender

Which point to heaven, as man's soul yearns towards God.

The glory of stained windows with tints laden Fell on me as I knelt before the shrine, Where round the image of the mother-maiden The countless flames of votive tapers shine.

LAHMBS ET SOURIRBS 441

A hymn then sounded, sung by children's voices, The incense thrilled my soul to fervent prayer With thoughts of bliss at which my heart rejoices, And all the charm of our dear past was there.

But in my heart, as there I knelt before her, Not to the virgin prayers arose from me, Her I forgot, and I ceased to adore her, The incense of my soul burned but for thee.

For thee, my love, seemed all these tapers lighted. For thee the flowers seemed on the altar laid, For thee the hymn was sung by hearts united Through Gothic arches — mysteries of shade.

For thee the anthem seemed with my assistance To swell where all the tapers' flames glowed clear, For thee through all those leagues of cruel distance, For thee so unattainable, so dear.

Fond as our dreams e'er faith in men is shaken, Lost as the joys I craved on bended knee. Pure as the love which only thou couldst waken. Prayer, incense, tears and love were all for thee !