An Iseult Idyll and

Other Poems.

"An Iseult Idyll and Other Poems." by G. Constant Lounsbery, is a small volume of poems, having a distinct literary and, classical flavor. One of the most noteworthy, "Atthis." has for its theme a fragment from Sappho.

I loved thee, Atthis, long ago.

Loved thee, nay, breathe it soft and low Fer all its shattered sweetness, soI loved thee, Atthis, long ago!

Once, more than life thy slightest curl I loved to touch, to call mitie,-GirlThou wonder wrought in rose and pearlHow Time has changed us in his whirl!.

Yea, then thy hands about my brow Were more than all these laurels: how They thrilled me uitèring every vow! I cannot quite forget-canst thou?

I loved thee; scarcely could I say "I love thee" in that bygone day; Too sweet a thing it seemed to play The changes on. Said I alway?

Ah! Wild regrets o'er ruins! Sweet, Too wayward are Love's stealthy feet; How all my rhytlimie pulses beat The sad refraiù; relax, repeat-

I loved thee, Atthis, long ago, Loved thee, bay, breathe it soft and low, For all its shattered sweetness, so-I loved thee. Afthis, long ago.

The influence of the Lesbian muse is shown also in the Sapphic ode to Aphrodite, and in these Sapphics, "Darkness and Daylight."

Far Beyond the fields where the sea lies skeping

Hovers Daylight, flushed with regret and feeling,

All the Gold of Hope on her drowsy forehead

Silently darkening.

Through the languid night that the wild winds lull not,

Dyed about with purple and dark with weeping.

Send me, Sweet, a dream on the wings of Hope borne,

Down to me sleeping.

Let its feet be shod with a sudden longing, Let its breath be warm with the joy "of

springtime,

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Let its hands' be dipped in the dew.of Lethe..

Soothing and subtle.

Then my heart shall sing with a joy new risen.

All my night shall yearn to the light of daytime,

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One brief hour obliterate all the weary Waiting without thee.

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There are several poems in other keys, one of the longest, with a reminiscence of Robert Browning strain, being "The Better Part." the confession before execution of one who had killed her who had been false to him. He had strangled her at night in sudden blind frenzy at the discovery of her guilt. Then--

Her whe eyes watched me, but she did not say

One little word for all the plous care Wherewith I tended her until the day Stole in and found me braiding up her half,

They say I killed her, sent her guilty soul Walling down all the fery gulfs of Hell; They tell me, when the matin bell shall toll, That I must die, and though I know it well,

One pang the more shall make an end of pain..

Yet you know, father, I am innocent— But tell it not, to dle I am so fain; Then pray for me that Death he quickly

sent.

!

Though like twin flames that bend before the wind

Now whirled together. and now blown apart.

We burn forever; let her lover find What joy life has. Mine is the better part. The volume is small, but it is worth having and is full of promise.-John Lane, New York.