Could the compressed, intense, vehe- 

 ment little sprite be expanded to the di- 

 mensions of the ordinary folk of air, 

 would the magnified musical and physical 

 representation be as entrancing as are the 

 fleeting glimpses of the fairy and the 

 elusive hints of melody that so nearly 

 escape us now? 



For this electric spark, like an erratic 

 meteorite of topaz and ruby and gold, 



"As if inlaid 

 With brilliants from the mine, or made 

 Of tearless rainbows, such as span 

 Th' unclouded skies of Peristan," 



hovering between heaven and earth in a 

 mist created by its own prismatic wings, 

 might almost be believed an exemplifica- 

 tion of light itself as scientifically defined, 

 "a form of radiant energy," and it is the 

 nearest approach to a disembodied spirit 

 that lies within the range of mortal vi- 

 sion. So while it is believed that its song 

 is but a feeble twittering, it may yet be 

 as much musician as it is bird, and emit 

 strains of melody too exquisite and finely 

 drawn for human apprehension, and of 

 which the notes that reach us are but the 

 deeper tones of a delicate and etherial 

 ariose. Juliette A. Owen. 



EACH IN ITS OWN WAY. 



There's never a rose in all the world 



But makes some green spray sweeter; 

 There's never a wind in all the sky 



But makes some bird-wing fleeter; 

 There's never a star but brings to heaven 



Some silver radiance tender; 

 And never a rosy cloud but helps 



To crown the sunset splendor; 

 No robin but may thrill some heart 



His dawnlight gladness voicing; 

 God gives us all some small, sweet way 



To set the world rejoicing. — Selected. 



68 



