I thought that it was fancy, and I listen'd in my bed, And then did something speak to me-I know not what was said;

For great delight and shuddering took hold of all my mind, And up the valley came again the music on the wind.

But you were sleeping; and I said, "It's not for them: it's mine."

And if it comes three times, I thought, I take it for a sign. And once again it came, and close beside the window-bars, Then seem'd to go right up to Heaven, and die among the

stars.

So now I think my time is near. I trust it is. I know
The blessed music went that way my soul will have to go.
And for myself, indeed, I care not if I go to-day.
But, Effie, you must comfort her when I am past away.

And say to Robin a kind word, and tell him not to fret; There's many worthier than I, would make him happy yet. If I had lived-I cannot tell—I might have been his wife; But all these things have ceased to be, with my desire of life,

Oh, look! the sun begins to rise, the heavens are in a glow; He shines upon a hundred fields, and all of them I know. And there I move no longer now, and there his light may shine

Wild flowers in the valley for other hands than mine.

Oh! sweet and strange it seems to me, that ere this day is done

The voice that now is speaking may be beyond the sun

For ever and for ever with those just souls and true

And what is life, that we should moan? why make we such ado?

For ever and for ever, all in a blessed home

And there to wait a little while till you and Effie come;
To lie within the light of God, as I lie upon your breast-
And the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at

THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE.

HALF a league, half a league,

Half a league onward!

All in the valley of Death

Rode the six hundred!

Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred;
For up came an order which
Some one had blunder'd.
"Forward, the Light Brigade!
Take the guns," Nolan said:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.

"Forward, the Light Brigade!"
No man was there dismay'd,
Not though the soldier knew

Some one had blunder'd:

Theirs not to make reply,

Theirs not to reason why,

Theirs but to do and die;

Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.

Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,

Cannon in front of them

Volley'd and thunder'd;

Storm'd at with shot and shell,

Boldly they rode, and well,

Into the jaws of Death,

Into the mouth of Hell,

Rode the six hundred.

Flash'd all their sabres bare,
Flash'd all at once in air,
Sabring the gunners there;
Charging an army, while

All the world wonder'd: Plunged in the battery smoke, With many a desperate stroke The Russian line they broke; Then they rode back, but notNot the six hundred.

Cannon to right of them,

Cannon to left of them,

Cannon behind them

Volley'd and thunder'd;

Storm'd at with shot and shell,

While horse and hero fell;

Those that had fought so well Came from the jaws of Death,

Back from the mouth of Hell,

All that was left of them,

Left of six hundred.

When can their glory fade?
Oh, the wild charge they made!
All the world wonder'd.

Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!

ROBERT BROWNING.

TWO IN THE CAMPAGNA.

I WONDER do you feel to-day

As I have felt, since, hand in hand, We sat down on the grass, to stray In spirit better through the land, This morn of Rome and May?

For me, I touched a thought, I know, Has tantalised me many times, (Like turns of thread the spiders throw

Mocking across our path,) for rhymes To catch at and let go.