FLY, LAYS OF MINE!

Fly, lays of mine, but not to any clime

Where happiness and light and love prevail,

But seek the spots where woe and ill and crime

Leave as they pass a noisome serpent-trail

Fly, lays of mine, but not to the ether blue,

Where golden sparks illume the heavenly sphere,

But seek the depths where nothing that is true

Relieves the eye or glads a listening ear.

Fly, lays of mine, but not to fruitful plains

Where spring the harvests by God's benison,

But seek the deserts where for needed rains

Both prayers and curses rise in unison.

Fly, lays of mine, but not to riotous halls,

Where dancing sylphs supply voluptuous songs,

But seek the huts where pestilence appals,

And death completes the round of human wrongs.

Fly, lays of mine, but not to happy wives,

Whose days are one unending flow of bliss,

But seek the maidens whose unfruitful lives

Have known as yet no lover's passionate kiss.

Fly, lays of mine, and like the nightingales,

Whose liquid liltings charm away the night,

Reveal in song the sweets of summer's gales,

Of lover's pleadings and of love's delight.

And tell my lady, when your quests are o'er,

That I, away from her, my heart's desire,

Yearn for the blissful hour when I shall pour

Down at her feet a love surcharged with fire.

MUGURDITCH BESHETTASHLAIN.