_Written upon hearing that Mr. Gladstone's enforced rest is lightened by
the reading aloud of relays of Devoted Friends._
Mighty-voiced MILTON, whose unmurmuring song
Rolls yet in organ tones round his loved land,
Its saddest strain, with high endurance grand,
Unconquerably serene, sublimely strong;
Sing in our Statesman's ears! Great HOMER, long
His "friend, in youth, in manhood, and in age,"
Let thy charmed splendours, and thy counsels sage,
Calm his large energies to fine content.
Be MILTON'S patience his! "God doth not need
Either man's work, or his own gifts"--so rang
The heroic high reply. But the whole State
Wishes its tireless servitor "God speed!"
Light in his darkness, hope to illume his rest!
"They also serve who only stand and wait."
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[Illustration: "FOR EXAMPLE!"
JOE CH-MB-RL-N. "_I_ SHOULD RECONSTRUCT THE HOUSE OF LORDS ACCORDING TO
SOME ELECTIVE AND NON-HEREDITARY PLAN----." (_Leeds, September 25._)]
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