She
Who sits august and free,
A crownèd Commonwealth from sea to sea."
But why "crownèd"? America will surely resent the monarchical
suggestion. Might not _this_ be more appropriate, Sir LEWIS?:--
She
Who owns the Big Countree,
Where Niggers are, and Silver may be free,
A dollar'd despotism, under three
Great tyrants--"Boodle," "Lynch," and "Tammany."
How's _that_ for high-falutin, mellifluous MORRIS?
* * * * *
Edith Mary Ledingham.
_The young stewardess of the "Iona" who met with a terrible death on
that ill-fated vessel in the heroic effort to rescue a child._
["She was such a good girl. She was so happy in her new work, and liked
the sea."--_Her Mother._]
Only "a Gateshead girl," whose name,
Though loved, was all unknown to fame,
Until that testing morn,
That moment fierce of sudden fear;
To-day to English hearts as dear
As English girl hath borne!
That awful instant set it fair
Among the records high and rare
That glorify our State.
A girl's heart, simple, cheerful, fond,
To desperate duty could respond,
In the great moment, great.
What more have History's heroes done?
Or with what readier valour won
The golden meed of Fame?
Only charred ashes left to sight!
But on the immortal scroll we write
Another gentle name.
Such a good girl! And loved the sea!
O white-cliff'd isle, while such as she
Light a poor English home.
The Viking blood, the NELSON strain
No fateful hour shall seek in vain
To serve thee on the foam.
* * * * *