Volume 146 — INSPIRATION.

I said, "Within the garden trimly bordered, Assisted by the merle, I mean to woo The Heavenly Nine, by young Apollo wardered," And Araminta answered, "Yes, dear, do. The deck chair's in the outhouse; lunch is ordered For twenty-five to two." I sat within the garden's island summer And heard far off the shunting of the trains, Noises of wheels, and speech of every comer Passing the entrance—heard the man of brains Talking of George's Budget, heard the plumber Planning new leaks for drains. These things did not disturb me. Through the fencing I liked to bear in mind that men less free Must toil and tramp, whilst I was just commencing To court the Muses, foolscap on my knee, Helped by the sweet bird in the shade-dispensing Something-or-other tree. I wrote: "Ah, who would be where rough men jostle In dust and grime, like porkers at a trough. When, here is May and May-time's blest apostle——" Just then, without preliminary cough, Suddenly, ere I knew, the actual throstle, Tee'd up and started off. It drowned the distant noise of motor-'buses, It drowned the shunting trains, the traffic's roar, The milk, the bread, the meat, the tradesmen's fusses, And the long secret tale told o'er and o'er That all day long Eliza Jane discusses With the new girl next door. So sweetly the bird sang. Great thrills went through it. It seemed to say, "The glorious sun hath shone, Flooding the world like treacle wrapped round suet; Why should we harp of age and dull years gone?" Time seemed to be no sort of object to it— It just went on and on. Therefore I rose, and later (o'er the trifle), When Araminta with her tactful gush Asked if the garden seemed to help or stifle The Muses' output, I responded, "Tush; When you go out, my dear, please buy a rifle; I want to shoot that thrush." Evoe.