GLADSTONE.

SEARCH well the proud and royal diadem

That decks Britannia's brow of lofty grace,

And there no brighter nor a purer gem

Than thou, O Gladstone, e'er shall find a place.

For thou hast spent a long and noble life

With but one true and single-hearted aim,

To crush the hydra Wrong in mortal strife,

And guard with jealous care thy country's fame.

Ambition may emit a meteor blaze,

And blind men's vision with its baleful light,

And raise a passing shout of wild amaze,

Then sink forever in thrice gloomy night.

But never shall the patriot's glories die

So long as Truth shall hold her lamp on high!

F. C. C.