THE ADVISERS

NATHALIA CRANE

Once on a day Griselda—

She of the narrow shin—

Taunted that younger damsel,

Even Madeda Ginn.

This was the way she ranted:

"Shame on yourself, and fie,

Romping with russet satyrs,

You, with the odd-shaped eye.

"Under the moon I saw you

Down where the rattans wave;

Mayhap you want instruction,

Gift of a goat-foot knave.

"Ever the glance of Phrync

Carries the quester's gleam;

Ever a Sappho's pulses

Shout for the old regime."

Up rose that younger damsel,

Red to the dulcet chin;

Suddenly, someone calling,

Chanted "Madeda Ginn."

Turned she unto the thickets,

Traversed a tussocked cleft,

Came to the oldest parrot

Counting the feathers left.

There, mid the topaz grasses

Told of Griselda's tongue;

Answered that painted Plato

Pacing a bamboo rung.

"I am a gay adviser,

All of a hundred eleven;

I was a great grandfather

'Ere I was half of seven.

"Many the wars I've witnessed,

Sprung by a narrow stave;

Fluff—till the trees sank downward

Under the plumes we gave.

"Tush, for the dry Griseldas

Juggling a mouldy feud;

We want the sway of palm trees

Launching the latest brood.

"Love and the rites it sentries

Only the vexed condemn;

There are the lower branches—

There is the goblin stem.

"Often a meagre leafage

Covers the mellow things,

Vermin have linked with ermine,

Mice with the golden wings.

"Gray is the eye of adder

Gold is the eye of toad;

Somewhere there rests a reason,

Somewhere a chan'lor's code.

"Grieve not because Griselda

Stands for the narrow shin;

I put my faith in candour,

Also Madeda Ginn."