SWINBURNE AND CHRISTINA ROSSETTI.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 758, 5 March 1910, Page 9

SWINBURNE AND CHRISTINA ROSSETTI.

In "Conversations with Mr. Swinburne," in the "Quarterly. Review," by Coulson Ivernalian, there .is a very startling account of Swinburne's reading Christina Rossetti's poem, written in memory of the DuKe of Clarence. Tlio manuscript was "brought him by Mr. Coulson Kernahan. "Down, went knife and fork as ho half rose from his chair to stretch a hand i across tho table for the MS. 'She is a god to mortals, when compared to most other living 'poets,'" lie ■ exclaimed. ~ Then, in his thin, high-pitched but" exquisitely modulated, and musical .voice,, he Jialf read, and chanted two verses, of tlio poem in question. '

" 'One young life lost, two happy young lives blighted With earthward eyes we see:' • With eyes uplifted, keener, farther sighted, We look, 0 Lord, to Thee. " 'Grief hears a funeral knell: Hope ' hears the ringing Of birthday bells on high; Faith, Hope, and Love make answer with soft singing, Half 'carol and half cry.' . "Then ho stopped abruptly. " 'I won't read the third and last verse,' ho said. 'Olio glance' at it is sufficient to show that it is unequal, and that tho poem would bo stronger and finer by its omission. But for the happy folk who are able to think as she thinks, who believe as she believes on religious matters, the poem is of its kind perfect. Let me read that second verso again,' and with glowing eyes, with hand marking time to the music, he read once more: " 'Grief hears a funeral knell: Hope heivrs the ringing . Of birthday bells on high j Faith, Hope, and Love make answer with • soft singing, / ' ' Half carol and half cry.' "The last line, 'Half carol and- half cry,' lie repeated threo times, lowering his voice with each repetition lintil at last it was. little more than a whisper, and so died away liko the uu'distinguishable ceasing of far-off music. "Laying the manuscript reverently beside him, lie sat perfectly still for a space and .with beautiful, brooding eyes.:. Then rising without a word ho stole' silently, softly, almost ghost-like, and with short, swift stepsi, out -of the room."