SOMNAMBULISM.

Kumara Times, Issue 3001, 16 June 1886, Page 2

SOMNAMBULISM.

["The real England is asleep."—Mr J. A. Frotjde.] •'' Yes, England, that was used to lead In every brave and noble deed, Now keeps a silence that appals Those on whose lives its shadow falls ; And those who seek Right day by day, Find laid across th 9 upward way, That leads where path**are hard and steep, , This England, wrapped in heavy sleep. Mother, your children cry for bread ; They clamour to you to be fed; They ask for work—awake, awake ! Set straight your household for their sake! They pine—they die—they starve—they

am— What help or comfort can they win ? Do you not hear your children weep ? The real England is asleep. England still dozes stupidly While Ireland swells the bitter cry Of the misgoverned, wronged, oppressed j She feels that all is. for the best. Soft lulled by flattering tongues'she lies, A veil of doubting on her eyes; Vain the loud cries, the curses deep— The real England is asleep. She walks towards a foreign war To drag beneath the war-god's car The English flag. What though one knows England is sleeping as she goes ?•- What comfort to the hearts that mourn The loss that leaves their lives forlorn To know her sons were slain like sheep By England walking in her sleep ? Yes, through it all the worst is this: However deep her slumber is, Her suffering children are awake, And feel upon their hearts that ache The breaking weight of her mistakes, And the false, feeble steps she takes. Stretched on life's rack her millions keep— The real England is asleep. England, awake ! so dare and do That we need no excuse for you; Be your deeds such in all men's eyes As all men's hearts must praise and prize ; Lest, while you sleep, the thistles grow Beyond your power to move or mow. And bitter harvest be to reap From seeds that England sowed in sleep. E. Nesbit. .