Public Ledger

POETRY.

From the Spanish of Ponce de Leon.

WALK OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD.

There, without crook or sling.
Walks the Good Shepherd: blossoms white
and red
Round his meek temples cling:
And to sweet pastures led,
His own loved flock beneath his eyes are fed.
He guides, and near him they
Follow delighted. for he makes them go
Where dwells eternal May,
And heavenly roses blow
Deathless, and gathered but again to grow.
He leads them to the height
Named of the infinite and long-sought Good.
And fountains of delight;
And where his feet have stood
Springs up along the way their tender food.
And when, in mid skies.
The climbing sun
has reached its highest
bound,
Reposing as he lies
With all his flock around
He witches the still air with numerous sound.
From his sweet lute flow forth
Immortal harmonies of power to still
All passions born of earth,
And draw the ardent will
Its destiny of goodness to fulfill.
Might but a little part.
A wandering breath of that high melody,
Descend into my heart
And change it till it be
Transformed and swallowed up, oh, Love, in
thee!