And God bless our loved Queen, and long may she reign. * * * * * THE FABLE OF THE SPHYNX _Facts gathered from a lecture by George Chainey, of Boston, U.S._ Oh! the image and the fable of the Sphynx! What lessons do they teach, What sermons do they preach Of the riddle and the mystery of life! 'Tis a union of brute force and love sublime. A female face and head To a lioness form are wed, Embodying strength and purity divine. The lioness, a symbol of wild might; The peerless head and face, And bust of female grace, Are types of pure affection and delight. In each one lies this dual element: Leonine cruelty, That well might master be, If not o'er-ruled by strict fidelity. And the all-powerful conquering light of love, Which, blessing those who give No less than who receive, Makes bliss on earth, as God's laws clearly prove. In crowning thus the Sphynx with love's sweet worth, We have for us the old, Sweet gospel ever told That love in peerless might should rule the world. Shall then our path o'er life's uncertain way Be led by a true heart, Acting pure love's kind part, Or by fierce guidance of a beast of prey? To what heroic heights mortals may climb, Humanity to serve,