CHARLOTTETOWN 85

“If you find anything you like, read it out loud. ”

“ Okiedoke ! ”

“Perhaps you’d better be patriotic and begin with the Island Minstrel. "

“Hmmmm . . . Hmmmmm

“I said out loud. ”

)7

Prince Edward Isle! fit subject for the lays

Of sweeter minstrel; how shall I aspire— As best I may—to celebrate thy praise;

\Vhose praise might well employ the noblest lyre, Land of my birth! I feel the patriot’s glow;

To thee I’m bound by nature’s tender ties; To thee I feel my warmest wish must flow

Till power to wish with human frailty dies; For nearest to my thoughts, while thought remains, Must be thy flowing streams, thy woods and fertile plains.

“Sounds like Goldsmith. ”

“ It really does . . . Try Duvar now. ”

“ The Emigration of the Fairies, or Roberval? ”

“ The Emigration ”

“I like this picture— A long low line of beach, with crest of trees, with openings of rich verdure, emerald

hued . . ”’ “That’s the south shore . . .,” whispered the

ex-Islander. I closed my eyes. The other girl took the book and

read on. She had a most melodious voice.

Now this fair land was Epaygooyat called, An Isle of golden grain and healthful clime,

\Vith vast fish-teeming waters, ocean walled, The smallest Province of the Maritime.

Up on the beach the Fairies’ Raft was cast

And on Canadian land stuck hard and fast.