POETRY

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 348, 8 January 1903, Page 2

POETRY

HEABTSEASE. - A weary traveller, way-worn, full of care, Cloee by his pathway saw a comely flower, Its well-nigh human face smiled up at him All brightly glis from a recent shower. For one brief moment he forpot his sorrows, The long, rough journey over lands and Eeae, Then toiling on, looked backward, smiled and murmured, •Thy name was chosen well, 0 fair. Heartsease! 'lpray thee teach to me thy wondrous secret, Tnat, aa I journey o'er Life's rugged road, I, too, may ease some weary, heartsick traveller, Though but a moment, of bis heavy load; ' : " Make him forget the toil, and tears, and losses, Instil new strength, although the night be wild. And then to me a higher Voice may murmur, They work in life was chosen well, my child.' —Dixie Wolcott.

RED BOSE OP MABGABET. («The Smart Set.») Bed rose of Margaret, Here in my book you lie, Bed aa her lips and fragrant yet. Dead rose that can never die; Margaret gathered one red rose, and another red rose 1. • As long as any rose is red On this little rose-hung tree, As long as willow leaves are green, Shall I be true to thee.' So vowed I unto Margaret and Margaret unto me. As long aa this little stream shall run Through the quiot willows here, Out of the shadow into the sun, Shall Margaret be dear; Yea, though the stream should dry, and the willows die, and the grass grow sere, Yet should I not forget, Though tbe sun should fail, The holy face of Margaret, P*le as a pearl is pale; And change shall change all else, but over this it shall not prevail. And as true as 11<> Margaret To me shall Margaret be; And seme day we shall stand again By that little rose-hun* tree, And each, with a rose in the hand, shall say: ' I was faithful unto thee.'