Original Poetry.

Auckland Examiner, Volume IV, Issue 275, 23 June 1860, Page 3

Original Poetry.

LINES TO “ D. J. R.” It is fit that he who accuses another of dishonesty, should just take a peep at himself. Very old Author. ’Tis strange that lines of mine contemptible, -Should raise the ire of poet sensible Who writes for Public Good. For private spleen And vanity have no part in your theme. First, I’m a poet, if your lines are true — 1 grieve I caunot say as much for you And if “ Who is the muff?” has been the jest, The choice is ’twixt us two, 11l stand the test. When I address’d you first, I did not know That you belonged to a Victoria Co. But tho’ you read my lines for fun, I trace The individual by the lengthen’d face.

Thus at the outset you an error make— As well my patent motive you mistake — For here again you’re wrong —ill-fated youth 1 I tried to smother you, and not the truth. My friend, I thank you for your kind monition ’Bout truth and justice, and much more in ad-

dition— By truth I tried to shame the de’il —in vain, ’Twas labor lost —because you wrote again. As well I might have spared my tender brains, Nor with your thankless self have ta’en such

pains — My wit has been abused, tho’ poor its worth, By being sprinkled o’er such barren earth. The influenza’s making me so bad,

That I must finish quickly or go mad, So will wind up and just to make an end, I Will simply treat your cacbethes scribendi. 1 ne’er pretended to the gift of song, In magic rhymes to “ come it rather strong” To wiite of empty pas was ne’er my ‘forte,’ Nor yet write epitaphs on colonels naughty, Nor ‘ scenes upon the wharf’ to put in print— Mine is an humble task, I gently hint That when you cannot go-A-head with grace The very best thing is your steps to retrace. If wit and commonsense together dwell

Within your cranium, it will please me well But if they’ll lodge together on no pretence— You take the wit leave me the commonsense. Censor.