FROM THE HYMN OF EMPEDOCLES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 31, 5 February 1916, Page 14

FROM THE HYMN OF EMPEDOCLES.

Ts it so small a thing -To have enjoyed the sun. To have lived light in the spring, To have loved, to have thought, to have done: To have advanced true friends, and beat dowu baffling foes; That we must feign a bliss Of doubtful future date, And while we dream on this Lose all our present state, And relegate to worlds yet distant our repose?

Not much, 1 know, you priic What pleasures may be had, Who look on life with eyes Estranged, like mine, and sad: And yet the village churl feels the truth move than you;

"Who's loth to leave this life -Which to him little yields; His hard-tusU'd sunburnt wife, Kls.j-ifteii-labQured fields; The boors with whom he tnlk'd, the ooun try"' spots he knew.

But thou, -because thou hear'st Men scolT at Heaven and Kate; Because the gods thou fear'st Kail to make blhst thy state, Tremblest, and wU,t c .D,ot dare to trust the joys that are.

I say, Fear not! life stilt-,.: Leaves human effqrt Scope, (But. since life teefns with HI) Nurse no extravagant hope. . Because tlion must not dream, thou uecd'st not then despair. 1 B-iIA.TTSE*iV AIRNQJLD.