THE VILEST FIEND OF ALT.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 297, 15 December 1919, Page 5

THE VILEST FIEND OF ALT.

In view of the coming poll let a voice that lias often been heard in the past ie heard again. The poet. Thomas Dracken, the Xew Zealand author of "Not Understood,' , knew by bitter experience whereof he wrote when he penned the following burning denunciation of -trong drink: — "Oh, tJioti invisible spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to be known by, let is call theo devil."—Othello. False spirit! take thy fiendish shape, Thy name is demon, and not wine, Durst thou cling to the purple grape, Durst thou seek shelter 'neath the vine? Nay. cling unto this pntton, Death, And hide thee 'neath the blackest pall: Throughout Creation's length and breadth. Thou art the vilest fiend of all. iVhat are thy crimes? Go ask the grave, That, waits ite lifeless clod; rhv murdered serf, thy poisoned slave, A type, once, of the living God; rh«> shrieks within the maniac's cell? The chain clanks 'yond the prison's wall. The wailg and groans of million? tell Thou art the vilest fiend of all. SVhat are thy crimes? Yon soulless thin;; Was once God's image, pure and fair, Yea. fiend, as witnesses I'll Tiring, F.,ust, hatred, murder, and despair: | To prove thy guilt! The fiercest flame ( That burns liclow -when sinners fall Is fed by the<\ remorse and shame Proclaim thee. vilest fiend of all. What are thy crimes! Thy counsels plea Is this: Thou'rt good and we should priz<> j Heaven's gift; but Ido vi«w in thee I A enwl Devil in disguise; Before thee, peace :md comfort- fly. Replaced by senseless feu<J and brawl; Near thee. truth, love, and honour die— Tliou art the vilest fiend of all. Oh, God of Justice! God of right! Why is the world so full of woe. Why axe souls withered by this blight? Ls this the working of Thy foe— The rebel sire of sin and crime, Who makcv Thy likeness, man. his thrall ? Oh, Father! Shield our new-born prime From tihis th e vilest fiend of all. (Ad).